Author: Alex LoDico

TOWN OF AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) says a roundabout project in the Town of Aurora has wrapped up.

The $5.9 million project at the intersection of Route 400 and State Route 16 (Olean Road) began in February. As a result, that area of road is now a single-lane roundabout.

Three businesses destroyed by Lewiston fire

But that wasn’t the only part of the project. The NYSDOT says resurfacing took place, too. Specifically, roughly four miles of State Route 400 between the roundabout and Route 20A received this treatment.

In addition to that, here are some of the other improvements:

rehabilitation of four culverts on Route 400flashing beacons placed at the entries of the roundaboutnew lighting and sidewalks installed

“This project along State Route 400 will help mitigate the impacts of flooding, reduce congestion and make life easier for the thousands of commuters who traverse this key intersection every day on their way to work, home and other important destinations,” NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was sentenced Wednesday after causing the death of a dog while working at a dog daycare business, the Erie County District Attorney’s office announced.

Jarrod Dillman, 26, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. As part of the sentence, he is prohibited from owning or caring for animals for five years.

Homeless woman accused of bringing drugs in Genesee County Jail

On Aug. 3, 2019, while working a dog daycare business on Niagara Street in Buffalo, Dillman caused the death three-year-old Havanese mix named Alessio. Dillman admitted to repeatedly kicking the dog and throwing it at a wall. A necropsy revealed the dog died due to blunt force trauma.

A day after pleading guilty to the animal cruelty charge, on Nov. 7, 2019, Dillman entered a bank on Elmwood Avenue near Breckenridge Street in Buffalo and attempted to rob it. Dillman handed over a forged check with a note on the back that directed the teller to give him cash and not to call the police. After the teller refused, Dillman left the bank without any money.

Dillman pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted robbery on Feb. 10, 2020, but after participating in a diversion program, he was able to withdraw his plea and instead plead guilty to petit larceny, a reduced charge.

He was sentenced to three years probation for the petit larceny charge on Wednesday, which will run concurrent to his animal cruelty sentence.

BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Genesee County Sheriff’s office says a homeless woman is facing drug and prison contraband charges.

Beth Jeffres, 40, was arrested on Monday after the Sheriff’s office says she entered the Genesee County Jail with a number of controlled substances this past Saturday.

She faces the following charges:

criminal possession of a narcotic drugcriminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sellcriminal possession of a controlled substancepromoting prison contraband

Jeffres was held on cash bail and is scheduled to reappear in City of Batavia Court on December 15.

LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Wednesday morning, three businesses were destroyed by a fire in Lewiston.

News 4 photojournalist Paul Ivancic was at the scene, where he says Vintage Barber Shop, Sue’s Frame of Mind and SoullyCreated Boutique were the businesses impacted by the fire.

As a result, Center Street, between 7th and 8th streets, has been temporarily closed down. The road closure began shortly before 6:30 a.m. and it’s not clear how long it will remain shut down.

The origin of the fire appears to have been electrical in nature.

(Photo: Colleen Mary Summerville)

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LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — A fire in Lewiston has temporarily closed off part of Center Street between 7th and 8th streets.

The fire appears to have started at a business down the street from the Lewiston Opera Hall, but it’s not clear what led to it.

The road closure began shortly before 6:30 a.m. It’s not clear how long it will remain shut down.

News 4 will provide more information on this and any details on the fire when that information becomes available.

(Photo: Colleen Mary Summerville)

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fire crews are on scene of a fire at Country Club Manor apartments in Williamsville.

The apartment complex is located on Northwood Drive.

A firefighter on scene told News 4 that the fire is mostly contained to a garage and not a building.

(WIVB)

(WIVB)

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Rochester man has pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after prosecutors say he had a gun at an anti-violence event.

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s office, Buffalo police saw 19-year-old Amauri Smith walking on Jefferson Avenue near Glenwood “with what appeared to be a gun in the pocket of his shorts.” They said this took place on June 11 during the “March for Our Lives” event.

“Officers confronted the defendant and recovered an illegal, loaded handgun from the defendant’s pocket,” the DA’s office said.

When Smith, now 20, is sentenced on Feb. 10, he could spend up to seven years in prison. He’s currently free on $20,000 bail.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Rochester man has pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after prosecutors say he had a gun at an anti-violence event.

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s office, Buffalo police saw 20-year-old Amauri Smith walking on Jefferson Avenue near Glenwood “with what appeared to be a gun in the pocket of his shorts.” They say this took place on June 11 during the “March for Our Lives” event.

“Officers confronted the defendant and recovered an illegal, loaded handgun from the defendant’s pocket,” the DA’s office said.

When Smith is sentenced on Feb. 10, he could spend up to seven years in prison. He’s currently free on $20,000 bail.