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Five suspected meth dealers busted in early morning raids

By Howard B. Owens

An alleged meth distribution ring with a hub in Le Roy and alleged dealers in Batavia and Rochester was broken up by a region-wide law enforcement effort early this morning.

Five individuals were arrested and now face a federal charge of conspiracy with intent to distribute narcotics.

None of the individuals are suspected of manufacturing methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. said at a press conference this afternoon that 75 grams of meth were recovered following the months long investigation that included wiretaps and the use of informants.

Sheriff Gary Maha would only say that the suspected meth was being manufactured "somewhere in the states."

"We're not concerned about there being a major lab out there in Genesee County," Maha said.

Donald G. Vanelli, 47, of 8394 Lake St., Le Roy, is suspected of playing a central role in acquisition and distribution of meth.

Vanelli, according to a press release put out late Friday by Hochul's office, is president of the Road Agents Motorcycle Club.

Much of the meth allegedly distributed by the ring was being sold in Batavia and throughout Genesee County, but one suspected dealer lived in Rochester. He is David H. Cohen, 49, of 918 Goodman St.

Also taken into custody were Donna L. Boon (aka Donna Mcauly), 44, of 3658 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road; Andrew W. Chapman, 40, of 5 Cedar St., Batavia; and Kerry A. Ball, 51, of 7202 Meadville Road, Basom.

“We’ve made a number of significant drug arrests here in Genesee County, but this is pretty significant as far as the distribution of methamphetamine,” Maha said. “We think these people are major, major suppliers here in Genesee County.”

Cohen, Boon, Chapman and Ball were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Rochester this afternoon and released. Federal prosecutors were going to ask that Vanelli be held without bail.

Cohen is accused of obtaining meth in Genesee County and distributing it in Monroe County, as well as sometimes being a conduit to resupply Vanelli.

Search warrants were executed at the homes of Boon and Vanelli. K-9 units from Orleans and Monore counties were used in the searches.

A 9mm semi-automatic gun, loaded with 10 rounds, was reportedly seized at Vanelli's home.

Authorities believe that Boon would sometimes supply meth to Vanelli for redistribution.

The federal charge carries a minimum five-year prison sentence, with a maximum available sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine.

The street value of the 75 grams of meth, according to Hochul is about $7,000.

The stiffer federal penalties are exactly why the FBI and U.S. District Attorney's Office were brought into the investigation, according to Maha.

"We said in the beginning (a little less than a year ago when the first alleged meth lab was found in Alabama), we’re not going to tolerate methamphetamine here in Genesee County," Maha said. "So when it’s brought to our attention that people are manufacturing, or that people are distributing, methamphetamine we’re going to go after them as hard as we can."

The investigation is continuing and there may be additional arrests.

"An investigation into any crime isn’t complete until everybody who is responsible for either the trafficking, procurement of any of the substances and finally the financing are identified and prosecuted," Hochul said.

The culmination of "Operation Deep Freeze" began at 3 a.m. with members of the Batavia Police Department rapid response team (SWAT) meeting at the Sheriff's Office before heading out to serve search warrants and arrest the suspects. By 5:30 a.m., investigators from the Sheriff's Office and the FBI were heading into the field to conduct searches on the suspects' residences.

The investigation began, according to Maha, with informants. He shied away from characterizing them as "citizens" or people involved in criminal activity. He said there was no connection between this alleged distribution ring and the five previous alleged meth labs found in the county.

Also participating in the investigation were the Drug Enforcement Administration, State Police and the Le Roy Police Department as well as the Genesee County District Attorney's Office.

    David Cohen  Kerry Ball  Andrew Chapman

Inset photos: top, Vanelli; bottom, Boon.

Condemnation notice placed on Latina's building

By Howard B. Owens

City officials are ramping up the enforcement action against LKLWL Properties, owners of the Latina's Foodland location on Ellicott Street.

Today, a condemnation notice appeared on the building's doors and a criminal complaint was filed in City Court.

Representatives of LKLWL Properties are being ordered to appear in court on July 23 at 10 a.m. to answer to a charge of creating unsanitary conditions, in violation of city code.

The condemnation notice prevents anybody from entering the building.

Also, based on the feces and feathers on the floor inside of the building, it seems pretty clear that gulls now have access to the interior of the building as well, not just the roof.

City Manager Jason Molino has not been available for comment this afternoon.

UPDATE 4:36 p.m.: City Manager Jason Molino said the court action and the condemnation are two seperate tracks that are part of the same effort to get the property owner to take the condition of the building seriously.

If the gull problem isn't remedied in 30 days, because of the condemnation notification, the city will be able to send crews in to deal with the gulls and clean up the property and then bill the property owner for the work.

"At this point we have to do what we can to try and remedy the situation," Molino said.

Asked about cleaning up the parking lot, which is increasingly covered with feces, Molino said it would be reasonable to consider billing the property owner for any clean up work there.

For previous coverage, click here.

U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan to get Batavia-made T-shirts

By Howard B. Owens

The crew at Top Line T-shirts made up patriotic shirts to sell at the Picnic in the Park on July 5. When there were some left over, owner Tim Walton was trying to think about what to do with them.

He struck up a conversation with longtime friend Jody Lutley of Hometown Hugs. Hometown Hugs is a local organization that has been sending care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan since the war started.

Walton and Leitey hit on the idea of sending the shirts to troops in Afghanistan, and Walton even printed up another batch to send over.

Pictured are Leitey, Walton, Rob Credi, Walton's business partner, and Andrew Maxwell.

Police Beat: Man accused of drinking slushy without paying for it

By Howard B. Owens

Adrian Michael Alexander, 29, of Meadow Drive, Geneseo, is charged with petit larceny. Alexander is accused of consuming a slushy at 8204 Park Road in Batavia and not paying for it.

Christine Leigh Thomas, 21, of W. Park Street, Albion, was picked up on a bench warrant. Thomas was arrested by Albion Police and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Thomas was jailed without bail. No information was released on the reason for the warrant.

Driver accused of not stopping for red light, causing accident

By Howard B. Owens

A car that reportedly failed to stop for a stoplight allegedly caused an accident yesterday on Clinton Street Road that sent one person to the hospital.

Suffering non-life threatening injuries was a passenger in one of the cars, Kathleen L. Alianell, 81, address unknown.

No other injuries were reported.

Cited was Richard J. Satkowski, 75, of Blair Road in Medina.

The driver of the other car was Robert W. Frye, 59, of Lucinda Avenue, Rochester.

Satkowski was reportedly driving southbound on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road. Fry was driving west on Route 33. Satkowski reportedly failed to stop for the red light.

The accident was reported at 1:23 p.m.

(initial report)

Photo: Giant storm puddle on Tracy Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

Richard Stevens, left, runs through a giant rain puddle on Tracy Avenue, with his dog, some neighbor dogs and a neighbor's boy.

The flooded street is now reportedly drained.

Below, a reader submitted the photo showing the flood waters outside Aldi's on East Main Street.

Summer in the City set for Saturday, Aug. 21

By Billie Owens

Downtown Batavia's 6th annual “Summer in the City” festival will be held from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21.

There will be more than food and craft vendors, a great lineup of entertainment by Terry Buchwald “Elvis," Ghost Riders, Nik & Nice Guys, a KidsZone, plus a Super Car Cruise with more than 400 cars and motorcycles.

This year, there are some exciting new changes.

The main stage will be on Main Street in front of County Building #1. Food vendors and kids activities will be on Main Street as well (from Jackson to Court and Jefferson). All crafts and non-profit booths will be on Court and Jefferson (near the main stage area).

The Super Car Cruise will occupy Main Street from Jackson to Liberty Street, along with sections of Bank and Center Streets.

For more information and applications for the “Summer In the City” festival call 585-344-0900 or visit the B.I.D. website at <www.downtownbataviany.com>.

This event is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District.

Photo: Old school news delivery device spotted

By Howard B. Owens

Dig the '80s style lettering on this old truck.

When I was poking around on Cedar Street this morning looking for some reported law enforcement effort going on, and finding nothing, I noticed Wade Avenue. I've never been down Wade Avenue before, so I drove to the end of the short street.

And the end was parked this old school delivery device for news, apparently put out to pasture. Shouldn't it be in a museum?

Multiple raids this morning on suspected meth distribution ring

By Howard B. Owens

Sheriff Gary Maha arrived at 3658 Townline Road a short time ago where, within the hour, law enforcement had arrived on scene and conducted a raid.

Maha also confirmed there had been a raid earlier on Cedar Street in Batavia. He said there were "three or four" locations raided this morning. He said it's related to an investigation into methamphetamine distribution. When asked where the meth was being manufactured he said he couldn't say.

The Sheriff's Office, State Police and an Orleans County K-9 unit are on scene.

Maha said his office would release a statement later this afternoon.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Takes Education to the Neighborhoods

By Robin Walters

Nicole from Cornell Cooperative Extension joined in with Care-A-Van Ministries on their weekly cookout at Central Avenue Thursday evening.

She had a very interesting presentation on how much sugar is in common items we drink. If you were there, you would think twice about drinking that mountain dew!

Cornell Cooperative has become a regular partner with Care-A-Van. In the winter  time, the girls from the office make delcious soups to take out and feed the neighborhoods. They educate the people of the free services they have to offer. Several people attending this evening signed up for nutrition  classes.

Hawley buys NY flags for Assembly colleagues

By Billie Owens

This information is from a news release from Steve Hawley.

On July 1, Assemblyman Steve Hawley closed out the 2010-2011 Legislative Session by giving New York State flags to his colleagues in the Assembly.

Earlier in the week, Elba Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman, and her husband Bill, took a tour of the State Capitol arranged by Assemblyman Hawley.

Upon reaching the Assembly Chamber, Supervisor Kaufmann and Bill were surprised to find that in addition to the American flag, many of the members' desks included flags of other countries and social causes, but there was not one New York State flag.

With that in mind, Assemblyman Hawley purchased New York State flags for each of his Assembly Minority colleagues, and several of his colleagues in the Majority, to go with their American flags.

They serve as a reminder that although this year was a banner year for dysfunction and fiscal mismanagement in Albany, the legislature should still show pride in our home - New York State!

Introduction to Facebook at Batavia's Richmond Library

By Daniel Crofts

Want to learn how to get "Facehooked?" Then come on over to the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, for an hour-long session on how to use the popular website, Facebook!

On Tuesday, July 13, Lisa Gricius will show you how to set up an account, how to use and manage it, and games to play (or not). The program will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to all adults in the Batavia area. Registration is not required.

Please call the library at 343-9550 for more information.

Event Date and Time
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Mistler's new South Beach poised for a grand opening

By Howard B. Owens

When I stopped into South Beach, 59 E. Main St., Batavia, this afternoon to see what was up with the re-opening plans, the first thing Ken Mistler did was give me a cup of ice water.

Man, was it good. And not just because it was 96 degrees outside.

Mistler has a whole new filtration system that all the water -- for cooking, ice and table service -- goes through. It's as pure and clear as a pristine mountain stream.

And it's also evidence of the first-rate job Mistler has done in putting together the new South Beach. He's not calling it "Ken Mistler's South Beach," but that's how we might start thinking about it. It's both that different and yet still South Beach.

Inside are the same bamboo and beachy themes, but Mistler has also made a lot of changes, from adding a side-door entrance and doing away with the Main Street entrance, to enclosing the kitchen. The latter change helps keep heat in the kitchen instead of the dining room. He's also added new, larger, more private booths.

There's also more seating overall and a bigger bar.

And Mistler isn't done. He's got expansion plans for downstairs once the main restaurant is running smoothly.

The new South Beach officially opens Tuesday.

As for the food, Mistler said it will be "South Beach with a flair." There will be steaks and seafood and pineapple dishes, but one unique feature is that diners will have the option of ordering -- and paying less -- for smaller portions.

"We thought, when we go out to eat the plates are just too big, too much food on the plate, and you feel obligated to eat it," Mistler said. "We’ll do away with that by offering the same dish, but a smaller portion at a lower price."

Ficarella finishes Oakfield

By Billie Owens

Nick Ficarella hit a walk off 3-run homer to finish the game 12 to 2 over Oakfield.

Oakfield scored with their first batter. Hale lead off the game with a home run to left field.

Batavia bounced back with a 3-run inning with runs scored by Trevor Sherwood, Tyler Prospero and CJ Suozzi to take a 3-to-1 lead after the first inning.

Batavia shut out Oakfield in the second inning with great pitching by Dominic Mogavaro (9 strikeouts on the day).

Prospero came up with a big 3-run homer over the left center-field fence to advance Batavia to a 6-to-1 lead after two innings of play.

Batavia's Dakota Swimline hit a solo home run in the third. His second homer in two games. Oakfield's first baseman Hamm followed with a towering home run to right center in the fourth inning.

Ficarella came up to bat in the bottom of the fifth to ice the game with a 3-run homer.

Batavia had multiple hits by Sherwood, Prospero, Swimline, Suozzi, Ficarella, Noah Dobbertin, Ryan Cummings, Jarret Lasket, Mike Falitco and Greg Mrucek.

Batavia is now 2-0 in pool play with a big game this Thursday at home against highly rated Geneseo.

This information was submitted by a reader.

Camping in the outfield at Dwyer's

By Billie Owens

On July 10 and 17 there will be overnight camping after each Muckdog game for City of Batavia residents.

All campers need to be accompanied by an adult family member and everyone needs to purchase a ticket to the game.

Advance tickets can be purchased at $1 saving per ticket from the game day price. When buying your ticket, all you have to do is to say you will be camping and you will be given a voucher. which will give you entrance to the outfield to set up your tent.

Tent stakes can not be longer that 10 inches. No pets allowed and everyone needs to be off the field by 8 a.m. the next day.

Any questions call the Muckdogs at 343-5454.

CJ Suozzi slams past Le Roy

By Billie Owens

CJ Suozzi hit a Grand Slam to lead Batavia 12-year-old All-stars 18 to 5 over Le Roy.

Le Roy came out of the gates fast with a 2-run lead in the first, with runs by Fix and Tygart. Batavia's "Q" (Quinten) Weis tied the game with one swing of the bat, hitting a 2-run homer as Josh Johnson led off the inning with a walk. Bro (Dakota) Swimline followed Weis with a back-to-back home run as Batavia ended the inning up 4 to 2.

Le Roy bounced back with 3 more runs in the second inning by Elliot, Fisher and Midwick to take the lead back 5 to 4.

Batavia's big hit came with bases loaded. Suozzi hit a towering home run over the center field fence to lead an 8-run inning, which was too much to overcome.

Suozzi, Weis, Swimline and Tyler Prospero went 3 for 3 while Johnson, Mike Falitico and Nick Ficarella contributed with hits.

Information submitted by a reader.

Minor injury accident at Route 33 and Seven Springs Road

By Howard B. Owens

An injury accident is blocking the intersection of Clinton Street Road and Seven Springs Road, Batavia.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS are dispatched.

Minor injuries are reported.

A pickup truck has lost a wheel and rear axle and needs to be towed from the intersection.


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Water incident at Austin Park

By Howard B. Owens

City Police are being dispatched to Austin Park.

The trouble: "Kids are throwing water at each other."

In the words of the dispatcher, "apparently, the parents don't like that."

Police Beat: Rochester man accused of stealing from Target and Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Kristopher David Cadieux, 32, of Strathallen Park, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and aggravated unlicensed operation. Cadieux allegedly stole two video cameras from Target on Monday. On Tuesday, he reportedly returned to the store and was spotted by Target security. As he left the store, the Sheriff's Office was contacted. He was later spotted at Walmart. He then reportedly drove to the Lowe's parking lot, where he was stopped and identified. During the stop, Deputy John Baiocco reportedly found four stolen video games in Cadieux's car.

Jordon J.J. Herthum, 20, of 7109 Chili-Riga Road, Churchville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to keep right. Herthum was stopped at 3:37 a.m. on Lake Street in Le Roy by Sgt. Michael Hare.

A 17-year-old resident of North Lyons, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing money from Darien Lake Theme Park while an employee.

Michael Aaron Witkop, 18, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of fireworks, possession of alcohol under 21 and inadequate vehicle exhaust mechanism. Witkop was stopped at 1:54 a.m. by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Law Street, Batavia for an alleged traffic violation. He was allegedly found in possession of fireworks and alcohol.

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