Thursday, July 2, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 2:35PM)
A prominent voice in local economic development believes a consolidated town and city of Batavia can pave the way for future economic development.
Steve Hyde, the President of the Genesee County Economic Development Center – whose job it is to lure new development here – says consolidation has positive benefits for both the city and the town
LISTEN
The town board and the city council must both vote to move the consolidation idea forward by approving a referendum this fall in both communities.
That referendum, if approved, would direct the town and city to adopt a consolidation plan.
A final referendum on the plan itself would then a year later.
(Posted: 7:43AM)
LeRoy Police have placed new charges against a Lake Street woman accused of supplying the drugs that contributed to the death of a 53-year-old LeRoy woman last March.
Joann Rusby of Lake Street is now charged with manslaughter and the sale and possession of a controlled substance.
Police say Rusby supplied the 53-year-old woman with the narcotic Fentanyl knowing the patch could cause death if not used properly.
The woman’s death has been determined to be a direct result of the effects of the Fentanyl patch.
Rusby remains free under the supervision of Genesee Justice Program.
(Posted: 6:45AM)
A 15-month old Batavia girl remains hospitalized with a brain injury – violently assaulted, authorities say, by a 27-year-old man.
Dietrich Williams of Batavia is accused of assaulting the child on June 20th or 21st at 14 Hutchins Place in the city.
Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman calls it a “shaken baby” case. The Grand Jury alleges that Williams caused the child’s brain injury by – quote: shaking, slamming or throwing the child so as to impact her head on a hard surface.
Williams is charged with First Degree Assault and Reckless Assault of a Child. Williams is jailed without bail.
The condition of the child has not been released.
A pair of not-guilty pleas has been entered by two of the three men charged with holding up Elba’s M&T Bank at gunpoint.
25-year-old Demone Dillon and 26-year-old Dennis Abrams Jr., both residents of Buffalo, were arraigned yesterday in Genesee County Court. The third suspect in the robbery, Michael Wells, is due for arraignment next Monday.
Abrams will be defended by high profile Buffalo lawyer Paul Cambria.
Cambria is also representing accused murderer Scott Doll of Corfu.
In an attempted to get his client’s bail reduced, a lawyer for Cambria’s firm argued that Abrams, is a “family man.” - going on 4 years of marriage with and is expecting his first child in a month. Abrams and his wife are also foster parents to three girls.
Genesee County Court Judge Robert Noonan refused to lower Abrams 250-thousand dollar cash bail.
WBTA News Series: "Sour Milk"
Part 4 of 5
The tough economy has hit local dairy farmers especially hard.
The prices being paid for milk do not come close to covering expenses, let alone leave a profit.
So, cut expense – but where?
WBTA’s Geoff Redick continues his weeklong series today with Part Four of “Sour Milk”
Listen - Part Four
Tomorrow, Geoff concludes his series, asking dairy farmers why they do what they do.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 2:25PM)
by Geoff Redick
The Wyoming County Drug Task Force has hauled in a whopping 16 offenders on felony drug charges.
A 6-month investigation led to what’s being called “Operation Spring Clean-Up.” The operation came to a close early this morning, when Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies, and officers from four county police departments, made the sting across their region, hauling all 16 people off to Wyoming County Jail.
Those arrested were:
Derrick P. Campbell, 18, 4809 Wolf Rd, Gainesville
Michael A. Bernard, 16, 3749 Walker Rd, Perry
Christie L. Hurley, 29, 127 Holyoke St, Rochester
Daniel J. Breman, 29, 3611 Route 242, Machias
Elizabeth Tingue-Breman, 27, 3611 Route 242, Machias
Kristie L. Smith, 30, 199 Freedom Rd, Freedom
Jodee M. Henderson, 24, 4192 Broadway Rd, Alexander
Rhonda Mitchell, 27, 38 Vermont St, Nunda
Jesse L. Osborne, 25, 157 North Main St, Perry
Ethan J. Newland, 19, 73 Livingston St, Warsaw
Karl Vattes, 35, 6692 Habgood Rd, Black Creek
Nicholas Longhini, 20, 402 Country Lane, Geneseo
Katrina Vangelder, 20, 402 Country Lane, Geneseo
Tyler Copeland, 17, 45 South Main, Castile
Each of the preceding was charged with Felony Criminal Sale and Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
In addition, two people were charged with Criminal Possession and Unlawful Growing of Marijuana. They are:
Noah J. Gregg, 26, 175 Main St, Arcade
Danielle L. Gregg, 30, 175 Main St, Arcade
(Posted: 11:52AM)
A Batavia man is facing felony charges for allegedly assaulting a 15-month old baby, causing serious brain injuries in what is commonly called, a shaken baby case.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman revealed today that 37-year-old Dietrich Williams of Batavia has been indicted by the Genesee County Grand Jury on charges of First Degree Assault and Reckless Assault of a Child.
The indictment charges that on June 20th or 21st, Williams caused serious injuries to the child by "shaking, or slamming or throwing the child so as to impact the child’s head on a hard surface."
The child has not been identified.
The alleged incident occurred at 14 Hutchins Place in the City.
The condition of the child is also unknown.
Williams is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.
(Posted: 6:45AM)
Residents of the Town of Batavia opposed to consolidation with the city, continue to make a greater showing than supporters of the idea.
The latest public meeting into the consolidation was held last night and, like the first session, most attending live in the town and most of them are against consolidation.
Town resident Tim Meier said the city – in his opinion – has made some questionable decisions:
LISTEN
Some consolidation nay sayers are concerned that town assets could be placed in jeopardy -that concern was addressed by Town Supervisor Greg Post:
LISTEN
The consultants who have prepared the consolidation study claim that a combined government would save taxpayers a million dollars a year.
A young Byron man is behind bars for burglary.
18-year-old Nicholas Jacob Ridge Adkins of Swamp Road, Byron, is accused of breaking into a neighbor’s home and stealing some property, according to Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Nicholas is jailed in lieu of $2,500 bail.
Yahoo! is headed to Lockport. The company has announced plans for a new data center, bringing with it 125 high paying jobs. Yahoo! plans to invest upwards of $150-million for the new global computer hub. Previously, Yahoo! said it was weighing three locations in Western New York – including Pembroke in Genesee County - before deciding to land in Lockport. The new facility will sit on 30 acres in the Town of Lockport Industrial Park.
The General Motors plant in Tonawanda will stop production for an additional week next month. That means the factory will grind to a halt for a total of five weeks. Production was halted at the beginning of this week as part of a two week seasonal closure planned each year. The lines will fire up for one on July 13th before stopping the 20th as per the latest announcement.
WBTA News Series: "Sour Milk"
Part 3 of 5
Farmers are a resilient bunch.
The very nature of their business subjects them to wildly fluctuating prices for their products.
But Genesee County Dairymen tell us the milk price declines they have experienced so far this year are unprecedented.
WBTA’s Geoff Redick continues his weeklong series today “Sour Milk” with a look at how local dairy farmers are reacting:
Listen - Part Three
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 10:10AM)
There’s big money in scrap metal, but for five Rochester area men, it also means big trouble.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office collared five men early this morning who allegedly tried to steal tons of scrap metal from a rail car along the CSX tracks in the Town of Batavia.
Chief Deputy Jerry Brewster tells WBTA lawmen were watching as the suspects went to work under the cover of darkness:
LISTEN
The value of the scrap metal has been pegged in excess of 20-thousand dollars.
The five were all charged with a felony count of grand larceny and jailed on various amounts of bail.
The suspects are identified as:
Christopher Monfort, 37, 113 E. Pine St., Rochester, held with bail;
Anthony Toscano, 44, 918 S. Goodman St., Rochester, held without bail;
Richard Riedman, 35, 542 Klen Rd., Webster $15,000 bail;
Anthony J. Russell, 35, 75 Snug Harbor Court, Rochester $10,000 bail and Timothy M. Stone, 29, 3735 Chili Ave., Rocheter, $10,000 bail.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
Corporate belt-tightening will impact one of Batavia’s venerable institutions.
The Daily News reports in its on-line edition that come next June, it will no longer print USA Today.
The Daily News said the decision by the Gannett Corporation, owner of USA Today, was strictly economic.
USA Today will be printed in Rochester at the Democrat and Chronicle, also a Gannett paper.
Copies of USA Today printed in Batavia for the past 24 years, were distributed throughout Western and Central New York, Southern Ontario and Northwest Pennsylvania. The Daily News was one of 33 regional printing sites across the country and had been recognized several times by Gannett for its overall printing quality.
WBTA Eye on Government:
Another public information meeting is scheduled tonight into the proposed consolidation of the City and Town of Batavia. The meeting begins at 7PM tonight in the Batavia High School Auditorium.
Congressman Chris Lee is holding office hours in Batavia tomorrow. Representations of Lee’s office are teaming up with State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for joint office hours tomorrow morning from 9AM until 11AM in the Old County Courthouse. Hawley himself will represent his office.
A New York Supreme Court judge is ordering the warring sides back to the state Senate for a working session this morning. Siding with New York Governor David Paterson in the now three-week long power struggle, the judge is ordering the Senate to convene for a special session at 10 this morning. The Republican coalition plans an appeal. The judge did not rule if the June 8th political coup was legal, in which Republicans and two defiant Democrats claimed to have taken control of the Senate chamber.
First Niagara bank has paid Uncle Sam back the bailout money it had received. The bank says it has completed the final transaction worth more than two-and-a-half million dollars. Back in May, First Niagara repaid 184-million dollars it received under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or Tarp. The bank is now free from the tight restrictions placed on institutions taking taxpayer money.
WBTA News Series: "Sour Milk"
Part 2 of 5
Genesee County dairymen are the first to tell you that prices in their industry are prone to sudden fluctuations.
Price cycles are part of the business.
However, the downward spiral of the past several months is one of the steepest declines in recent memory.
WBTA’s Geoff Redick continues his weeklong series today with Part Two of, "Sour Milk."
Listen - Part Two
Monday, June 29, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 7:15AM)
Don't put the umbrella too far away this week. Clouds and rain will be the story for most of the work week. Today and Tuesday we will likely see the heaviest rain of the week, but clouds will stick around through Friday. Forecaster say it won't be nearly the drenching we saw last week. However, it will be some on and off showers with temps in the low to mid 70's.
Governor David Paterson made an unprecedented move in calling the New York State Senate into the chamber for a Sunday session.
On the agenda at yesterday's meeting was the approval of several Paterson appointees and a bill prohibiting discrimination in housing for domestic abuse victims. Paterson has called the senators "derelict in their duty" and has promised to cut millions of dollars of pork-barrel projects until the Senate gets back to normal.
The governor has also ordered state officials to find a way to cut off senators' expenses reimbursement and paychecks.
30-year-old Phillip Ehnot of Harvester Avenue has been arrested by Batavia Police. Ehot was jailed allegedly grabbing his wife, throwing her to the ground, slapping her and pulling her hair. He then allegedly grabbed onto their 10-year-old son and pushed him into some stairs, according to the police report.
A second Buffalo student has died from swine flu. Nine-year-old Maya Harden passed away over the weekend at Women and Children's Hospital. Maya’s death comes one week after 15-year-old Matthew Davis died from the H1N1 virus.
Another public sound-off is scheduled for tomorrow night on the proposed merger of the city and town of Batavia.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 o’clock tomorrow night at Batavia High School auditorium.
The first session earlier this month illustrated that the idea of one Batavia will be a very hard sell on town residents who are skeptical of being part of the expense-laden city.
WBTA News Series: "Sour Milk"
Part 1 of 5
The economy of Genesee County relies heavily on agriculture, and a large part of that, is the dairy industry.
But these are tough times for dairymen.
This week, WBTA’s Geoff Redick takes a close look at the state of the dairy industry in Genesee County.
Here is part one of his series, "Sour Milk"
Listen - Part One
Saturday, June 27, 2009
by Wayne Fuller
Genesee County is moving up in the medical field.
Officials from the County Economic Development Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Bruce A. Holm Upstate Med-Tech Center yesterday afternoon, in the now-empty lot across the road from Genesee Community College.
EDC President Steve Hyde says the new Med-Tech Center is the product of about 8 years of development, planning, and securing funding.
Now it will house GCC’s School of Nursing, UMMC’s Occupational and Physical Therapy program, and the Economic Development Center’s offices.
There will also be almost 7-thousand square feet of space available to house up-and-coming Med-Tech companies, who will be encouraged to use the space as a launching pad, and then build their own centers nearby on EDC property, thus rooting and keeping business here in Batavia.
The center is named for former Batavia resident, Dr. Bruce Holm, Executive Director of New York’s Center of Bio-informatics and Life Sciences.
Governor Paterson is calling on the warring Senate factions to get back to bargaining table or else. Governor Paterson is taking state Senators to court to force a legitimate Senate session. The governor says the Senate Democrats and Republicans quickly and separately gaveling in and out this week for specials sessions does not count. Both sides are holding separate sessions due to the three-week power-struggle over the chamber. A judge is expected to hear the case Monday. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats did briefly conduct business during a special session Friday in holding a moment of silence for pop icons Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Lawmakers did not vote on legislation.
Senate Republicans are chalking up a court victory. A state judge is signing off on a subpoena to review Senate session records from the day of the political coup, June 8th. The GOP charges the Democratically-appointed Secretary of the Senate Angelo Aponte illegally altered the records. Rockville Centre Senator, Republican Senate Leader Dean Skelos, says calls the ruling momentous. The judge adjourned the lawsuit to Monday
A joint investigation between the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State Police has led to the arrest of three Buffalo men.
Deputies say the three are allegedly involved in two daytime, residential burglaries in mid-June. One occurred in a house on the Harlow Road and the other on the Seven Day Road. The trio has been identified as 19 year old Jeffery DiNicola, 19 year old Justin Falter, and 22 year old Ryan Przbylski (Pre-by-less-key) all of Buffalo. Cash and other itmes were taken in the burglaries,
Another Darien Lake Concert and another series of arrests. Seven persons were arrested last night by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies during the Def Leppard/Poison concert. Six were all from the Buffalo or Rochester area. Four were arrested for Harassment, one each for Disorderly Conduct, and Trespass. A seventh person, 37 year old Scott Quigley of Charlotte, North Caroline has been jailed on a trespass charge after he allegedly jumped over a fence and gained access to the back stage area of the Performing Arts Center.
23-year-old Daniel Berhow of the Carmen Road in Barker has been charged with Criminal Mischief, Harassment, and DWI. Sheriff’s Deputies say the arrest came as the result of a domestic dispute in a vehicle on Route 33 in the Town of Batavia. Berhow allegedly chocked another person and then punched out the window to her vehicle.
Two persons were arrested on Criminal Mischief charges after allegedly breaking off a brick from a building in the Village of Oakfield and then using the brick to damage two front windows of the Oakfield Family Pharmacy. 25 year old Thomas Hensel of South Pearl Street in Oakfield and 24 year old Brandon Seppe of Manhatten Avenue in Batavia are both in jail with bail set at 25 hundred dollars
A Town of Covington man has been arrested on Menacing and Harassment Charges. Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies say 43 year old
John Pease of Route 246 in Covington was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with his mother when he threatened here with knife. He’s in the Wyoming County Jail with bail set at 2 thousand dollars.
Friday, June 26, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 10:15AM)
Victorian Manor in Batavia, beseiged by investor difficulties for more than a year, has resolved its ownership. The company plans to complete a major expansion project that was abruptly halted when the original owners ran into financial difficulty in 2008.
Marcia Noonan, administrator for Victorian Manor, released the following statement on Friday morning. The statement reads in part: Victorian Manor is now The Manor House. On Friday, June 26, 2009, ownership was transferred from Sunwest Management to Manor House, LLC.
The new owners are the 10 individual investors who were originally brought in by Sunwest when it purchased the facility in 2006. When Sunwest began to struggle financially in 2008, the investors undertook an effort to take control of the facility and have now been able to conclude the transfer of control and ownership.
The Manor House is an independent living facility for seniors with 40 apartments and a full dining room in the original 15 year old building on East Main Street. The new owners will now complete the construction of two new wings which will bring the total number of studio, one and two bedroom apartments to 90.
“We have finalized our agreements with the contractors and they will be back to work to finish the new wings beginning next week” said Davis. “We expect to have our first apartments ready for occupancy within about four weeks.” (Posted: 6:45AM)
Tighter restrictions on visitors are in effect today at UMMC.
The hospital has announced that one of its employees has come down with swine flu.
The hospital worker, who was not identified by name or position, is recovering at home.
Patients the employee came into contact with have been notified and are being monitored.
Lorri Gergen is the manager of infection control at UMMC. She said Swine Flu itself is only slightly more toxic than regular seasonal flu and its mortality rate is about the same.Visiting Restrictions:
* No children under 14 are allowed to visit
* Visitors limited to 2 per patient
* Visiting hours strictly enforced
* Maternity visitors restricted to fathers only
* Time spent in hospital should be limited. Visitors should avoid public areas, including snack shop, cafeteria and lobbies.
* All outpatient procedures and tests should be done at the Jerome Center Governor Paterson is calling state Senators back to Albany for a fourth special session this afternoon. Lawmakers met briefly for separate extraordinary sessions. Both Republicans and Democrats gaveled in and out of meetings that lasted no longer than five-minutes. No official business was carried out.
The Batavia V-A is having a birthday.
The facility on Richmond Avenue is turning 75 this weekend.
The V-A has a variety of activities planned for tomorrow:
There will be a parade at 1:30 in the afternoon, military and history displays and a band concert.
A formal program will follow the parade.
Visitors can park in the Batavia Downs lot and shuttle buses will take them to the VA.
A Wyoming County contractor sentenced in Albany after pleading guilty to charges of grand larceny. New York State accused David Darling, owner of Pro Care Contracting, of falsifying invoices to receive improper payments.
The 61-year-old Darling was sentenced to five years probation. He was also ordered to pay nearly 41-thousand dollars in restitution and waive his right to appeal.
Darling illegally obtained funds from the state after forging lease agreements and invoices related to construction jobs at the Attica, Collins and Gowanda correctional facilities.
In the wake of the crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence, the FAA is fast-tracking the review of pilot fatigue rules. The Administration will set up a committee by July 15th to begin the effort to revise the flight and rest rules governing airline pilots. Recommendations will be made by September first. The FAA is also calling on airlines to review all of a pilot's test records before hiring them.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 4:25PM)
by Geoff Redick
Democratic and Republican senators gathered for another special session in Albany this afternoon, following threats from Governor David Paterson of court action against senators and summons to chamber by state police force. But today, another quick session, and no business accomplished in Albany as the legislative mess continues.
We spoke at length with Senator Mike Ranzenhofer of the 61st District this afternoon. Ranzenhofer is growing exasperated with the special sessions, with Senate dysfunction, and with the entire legislative process in New York State.
LISTEN
Ranzenhofer calls the Governor’s actions illegal in calling these special sessions and expecting bills to be passed. Ranzenhofer also says that you can tell Paterson knows he’s taking part in wrongdoing – because the Governor won’t sign any of the bills that come his way.
Today's gathering followed two failed sessions held earlier this week, one of which Republicans simply failed to show up for.
A Wyoming County contractor sentenced in Albany after pleading guilty to felony grand larceny. This stemming from a joint state investigation that concluded he falsified invoices to receive improper payments from the state.
61-year-old David Darling, owner of Pro Care Contracting, was sentenced to five years probation. The defendant also paid nearly $41,000 dollars in restitution and agreed to a waiver of appeal, in full satisfaction of all criminal charges.
Darling illegally obtained funds from the state after he forged 22 lease agreements and five invoices related on construction jobs at the Attica, Collins and Gowanda correctional facilities in Western New York. Darling also charged the state for so-called “rental equipment,” which he actually owned.
Pro Care was awarded contracts to do emergency construction work on 10 projects totaling $1.5 million.
Investigations into the matter originated from routine audits all the way back in 2007.
(Posted: 3:45PM)
by Geoff Redick
The swine flu invades a local hospital.
But officials say don’t worry – it’s almost no different from the seasonal flu virus.
United Memorial Medical Center held a news conference this afternoon to address the report that an employee at the hospital has contracted the H1-N1 virus. Spokesperson Colleen Flynn confirmed the report, and also said that it has been determined the unnamed employee had contact with both patients and other staff at UMMC. That infected employee noticed they were feeling sick while at work a week ago. The employee is now at home recovering.
UMMC’s Infection Prevention Manager, Lorri Goergen, said that swine flu is getting so much attention because this is an uncommon time of year for an influenza outbreak.
LISTEN
Goergen said the process for dealing with an employee infected with swine flu at UMMC is the same as dealing with any employee who has the normal, seasonal strain.
The hospital has changed its visitation policy for patients and staff, as well as limiting maternity ward visits to fathers. No children under 14 years of age are allowed for visit.
Both Goergen and Flynn noted that the fatality rate for swine flu has been basically the same as that of the regular flu year in and year out.
(Posted: 12:25PM)
A staff member at Batavia’s UMMC Hospital has swine flu.
The hospital has scheduled a news conference for 1:30 this afternoon to release its response to the finding.
Randy Garney, the interim director of the Genesee County Health Department, confirmed to “The Batavian” website, that the hospital employee has been diagnosed with the H1-N1 virus.
Garney said the virus is becoming more widespread.
He said the public is largely unaware of just how widespread the virus is, because - in most cases – it never becomes severe enough to land the person to seek medical attention.
The only case of a swine flu death in Western New York was that of a elementary school age boy in Buffalo. The boy had also suffered from severe complications.
(Posted: 7:25AM)
Genesee County farmers say a proposed state law requiring overtime in the agricultural industry, could put them out of business.
Farmers took their protest to the New York State thruway last night.
One group left Batavia, another from LeRoy, both traveling no more than 40 miles an hour to draw attention to the bill.
LeRoy dairy farmer Dale Stein:
LISTEN (Courtesy: The Batavian)
The Democratic controlled state assembly approved the bill, but it has always been defeated in what had been the GOP led State Senate, until this year.
Governor Paterson insists calling the state Senate back for a special session is within his authority. Senate Democrats are raising questions that any measure passed during an extraordinary session would be invalid without the state Assembly present. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says the special sessions are getting very few things done.
But as of late yesterday, both Senate Democrats and Republicans say they're planning to attend this afternoon's session.
The governor says he will also seek to withhold Senators' paychecks.
A Wyoming County man is under arrest for the alleged rape of a minor. Sheriff’s Deputies say 21-year-old Charles M. Fuller of Gainesville is charged with Rape in the Second Degree for allegedly having sexual contact with a person under the age of 15. Fuller has been jailed on $10,000 bail.
Despite the lack of approval from the state Assembly, the state Lottery is moving forward with plans for electronic gaming machines at racetrack casinos, including Batavia Downs. The Assembly ended its session without taking up the bill. However, the Governor's lottery division is advancing its plan to bring electronic versions of 21, roulette and craps to eight racetracks across the state.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 5:15PM)
by Geoff Redick
BREAKING NEWS
In an impromptu press conference at 4:50 this afternoon, Governor Paterson issued a mandate to New York's senators: Get back to work, or face court action.
Paterson has declared that any senator who does not attend the special session called by the governor, is in violation of the State Constitution. The governor declared that "Martin van Buren is rolling in his grave," in reference to the 8th President of the United States, who worked on the third draft of the New York State Constitution some 192 years ago.
With his voice raised to a near-yell, banging his fist on the podium, Paterson told reporters that if senators do not commit to show up in Senate tomorrow by 9pm this evening, he will be in court tomorrow morning demanding that a judge order them back to the chamber.
At that point, State Troopers could reportedly get involved. State officials can send troopers out to forcibly bring senators to the chamber to work on the people's business.
Paterson also said that he will be in contact with the State Comptroller, requesting to cut-off all senator's paychecks from June 8th forward.
This is the Governor's most public and verbally-violent display of his outrage over the State Senate mess since the GOP-led coup took place on June 8th.
(Posted: 4:20PM)
by Geoff Redick
The State Senate circus continues in Albany.
Today, Governor David Paterson continued the special extended session he first called on Tuesday. But Republican senators ignored the mandate: none of them showed up in the chamber. In the end, today's session lasted all of 3 minutes and 40 seconds, and no work was completed.
Meanwhile, senators from both parties continue to question the legality of Paterson's order for the Senate to stay in session, while State Assembly has been allowed to leave the Capitol for their regularly scheduled recess.
(Posted: 11:40AM)
The LeRoy community today is mourning the loss of their friend and pastor, Raymond Sissel.
Mr. Sissel died yesterday in a motor vehicle accident on Route 19. He was 84.
A Rochester man was also killed in the crash.
Sissel was the pastor at the Roanoke Community Church on LeRoy Bethany Road.
Donald Zigler, Chairman of the church board of trustees, talked about his friend and pastor:
LISTEN
The Roanoke Community Church will be opened from 7PM until 8:30PM tonight for those wishing to reflect on the life of Rev. Sissel and pray for his family.
Sissel had also been Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in LeRoy for many years where services will be held on Friday.
(Posted: 7:20AM)
The three Buffalo men accused of holding-up the M & T Bank in Elba last week, have all been indicted by the Genesee County Grand Jury.
The trio faces three-counts each of Robbery in the First Degree.
The Grand Jury handed down indictments late yesterday against 26-year-old Dennis Abrams Jr, 25-year-old Demone Dillon, and 24-year-old Michael Wells all of Buffalo.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman says the three will be arraigned on the indictment in Genesee County Court on July 1st.
In the meantime, the three are being held without bail in the county jail.
A well known LeRoy minister was one of two men killed in a three vehilce accident on Route 19 near the Thruway.
84-year-old Raymond Sissel of LeRoy died yesterday morning when the van he was driving veered into the opposite lane and struck another vehicle head-on. The driver of that car, 64-year-old Martin Muszak of Rochester, was also killed.
A third vehile, a dump truck, was also hit by Sissel’s van. The dump truck driver, 55-year-old Steven Ebner of Hamlin, was not injured.
Mr. Sissel was the former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in LeRoy.
Local chapters of the American Red Cross have merged.
The Orleans County Chapter has merged with Genesee County to form the Genesee Regional Chapter of the Red Cross.
The agency says donations are down and the merger was a way to save money.
The theater of the absurd continues inside the Senate chamber in Albany. Democratic and Republican state senators entered the chambers yesterday afternoon and tried to run their own legislative sessions while ignoring the other side. Senators from both sides called for votes on bills, many times talking over each other even though they were mere feet apart inside the chamber.
The state Attorney General is weighing in on the chaos in Albany. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says it's time to put partisan politics aside in Albany. Attorney General Cuomo says state Senators are needed to vote on important issues that impact the lives of everyday New Yorkers:
LISTEN
Cuomo proposes Senators act as if there is an evenly divided Senate and vote on issues.
Shutoff season is here, and National Grid has started turning out the lights on Western New Yorkers who haven't paid their bill. National Grid held off on service terminations for overdue bills during the last six-months of cold weather, but shutoffs resumed last month. During that time, National Grid disconnected nearly 10,000 customers - an average of 600 shutoffs per day.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 7:25PM)
A Genesee County Grand Jury has indicted three Buffalo men for Robbery in the First Degree, following last week’s armed hold-up of the M&T Bank in Elba.
The trio was collared after a massive manhunt.
Indicted on three counts each of First Degree Robbery were;
26-year-old Dennis Abrams Jr, 25-year-old Demone Dillon, and 24-year-old Michael Wells all of Buffalo.
Thre three will be arraigned on the indictment in Genesee County Court on July 1st.
(Updated: 3:25PM)
by Geoff Redick
A Le Roy clergyman was one of two people who died early this morning in a car accident on Route 19 in the Town of Le Roy. 84-year-old Raymond Sissel was pronounced dead at the scene after his van reportedly crossed the centerline and struck an oncoming car. The operator of that car, 64-year-old Martin Muszak of Rochester, was also killed. A third vehicle was involved, a dump truck driven by 55-year-old Steven Ebner of Hamlin. He was not injured. No other passengers were involved, and State Police are continuing their investigation this afternoon.
The 84-year-old Sissel was the current pastor at the Roanoke Community Church. He was also former pastor for Calvary Baptist Church on Route 19 in Le Roy.
(Updated: 2:25PM)
The New York State Police issued the following News Release identifying the two persons killed in an accident earlier today on Route 19 in LeRoy:At 7:43 am this morning the New York State Police responded to a three car motor vehicle accident on Route 19 in the Town of Leroy. A Nissan Altima operated by Martin Muszak, 64 years old of Rochester was traveling southbound on Route 19. A dump truck operated by Steven W. Ebner, 55 years old of Hamlin, NY was traveling southbound behind the Altima. A Dodge van, operated by Raymond Sissel, 84 years old of Leroy was traveling northbound on Route 19. The investigation revealed that the Dodge van crossed over into the southbound lane striking the Nissan Altima head on. The Nissan was then pushed into the front of the dump truck. The Nissan came to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway. After striking the Nissan, the Dodge van then struck the dump truck coming to rest on its driver side on the west shoulder of the roadway. The driver of the van, Raymond Sissel and the driver of the Nissan, Martin Muszak were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Genesee County Coroner. The driver of the dump truck was not injured. There were no other passengers in any of the vehicles. The Leroy and Bergen Fire Departments assisted at the scene of the accident. At this time the investigation ongoing. (Updated: 11:48AM)
Two people are confirmed dead in a multiple vehicle accident this morning on Route 19 near North Road in LeRoy.
The accident occurred around 7:45AM this morning.
State Police said the accident involved two cars and a dump truck.
The drivers of the two cars were killed.
State Trooper Rebecca Gibbons, at the accident scene, described what happened:
LISTEN
The names of the drivers who died have not been released.
State Police are attempting to re-construct the accident as the investigation continues.
BREAKING NEWS
(Posted: 9:50AM)
Two people are confirmed dead in a multiple vehicle accident this morning on Route 19 near North Road in LeRoy.
The accident occured around 7:45AM this morning.
State Police said the accident involved two cars and dump truck.
The drivers of the two cars were killed.
State Police are continuing the investigation.
Route 19 is closed at the accident scene between North Rd. and Parmalee Rd. near the Thruway interchange.
(Posted: 7:20AM)
The Batavia City Council wants to crack down on sloppy property owners.
Council wants to put more teeth into existing code dealing with accumulated trash on private property, all the way to how tall you let your grass grow.
Property owners who ignore city warnings to clean up, could be fined 250-dollars or even go to jail, a penalty Councilman Tim Buckley said last night, fits the crime:
LISTEN
Ward 1 Councilkman Bill Cox wanted to eliminate the jail provision of the ordinance, but that was defeated by an informal 5 to 4 votre.
The City of Batavia has had a Charter Review Commission working for nearly a year to revamp the document that governs the city. The hope was that the proposed changes in the charter could be put to voters this November.
The City is also pressing for a vote this November on moving forward with the consolidation of the city and town of Batavia.
Now comes word that both questions cannot be on the same ballot.
Council president Charlie Mallow would rather see the charter revision put on hold in favor of the consolidation issue.
A public hearing on the proposed charter changes will be held next month.
Finances at Batavia’s UMMC hospital remain in good shape, despite the economic downturn.
The hospital has released its 2008 Annual Report.
It shows total revenues of $66.4-million dollars last year.
UMMC spokeswoman Colleen Flynn, on WBTA’s “Main & Center” program, said the hospiutal showed a profit of $3-million in 2008:
LISTEN
The hospital reported total revenues have increased 70 percent over the past 10 years since UMMC was created through the merger of St. Jerome’s and Genesee Memorial.
The state Senate may finally get back to work this afternoon. That's when a special session is scheduled. Governor Paterson yesterday refused to delay the extended legislative agenda. Both Republicans and Democrats asked the Governor for more time to work out their differences but Paterson refused. Lawmakers are being ordered to return to work at three this afternoon to vote on what Governor Paterson calls non-controversial bills. The Governor promises to call special sessions every day until the work is complete.
Monday, June 22, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 9:04AM)
The Byron-Bergen Schools have a confirmed case of Swine Flu.
The patient is a student at Byron-Bergen Elementary School.
In an automated message, sent to parents late Friday afternoon and obtained by WBTA, School Superintendent Gregory Geer wrote:
“This H1N1 (Swine Flu) strain of flu, although hyped in the media, is a mild form of influenza.”
A 15-year-old Buffalo boy has become Erie County's first swine flu related death. Matthew Davis was suffering from pneumonia and MRSA as well as the H1N1 virus. He was taken off life support Saturday.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
Although the legislative session is supposed to come to an end today, senators could be staying in Albany a bit longer. Fed up with the partisan bickering, Governor David Paterson is ordering a special session beginning Tuesday that could keep senators in Albany every day, including weekends and the July 4th holiday.
Work in the senate came to a halt on June 8th after a leadership dispute began. Even though Paterson can force lawmakers into special session, he can't make them debate bills or vote on them. Today, two former state lawmakers will be brought in to try and mediate the power struggle.
The Batavia City Council gets back to work tonight for the first time in nearly a month.
City Lawmakers cancelled their last meeting for a Republican Party fundraiser. The council is holding both a Conference Meeting and a Business meeting tonight beginning at 7PM.
The City’s Charter Review Commission is also meeting tonight. The Charter panel will meet at 5:30 in the Community Room at City Hall.
The public is welcome to speak at all of the meetings by signing in at the start of the session.
A Batavia man has been arrested on felony charges of assault and criminal contempt.
35-year-old Jayson Connolly of South Main Street is accused of burning his girlfriend with a stick he allegedly pulled from a bonfire.
The incident happened on Adams Street last week. The woman then obtained a stay away order, which Connolly allegedly violated, twice.
Connolly has been jailed without bail.
A Byron man has been charged with Reckless Endangerment for allegedly target shooting in his backyard without checking where his rounds landed.
24-year-old Gary Engle of Byron was arrested for firing a 12-guage shotgun and 22-calibre rifle – apparently unaware the rounds traveled into a neighbors yard, where an adult and two children were outside.
Majors Leonard and Karen Boynton have led the Batavia Salvation Army for the past 13 years.
The couple is leaving Batavia for a new assignment with the Salvation Army.
The community they served so well bid good-bye yesterday.
WBTA's Geoff Redick on the Boynton's farewell from the grateful community:
LISTEN
The Boyntons have accepted a new post with the Salvation Army in Rome, New York.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
by Wayne Fuller
Governor David Paterson plans to take matters into his own hands to resolve the power struggle in the state Senate. The governor is giving the warring factions this weekend to settle their differences or he'll call a special legislative session. A special session will allow the governor to control the agenda, not state lawmakers. Several measures, including extending mayoral control, need legislative approval before the end of this month. Lawmakers are not required to vote on any of the items. Meanwhile, an appellate court will hear arguments on Tuesday whether the Republican take over of the state Senate was legal. Both Democrats and GOP lawmakers have been laying claim to leadership for the past two weeks.
The unemployment rate for Genesee County has improved. The jobless rate for the month of May stood at 7 percent and that half a percent better than April’s 7.5 percent. Although the unemployment rate for Genesee County improved recently its still much higher than the 5.1 percent rate in May of last year.
Statewide the news isn’t good. The jobless rate grew to 8.2 percent in May, up from 7.7 percent in April. The numbers were reported Friday by the New York State Department of Labor.
Another shoplifting has been reported. This time at the Batavia Target Store. 42-year-old William Briggs of Savannah Street in Rochester was charged with Petit Larceny. According to Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies Briggs was observed by Target Loss Prevention Personnel, stealing items from the store. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Another student in the Buffalo Public School District is in critical condition with swine flu. Five new cases of H1N1 or swine flu, have also been diagnosed in Niagara County. Buffalo Teachers' Federation President Phil Rumore says the Buffalo student who is critical attends the Harvey Austin School, which is also known as School 97.The Niagara County Health Department is also confirming five new cases of H1N1 influenza, also known as Swine Flu, in school-aged children and one possible case in a pre-school aged child.
Friday, June 19, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 7AM)
Three men have been charged with robbing an Elba bank and setting off a six hour long manhunt that put the trio behind bars within hours of the heist.
The day-long drama began to unfold yesterday morning with the hold-up at gunpoint of the M&T Bank on Route 98 in Elba.
The three fled the bank heading south on Route 98. A silent alarm had been sounded and police gave chase.
Two suspects were apprehended within an hour of the hold-up, the third suspect was captured by mid afternoon.
The search was concentrated in the area near the intersection of Route 63 and the Batavia-Elba Townline Rd.
The three suspects were identified as: 26-year-old Dennis Abrams, 25-year-old Demone Dillon and 24-year-old Michael Wells, all of Buffalo.
The intensive manhunt involved dozens of police officers from throughout the region in a well-coordinated effort to seal off the search area. As a precaution, schools in the county were placed in lock down.
Sources have told WBTA the scene inside the M&T bank was violent. The bandits entered with guns displayed. At one point, a gun was held to the head of a bank employee. Another bank worker hid in a rear office, under a desk. She managed to trip an alarm. Of the two handguns brandished by the robbers, one later turned out to be a toy.
M&T Bank will have counselors available for their employees today.
The public has had its first opportunity to sound off over the proposed consolidation of the city and town of Batavia.
Judging by last night’s two-hour hearing at Batavia High School, town residents appear to want no part of it. About 140 people attended, most of them town residents.
Consolidation Committee member Lynn Freeman admits the committee will need to do a better job of explaining the benefits of one Batavia.
There will be another public hearing on the consolidation on Tuesday night, June 30th also at the Batavia High School.
State lawmakers in Albany are heading home for the weekend without resolving the power struggle over the state Senate. Senate Democrats refused to attend a session convened by Republicans for a fourth consecutive day.
But both sides did agree to keep sending paychecks to Senators and staff before leaving for the weekend.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
by Dan Fischer
CONTINUING COVERAGE - BANK ROBBERY
(Posted 8:45PM)
Three Buffalo men are behind Genesee County bars tonight charged with robbing an Elba bank, triggering a six-hour manhunt and forcing all local schools into a lock down.
The bandits entered the Elba branch of M&T bank on Route 98 about 9:45AM Thursday. Two guns were displayed but one later turned out to be plastic toy.
One bank employee had a gun pressed to her head.
The robbers said no one would get hurt, if the bank workers did as they were told.
One bank employee hid under a desk in a back office and was able to trip a silent alarm.
The robbers fled south on Route 98 in a dark colored SUV.
That’s when the first of what would become dozens of local lawmen gave chase.
The massive search was concentrated in an area near the intersection of Route 63 and the Batavia-Elba Townline Road.
Two of the suspects were apprehended within an hour of the hold-up. One suspect peeled off his clothes, perhaps in an effort hide his scent from the police dogs on his trail. The suspect was taken into custody wearing only his under shorts.
One suspect remained at large until early afternoon when he too was captured following an intensive search involving dozens of Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies, State Police, City of Batavia Police and U.S. Border Patrol agents. Two police helicopters were pressed into service, and at times, the search was conducted door to door.
The third and final suspect was taken in around 2:30 in the afternoon.
The three suspects have been identified as: 26-year-old Dennis Abrams, 25-year-old Demone Dillon and 24-year-old Michael Wells, all of Buffalo.
The three face charges of Robbery in the First Degree and are being held in the Genesee County jail without bail.
Authorities did not disclose the amount of money taken in the hold-up although some of the cash was recovered along the suspect’s getaway trail.
(Posted 4:45PM)
The public gets a chance to sound off tonight on that proposed merger of the city and town of Batavia.
A hearing is scheduled for 7 tonight in the Batavia High School auditorium.
Before the consolidation could ever take place, both the Batavia City Council and the Town of Batavia Board would each have to approve the plan. Then the majority of voters in each community would have to approve it.
Any one negative vote would scuttle the entire consolidation idea.
CONTINUING COVERAGE - BANK ROBBERY
(Updated 3:20PM)
The manhunt for three bank robbery suspects is over.
Around 2:40 this afternoon the third of three suspects from a bank robbery this morning in Elba was taken into custody.
The arrest capped a nearly 5 hour-long manhunt by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police, a search that involved helicopters and K-9 units from throughout the area.
The manhunt led to the lock down of all Genesee County schools as a precaution when the suspects were at large.
Two of the three suspects were captured within an hour of the hold-up at the M&T Bank on Route 98 in Elba.
BULLETIN (Posted: 2:40PM)
THIRD SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
CONTINUING COVERAGE
(Updated 1:50PM)
The lock down at Genesee County schools has been lifted.
At Oakfield-Alabama Central Schools, located in the midst of the manhunt, Superintendent Chris Todd confirmed that the lock down was lifted, but the school remains "extremely vigilant" for the safety of students when dismissed this afternoon.
(Updated 12:50PM)
A massive police manhunt has placed all Genesee County schools on emergency lock down, as one of three suspected bank robbers remains at large.
The incident began around 9:45AM with a robbery at the M&T Bank Branch on Route 98 in Elba.
Shortly before 12PM, Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha issued an update on the robbery and the search for suspects. (Editors note: The background noise is a police helicopter participating in the search)
LISTEN
As the search for suspects began, New York State Police issued a request to the Oakfield-Alabama Schools to go on lock-down, because the search area lies within the school district.
The Genesee County BOCES then issued a directive to all schools in Genesee County to go to lock down.
Chris Tood, the Superintendent of schools for Oakfield-Alabama, explains what the lock down means:
LISTEN
The lock-down also extends to Batavia City Schools. Students scheduled for a New York State Regents exam this afternoon may still report to the high school with identification, according to the Superintendent Margaret Puzio.
BREAKING NEWS
by Dan Fischer
Updated: 11:10am
Due to the manhunt for a bank robbery suspect, all schools in Genesee County have been placed on lockdown. The directive to the schools came from New York State Police folloiwng the robbery of the M&T Bank branch in Elba earlier this morning.
Three suspects were initially being sought, two have been taken into custody.
Chris Todd is the Superintendent of Schools in the Oakfield-Alabama School District near the search scene. He explained what the lockdown means
Updated: 10:50am
A second suspect has been taken into custody. Both have been taken to the State Police Troop A Headquarters in Batavia.
Police now confirm that two of the bank robbery suspects are in custody and one is being sought.
Updated: 10:40am
Additionl police helicopters from Erie and Niagra Counties have been placed on stand-by.
The suspects are described as black males, wearing hoodies.
BREAKING NEWS
Updated: 10:30am
Dozens of lawmen from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and State Police have are conducting a manhunt at this hour for at least two suspects wanted in the robbery of the M&T bank in Elba.
The initial reports had three suspects being sought, one has been taken into custody.
The robbery occurred around 9:45 this morning.
The suspects reportedly fled the bank in a black SUV. The vehicle reportedly got stuck in a farm field and the suspects fled on foot.
A trail of money was also spotted in the field where the suspects are believed to have fled.
The search is concentrated in the area of Route 63 at Townline Road.
A state police helicopter and police dogs have been dispatched.
(Posted 7:15AM)
by Wayne Fuller
An investigation into the transportation and sale of crack cocaine led to 4 arrests overnight in Batavia including one Batavia resident. 37-year-old Lana Digennaro of Dellinger Avenue in Batavia was issued an appearance ticket along with 20-year-old Jaron Thompson of Medina. Two Rochester men, 20-year-old Jemell Allen and 20-year-old Calvin Carver have been jailed on drug charges. The arrests were made by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcment Task Force.
Emergency Crews and Law Enforcement Officials are at the scene of a car motorcycle accident shortly after 7 this morning. It happened at the intersection of route 20 and the County Line Road in the Town of Darien right at the Erie County Line. The initiation report was an accident with injuries. Motorists are advised to expect delays if they are on route 20 heading into Buffalo.
There have now been charges placed against the driving of the tractor that went amuck last month at the intersection of routes 5 and 63 in Batavia.
55-year-old Neil Phelps of Denoon Road in Caledonia has been charged with reckless driving. Phelps allegedly drove his tractor in a manner according to Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies, which unreasonably interfered with the free and proper use of a public highway and unreasonably endangered users of the public highway. The tractor collided with five cars. Two people were treated at UMMC for their injuries. The incident occurred on May 26th.
A federal indictment has been issued against 45-year-old Dalton Wilke of Conesus. He was arrested 9 months ago for soliciting a Batavia police officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on line. Wilke has been charged with using the Internet to persuade or entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity.
Another day and no agreement as to who controls the State Senate. Both Republicans and Democrats continue they maintain their control of the Senate. As the deadlock continues dozens of bills still need to be voted on before the current legislative session ends.
One of those bills is a measure to tighten restrictions on teen drivers. The bill passed the State Assembly unanimously on Wednesday. The bill among other things would require any driver under 21 years of age be limited to just one teenage non-family member passenger. The bill also bans texting while driving for all ages.
Is it better security or just more crime, to explain the arrest of 6 persons yesterday for shoplifting at Batavia’s Wal-Mart. In 6 separate incidednts, 6 people were charged with petit larceny.
They are 18-year-old Markeda Starks of Mill Street in Batavia.
28-year-old Toni White of South Main Street in Batavia.
18-year-old Shaleesa Woods of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road in Batavia.
20-year-old Emilea Webster of Frank Street in Medina.
20 year old Timothy Wood of South Main Street in Batavia, and
17-year-old Megan Curry of Terry Street in Byron.
All will be appearing in Batavia Town Court.
A Basom woman has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. 47 year old Teri Sczepanski of the Lewiston Road in Basom was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies after she was caught using a motor vehicle without permission.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 2:00PM)
by Geoff Redick
A Livingston County man, originally arrested nine months ago for soliciting a Batavia police officer posing as a 15-year-old boy, is now facing federal indictment.
45-year-old Dalton Wilke of Conesus faces a felony charge of Using the Internet to Persuade or Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity. That stems from the incident this past August involving the undercover Batavia police officer.
When Wilke was apprehended last year, federal agents also found pictures of minors engaging in sexual acts on his personal computer. For that, they’ve also charged Wilke with Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography.
If convicted, Wilke faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for the enticement charge, as well five to 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography and up to another 10 years for the possession charge.
New York continues to fall short of revenue expectations this year. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the state revenue is almost 3-and-a-half million dollars below where the state budget had projected it to be at this point in the year. Additionally, the total revenue count of 6.9-billion dollars is nearly 4-billion dollars off the pace compared to this time last year. That’s a 36% negative differential.
DiNapoli said in a release today that the General Fund is at a historically low level.
June 30th is the end of the current fiscal quarter. At that point, DiNapoli says the state may have to consider making some changes to the current budget.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
More legal maneuvering in the case of Corfu’s Scott Doll.
Doll is charged with murder in the beating death last February of Joseph Benaquist.
Doll’s lawyer, Buffalo defense attorney Paul Cambria, is trying to get statements made by Doll on the night of his arrest thrown out.
Cambria argues that those statements were obtained improperly before Doll was read his rights and should not be used at trial.
Judge Robert Noonan reserved decision yesterday following an afternoon of testimony.
The standoff at the state Senate continues. Democrats yesterday refused to enter a legislative session until a power sharing agreement is worked out with Republicans. The GOP has refused any agreement saying they are in control of the Senate with last week's vote. A judge yesterday dismissed the Democrats legal attempt to block the coup, saying it was not a matter for the courts to decide. Governor Paterson is urging Senators to get back to work by voting on the remaining bills of the session and figuring out the leadership question at a later date.
Among the undecided bills on the senate floor is the so-called "Farm Death Bill." Republican Senator Mike Ranzenhofer, who represents Genesee County in the State Senate, says no action on that bill is one "good thing" to come from the gridlock.
The bill would require overtime pay in the agricultural industry.
A soccer game in Akron turns tragic. Authorities say a 14-year-old girl with a history of heart problems collapsed on the field Monday night and died. Police say Emily Adamczak suffered cardiac arrest at the Akron Sports Complex about 7:30 p.m. She was rushed to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Authorities say she had a three-year history of heart trouble.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Updated: 3:55PM)
by Geoff Redick
That state judge who had previously deferred his decision, has now thrown out the entire debate in Albany's political power struggle.
When he dismissed the case, State Justice Thomas McNamara said that the situation ought to be decided in the State Senate, and not in the courts.
Now it's seemingly up to the warring parties to come to some sort of agreement. They have 62 bills to vote on before the scheduled end of the current session, on June 22nd.
(Updated: 1:03PM)
A state judge who expected to rule this morning on whether last week's coup by a Republican-led group of senators was legal, has instead deferred to give the sides until early this afternoon to broker a deal.
The judge said he believes progress is being made to find a temporary solution to the gridlock in the Senate, but no bills have been passed since last week's coup.
(Posted: 11:05AM)
A Batavia man, who suffered a self-inflicted knife wound to the groin, is behind bars today.
29-year-old Robert Probst of Central Avenue, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Probst stabbed himself in the groin following a domestic disturbance yesterday afternoon.
He was taken to ECMC in Buffalo with the knife still protruding from his body.
Following treatment he was returned to Batavia and jailed on 25-hundred dollars bail.
Police say that during the dispute, Probst allegedly struck his girlfriend in front of children.
LeRoy Police report the arrest of 36-year-old William Parker.
William was collared for allegedly being inside the home of a person the court had ordered him to stay away from.
William listed no permanent address, but he has one now; the Genesee County Jail in lieu of $750 bail.
The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force collars two Batavia men following a traffic stop.
37-year-old Donald Bouse of Dellinger Avenue, the driver, was busted on warrants out of Monroe County.
A passenger, 35-year-old Jason Helles of E, Main Street, was found to be in possession of a suspected crack pipe.
(Posted: 6:20AM)
A New York Supreme Court judge may break through the gridlock in Albany when he hands down a ruling this morning on who's in charge of the state Senate. Judge Thomas McNamara is giving both warring factions until ten this morning to resolve their issues or he will.
The need to split control of the Senate was needed after former defector, Queens state Senator Hiram Monserrate, rejoined the Democratic fold, leaving the chamber in a 31-31 tie. Judge McNamara will decide if last week's stunning Republican political coup was a legal move.
Genesee County’s first confirmed case of swine flu is a 53-year-old Batavia man.
He is recovering at home.
The Genesee County Health Department is working to determine who may have been in contact with the man. Health Department Director Randy Garney says the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those of regular seasonal flu.
For more information, vist the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HERE
The pilot of a plane that lost power touched down safely in a cornfield yesterday in the Erie County Town of Wales. The plane flipped over after 72-year-old pilot Roy Berube of Tonawanda landed on the soft soil, but everyone walked away okay. Berube and passenger 62-year-old Paul Quenzler of Alden, received only minor injuries, and were treated at the scene. Berube is a retired airline pilot with 45 years in the cockpit.
Monday, June 15, 2009
by Dan Fischer
BREAKING NEWS
The following statement was released by the Genesee County Health Department at 10:19AM:The Genesee County Health Department reports that it has received notification from the Erie County Public Health Laboratory of its first confirmed case of H1N1 (Swine) flu. The patient, who is a 53 year old male Batavia resident, visited an Emergency Department in Erie County; he was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.
Health officials are working to determine who may have been exposed. Officials will be notifying close contacts and monitoring family members for signs of illness.
H1N1 influenza is prevalent throughout New York State affecting numerous counties outside New York City. Genesee County Interim Director of Public Health Randy Garney said the symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu: LISTEN
The Health Dept. advises to take these precautionary measures to stay healthy:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Place your used tissue in the waste basket.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.
· Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Stay home if you are sick to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
For more information regarding H1N1 (Swine) flu, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, extension 5000 or visit the New York State Department of Health website: HERE (Posted: 11:40AM)
The first of two hearings into the merger of the city and town of Batavia will be held this week.
Officials are holding the hearings in the auditorium at Batavia High School, anticipating a large turnout.
The first hearing is this Thursday night at 7.
The second hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 30th – at 7.
The merger would allow for sharing of some services initially such as those provided by the highway departments.
City and Town debts would be kept separate and paid by taxpayers in the municipality that incurred the debts.
Property would also be kept separate – a concern to town residents who pay no town property taxes now.
Both the Batavia Town Board and Batavia City Council must approve the merger before the measure goes on the November ballot. Then, voters in both communities would have to support it before any merger could take place.
(Posted: 7:20AM)
The state Senate will try once again to get back to business today. This comes after the chamber was sent into chaos by a Republican attempt to seize the majority with the help of two renegade Democrats from New York City. If the leadership question is not ironed out by 3PM, when the session is slated to begin, a judge has said he will make the final ruling. Late last week, Democrats took the matter to court to try and block the new Republican majority from holding a session.
Three people injured when a motorcycle and a bicycle collide in Wyoming County.
A motorcycle struck bicyclist Paul Logan of Silver Springs, 20, last night at the intersection of Silver Springs and Evans Road in the Town of Gainesville.
20-year-old Jack Keenan operated the motorcycle, 20, of Warsaw.
A passenger on the motorcycle was identified as Rachel McMaster, 22, also of Warsaw.
Deputies said all three were dragged about 100 feet after the impact.
Logan, the bicyclist, was airlifted to ECMC with leg and head injuries. Deputies say he was not wearing a helmet. Keenan and McMaster were treated at Wyoming County Community Hospital.
A pair of felony Drunk Driving arrests over the weekend.
A Batavia man is facing a felony drunk driving charge in Wyoming County.
26-year-old March Burshtyski of Batavia was stooped over the weekend on Route 20A in the Town of Perry. He was charged with a felony count of DWI and jailed on $1,000 bail.
47-year-old Lynn Baker of Bank Street, Batavia, was stopped over the weekend on Harvester Avenue and then arrested on a felony DWI.
A felony drunk driving charge is usually placed when the individual has a previous DWI conviction.
When New York City-based KPS bought Labatt USA last winter, it made several promises.
One of those was to keep the popular Canadian beer's U.S. headquarters in Buffalo.
The company hopes to double the current 20-person workforce at the downtown Buffalo office, in such departments as marketing and sales.
The Buffalo Niagara region accounts for about three-and-a-half million of Labatt’s of 21-million cases sold in the U.S. annually.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
by Wayne Fuller
(Posted: 11:00AM)
by Goeff Redick
Local baseball player Ryan Gugel has been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies organization. It happened around 8 this morning.
Gugel is a native of Batavia and son of Chuck Gugel of Clor’s Meat Market. He just recently finished a stellar playing career at Albany State, where he was a catcher.
WBTA Sports spoke to Ryan this morning.
LISTEN
He says he’s honored and proud to have been signed by the majors. Ryan says he’ll report to Clearwater, Florida tomorrow morning to begin playing rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League. If he does move up far enough in the Phillies organization, he could play for the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Cross-Cutters. They’re in the same league as our own Batavia Muckdogs.
It certainly is good. Congratulations and best of luck to Ryan Gugel.
If Democrats were deciding future leadership in a closed-door meeting in lower Manhattan, Senate members would not say exiting the high-profile session at 250 Broadway. Disposed Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith insists the topic of Friday afternoon meeting was the party's upcoming legal battle. Smith says he remains in charge of the Senate Democrats. But there have been rumors Brooklyn state Senator John Sampson will take over the reins of power, regardless of the cases' outcome. Smith has led the caucus since January after spending four decades in the minority in the chamber. But two dissent Democrats joined Republican in a political coup that appears to have ended Smith and the Democrats time as the ruling party of the Senate. Both renegade Senators, Pedro Espada Junior and Hiram Monserrate, did not attend the strategy session. Democrats are pressing Monserrate to return to the fold and leave the Senate chamber at a 31-vote deadlock, with neither side holding a majority.
A Batavia man has been arrested after driving over the median on Main Street. 52-year-old Kark Hicks of East Main Street was stopped after he was spotted driving over the median. He was found to be intoxicated and allegedly in possession of Marijuana. He’s been charged with DWI and with unlawful possession of Marijuana.
20-year-old Kisuki Pagan of the Bronx was charged with disorderly conduct. Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies say Pagan was arrested following an altercation with another person while inside the 48 Deli Express on Park Road.
38-year-old Carrie Blaszk of the Town Line Road in Bergen has been charged with Harassment. She was arrested after engaging another person in a confrontation and having physical contact with them.
Batsvia City police are investigating a recent rash of thefts from parked cars – most of those cars, trustingly left unlocked on the streets of Batavia. Detective Pat Corona says there’s no consistency in location – the break-ins have occurred all over. The Batavia Police Department a simple solution – put the key in the lock and secure your car when you park it. In addition, they say to remove valuable, portable items from the vehicle when you step away – such as your GPS device.
Tickets to climb the steps up to Lady Liberty's crown go on sale this morning. Visitors will once again see a majestic view of New York Harbor for the first time since 9-11. The top of the copper Statue of Liberty has been closed for security reason since the terrorist attack. Visitors have been able to tour the pedestal and lower observation decks on Liberty Island. The expected hot seller is available starting at 10 a.m. through Statue Cruises. About 240 visitors will make the trip each day, beginning on Independence Day. An estimated 50-thousand visitors could scale the 168-steps to the crown before the National Parks Service closes the top of the Statue of Liberty for safety renovations.
It has been reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Western New York this weekend. This will be Clinton's first trip to the area since she resigned her Senate seat to work for the Obama administration.
Clinton is due in town this morning to take part in ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of signing of the Boundary Waters Treaty.
The treaty created the Independent Joint Commission whose job it is is to prevent and resolve boundary waters disputes between Canada and the U.S.
Saturday's ceremonies at the Rainbow Bridge climax a year long celebration of the treaty's signing
Other U.S., as well as Canadian officials will take part in the event.
Vehicle access to the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls will be limited today because of the ceremonies. From 7 to 10 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m., traffic will be reduced to just a single lane in both directions. The bridge will be completely closed from 10 a.m. to noon.
Friday, June 12, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Updated: 12:58PM)
Internet giant Yahoo! seems to have made up its mind to locate a $150-million data center in Niagara County. Still, there is little that Genesee County economic development officials can say about the project. Chad Zambito, spokesman for the Genesee County Economic Development Center explains why and also comments on the importance of relatively cheap hydro electric power in luring high tech development:
LISTEN
The Yahoo project is expected to create 125 high paying, high tech jobs. Hydro electric power was the main reason Yahoo was looking at Western New York in the first place.
(Posted: 7:15PM)
In the Western New York Yahoo sweepstakes, it would appear Lockport has beat out Genesee County.
Yahoo is asking the Town of Lockport for site approval and a property tax break to locate a new data center for the internet giant.
Both the town and the company insist it is not a done deal. But when asked why the company would ask for site approval when it did not plan to build, Yahoo declined further comment.
The project is expected to create 125 high paying, high tech jobs.
State politicians said earlier that Yahoo was also considering Genesee County for that data center, although local officials never confirmed that.
Cheap hydro electric power was the main reason Yahoo was looking at Western New York.
The Gillam-Grant Community Center Library in Byron will close its doors this December, after 30 years of service to the Byron and Bergen community.
Gillam-Grant manager Christine Perrin says the sour economy is to blame. She said investment earnings from the original endowment are insufficient to cover expenses.
Gillan-Grant officials have offered their 2,000-square foot facility to the smaller Byron-Bergen Public Library. That library is currently located on Route 19 in the Village of Bergen.
There will be two public forums to gauge opinion on the possible move of the Byron-Bergen Public Library.
The meetings are next Wednesday, June 17th at Byron Town Hall and Thursday June 18th at Bergen Town Hall, both meetings begin at 7PM.
The young woman beaten to death allegedly by two residents of a Lockport home for troubled youths, thought about quitting her job.
Renee Greco's brother Anthony says his sister had thought about turning in her two weeks notice shortly before she was found dead Monday night. Anthony said his 24-year-old sister worked there as a stepping stone to pursuing a job as a youth counselor. He said she needed the experience and health benefits as she began her career.
But Greco says his sister began having trouble keeping the teenage boys under control and had considered the dangers involved. Police say she was the only worker on duty with the teens when she was killed. Neighbors say the half-dozen teenage boys had become terrors and police calls to the home were frequent. The facility has been closed for investigation.
State Senate Republicans will try again on Monday to get back to work.
The new coalition pushed through a chaotic crowd to unlock the Senate Chamber doors yesterday as angry protesters greeted them shouting, "Senate not for sale."
Once inside, the new coalition attempted to get back to business, but say they didn't have all the paperwork needed from the Democratic majority to put in a day's work.
A judge has ordered Democrats to return to court today to present further arguments.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 4:20PM)
by Geoff Redick
Could the internet age be pushing libraries into extinction?
One area library is closing in this new electronic era. The Gillam-Grant Community Center Library in Byron will close its doors this December, after over 30 years providing the people of Byron and Bergen with print journalism.
A web release says Gillam-Grant was forced to cut their operating budget. Library manager Christine Perrin says that same economy that’s been affecting us all is the culprit.
LISTEN
Perrin says the library’s founder, the late Grant Gillam, had always wanted a library to serve Byron. Observing his wishes, library officials have offered their 2,000-square foot facility to the smaller Byron-Bergen Public Library. That library is currently located on Route 19 in the Village of Bergen.
Perrin says Byron-Bergen Public has a budget to expand their library area, but no room to do so in their current building. Leasing the Gillam-Grant space would let them spread out the materials they already have, plus there is room to build on Gillam Grant’s property.
There will be two public forums on the matter as trustees look to gauge public opinion on Byron-Bergen Public Library’s possible move. They are next Wednesday, June 17th at Byron Town Hall at 7pm; and Thursday June 18th at Bergen Town Hall, also 7pm.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
The budget for the coming school year has been approved for Genesee Community College.
The County Legislature last night unanimously approved a $32.6-million operating budget for the school.
It calls for no increase in tuition but does increase the total contribution from county taxpayers by $50,000.
Elba Legislator Charles Zambito said that a GCC education is a bargain:
LISTEN
Tuition at GCC remains at $1,700 per semester for full time students, and $140 per credit hour for part-time students.
A Monroe County man is facing drug charges in Genesee County after allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover officer.
23-year-old Stanley Parker of Riga allegedly sold the drugs to an agent of the Genesee County Local drug task force. Authorities say they had been investigating cocaine sales in the village of Bergen and the city of Batavia. Parker is being held on $20,000 bail.
The wrangling over the state Senate in Albany continued for a third day. Democrats yesterday were set to file a court injunction to stop the Republicans from taking over the Senate chambers.
On Monday, Republicans staged a coup and voted themselves the new majority party with the help of two rogue Democrats from New York City. Governor Paterson said the easiest way to solve the problem was to have a re-vote on the leadership and he would be willing to work with whichever side won.
The Genesee County Health Department is conducting an anti-rabies clinic this afternoon in LeRoy.
Shots for dogs, cats and ferrets will be available free to pet owners living in Genesee County, although a 5-dollar donation is requested.
The clinic will be held at the LeRoy Village Highway garage on North Street from 4 to 7PM.
Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre is no longer facing charges of indecent exposure in Florida.
Prosecutors in Port Saint Lucie have dropped all charges related to an alleged incident in March.
Authorities say the 59-year-old woman who had accused McIntyre could not give specifics to her allegation. The 30-year-old fullback has maintained his innocence all along and says he is now focused on training camp.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 9:15PM)
The Genesee County Legislature has approved next year’s budget for Genesee Community College.
The spending plan totals 32 and a half-million dollars and holds the line on tuition.
But the budget increases the county’s contribution to the school by $50,000.
As a percentage of the schools total budget, Genesee County’s contribution to GCC is among the lowest sponsor contributions in the state.
(Posted: 2:50PM)
by Geoff Redick
The Genesee County Drug Task Force continues its sweep of the area, hauling in a high-profile cocaine dealer from Riga.
23-year-old Stanley Parker allegedly sold quantities of cocaine to an undercover member of the Task Force. Investigators say he’s been dealing the potent substance in Bergen and Batavia for some time now.
Parker was arrested today by Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies at his home, and then turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.
He’s been charged with two counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance, and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Both are felony charges.
Parker was committed to Genesee County Jail. Bail has been set at $20,000.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
UMMC has begun to renovate the upper floors of the former St. Jerome’s Hospital.
The top four floors of the building are being transformed into 37 one and two bedroom apartments for low and moderate income seniors.
Since the merger of St. Jerome’s and the former Genesee Memorial 10 years ago, the bank Street building has underutilized or completely vacant.
UMMC held a reception at the site of the project Tuesday afternoon. The housing facility will be known as "Jerome Towers."
The second round of a political power struggle is expected to play out this afternoon in Albany. Republicans will call the state Senate into session as the majority coalition. But the state Senate chamber remains locked with Democrats holding the keys. Upstate billionaire Tom Golisano, who worked behind the scenes to orchestrate the political coup, says Senate Democrats should admit defeat.
Meanwhile, Governor David Paterson doesn't plan on leaving New York, while the dispute over power continues in Albany. One of the renegade Democrats, Bronx Senator Pedro Espada Junior, would serve as acting governor in Paterson's absence.
Two teenagers from Rochester living at a group home in Lockport have been charged with murdering one of the counselors. Police say 24-year-old Renee Greco was found dead Monday night at the facility known as Avenue House. Authorities tracked down 18-year-old Anthony Allen and 17-year-old Robert Thousand both of Rochester. They were found hiding at a bus stop early yesterday morning, planning to head to Rochester. Both have been charged with murder, robbery and burglary. Investigators say Allen stole $160 from a lock box, and planned to flee the facility to avoid arrest. That's when the two allegedly killed Greco while she was playing cards with other residents.
The Genesee County Legislature meets this evening.
County lawmakers will hold a public hearing into next year’s budget for Genesee Community College.
That budget calls for no increase in tuition but does include a $50,000 increase in the amount of county aid for the school.
The legislature meets at 7PM tonight in the Old County Court house.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 3:55PM)
by Geoff Redick
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest stemming from an incident first reported in April. 28-year-old Michael Jackson of Seneca Avenue in Batavia was cuffed on two counts of Grand Larceny, and one count each of Burglary and Criminal Mischief. Allegedly, Jackson entered the Holland High Lift business in the Town of Bethany on April 11th. He trashed contents inside with damages totaling $1,500 dollars. Then he reportedly stole another $8,000 worth of contents inside the building. Jackson made his escape in a pick-up truck he found on the scene, valued at $19,000. Those four offenses – or $28,500 worth of crime – landed Jackson in Genesee County Jail today, on $25,000 dollars bail.
(Posted: 11:55AM)
Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, a Republican, represents Geensee County in the State Senate. On Tuesday morning, Ranzenhofer talked with WBTA's Dan Fischer about the events of Monday afternoon. This is the complete interview:
LISTEN
It remains unknown today if that vintage jet aircraft damaged in a crash over the weekend will ever fly again.
The 1947 jet, based in Batavia and owned by the Wings of Flight museum, crashed Saturday shortly after takeoff from Rochester International Airport.
The aircraft developed engine trouble about 5 minutes into the return flight to Batavia.
Pilot Pete Treichler made the emergency landing.
Wings of Flight spokesperson Nash DiSalvo of Batavia, said Treichler made a conscious decision to land on the grass; he did not land short of the runaway as had been widely reported.
The aircraft was believed to be the oldest fighter jet still flying.
Actor John Travolta had once owned the jet and had restored it.
Elba Central School will begin classes this fall almost a week ahead of most other schools.
The Elba School Board last night upheld a previous decision to begin school on Tuesday, September 1st, nearly a week before labor day.
(Posted: 7:27AM)
In a stunning move, state Senate Republicans now say they have control of the Senate chamber in Albany, with the help of a pair of renegade Democrats.
During a shouting match on the floor of the Senate chamber yesterday, Democrats Pedro Espada Junior of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens said they've joined with the 30 Senate Republicans in a motion that would displace Democrats as the party in control.
Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith calls the move to overthrow the Democratic-led majority "illegal and unlawful."
Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says they've formed a coalition government in partnering with the two renegade Democrats.
Regarding those two renagade Democrats: Hiram Monserrate has been indicted on assault charges, while Pedro Espada has been under investigation for campaign violations.
The Democratic Party had just won control of the Senate in last November's elections following more than four decades of Republican control of the chamber.
A Brockport man has been arrested for driving his pick-up truck into a propane tank and then, into a house in the Orleans County Town of Carlton.
Sheriff’s deputies say 20-year-old David Allchin of Brockport was drunk when his truck ran off Mitchell Drive in Carlton and hit a propane tank causing it to begin leaking. The truck then came to rest against a house. No one was injured. Allchin charged with DWI.
LeRoy Police bust a local man for allegedly starting a small fire in an apartment building.
23-year-old Scott Schlonski of Keeney Avenue was arrested yesterday and charged with Reckless Endangerment.
Police say Schlonski set fire to an item in an apartment building. They didn’t say what the item was.
A woman reported missing from Medina last week has been found: in jail. Apparently, 38-year-old Karen Sanders did not use her one phone call to talk to her family last Thursday night. Police say that's when she was locked up for alleged drunk driving in Depew. Her family became worried and reported her missing Friday. Sanders remains behind bars at the Erie County Jail.
A traffic note in Batavia: Manhattan Avenue between Ellsworth and North Street will be closed most of the day. The work will then move to Elm Street, closing Elm between Fisher Park and East Ave.
Monday, June 8, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 12:38PM)
A nationally ranked water skier from Livonia has been killed while practicing his sport on a private lake in the Allegheny Town of Wirt.
54-year-old John O’Neill of Livonia was pronounced dead on arrival at Olean General Hospital yesterday.
State Police said O’Neill was practicing on a water skiing slalom course at the time of the accident. Three people were on the boat towing O’Neill. They managed to get the skier to shore and call for help, but once at the hospital, O’Neill could not be revived.
(Updated: 11:30AM)
A Medina woman, reported missing by her family, is not missing at all.
38-year-old mother of four, Karen Sanders, has been in jail since Thursday.
She was arrested in the Erie County Town of Depew for DWI, and failed to tell her family.
They reported her missing the next day.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office had started a missing persons investigation, which is now over.
(Posted: 7:20AM)
A classic jet aircraft restored by actor John Travolta and most recently based in Batavia, crashed over the weekend in Rochester.
Pilot Peter Treichler took off from Rochester Airport Saturday afternoon bound for Batavia.
About five minutes into the flight, the engine failed. Treichler turned back toward Rochester but crashed just short of the runway. He suffered only minor injuries.
The vintage aircraft, built in 1947, is said to the oldest flying jet in the world. It was previously owned and restored by Travolta.
The aircraft is now owned by the Wings of Flight Aircraft Club of Batavia.
A skydiving accident over the weekend in Orleans County sends a buffalo woman to the hospital.
33-year-old Kristin Adduci, who works at the Lewis and Lewis Law Firm in Batavia, was airlifted to ECMC after she apparently failed to deploy her parachute properly.
The mishap occurred at the Pine Hill Airport in the Town of Barre on Saturday night.
Kristin was part of a group practicing nighttime jumps.
Witnesses said Kristin waited too long to flare her parachute which caused her to hit the ground faster than she should have.
The Batavia City Council will not meet tonight as scheduled.
Council was to have met for a business meeting, but the session has been postponed until June 22nd.
Apparently, too many council people would have been absent from the meeting due to a Republican Party fundraiser.
A one vehicle accident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation is fatal to a basom man.
53-year-old Alan Jones of Meandville Road, Basom, was killed Saturday afternoon when his pick-up truck ran off Ledge Road in the Town of Alabama. The truck hit an embankment and rolled over several times. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
An elderly couple is recovering in the hospital from injuries suffered when their car was hit by a bus in Orleans County. The accident happened yesterday morning on Route 98 in Albion. Rolland Kast and his wife Anita, both 83, suffered non-life threatening injuries, but remain at Strong Hospital in Rochester. Police say a 40-foot passenger bus rear-ended their car. There was only the driver and one passenger on the bus at the time, they were not injured.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is asking the puiblic for help in locating a Medina woman missing since Thursday.
39-year-old Karen Sanders was last seen driving on Route 78 toward Olcott after visiting a friend.
The family told deputies that Karen recently lost her job and was said to be depressed.
Karen Sanders is described as a white female, 5ft 4in tall, 155 pounds, blue eye and short brown hair. She was last seen driving a white Dodge mini-van missing a front passenger side fender.
She is the mother of four boys ranging in age in 4 to 14.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
by Wayne Fuller
Governor David Paterson and public-employee unions announced an agreement on Friday to reduce the state workforce by about 7,000 positions through buyouts and attrition and establish a less-generous pension tier for new workers. The deal comes three weeks before July 1, the date Paterson had targeted for reducing the state workforce by 8,700 people. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but they were stepped up this week after the governor vetoed legislation to extend a special pension deal for police and firefighters. The agreement will save about $440 million over two years. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli welcomed the agreement. He said Governor Paterson and the Unions have crafted an agreement that is fair to New York’s taxpayers, fair to the Unions, and financially beneficial to state and local government in the long run.
An earthquake registering 2.9 on the Richter Scale occured near Attica on Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake occured around 11:30 a.m. The epicenter of the earthquake was 3 miles south/southeast of Attica. It lasted between five and ten seconds. Debbie Kaiser of the Village of Attica Police Department said it shook everything in the village area. Dorann O'Neil of 72 North St. in Attica spoke with us yesterday and she says things were quiet one minute – and all shook up the next. The quake was the result of a shift on the nearby Clarendon-Linden fault line. No injuries have been reported in the incident.
Three persons were arrested yesterday on drug charges while at the Darien Lakes Campground. 19-year-old Matthew Bratcher of Sharon Avenue in Hamburg, 19-year-old Michael Vanmierlo of Main Street in Hamburg, and 20-year-old Frank Grasso of Forestal Drive in Hamburg were all charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. All will face court appearances in Darien Town Court.
New York City’s Health Department reports an eighth city resident has died from the swine flu. Health officials only say the victim was a 65-year-old male, who had an underlying medical condition that may have contributed to his death. The new strain of the flu has typically affected young to middle-aged adults. Meanwhile, a Brooklyn school reopened its doors on Friday after being closed for five days over swine flu concerns. Four more city public schools are set to reopen on Monday.
Friday, June 5, 2009
by Wayne Fuller
(Update: 1:30PM)
by Geoff Redick
Attica residents are shaken up after an earthquake shook the Northern Wyoming County community this morning. The U.S. Geological Department reports that a 2.9-magnitude earthquake did actually occur. Debbie Kaiser of the Village of Attica Police Department said it shook everything in the village area. Dorann O'Neil of 72 North St. in Attica spoke with us earlier today. She says the tremors came out of nowhere.
LISTEN
The quake was the result of a shift on the nearby Clarendon-Lindon fault line. No injuries have been reported in the incident.
(Update: 10:30AM)
That missing Albion girl has been found safe and sound. 17 year old Tresia Brace had been missing since May 27th when she reportedly ran away from her home. She was found this morning and returned to her aunt’s home.
(Posted: 7:20AM)
The goal for the United Way of Genesee County has been met for this year. Christine Fix with the United Way Campaign announced on WBTA’s Main and Center Street program yesterday that the 334 thousand dollar plateau has been reached.Money from the United Way Campaign goes to provide funding for 19 local human services agencies.
Another concert at Darien Lake Theme Park and more arrests. Two persons were arrested last night at the Kenny Chesney concert.
18-year-old Jessica Sheer of Leister Road was charged after she allegedly slapped another person in the face. She’ll face a court appearance in Darien Town Court at a later date.
18-year-old Jordan Burns of Orchard Park allegedly took a wallet containing a debit card from a car at the Park. He’s in jail with bail set at 5 thousand dollars.
In addition 6 more persons were arrested at or near the Park on DWI charges. Five are from out of the area (Hamburg, Lancaster, Rochester, Almond, and Dansville), while one 20 year old is from Batavia.
On Wednesday, two Livingston county youths were found in Leicester to be in possession of alcoholic beverages. Yesterday 21-year-old Aleatha Burns of Leicester was charged with Unlawfully dealing with a child in connection with the case. She’ll appear in Leicester Town Court at a later date.
A homeless vagrant making a trip from Texas to Ohio was arrested in Leroy yesterday for allegedly stealing money from the candle prayer-offering at a church in Leroy. 55-year-old Stephen Quigley has been jailed on a charge of petit larceny. Bail is set at 500 dollars.
The search is continuing for an Albion girl who has been missing since May 27th, some 9 days. 17-year-old Tresia Brace reportedly ran away from home and hasn’t been seen since. Tresia is white, stands 5 foot 9 inches tall and weighs 119 pounds. She has straight black hair, hazel eyes and piercings in her ears, nose, and lower lip. When last seen, she was wearing baggy black pants and a black hoodie. If you have any information on Tresia Brace, you should call the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
The white house is trying to clear the way for the re-election of Senator Kristen Gillibrand. Governor Paterson selected her earlier this year to replaced Hillary Clinton in the Senate. Vice President Joe Biden is urging Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney not to challenge Gillibrand in the 2010 race. Biden reported met with Maloney behind closed doors this week in Manhattan in an effort to avoid a primary fight.
The fear of a swine flu outbreak has caused Buffalo’s Riverside School’s two locations to be closed both today and Monday. School officials say 19 students have complained of flu like symptoms. Test results should be known today to see if it is the H1N1 virus.
Today is National Barber Shop Quartet day. I guess you’re supposed to join a Barber Shop Quartet. It is also National Doughnut Day. That tradition has been observed every first Friday in June since 1938. It was started as a way to raise money for the Chicago Salivation Army. This year a number of national franchises including Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme, as well as independent mom-and-pop stores, are expected to offer up their tasty treats for free.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 7:15AM)
A Batavia man has been arrested on felony charges for allegedly embezzling more than $100,000 dollars from a local contractor.
39-year-old Paul R. Tenney has been charged with Grand Larceny and Forgery for allegedly stealing from Elcon Incorporated, where he worked.
Genesee County Sheriff’s investigators say Tenny allegedly forged business checks and falsified business records to pull off the theft.
Tenny was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $10,000 dollars bail.
(Posted: 7:15AM)
A long brewing family dispute led to an arson suicide in Alden.
49-year-old Andrew Sindrewicz apparently set fire to his own home and that of his sister, Helena Ward, who lived next door.
When the fires were put out, Sindrewicz was found dead in the basement of his home; a suicide note was later discovered in the cab of his truck parked outside.
Neighbor’s told the Buffalo News there had been bad blood between the siblings since the death of their mother, who had owned the home where Andrew was living…the place was jointly inherited by Andrew and Helena. Authorities said no one but Andrew was home in either house when he set fires. Three Genesee Coun6ty Fire Companies responded to the call.
A 15-year-old teenager from Lima is recovering after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Police say Dylan Yorks suffered head, shoulder and possible internal injuries. It happened on Dalton Road in the Town of Lima.
Police say Yorks rode his bicycle through an intersection and was hit by a car driven by 19-year-old Michael Milburn of Spencerport. Authorities say Yorks was not wearing a helmet and was listening to music on headphones at the time.
Another suspected drug dealer off the streets, for now. The Genesee County Drug Task Force has arrested 28-year-old Timothy Lee of Ross Street, Batavia. Lee, who also goes by the name, Cricket, is accused of selling a large amount of crack while being secretly watched by the task force. Cricket is behind bars this morning, no bail.
Authorities in Orleans County asking for help in locating a missing teenage girl.
16-year-old Tresia Brace of Albion left home on May 27th and hasn’t been heard from since.
Tresia is white, 5 ft 9-inches tall, 115 pounds, long straight black hair, hazel eyes. She has piercings on her ears, nose and lower lip. She was last seen wearing baggy black sweatpants with a black hoodie.
If you have information, contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
It won’t be long now before the Batavia Muckdogs take the field and defend their New York-Penn League Championship. The Muckdogs will play their home games at Dwyer Stadium, but several Muckdogs have no place to call home for the summer. 15 players are looking for a host family to put them up for the season. If you’re interested in hosting one of the boys of summer, or you’d just like to hear more about it, you can call the Muckdogs front office at 343-4231.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 6:55AM)
Batavia’s two major political parties have endorsed their candidates for this November’s elections.
For city council at-large, Democrats have given the nod to:
Sara Burk Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace.
For seats on the county legislature, the Democrats backed incumbent Ed Dejanerio in District 9, Wards 4 and 5,
Newcomer Chris Charvella of District 8, Wards 2 and 3,
And Rose Mary Christian for District 7, Wards 1 and 6.
City Republicans were meeting at the same time.
They endorsed three candidates for council at-large. They are incumbents Frank Ferrando and Tim Buckley, along with Ward 2 Councilwoman May Ann Clattenburg. Should Clattenburg win the at-large seat, Council would have to appoint a Republican to replace her in Ward 2.
Republicans had previously endorsed Hollis Upson in Legislature District 8, and Robert Radley in District 7, the seat being vacated with the retirement of John Hodgins.
The GOP did not field a candidate to run against Ed DeJaneiro in District 9.
Livingston County is getting 50 new jobs at the Kraft production plant. The company says it is increasing production of its Lunchables lunch combinations at the facility in Avon. The state is pitching in $125,000 to aid the expansion. The plant employs about 360 workers currently and also makes Cool Whip topping.
Lawmen in Livingston County are cracking down on underage drinking. This time a party was busted when police were called to a report of an unconscious female at Bowen Park in Livonia. The 15-year-girl was taken to the hospital for treatment of alcohol poisoning. Police then arrested 21-year-old Brett Phillips of Livonia and charged him with allegedly supplying the liquor. He’s been locked up in Livingston County jail.
The party in the park was going on at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
Police in Cattaraugus County say they were led on a three mile chase by a horse and buggy. The Sheriff's Department says it all happened early Monday morning in the town of Napoli. Police were investigating reports of underage drinking when they tried to stop the buggy. Police say the driver drove right into some fields and into the woods and then took off on foot. They caught up with the driver later in the day. 20-year-old Jonas Hershberger was charged with reckless endangerment and overdriving an animal.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 10:35AM)
The President of the Pavilion Board of Education is defending the salary paid to the school superintendent.
A survey by Business First ranked Pavilion Superintendent Ed Orman as the 4th highest paid school administrator in Western New York. Pavilion Central is among the smallest districts in the region with renrollment of about 900 stduents.
Today, Pavilion School Board President beck Lewis tells WBTA the main reason for Orman’s 183-thousand dollar a year salary is his longevity.
Orman has been Pavilion’s superintendent of 15 years. Up until five years ago, Lewis said, Orman held the dual position of District Superintendent and Business Manager. Lewis also pointed out that Orman had no assistant superintendent as many other administrators in the region have.
Orman is retiring next month.
The new superintendent at Pavilion Central, Ken Ellison, will be paid 125-thousand a year, a figure consistent with other schools of similar size.
(Posted: 6:20AM)
A combined city and town of Batavia would reduce expenses, increase revenues and maintain a tax system fair to everyone.
That’s the hope anyway, but still, there are skeptics.
The Consolidation Committee took the wraps off their first report to the community last night.
At the heart of the plan is the potential consolidation of services like snow plowing and sewage management.
Batavia City Council President Charlie Mallow liked what he saw in the report, while Batavia Town Board member Alfred lang was far more cautious
LISTEN
The Consolidation Committee has released its first report and supporting documents on a special website:Consolidation Plan
It took lawmen in Orleans County three hours to get their man, but they did.
Their man turned out to be a 17-year-old wanted for burglary.
Judd Farewell was collared yesterday afternoon for allegedly breaking into several homes and businesses in Orleans County over the past two months.
Farewell was spotted around 1PM walking on Blair Rd. in the Town of Shelby. Three hours later, following a brief foot chase, Farewell was arrested near the GCC campus in Medina.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies say Farewell is wanted for at least a half-dozen burglaries since Friday, three of them yesterday.
GM workers at the company's engine plant in Tonawanda are gearing up for layoffs. This comes a day after General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection. The plant manager in Tonawanda says 25 to 30-percent of the workforce at the site could face pink slips. GM is phasing out two engines built in Tonawanda, which employs 872 people. The plant already has 360 hourly workers on layoff.
Monday, June 1, 2009
by Dan Fischer
(Posted: 2:40PM)
One Genesee County School Superintendent is the 4th highest paid school administrator in Western New York although the school district is among the smallest.
Numbers out today compiled by the “Business First” newspaper show that Pavilion Central School Superintendent Edward Orman, earns 183-thousand dollars a year.
Pavilion Central has approximately 900 students.
Orman earns more than the superintendent’s in Jamestown, Kenmore and West Seneca, all of which have considerably higher enrollments.
The President of the Pavilion Central Board of Education has been unavailable for comment.
Orman is leaving retiring at the end of next month.
He’s been the superintendent at Pavilion fort over 15 years.
The new Superintendent is Ken Ellison, who has been Pavilion’s Business Manager and will earn less than Orman.
(Updated: 11:05AM)
The community gets its first look tonight at the proposed plan to consolidate the city and town of Batavia.
The document, called, A Vision for One Batavia, will be released at a meeting scheduled for 7 o’clock tonight at Batavia Town Hall.
Beginning tomorrow, the report will be available on a website.
This is the link to the report that will be available on Tuesday.
Consolidation Plan
(Posted: 7:20AM)
Fire in Indian Falls destroys two barns and everything inside.
The fire broke out on the Peter and Lynette Swedsen property on Akron Road yesterday afternoon.
The couple’s 12-year-old daughter, Olvia, discovered blaze while feeding her goats.
Six volunteer fire companies responded.
Investigators say a heat lamp, used to warm baby chicks, triggered the fire.
A Corfu man has been charged with threatening to stab his girlfriend. Police say 28-year-old Brandon Rindell of Corfu allegedly called his girlfriend Saturday night and said he was going to find her and stab. The woman was at a local bar at the time. She called police.
When Rindell showed up, police say he was drunk and did have a knife on him. Rindell faces charges of menacing, aggravated harassment, and resisting arrest.
A 28-year-old Darien Center man has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. State Police Elijah Albano allegedly used cigarettes and alcohol to befriend the boy. The relationship continued for six months. Albano faces felony sex charges as well as misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Senator Chuck Schumer believes Sonia Sotomayor [[ so-toh-my-YORE ]] will be overwhelmingly confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. The New York Democrat told ABC's "This Week" her record as a federal judge for 17 years is, quote, "the gold standard," adding she has more federal judicial experience than any nominee in a century.
Schumer called Sotomayor moderate and "legally excellent."
If you’re heading to Canada today, better pack your passport or enhanced driver’s license. That’s because tighter security is beginning today.
No longer will verbal declarations be acceptable at any of the bridges back into the US.
The tighter restrictions also apply to travel to Mexico. Border officials say if you do forget you passport you won’t be held in jail. Once US citizenship is established you will be released with a warning.
WBTA’s eye on government:
Tonight the first formal report is to be issued on the consolidation of the Town and City of Batavia.
What is being termed, “A Vision for One Batavia” will be released during a meeting at 7PM at the Batavia Town Hall.
Also on tonight, the Batavia City School Board is holding a special meeting. It will be held at 7PM in the Administration Building on Washington Avenue.
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