Weekend News Brief

A Stafford woman has been arrested by the Genesee County Sheriffs and charged with falsely reporting an incident. It’s alleged that 31-year-old Rebecca Harrington reported something to law enforcement that did not occur. Harrington was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled for Town of Stafford Court on April 10.

 

The Town of Bethany is receiving a big financial boost following a water crisis in 2023; they’ll be receiving $5 million from New York State to help form a new water district. Town leaders unanimously approved the formation of a public water district with Batavia after wells in the town went dry for months late in 2023, prompting a state of emergency amid a shortage. State officials said the new infrastructure would provide public drinking water to roughly 1,000 people.

“New York State is continuing its historic investments in clean water infrastructure because every New Yorker deserves access to safe, affordable drinking water,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “This is not just an investment in our pipes and treatment plants; it is an investment in the health, well-being, and future of our communities.”

 

A former Buffalo Public Schools music teacher has pleaded guilty to a charge related to attempting to meet up with a teenage girl. 36-year-old Steven DeMart pleaded guilty to one count of attempted endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors said DeMart attempted to meet with an individual who he believed was a 13-year-old. DeMart had communicated with the person, who was actually an adult, multiple times through social media apps, including sending sexually explicit videos. The attempted meeting happened on May 28, 2024 and the incident was reported to the Amherst Police Department the same day. DeMart was suspended from his position after the incident was reported to police. As part of his sentence, which was one year of conditional discharge, he was ordered to surrender his teaching license.

 

Governor Hochul met with President Donald Trump on Friday morning. A statement from state press officials summarized the meeting. It reads:

“Governor Hochul and President Trump covered a broad range of topics in today’s meeting, including the redevelopment of Penn Station, congestion pricing, tariffs, and energy policy. While no formal agreements or decisions were reached, it was a productive conversation, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue in the coming weeks.”

 

On Thursday, President Trump said that he and Hochul would be discussing a plan to place an underground pipeline going through a small section of New York. Trump said that it would provide energy cost relief to people in New York and across New England. “The whole of New England and Connecticut and New York, energy prices are through the roof and this one pipeline will save per family $2,500 dollars just on heating,” he said. Hochul sent out a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday, saying that they would discuss congestion pricing in New York City, the impact of tariffs on New York State and other topics.

 

State Attorney General Letitia James has won a court order forcing the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees by March 17^th that had been fired since January 20^th. This resulted from a lawsuit brought by James and a coalition of 19 other Attorneys General, alleging the Trump administration violated federal law by illegally firing the workers without providing advanced notice. Further mass firings are barred at this time, as well. An additional lawsuit was filed by James and other attorneys general yesterday against the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the United States Department of Education.   ALSO: State Attorney General Letitia James has advanced new legislation to protect consumers and small business from unfair, deceptive and abusive practices. The Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices, or FAIR Act, is intended to strengthen state consumer protection law, to protect residents from a wide array of scams. Forty-seven other states and federal law already prohibit unfair practices, making New York’s current law both antiquated and inadequate. Improvements to state law include help stopping lenders from deceptively steering people into higher cost loans and reduce unnecessary and hidden fees. Other protections include stopping the unfair billing practices by health care companies and preventing companies from taking advantage of state residents with limited English proficiency.

 

Our region is really stepping up to help the family of a Lancaster boy who was killed in a car crash earlier this week. A GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the funeral expenses of 7-year-old Noah Whitmore. Meanwhile, a vigil was held last night to remember the Cayuga Heights Elementary School second grader. At last check, around $36,000 has been donated; their initial goal was just $10,000. You can donate here:   https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-carly-benavides-and-family-after-loss-of-son-noah

 

New details have been released about a house explosion in Greece that left three family members hurt. According to 13WHAM, a report shows that blast on Stone Road last November was caused by an unsecured meter that filled the home with natural gas before it was ignited by an appliance. The front plate on the gas meter wasn’t secured because eight retaining bolts weren’t in place to keep it on. The circumstances of how those bolts were removed is unknown.

 

A graduate student strike could soon happen at the University of Rochester. Graduate workers who want to form a union said the university has backed off from an election agreement. The group is looking to form the union for collective bargaining, claiming some graduate employees make as little as $15,000 a year. They gathered on campus yesterday to protest this development. The group plans to hold a strike vote Monday, March 24. A spokesperson for the U of R released a statement Thursday, saying while the university respects employees’ right to participate in a legal strike, it will not succumb to pressure tactics. They added that entering into a private election agreement is not in the school’s best interests at this time.

 

After a few years of decline, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the population in Rochester and surrounding areas rose in 2024. Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties were among the over 65% of counties nationwide that showed population growth. The years 2020 through 2023 saw population numbers drop, most likely due to the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reason for this latest bump is tied to international migration and a higher birth rate. In case you’re wondering, the City of Batavia’s projected population in 2025 reflects an increase of a tenth of a percent (.1%), from 15,437 to 15,447; and according to the most recent data available, the Town of Batavia’s population at this time is 6,296, a growth rate of a third of a percent (.33%).

 

The Buffalo Sabres are hoping for a win tomorrow. They host the Vegas Golden Knights with face-off at 12:30.

 

Mark Saturday, April 5^th on your calendar to remind you to attend the Alexander Doll Show and Sale, at the Alexander Firemen’s Rec Hall, from 9:30 to 2:30. Admission is $5, children under 12 are free and there will be a free gift for them. Old, new, and collectible dolls and bears will be available, as well as door prizes. Dolls and prints by Dianne Dengel are also featured. Food is available, as well.

 

Thursday evening, March 20^th from 6:30 to 8:00, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy music performed by Bart Dentino. The Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 East Main Street, Batavia is hosting the event, which is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and appreciated, with all proceeds benefiting and supporting the Genesee Wyoming County Warming Center, during the cold, winter nights.