Wednesday News Brief

An air quality health advisory is in effect today and tomorrow for both the Western New York and eastern Lake Ontario regions. Smoke from wildfires that are still burning in Canada will be impacting the air that people breathe. As a result, anyone who has health issues such as asthma, COPD, and bronchitis could suffer some problems like shortness of breath and throat irritation. Those individuals are urged to remain indoors if possible and make sure their windows are closed.

 

 

Governor Hochul said that New York has deployed DEC Forest Rangers and Wildfire Firefighters to Quebec to assist. This is the first time that a New York State Forest Ranger has been deployed to Canada since 2005. The Air Quality Index in Western New York is over 120 with the normal range from 0 to 50. Right now the index is showing that members of sensitive groups may experience health effects but the general public is less likely to be affected.

 

 

A construction worker was struck and killed by a dump truck on I-90 West, between Exits 48 and 48A near milepost 400, shortly after 5:30 Wednesday morning. State Police confirmed the incident, saying the worker was “backed over” by the truck. We’ll update you as more information becomes available.

 

The investigation is still underway into what caused a plane crash in Chautauqua County that left two men dead. The aircraft went down yesterday at the Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport and when crews arrived at the scene; they spotted the plane engulfed in flames. The victims have been identified as 52-year-old Roger Ryall and 52-year-old David Hughes. The aircraft had stopped to refuel in Jamestown as part of a trip from Pennsylvania to Canada.

 

 

School officials in Albion are proposing changes in the student code of conduct to not allow cell phones during the school day for students in the elementary and middle schools. The district also is proposing a change that would allow for hats and head coverings in the high school, as long as teachers are OK with it in their classrooms. They’ll hold a public hearing in July for feedback. Mickey Edwards is the district superintendent and noted that many districts have implemented similar proposals to limit cell phone use.

 

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says the Cheektowaga man who killed two cats has been sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges. Prosecutors say 23-year-old Moises Germanguerrero took the lives of both animals by striking them in the head in March 2021 and October 2021. He was ordered to spend the next 18 months on probation and is banned from owning any animals for the next five years. Erie County DA John Flynn called this case disturbing and said his office will prosecute animal abusers to the fullest extent of the law.

 

 

Five officers were injured in an attack at Wyoming Correctional Facility. An inmate began flailing his arms and screaming in the dorms. When officers moved the inmate to the recreational area he turned and struck one officer in the face. They subdued him and had him transported to the infirmary. The officers hurt experienced minor injuries to their hands, one shoulder injury, and a face injury; all remain on duty. Early impressions from investigation suggest that the inmate, Kenny Gold, appeared to be on drugs that caused him to become violent.

 

The HEALing Genesee Work Group, in collaboration with the City of Batavia Police Department, will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day next week at the Genesee Country Farmers Market. A table will be set up at the market to collect prescription medications from noon until 3 on Friday, June 16th. An opportunity will be available as well, to learn more about Naloxone, a drug that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. The Farmer’s Market is located in the parking lot next to the former JC Penney building on Bank Street and Alva Place.

 

 

Buffalo Bills fans looking to buy season tickets for the team’s new stadium are advised to get in the virtual line now. Current season ticket holders will have the first opportunity at tickets for the new stadium. Other fans will have to sign up for the waiting list and pay a $150-per-seat deposit, with a maximum of six seats. The deposit doesn’t guarantee seats at the new stadium. Fans who do make it off the waiting list will have their deposit credited as a payment toward their season tickets. Fans can also pull their name from the waiting list at any time and have their deposit refunded, save for a $3 processing fee. All fans that do purchase season tickets for the new stadium will also have to buy a personal seat license. The one-time purchase gives each licensee the right to buy season tickets each year; the cost of the license will vary depending on location and amenities.

 

General admission tickets for this season’s Buffalo Bills game in the United Kingdom are going to be put on sale soon. Fans will be able to purchase seats for a Week 5 clash with the Jaguars at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium starting June 22nd. The game itself kicks off 9:30am Eastern time on Sunday, October 8th. Tickets will range in price from $79 to $192 each. Online registration is required and must be completed by June 12th.

 

New information has been released on a crash in Wayne County earlier this week that left two people dead. According to State Police, the victims, 59-year-old John M. Crane and 37-year-old John L. Crane, were in a pickup truck that was hit by tractor-trailer near State Route 104 and Ridge Road in Sodus on Monday. The truck didn’t stop at a red light and was struck by the tractor-trailer. No other serious injuries were reported and the cause of the accident is being looked into.

 

ELSEWHERE:

 

The University of New England is welcoming a rare orange lobster to its science center. Researchers say the bright crustacean is a 1-in-30-million find. The university is more excited about the lobster having one claw because it offers a rare opportunity for students and faculty. They will get the chance to study how a lobster claw grows in real time. The university is also home to a blue lobster named Blueberry and the famous yellow lobster name Banana.

 

A suspect is in custody after a slow-speed scooter chase along a Minnesota freeway. Traffic cameras captured the suspect riding his scooter the wrong way on the freeway Tuesday. He eventually ditched the shooter and jumped onto a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck. A short time later, police pulled the truck over and arrested the suspect. It’s unclear why they were riding the scooter on the freeway to begin with.

 

There’s a new push in Congress to keep AM radio in newer vehicle models. A House subcommittee held a hearing today on a bipartisan bill that would require carmakers to keep AM radio in their vehicles, as some manufacturers have started to phase it out in new electric vehicles. Car companies have argued the electric batteries interfere with AM transmissions.

 

 

Today is Wednesday, June 7th, the 158th day of the year

June 7th in history…

 

…In 1955, “The 64-Thousand Dollar Question” premiered on television.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…Also in 1955, then President Eisenhower is the first president to appear on color TV.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1965, Sony Corporation unveiled their brand new home video tape recorder. It sold for $995.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1976, “The NBC Nightly News” with John Chancellor and David Brinkley aired for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1994, 12-year-old Vicki Van Meter completed a trans-Atlantic flight, landing in Glasgow, Scotland. She became the youngest pilot to fly east to west across the continental United States of America, and the youngest female pilot to cross in either direction. Sadly, she committed suicide in March 2008. Her brother said she battled depression and opposed medication, but her family thought she had been dealing with her problems. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please call 988.

 

 

…In 2008, award-winning sportscaster Jim McKay died at the age of 86. McKay was best known for delivering the line “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” before the opening of ABC’s “Wide World Of Sports” which he hosted for 37 years.