Weekend News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on January 13, 2024
The High Wind and Winter Storm Warning are set to continue through the weekend with Southwest winds coming across at 30 to 40 miles per hour and gusts of up to 65 miles per hour pushing up to 3 feet of snow in heavy bands across Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. Travel could be difficult to impossible. Blowing snow can produce whiteout conditions and reduce visibility to zero in places. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree and powerline damage. The Winter Weather Warning ends Monday at 7am and the Wind Warning ends Sunday at 4am. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency, deployed the national guard to Western NY and banned empty Tractor Trailers and tandem trucks from the Thruway from the Henrietta exit to the Pennsylvania border.
Fire investigators are trying to get to the bottom of what caused a blaze at 46 Swan Street in Batavia, the site of the former Backhoe Joes. Around 12:10 in the afternoon someone called the fire department and reported seeing flames coming from the windows of the under renovation building. Within short minutes the entire structure was engulfed. The city and town fire departments were on the scene quickly and called for 3 alarms and set up a defensive firefighting effort to save the surrounding buildings. All City Fire platoons were dispatched to the fire. Oakfield Fire filled in at City Fire’s hall. Town of Batavia, Stafford, and Elba all responded to the scene. There have been no reported injuries.
A fourth person has died as a result of the fiery crash early New Year’s Day outside the Kodak Center in Rochester. While sharing an update on the investigation Friday, Rochester Police Chief David Smith confirmed 54 year old Dawn Revette died Wednesday from her injuries. The crash happened Jan. 1 around 12:50 a.m., when an SUV driven by 35 year old Michael Avery and filled with gasoline canisters barreled toward a crowd leaving a concert and crashed into an Uber vehicle that was pulling out of a parking lot onto West Ridge Road. Authorities say that the Uber driver saved the lives of dozens of people by getting hit instead of allowing the SUV to plow into the crowd and then explode.
A man is facing charges following a menacing incident in Greece Friday evening. Around 5:30 p.m., police responded to the 2500 block of Ridgeway Avenue for the report of a fight involving a machete. Officers discovered that 39 year old Reginald Jacobs, of Gates, was allegedly attempting to assault a victim with a machete, when a witness took action and ran him over. Jacobs was charged with attempted assault, menacing and criminal mischief, and was released on an appearance ticket, according to police. No charges will be filed against the witness who reportedly ran over Jacobs to stop the assault. No other injuries were reported.
The weather could affect the upcoming Buffalo Bills first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon. That’s why the Bills and Jani-King are looking for anyone 18 and older, or under 18 with proper working papers, interested in shoveling snow inside the stadium. The Bills said those interested in shoveling should go to Highmark Stadium starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Shovelers will be paid $20 an hour and complimentary food and breaks will be provided throughout the shifts in a comfortable warm area. They are expecting to need shovelers through the night.
