08/07/2026
CJ Country Local News for Fri, August 7
Allegany County health officials say they have identified two presumed measles cases as they continue investigating a confirmed case in the county. Contact tracing has identified 45 direct contacts, who have been notified and provided with guidance and monitoring instructions, while the original patient is recovering well. Officials say the risk to the general public remains low, especially for people who are fully vaccinated or born before 1957, and remind residents to check their MMR vaccination status. Anyone who develops measles symptoms should stay home and call a healthcare provider before seeking in-person medical care so facilities can take appropriate isolation precautions.
A state appeals court has upheld the conviction of a convicted child ra**st. The bid to overturn the guilty plea of Wesley Thigpen for predatory sexual assault against a child was rejected. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department unanimously ruled that Thigpen received effective legal representation and that the plea agreement was favorable, dismissing his claims of ineffective counsel and a speedy trial violation. Thigpen pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of predatory sexual assault involving children younger than 13 in Genesee County and was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison. He is serving that sentence at Attica Correctional Facility after previously serving a four-year prison term for a separate child sexual assault conviction.
A Guatemalan man pleaded guilty in federal court after leading law enforcement on multiple dangerous vehicle pursuits and damaging a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle. 22yo Ericson Vasquez-Moran admitted guilt to depredation and injury to government property, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Authorities said he rammed a Border Patrol vehicle while fleeing immigration officers, then led Wyoming County deputies on a high-speed chase before escaping on foot. More than two hours later, Vasquez-Moran called to surrender and was taken into custody, where he also faced state charges including reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing. He is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
A reported attempted robbery in Oakfield did not occur as initially reported. That’s according to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, saying that on August 4th the sheriff's office issued a news release about an alleged attempted purse snatching on South Main Street. Investigators have since determined there is no evidence that an attempted robbery or any altercation took place. The investigation into the reporting of the incident is ongoing, and charges may be pending.
A Batavia man was arrested after an alleged domestic dispute and police pursuit. Batavia Police say 35yo Anthony Manara was involved in a domestic dispute at a residence on Vine Street before leaving the scene in a vehicle. When officers attempted to stop him, they say he fled, leading police on a pursuit that ended after officers successfully deployed spike strips. Manara was charged with harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawfully fleeing a police officer, and numerous vehicle and traffic law violations. He was transported to the Genesee County Jail for arraignment in CAP Court.
A Batavia woman is accused of violating an order of protection. Batavia Police say 33yo Latashia Sanchez shoved another person in violation of that order. She was arrested on charges of first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment. Sanchez was transported to the Genesee County Jail where she was held for arraignment.
A traffic stop in Batavia results in a felony drunken driving arrest for a Holley man. According to Batavia Police, 26yo Jermain Tyson was stopped on Clinton Street after operating a vehicle while intoxicated. During the stop, officers say he provided a false name. Tyson was charged with felony DWI, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, false personation, and several traffic violations. Tyson was issued appearance tickets and released pending a future court date.
New York State Police are reminding businesses and vendors to carefully inspect cash after reports of counterfeit currency circulating across the state. Police are encouraging employees to check the look, feel, and security features of U.S. bills by examining the paper, raised printing, watermarks, embedded security threads, and color-shifting ink. Officials say counterfeit-detection pens should be used only as a secondary screening tool and urge businesses to inspect all denominations, especially during busy or distracting transactions. If a bill is suspected to be counterfeit, businesses should avoid recirculating it, safely preserve it if possible, document any suspect information, and contact local law enforcement or the New York State Police.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are urging the Trump administration to reverse its plan to end Medicare Part D premium subsidies at the end of 2026. They argue the change would increase prescription drug costs for about 1.3 million New York seniors and millions more nationwide, with Gillibrand saying the subsidies have reduced average premiums by 40%. Hochul calls the proposal "a new assault on seniors.” Trump administration official Mehmet Oz says ending the subsidies would stabilize the market and that most Medicare recipients would see premium increases of less than $10, with some paying lower premiums.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Florida Senator Rick Scott have sent a letter out to the Food and Drug Administration asking why there's a shortage of cancer medicine, especially chemotherapy drugs, in America. Gillibrand says their letter was asking for more information to find out what's causing it. But what they know is that the few producers of these cancer medications are having some kinds of disruption. The Senator says she doesn't know specifically what the disruption is, adding that they're just not producing enough medication, so there's shortages. She says her letter with Rick Scott was to ask the FDA to brief them on what is the problem so they can fix the problem. Gillibrand also says she and Senator Scott are pressing the FDA to come up with a plan to solve the shortage issue while ensuring imported drugs are up to American regulatory standards.
The New York State DEC has begun selling 2026-27 hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits, with applications for limited permits open through October 1st. Officials say the new season includes expanded opportunities to harvest antlerless deer, including increased Deer Management Permit availability, an expanded September antlerless season in some areas, and a new Earn-a-2nd-Buck program to help manage deer populations. Licenses are available online on the DEC website, by phone at 1-866-933-2257, or through DEC license-issuing agents. Hunters can now apply for up to four DMPs, with unlimited permits available in 23 Wildlife Management Units and limited permits awarded through a lottery system.
The 2026 Wyoming County Fair is coming soon. The annual event returns to Pike from August 15th-22nd, offering eight days of agricultural exhibits, entertainment, family activities, and patriotic celebrations themed "Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights" in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Visitors can enjoy livestock shows, tractor and horse pulls, parades, talent competitions, carnival rides, local exhibits, historic demonstrations, and a wide variety of classic fair foods. Admission is free, with parking at $10 per vehicle or $30 for an advance weeklong pass purchased by August 14th. Find out more at www.wyomingcountyfair.org.
The Annual Attica Rodeo continues tonight and through the weekend. The WNY summertime tradition features roping, riding, penning, the rodeo clowns, and more. For information on tickets and show times, go to atticarodeo.com.
