Weekend News Brief

Bethany residents, still dealing with drought conditions that have dried up wells across Western New York, got a little water in the form of pallets of bottled water delivered Friday morning.  The water was donated by Casella Waste Systems operations manager Eric Santos and his crew.  The town of Bethany will start distributing these cases to the residents on the list whose wells have gone dry on Tuesday morning during normal office hours during the week and on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. during tote fill time and Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.  Bethany residents in need who have not yet called the town hall for help are asked to call 585-343-1399, Ext. 202 to leave your name, phone number and address to be put on the list for the town supervisor.  Bethany is not alone, Pembroke residents can get their approved water containers filled up by appointment at the Town Highway Garage.  To make an appointment call 5855994892 extension 102 or 103.   

A woman died Friday morning 24 hours after being hit by a vehicle in a Wegmans parking lot.  Deputies responded to the store on Route 31 in Perinton just after 10:30 a.m. Thursday for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian.  Police said the woman had just exited her car when she was hit by a vehicle entering a parking space.  EMS provided aid to the woman before an ambulance took her to the hospital in critical condition.  The driver cooperated with the investigation. Deputies determined sun glare was a contributing factor, while drugs, alcohol and speed were not.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Buffalo Police Department announced Friday the arrest of a City of Buffalo employee.  50-year-old Bernard Brown, who works with the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, was arraigned Friday morning in Buffalo City Court.  He is facing the following charges and is being held without bail: first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  If convicted, Brown could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.  Authorities say it took eight months to nail down what they call a ladder investigation and that they believe he was a significant dealer in Buffalo.

Congressman George Santos has been booted from the house but Governor Hochul is drawing fire because she says she can appoint his replacement.  She can’t.  Federal law states that, in the event of a House vacancy, a governor’s sole responsibility is to issue a proclamation for the required special election within 10 days. The election must then be scheduled for 60 to 70 days from the date of the proclamation. She said on X that she would fill the seat herself for the now vacant 3rd district.  X added the context that voters must elect the representatives.  The special election is anticipated to be key for New York Republicans, who made unexpected gains in the Empire State during last year’s midterm elections.

The Seneca Nation of Indians announced it has reached an agreement with New York State on a short-term extension of the current gaming compact.  The current compact was set to expire on December 9. The extension runs through March 31, 2024, and the state said it will automatically renew unless one of the parties decides not to renew it or a new gaming compact is agreed upon.  The first casino gaming compact was signed 21 years ago, allowing the Seneca’s to operate Class III gaming casinos in Niagara Falls, Salamanca, and downtown Buffalo.