Weekend News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on December 27, 2024

Chevy Chase (NBC Photo)
One of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live” is making an appearance in the area this weekend. Actor Chevy Chase will be at Rochester’s West Herr Auditorium Theatre on Sunday night for a screening of the hit holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Chase starred in the 1989 film and will answer questions from fans after the movie is shown. Seats are still available and can be purchased at the box office or online through Ticketmaster.

Greece Police presence at The Mall at Greece Ridge (13WHAM Photo)
Greece police are releasing details about an incident that led to The Mall at Greece Ridge shutting down early. The department says it received a request last night from mall security asking that officers help with clearing out large groups of disorderly teens and young adults that had gathered. Once outside the mall, some of those groups were involved in fights around the area and two 16-year-olds were taken into custody. No stores were damaged and there were also no injuries reported.

File photo
The Ellicottville Police Department has arrested three people in connection to reports of larceny at Holiday Valley. Officials say the incident occurred around 6 p.m. on December 21st. The suspects have been identified as 50-year-old John Oyler, 56-year-old Michael Havers and 46-year-old Darby Monahan. All three face several charges including second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree grand larceny. Oyler is behind bars, while the other two were released and are expected to appear in court at a later date.

Eve
An arrest has been made just days after Niagara SPCA says an emaciated dog was found alone on a road in Lockport. SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested 39-year-old Ashley Pritchard after someone found the dog stumbling without a collar on Ruhlmann Road Tuesday afternoon. They said the dog, named Eve, was around eight pounds underweight and suffering from hypothermia. The next day, the shelter announced that Eve had died. Pritchard is charged with “failure to provide,” which is a Class A misdemeanor in New York State.
An investigation continues into the discovery of four stolen vehicles in Rochester. According to authorities, they were all found yesterday on Thomas Street in the city after law enforcement tracked one of those vehicles from Gates. It is believed the other vehicles were stolen from Irondequoit, Brighton, and Rochester. So far, no arrests have been made and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Leanna Palmer (provided photo)
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing teen who was last seen on December 19th in Lockport. 17-year-old Leanna D. Palmer was last seen wearing a grey Nike Tech sweatsuit and black puffer coat, officials said. She is 5-foot-3 and approximately 170 lbs. Anyone with any information should contact Investigator Timothy Caughel of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office at 716-438-3393.

Andy Borden (WIVB News photo)
A Buffalo Bills fan is organizing the first ever alcoholics anonymous meeting at Highmark Stadium this Sunday. Andy Borden organized the “Hey Hey AA” meeting to inspire others with his own journey to sobriety. He said he knows how intimidating it can be to go to places where alcohol is so prominent, but knowing there are resources and people there to share that experience is important. Borden said the Bills organization has been supportive as well, providing them with a parking spot for the meeting. The meeting takes place at 11:00am in Lot 6 at Highmark Stadium before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Emanuel Lutchman (2015 file photo)
It was nine years ago this week when the New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration in Rochester was called off after an arrest in an ISIS-inspired terror plot. Emanuel Lutchman was accused of planning to attack a restaurant or bar in the Rochester area in the name of ISIS.
After snapping a 13-game losing streak, the Buffalo Sabres will try and make it back-to-back victories tonight. The Sabres will battle the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center in a contest between two teams that are at the bottom of their respective conferences. Buffalo last played Monday when they beat the New York Islanders seven to one. Face-off tonight is set for 7:00.
The Buffalo Bills are going to be playing their final home game of the regular season against a division rival. The AFC East champions are hosting Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Buffalo is coming off a 24 to 21 win over the New England Patriots and are hoping to secure the number two seed in the AFC playoffs. Kickoff Sunday is scheduled for 1:00.