JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) — Cast and crew of a popular Netflix series filmed in Charleston are grieving after a member of their team was killed in an early-morning hit and run Tuesday.

According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Alexander “AJ” Jennings (22) was walking along Sol Legare Road near Cozet Drive around 2:30 a.m. when he was struck by a car that fled the scene. He was then struck by a second car which also fled the scene, but was later located in downtown Charleston by officers with the Charleston Police Department.

Pedestrian killed, vehicles fled scene after morning crash near Folly Road: CCSO

Jennings was a cast member on Netflix’s Outer Banks, according to the show’s casting agency, Kimmie Stewart Casting.

He served as a body double/stand-in for the character ‘John B.’ in season three, which is currently filming in and around Charleston.

In a Facebook post, the casting agency described Jennings as “a beautiful, kind soul & a bright light every day on set.”

Actor Chase Stokes, who stars as ‘John B’, remembered Jennings with a message on Instagram Wednesday morning:

“Still trying to process why certain things happen, and why the world works in the ways that it does. My heart is shattered. Your life was just starting. We JUST talked about how pumped you were about your tunes, how far you’d come with that ole 6 string and your want to keep creating art. Always always making others hearts warm and being so damn selfless. I wish I had more words to say right now, but the past day has been a struggle to say the least. We all love you, you touched all of our lives and made us all better people, and for that– Thank you AJ. Fly high angel❤️ “

CCSO is working to identify the initial car involved in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact CCSO at (843) 743-7200.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police have arrested a Queen City woman in connection to a Tuesday night shooting that critically injured a 20-year-old.

BPD Gun Violence Unit detectives zeroed in on 28-year-old Hady Rivera Tuesday and moved in to make an arrest. She was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The 20-year-old victim was shot around 9 p.m. on Niagara Street at Hudson Street, according to BPD. They were rushed to Erie County Medical Center in critical condition.

Buffalo Police haven’t released any more information.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An inmate at the Erie County Correctional facility in Alden filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and its medical staff were negligent in refusing him outside care with a specialist to determine why his face developed a rash with sores and lesions that drooled puss into his eyes.

Raymond Acker had rashes, abrasions, lacerations, incisions, sores, lesions and scars on his nose and face, some of which dripped with puss that leaked into his eyes, causing him great pain. But the medical staff at the Erie County Correctional facility refused to change his medications or send him to an emergency room or specialist to help determine the cause of the breakout, according to his lawsuit filed in Erie County Supreme Court against Erie County, the sheriff’s office and at least a dozen members of the jail’s medical staff with SHC Services, who examined him over the two-month period.

Acker was incarcerated on Sept. 15, 2021, as a pre-trial detainee, when he was provided a topical medication to treat his dermatitis and psoriasis. But his lawsuit states that these medications “were not proper, and their choice of care was an improper course of treatment for him.”

Lawsuits and settlements with Erie County Sheriff’s Office cost taxpayers millions

A rash formed on Acker’s face and nose, that began to blister, burn, and itch, the lawsuit states. He began to lose vision as his eyes swelled shut with scabbing. The rashes “were oozing and leaked into his eyes.”

The lawsuit alleges that these injuries were caused by inhouse medical staff giving him the wrong medications and refusing for two months to send him to an emergency room out to a specialist with expertise in the field of dermatitis and psoriasis.

Each day Acker’s condition seemed to get worse, but his requests to see a specialist or be transported to an emergency room kept getting denied or ignored, the lawsuit states. On Sept. 20, 2021, medical staff started Acker on new medications, but they did not appear to help his condition. In fact, his pain worsened, the lawsuit states.

By Sept. 22, 2021, Acker refused to take the medications because he believes they were making his condition worse and causing him more pain. The lawsuit states medical staff gave him Tylenol for the pain, and stressed the importance of his medication and continued to refuse to transport him to outside care.

The lawsuit states that medical staff told Acker to keep his hands off his face, avoid using hot water on his face and stay hydrated.

Family of inmate on life support wants answers from Erie County Sheriff’s Office

By Oct. 3, 2021, Acker thought that he had an infection in his eyes from the puss.

“He stated how long does he have to wait to live in the pain he’s been in,” the lawsuit states. “He complained that he had an infection in his eyes and that the delay in care was getting ridiculous.”

On Oct. 5, 2021, Acker’s condition had not improved and he asked when he would be seen by a dermatologist. He also requested new medication, which was ordered from an outside clinic.

Finally, on Oct. 6, 2021, medical staff made an appointment with WNY Dermatology, but they could not get him in to see a specialist until Nov. 16, 2021.

“This delay in a higher level of care created a risk of permanent injury and caused needless pain and injuries, the lawsuit states.

How First Amendment ‘auditors’ target public servants for viral videos

On Nov. 16, 2021, the specialist noted that Acker had a rash on his nose, blistering. His face was burning and he was in pain. He was diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis, steroid-induced rosacea, inflammation, and erythema, with chemical burns. The specialist ordered him to discontinue all topical medications and ordered a new treatment of care.

The lawsuit alleges that the county, sheriff’s office and medical staff were negligent by failing to provide Acker with proper medical care and that they violated his civil rights.

Acker’s lawsuit also alleges that county officials knew of a problem with medical care in the jails managed by the sheriff’s office, but failed to take any corrective measures.

Indeed, several other lawsuits have been filed with similar allegations.

On Sept. 14, 2021, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jennifer Flannery, who died from a ruptured ulcer allegedly caused by the negligence of the defendants.

Former Erie County Holding Center inmate sues county, Sheriff Howard for medical neglect

In 2016, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of India Cummings, who died at a hospital after her health declined while an inmate in the holding center. In June 2018, the state Commission of Correction released a report that concluded her death was caused by a massive pulmonary embolism resulting from acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, dehydration, and fracture of the humerus and that the medical care she received while an inmate was “so grossly incompetent and inadequate as to shock the conscience.” Her death was classified as a homicide due to medical neglect.

James Busch alleged in a federal lawsuit that while an inmate in 2019, there was a Hepatitis A outbreak at both the holding center and the jail in Alden. When Busch complained of symptoms linked to Hepatitis A in October 2019, medical staff told him to stay hydrated and gave him Tylenol. His conditions worsened but his request to be sent to an emergency room was denied by medical staff. When Busch was finally taken to a hospital, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis A and remained under direct medical care for more than a week. He alleged that he unknowingly contracted the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated with stool from someone already infected.

At least 32 inmates have died under the care of former Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard.

In June, Scott Riordan became the first inmate known to have died since new sheriff John Garcia succeeded Howard over six months ago.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A mother is demanding answers after her 10-year-old son was beaten at Buffalo Collegiate Charter School.

Zachary Walker was taken to the hospital for injuries and his mother Lisa claims she still hasn’t gotten details about what happened.

Walker and community groups are calling on the school to release the incident report from June 13.

“I still haven’t heard anything, I haven’t seen any incident report, I don’t know what’s happening and I think Buffalo Collegiate Charter School should let me know something because my son was assaulted at school,” she said.

Photos provided by the family show Zachary wearing a neck brace and covered in bruises and lumps. Walker also said he suffered a concussion.

Head of school Brian Pawloski said the school followed all protocols but the law prevents him from disclosing more details.

“New York State law requires that we do not produce information on other students disciplinary information to other parents,” Pawloski said. “We can’t disclose the health and safety and welfare of our students to the families or to the public in general.”

He said the incident will be reported to the state’s School Safety and Education Climate system on July 25. This is a self-reporting system where schools are required to submit yearly incident reports.

Aymanuel Radford from We the Parents said he’s unsure if the self-reporting model allows for an accurate representation of what’s going on in schools.

“If the school doesn’t feel like it rises to the level that it’s violent or disruptive they don’t have to report it,” Radford said.

Since it was founded in 2018, Buffalo Collegiate has reported three incidents to the state. All three were from the 2018-19 school year and the school went remote during the pandemic.

Radford is calling for an investigation from the Charter School Institute.

“In a situation where any kind of physical harm occurs any kind of a product of bullying those would be incidents that would be reported,” Pawloski said.

The school implemented a restorative practices coordinator, social worker, and mental health coordinator after the pandemic.

“Families and students deserve to come to schools that are safe environments. I think that should be the expectation and I will say that we work really hard to be able to partner with our families so that we have these conversations well in advance to make sure we’re all on the same page,” he said.

Walker said she just wants answers as to what happened to her son, not only for her family, but also for all families in the school.

“These are young kids who are gonna grow up to be adults one day and if this doesn’t stop now we don’t know what we’re gonna see in the future,” she said.

Kayla Green is a reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra has pulled out of the race for New York State Senate in a rebuke of the Republican party.

Giambra, who was running on the Republican line for NYS Senate District 61, said he can no longer stand with GOP leaders. In a news release, the Queen City native said he intends to change his party affiliation, though he did not give any more details.

Giambra added that he took issue with GOP leaders who “double down in their support of the NRA after yet another mass shooting; who applaud the decision to take away a woman’s right to choose and who encourage the elimination of LGBTQ rights; and who still believe that Donald Trump is their president.”

Langworthy officially announces NY-23 candidacy

The former Erie County executive was running against Republican NYS Senator Ed Rath III in the primary race. Voters will cast their ballots for the primary on August 23.

When Giambra announced his State Senate run, he told News 4 “I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer.” He was endorsed by the Erie County Republican Party.

On the other side, NYS Senator Sean Ryan and Benjamin Carlisle are battling for their spot on the Democratic ticket.

Senators Kennedy, Rath drawn into same district under new state Senate map

Read Giambra’s full statement below:

Friends and supporters:

After careful thought and consideration, I have decided that I can no longer remain a Republican or continue with my campaign to seek the Republican nomination for Senator in the 61st District. I cannot stand with party leaders who double down in their support of the NRA after yet another mass shooting; who applaud the decision to take away a woman’s right to choose and who encourage the elimination of LGBTQ rights; and who still believe that Donald Trump is their president.

It is not my nature nor is it my strategy to remain silent. The Republican party in its current form is not one that I recognize or agree with. As an independent thinker who has always pushed against the status quo, it would be hypocritical of me to run on a ticket in November with the Republican nominee for Governor— who has said he would hire a pro-life health commissioner and would solicit an endorsement from Donald Trump.

I can no longer represent a party whose priorities I do not authentically support, stand with party leaders whose strategies I do not respect, or align with extreme thinkers who are unwilling to accept different points of view.

I want to thank my family, friends, and the many volunteers who devoted their time and energy to pursuing a campaign for moderation and common sense.

Joel Giambra

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Sublime with Rome will play at the Seneca Casinos Outer Harbor at the Lakeside Event Lawn on September 23.

‘Cheer Live’ to perform at Darien Lake Amphitheater following Independence Day

Tickets will be available for presale on July 7 at 10 a.m. for Seneca Gaming club members. General ticket sales begin July 8 at 10 a.m.

General admission tickets are $24. Tickets can be purchased here.

The post BNP Advocacy Insider – July 2022 appeared first on Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

The post 7.6.22 Advocacy Alert: What Employers Need to Know About NY’s New Gun Laws appeared first on Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

WARSAW, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 79-year-old man was pronounced dead at Wyoming County Community Hospital after crews responded to a fire in Warsaw.

Shortly after 4 a.m. Wednesday, multiple fire companies made their way to the second-floor apartment on Murray Street where the person living there was trapped inside.

Invasive spotted lanternfly found in West Seneca

After removing him from the burning apartment, first responders began CPR on the man and took him to the hospital. There, he was pronounced deceased.

The tenant in the bottom floor apartment was not injured, and is receiving help from the American Red Cross.

Damage caused as a result of the fire added up to $50,000, according to the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services.

(Photo: Alecia Kaus)

(Photo: Alecia Kaus)

(Photo: Alecia Kaus)

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that Western New York will receive $9 million as part of a $104 million award to 16 different developments across New York State to provide over 800 affordable homes across the state.

The Mt. Olive Senior Manor has been awarded $5 million to provide 65 affordable homes to seniors aged 55 and older, 20 of them to be reserved for homeless seniors, to be funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. An additional building as part of the manor will be constructed on a parking lot adjacent to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church on E. Delavan Avenue.

In addition, $4 million has been awarded to Victoria Place in the Village of Kenmore, converting St. Paul’s Catholic School into an apartment building to house 37 apartments for seniors. The building, which has been vacant for over a decade, will utilize NYS and Federal Historic Tax Credits. This project will be the first affordable senior housing in Tonawanda for more than 10 years.

“Expanding the housing supply is the cornerstone of my $25 billion, five-year housing plan, and today’s awards will move us one step closer towards achieving our goal of making New York a more affordable place for all,” Hochul said. “With sustainable designs, on-site supportive services, and expanded access to free or low-cost broadband Internet, we’re not just building homes with these awards; we’re creating vibrant, more enduring communities.”