Weekend News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on March 21, 2025
A search is still underway for a man that Ontario County authorities say should be considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement tried to arrest 26-year-old Jonathan Matthews as part of an ongoing drug investigation in Canandaigua Monday. But Matthews was able to get away in a vehicle and triggered a pursuit that was called off to try and protect public safety. Matthews has an extensive criminal history and anyone with information on his whereabouts should report it immediately.
Cheektowaga authorities are investigating the death of a four-year-old boy who became unresponsive in a private pool yesterday. Police were called around 4:30 p.m. to a home on Constance Lane and found the child unresponsive. Emergency crews began life-saving efforts and transferred the boy to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.
A former substitute teacher with the Dansville Central School District will be spending decades behind bars. A judge has sentenced 33-year-old Derek Hagen to 20 years in prison on federal child pornography charges. Hagen pleaded guilty in 2022 for producing and having tens of thousands of disturbing images of minors that he shared with people on the internet. Once he’s released from custody, he’ll be on probation for 13 years.
Governor Hochul says she is committed to making sure millions of kids have access to free meals at school. Hochul’s plan would subsidize the cost of breakfast and lunch to help address food insecurity. The governor also says her proposal would help parents who may be struggling to feed their children save money. New York currently receives $2 billion in federal funding to support school meal programs.
Monroe County deputies are identifying the victim of a fatal motorcycle accident earlier this week. They say 46-year-old Neil Rogers was traveling near the intersection of West Ridge Road and Route 259 in Parma Wednesday when a car turned into his path. Rogers was rushed to a nearby hospital but later pronounced dead. Police ticketed the driver he collided with for failing to yield the right of way.
The former owner of Rapids Theatre has pled guilty to defrauding COVID relief programs out of more than a million dollars. Officials say 71-year-old John L. Hutchins conspired with co-defendant Roberto Soliman and others to file fraudulent loan applications for assistance under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant programs. The loans available for these programs were designed to provide emergency financial assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Hutchins faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a million dollar fine. Charges remain pending against Soliman.
Genesee Brewery is unveiling details of its brand-new $28 million canning line. The company says this line will allow Genesee to generate over 15 million additional cases of its products at the rapid clip of 15-hundred cans per minute. And, 10 of the almost 60 new jobs created thanks to an investment by Genesee’s parent company will involve direct work on the line. In addition to Genesee, Labatt, Lipton Hard Ice Tea and Seagrams will can its products locally.
Spring has arrived and that means it’s the perfect time for the annual Rochester Home and Garden Show. That event is happening tomorrow and Sunday at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Hundreds of exhibitors will be in attendance and folks can learn about things like renovations, remodeling, patios and decks. There is also going to be face painting for kids from 11:00am until 3:00pm. More details are available online.
Despite a valiant effort, the Sabres couldn’t hold and lost 5-2 to the Utah Hockey Club last night. JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod both scored for Buffalo in the loss. The currently last place Sabres will take the ice Saturday afternoon as their road trip continues; they face the Minnesota Wild with face-off at 2:00.
And this week 49 years ago in 1976, Genesis began its first North American tour since Peter Gabriel left the band the previous year. The road trip started in Buffalo. Drummer Phil Collins took over as lead singer.
With only 6 weeks to go until the federal REAL ID Act becomes enforceable, the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles is encouraging state residents to make sure they are prepared. Beginning on May 7, 2025, anyone going through airport security to fly domestically or attempting to enter secure federal facilities will be required to have a REAL ID or another form of compliant identification such as an Enhanced ID or Passport. For those who need to upgrade their state-issued ID before May 7, the DMV is strongly encouraging them to act as soon as possible.
A rising star in the world of country music joins the list of performers at this year’s New York State Fair. Kameron Marlowe is set to take the Chevy Court stage Saturday, August 23rd at 6:00pm. Marlowe is best known for his hit song “Giving You Up” which has been streamed more than 100 million times on Spotify. The show is free with admission to the fair, which runs from August 20th through September 1st.
Governor Kathy Hochul is making a last-minute push for a mask ban in New York. It’s not going on publicly — it’s all going on behind closed doors in Albany in the Governor’s state budget talks with lawmakers. There’s word that she’s likely to get behind a bill by Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Orange Senator James Skoufis. It doesn’t ban masks outright, but would hike the penalty for harassment when someone deliberately hides their face while menacing or threatening violence against others. The bill is supported by the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League.
Forecasters are warning those with seasonal allergies that pollen counts will be higher than usual across much of the U.S. this year. A senior meteorologist at AccuWeather said Thursday that pollen counts would exceed historical averages in 39 states as the warm weather approaches. The experts say those who suffer from allergies should prepare for an intense allergy season that could linger into autumn. They say allergy seasons across the country are lasting one to four weeks longer than they did 50 years ago because of changing climate conditions.
