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Law and Order: Wilkinson Road man accused of being a child sex predator, first-degree rapist and sex abuser

By Billie Owens
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        Melvin Huntley

Melvin A. Huntley, 40, of Wilkinson Road, Batavia, is charged with: predatory sexual assault against a child; course of conduct against a child in the first degree; first-degree rape; first-degree sex abuse. Huntley was arrested after an investigation into him sexually assaulting a child/children over an extended period of time. He was arraigned July 8 in Town of Batavia Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected. No additional information will be released at this time. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Investigator Howard Carlson, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Donald Ray Read Jr., 49, of Mill Pond Road, Byron, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree -- with a previous conviction; and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree -- an explosive. At 10:09 a.m. on July 6, following the investigation into the alleged possession of a pipe bomb, Read was arrested on the charges. It is alleged that he possessed a knife with metal knuckles on the handle and a separate set of metal knuckles. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court for Byron Town Court and put in Genesee County Jail. Read is due in Byron Town Court this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Assisting with the investigation was the GC Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, the GC Drug Enforcement Task Force, the ATF, FBI, Erie County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad, and the GC Probation Department.

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        Brandon Dodd

Brandon Dodd, 34, is charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny stemming from an investigation into a residential burglary at 8:22 a.m. June 28 on Swan Street, City of Batavia. Dodd is accused of entering another person's apartment and stealing property including an air conditioner and television. This burglary occurred about four hours after Dodd's arrest for stealing an air conditioner from another property on Jackson Street. Dodd was put in Genesee County Jail on $5,000 cash bail, $5,000 bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond.

Brandon Dodd, 34, is charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that at 6:39 p.m. June 29 that Dodd entered a business on East Main Street in Batavia and stole about $300 worth of cigarettes. He was issued an appearance ticket while incarcerated in GC Jail on unrelated charges. He is due in Batavia City Court on July 27 to answer this charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Brandon Dodd, 34, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. At 4:42 a.m. June 28, Dodd was arrested on Ganson Avenue after an investigation into an allegation that he took an air conditioning unit out of a window on Jackson Street in the City of Batavia. While being searched by a Batavia Police officer, a crack pipe was allegedly found on Dodd's person.

Ernest J. Parry, 40, is charged with trespass. He is alleged to remained on the premises of a business of Park Road in Batavia at 10:20 a.m. July 2 after being told to leave by security staff several times during out outdoor concert. He was issued a ticket to be in Batavia City Court July 13, no time provided, then released.

Andrew Martin, 43, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He responded to BPD headquarters at 5:04 p.m. July 3 and was issued an appearance ticket after an alleged violation of an order of protection. He is due in city court on July 21.

Tierance Davis Sr., 34, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court stemming from an incident June 9 in which he was allegedly located at a residence of a person who had an order of protection against him. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and was due in court today (July 12); time not provided.

Michael Jackson Jr., 40, is charged with: second-degree assault; third-degree assault; second-degree strangulation; criminal obstruction of breathing; and unlawful imprisonment in the first degree. He was arrested July 2 in connection to an incident at 1:30 a.m. on June 10 on Hutchins Place. He was located by Greece PD with two warrants for his arrest out of Batavia City Court. He was arraigned in city court, held at GC Jail and is due to return to city court on July 29.

Robert Gerety, 48, is charged with aggravated family offense. He was arrested at 9:48 p.m. Feb. 28 on West Main Street, Batavia. He responded to Batavia PD headquarters on his own accord after allegedly violating a stay away order of protection while involved in a traffic stop. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court July 2 then released on his own recognizance.

Samantha Lawrence, 31, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. She was arrested June 29 after an investigation into an incident at 10 a.m. June 27 in which she is accused of violating an order of protection. It is alleged that she showed up to a protected party's workplace and that she had contact with the protected person. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on an unspecified date.

Christopher J. Wiegman, 32, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree -- criminal possession of a hypodermic needled. Wiegman was arrested July 3 at 10:12 a.m. in Bergen stemming from an incident May 10 on Raymond Avenue following the results of a drug report from the Monroe County Crime Laboratory. It is alleged that he possessed nine hypodermic needles and cocaine residue after a Genesee County Probation home search. Wiegman is due back in Batavia City Court on July 20.

Rae Cook, 32, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 1:55 p.m. July 6 on North Lyons Street in the City of Batavia following an unspecified incident. Cook is due on July 27 in city court.

Crystal Marsceill, 40, is charged with petit larceny. Marsceill was arrested at 4:22 a.m. June 28 following an incident outside a Batavia residence on Jackson Street. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 13.

Jose Castro, 36, is charged with unlawful possession of fireworks.He was arrested at 8:30 p.m. on June 29 on Willow Street in the City of Batavia after allegedly setting off fireworks. Castro was issued an appearance ticket  for a later date, unspecified, in city court.

Matthew Zakrewski, no age provided, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration. Zakrewski was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident at 9:26 p.m. June 28, 2019, on Osterhout Avenue in the City of Batavia. The original charge is based on an incident where the defendant allegedly fled from officers in an attempt to avoid arrest. He was scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on July 6.

Jon Charles Brooks, 51, of Vroom Road, Spencerport, is charged with: aggravated DWI: per se -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more -- no priors; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; and failure to keep right on a two-lane road. At 3:18 p.m. on July 10 on Clinton Street Road in Bergen, Brooks was arrested after a traffic stop for a vehicle and traffic law violation. He is due in Town of Bergen Court on Aug. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Gregory Solomonidis, no age provided, is charged with driving while intoxicated. He is accused of driving while having a BAC of .08 percent or more at 5:02 a.m. July 3 on East Main Street in Batavia. During the investigation, it was allegedly revealed that he was involved in an altercation and that he was intoxicated. Solomonidis was arrested, then issued traffic tickets and released.

John Wesley Harding, 64, of West Bank Street, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Harding was arrested at 3:40 p.m. July 9 at Walmart in Batavia after deputies responded there for a reported larceny complaint of $27.72 in merchandise. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on July 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.

Elba's Kyley Pascarella earns bachelor's degree of Business Administration in Management from SUNY Canton

By Billie Owens

Kyley Pascarella, of Elba, earned their Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from SUNY Canton. Pascarella was among the graduates recognized as part of the Class of 2021.

President Zvi Szafran urged graduates to use their knowledge to help their communities rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic at the college's in-person Commencement Ceremony held May 15.

"Think about your strengths and how they can be used to enact positive change in your communities as we heal from the past year," he said. "You have a once in a generation chance to have a seat at the table as the country continues to implement its collective reset, breaking out from old thinking patterns and seeking new ideas.

"As a SUNY Canton graduate, you've been taught to analyze and to problem solve. These skills won't just be helpful to you in your career but to society as a whole."

Nearly 800 students were eligible to graduate from the college. The top three bachelor's degrees awarded, in order of popularity, were Health Care Management, Criminal Investigation and Management. The top three associate degrees awarded were Nursing, Veterinary Science Technology and Criminal Justice.

The college captured a video of the 2021 Commencement Ceremony and also created a special virtual commencement video. A complete list of all graduates also runs on www.canton.edu.

About SUNY Canton

As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs, SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials.

As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 22 online degree programs. The college placed first in 14 categories in a SUNY-Wide Student Opinion Survey, most notably in career services, tutoring, library resources, and classroom facilities.

The SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.

Pete's Bright Idea: Spend a night forecast for rain at T.F. Brown's listening to DSP Jazz Trio

By Billie Owens

Actual dialogue:

"Hey, Skip!"

"Yeah, Pete"

"What's the weather supposed to be like for this Thursday, July 15 say between 5 and 8 p.m.?"

"Well Pete -- I think they are calling for more rain."

"That's what I thought, Skip. I guess as long as folks have to be indoors they should show up at T.F. Brown's."

"Good idea Pete!"

(DSP Jazz Trio will be performing.)

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Town of Bethany GOP seeks nominees to serve out town clerk's unfinished term

By Billie Owens

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Bethany Republican Committee is seeking individuals who are interested in being considered for nomination to serve out the unfinished term of the Town Clerk, which will end in 2023. The position exists due to a recent retirement of the incumbent Town Clerk. 

The Committee will be meeting on Friday, July 16th at 5 p.m. at the Town of Bethany Community Center, 10510 Bethany Center Road. 

Those interested please send letter of intent to: Thomas J. Douglas, 10515 East Road, Pavilion, NY 14525.

Or contact Mr. Douglas at:

tdgoldenrod@yahoo.com

Cell: (585) 356-0824

Nocturnal Fliers: Insects that Go Bump in the Night at GC Park & Forest, must preregister

By Billie Owens

It’s a different world when the sun goes down in the forest! Join us for a nocturnal insect adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturday, July 10th from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Wayne Gall, Ph.D., will attract night-flying insects to a white sheet with a mercury vapor light and identify them. See these mysterious insects up close and learn cool facts about their natural history!

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Car struck parked car on Harvester Avenue, city police are out with the driver now

By Billie Owens

A car has struck a parked car on Harvester Avenue, just south of Colorado Avenue. City police are on scene with city fire.

Mercy medic #3 is told to respond in nonemergency mode. "It'll probably be a sign-off," says command.

Two flatbed tows are needed.

Police are out with the driver now.

UPDATE 12:58 a.m.: Mercy medic #3 is on scene.

UPDATE 1:02 a.m.: Command asks dispatch to change the address to 130 1/2 Harvester Ave.

Robert Donald Ayers

By Billie Owens

Robert Donald Ayers departed this life peacefully at age 92, on July 4, 2021 at LeRoy Village Green. He was born in Cortland, NY Sept. 7, 1928, to the late Donald and Aldine Ayers. He was married for over 63 years to the love of his life, Barbara Davall Ayers, who passed away on Sept. 12, 2012. They will be together again in Heaven

His lifetime career was in the transportation industry, working 37 years for Red Star Express. For 23 years he was the union steward for the Teamsters organization at Red Star. While working full time, he also did crop farming on his farm in Spafford NY, overlooking Skaneateles Lake, and helped his father and brother maintain the family dairy farm in Lapeer, NY. He was always a hard worker and typically had the equivalent of two full-time jobs.

He moved his family to Batavia in 1965, and soon volunteered as a Genesee County Auxiliary Police officer, where he eventually achieved the rank of captain, while he was also working at Red Star.

After his retirement, they moved to Leesburg, Fla., in 1992. While there he was treasurer at the First Presbyterian Church in Leesburg and she was an elder and chairperson of the worship committee. He also taught Defensive Driving for the AARP 55 Alive Florida safety program and eventually became the Assistant State Coordinator for Florida.

They moved back to Batavia in 2006 and joined the First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder on session and the chair of the Personnel Committee. He also was an instructor in the Genesee Valley BOCES Adult Education Program, CDL Class A Commercial driver license training.

Throughout his life he loved to help people in a number of ways. When he saw a need, he would be right there to do whatever was needed. He truly was a “jack of all trades." It seemed like he knew how to fix or build anything!! He loved his family and would drop anything to respond to a wide assortment of “fix-it” situations.

He learned how to play the organ when he was in Florida. He and Barbara would play lovely piano and organ duets together. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping trips to Northern Canada (the more remote the better) with his father in law, brother in law, son, nephew, uncles, and family friends.

He was a person of great faith. He loved his church and rarely missed a Sunday service. No matter how hard he worked, he always had Sunday open for church followed by lunch at a favorite diner and then a Sunday drive along country roads.

He is survived by daughter Donna (David) Blake, of Stafford, and son Tim (late Julaine) Ayers, of Fairfield Pa.; grandson Brendan (Shauna) Blake, of Byron; sister-in-law Lucie (late Arland) Ayers, of Batavia. As well as nephews (late Doug) Helen Leastman, Jerry (Karen) Leastman; Kevin (Rachel) Leastman; and nieces Judi (Kurly) O’Brien and Joanne (late Richard) Kennedy, all of Arizona; grand-nephew David Leastman, of Florida;  many dear friends and extended family.  

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at LeRoy Village Green for their loving expressions to our dad. They went out of their way to show dad kindness and compassion and as a result were very special to him. Seeing them always brought a huge smile to his face and twinkle to his eyes. Their love for him was especially apparent during those last weeks of his life. As a result of their compassionate care, he was comfortable and at peace. COVID in 2020 made personal contact difficult but we were comforted knowing he was surrounded by the love of his LVG family.

In addition, dad loved our pastor, Roula Alkhouri (of Batavia First Presbyterian Church) and each time she visited it was apparent as he smiled and had that twinkle in his eyes. Thanks be to God for the many ways she radiated the love of God to him.

The family will receive friends and all those who loved Bob on Wednesday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia, NY.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at Parker Street Cemetery in Lapeer, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Perkins Funeral Home, of Dryden, NY assisted the family with funeral arrangements.

Batavia's Margaret Cecere named to Kutztown University's growing list of scholar-athletes

By Billie Owens

A year after surpassing 200 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes for the first time, Kutztown University student-athletes produced their most impressive academic performance yet in 2020-21.

The Golden Bears obliterated their former record of 206 honorees with 252 this year, helping the PSAC establish a new conference-record with 4,162 scholar-athletes, including Margaret Cecere, of Batavia.

Kutztown increased its scholar-athlete rate by nearly 8 percent from last year with 56.1 percent of its 449 eligible student-athletes recognized. In terms of overall honorees, the Golden Bears ranked 10th of the PSAC's 18 institutions, though the number of sports sponsored is not similar from institution-to-institution.

Kutztown has produced triple-figure PSAC Scholar-Athlete totals 15 years running.

To be named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have finished the 2020-21 academic year with a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher.

As a conference, the PSAC honored a record number of student-athletes for the 15th straight year. The league's member schools combined to break the 4,000 scholar-athlete threshold for the first time, breaking the previous record of 3,763, set in 2019-20, by 399. The PSAC also set a new record with 55 percent of the conference's student-athlete population earning scholar-athlete accolades.

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

Summer Concert at Elba Village Park with lots of music, food, beer, wine and more

By Billie Owens

The Elba Betterment Committee is pleased to announce the first concert in their summer concert series -- EBC Music and More 2.0 this Saturday, July 10 at the Elba Village Park.

Rockin' the Gazebo at Elba Village Park

It is located in the center of the Village on east side of Main Street.

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Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of damaging person's property, threatening them with a hammer

By Billie Owens

Liza Monica Besczyznski, 26, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal michief and second-degree menacing. On July 5 the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call from a resident on Pearl Street Road in the Town of Batavia. An investigation allegedly revealed the defendant damaged another person's property and threatened them with a hammer. She was arrested and arraigned in Town of Batavia Court, then released on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by NYS Police.

Terrell Lee Thomas, 30, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. On July 2 at 2:40 p.m., Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to an address on West Main Street Road in Batavia for a harassment complaint. It is alleged that he engaged in a course of conduct which alarmed and seriously annoyed an individual on the property. Terrell was arraigned in Town of Oakfield Court and is due in Batavia Town Court on July 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Wyatt Jeremiah Becker, of Tinkham Road, Darien, is charged with second-degree harassment. Becker was arrested at 3:12 p.m. July 6 after police investigated an incident that occurred at 5:20 a.m. that day. He was released with an appearance ticket and is due to appear in Darien Town Court on Aug. 3. The case wase handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien. 

Larry Robert Walters, 23, of Alden, is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 or more; DWI -- first offense; moving from lane unsafely; and failure to keep right. Walters was arrested after a traffic stop at 10:15 p.m. on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, on July 6. Walters is due in the Town of Batavia Court on July 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Heberlein, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Slaughter replaces Skid Row for July 23 concert at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert on July 23 will no longer feature Skid Row. Batavia Downs hopes to welcome Skid Row to the summer concert series in the future.

On Friday, July 23rd, 2021, Slaughter will perform at the Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series.

The legendary rock 'n' roll band has been making music for three decades and is known for performing such hits as "Up All Night," "Fly to the Angels," and "The Wild Life."

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HLOM's Guest Speaker for July is Bill Kauffman talking about 'The Congressional Journal of Barber Conable'

By Billie Owens

On Wednesday, July 28th at 7 p.m. the Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome our next presenter for our Guest Speaker Series. The museum welcomes back local author Bill Kauffman as he debuts his latest work "The Congressional Journal of Barber Conable, 1968-1984."

Kauffman is the editor of the work, which is a compilation of entries from Congressman Barber Conable about the machinations of Congress and the American government at the highest level.

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Darien Center's Matthew Genaway named to Honor Roll this Spring at Canisius College

By Billie Owens

Matthew Genaway, of Darien Center, was named to the Canisius College Accounting Honor Roll for the spring 2021 semester.

To qualify for the Accounting Honor Roll, accounting students must attain a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher in at least two accounting courses taken concurrently.

Genaway is from the Class of 2021 and one of nearly 40 Canisius students named to the Accounting Honor Roll for spring 2021.

Housed within the Richard J. Wehle School of Business, the Canisius College accounting program is among the top 7 percent in the nation, according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Students in the Canisius accounting program benefit from the support of a dedicated team of faculty and a large group of accounting and financial professionals (The Accountancy Council) that provide scholarships, mentoring and career placement assistance. Job placement for Canisius accounting majors is consistently at or near 100 percent.

One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York.

Pair of Batavia and Stafford students earn bachelor's degrees from Nazareth College

By Billie Owens

Nazareth College undergraduate students earned their degrees at the 94th Annual Commencement ceremony that took place at the Golisano Training Center on the Nazareth College campus on May 15.

  • Kaitlin Ange, of Batavia, graduated from Nazareth College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health.
  • Nash Johns, of Stafford, graduated from Nazareth College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater.

Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.

Trio of GC students heading to Clarkson University in Potsdam this fall

By Billie Owens

Read about some of the new students who will attend Clarkson University as members of the Class of 2025.

  • Colby Leggo, of Bergen, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Leggo, who will be majoring in Electrical Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.
  • Cooper Mattice, of Batavia, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Mattice, who will be majoring in Environmental Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.
  • AJ Schmidt, of Le Roy, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Schmidt, who will be majoring in Aeronautical Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.

High school students can schedule a personalized visit to Clarkson, which includes things like a campus tour tailored to their interests and a visit with an admissions counselor. Students can always check out Clarkson's virtual viewbook & interactive campus map. Just contact the Admissions Office at admission@clarkson.edu.

As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. We ignite personal connections across academic fields and industries to create the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge and intellectual curiosity needed to innovate world-relevant solutions and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. With its main campus located in Potsdam and additional graduate program and research facilities in the New York Capital Region, Beacon and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,300 students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions. Our alumni earn salaries that are among the top 2.5 percent in the nation and realize accelerated career growth. One in five already leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company.

LEGAL NOTICE: Democratic Party Caucus to be held July 20 in Le Roy Town Hall

By Billie Owens

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Sec. 6-108.3 of the New York State Election Law, that a Democratic Party Caucus will be held @ 7 p.m., in the Town of Le Roy, at the Le Roy Town Hall, 48 Main St., County of Genesee, State of New York on the 20th day of July, 2021.  

This Caucus is called for the purpose of nominating candidates to fill existing vacancies for town council and town justice at the General Election to be held on November 2, 2021. Town enrolled members of the Democratic Party will be eligible to vote.                     

                                                 

Nikki Calhoun                     Jennifer Keys

Chairman                             Secretary

Return of the 'roar and excitment' of the AFD's Tractor Pull

By Billie Owens

This weekend the Alexander Fire Department E.S.P. Tractor Pull returns!

It will be held Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Hall grounds, 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

Cost: Adults: $16; children 6-12: $8; 5 years and under free.

Classes include: Super Farm, Light Super Farm, Limited Pro Stock Diesel Truck, Heavy Super Stock and Modified Tractors.

Friday at 5 p.m. will include a take-out only Chicken BBQ by the Ladies Auxiliary.

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Return of the 'roar and excitment' of the AFD's Tractor Pull

By Billie Owens

This weekend the Alexander Fire Department E.S.P. Tractor Pull returns!

It will be held Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Hall grounds, 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

Cost: Adults: $16; children 6-12: $8; 5 years and under free.

Classes include: Super Farm, Light Super Farm, Limited Pro Stock Diesel Truck, Heavy Super Stock and Modified Tractors.

Friday at 5 p.m. will include a take-out only Chicken BBQ by the Ladies Auxiliary.

Event Date and Time

Law and Order: Man accused of forcible rape of a person on Hutchins Place in front of four children

By Billie Owens

Jason Armstrong, 48, is charged with: two counts of first-degree rape; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and one count of second-degree strangulation. He was arrested at 12:34 a.m. June 28 after an investigation of an incident at 12:18 a.m. that morning on Hutchins Place. He is accused of forcibly raping a person in front of their children. He was arraigned later that morning in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

Melton Chisom, 46, was arrested at 3 a.m. June 24 on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. Chisom is charged with: second-degreed assault; criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; and second-degree menacing. The charges stem from an incident June 24 in which it is alleged that Chisom engaged in a physical altercation with another person and held a knife to the victim's face, causing injury which required stitches. Chisom was processed at BPD, arraigned in city court and put in jail with no bail. The defendant is due back in court on July 21.

Dawn Orlando, 51, was arrested on June 25 on Wood Street in Batavia. She is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal obstruction of the breathing of a person less than 17 years old by putting pressure on the person's neck. After arraignment in Batavia City Court, she was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on Aug. 5.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested June 15 after an investigation alleging he violated a stay away order of protection by being on the protected party's property at 3:44 a.m. June 14 and entering a secured garage. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court on third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree criminal contempt, he was put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail; $5,000 bond or $7,500 partially secured bond.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested on June 26 and charged with petit larceny. It's alleged that he stole a bicycle from a residence on Highland Park at 1:08 a.m. Tuesday, June 22. Dodd was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 6.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested June 26 by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post for petit larceny. It is alleged that Dodd stole alcoholic beverages from a local business at 8:23 p.m. June 23 on Lewiston Road. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there July 6.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested at 10:24 p.m. on June 29 following an investigation into an incident that alleges he violated a stay away order of protection. He is accused of being in the home of the protected parties while they were inside the residence. Dodd was arraigned in Batavia City Court and bail was set at $10,000 cash, or $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond.

Sabrena Randall, 45, was arrested on a City of Batavia Court bench warrant on June 25. It stems from an unspecified incident on Sept. 22 on West Main Street. Randall was arraigned in Batavia City Court and held on $1,000 cash, $2,000 bond, $5,000 partially secured. She is scheduled to return to court on July 26. She was also arrested June 25 on a second warrant, given the same bail options and return date for a second unspecified incident.

Phillip Heale, 42, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. June 23 on Linwood Avenue in Batavia. He is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. It is alleged that he illegally entered a vacant residence on Linwood Avenue. Heale was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 26.

Thomas Tacito, 61, was arrested for second-degree criminal comtempt after a verbal dispute. The victim has a full stay away order of protection against him and the victim alleges Tacito engaged in a verbal argument with him at 4 p.m. June 27 on North Spruce Street in the city.

Donovan Johnson is charged with: third-degree criminal mischief; criminal mischief in the fourth degree; endangering the welfare of a child; third-degree mischief; and second-degree harassment. On June 24, Batavia police arrested Johnson after responding at 11:41 p.m. to a Hutchins Street address for the report of an incident in which Johnson allegedly caused damage to the walls and some property belonging to the victim while in the presence of four individuals under the age of 18. Johnson was held at the Genesee County Jail until his arraignment in Batavia City Court at 11:01 a.m. Johnson was released on his own recognizance with a return date of Aug. 19.

Christopher Wiegman, 32, is charged with: four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree -- all stemming from a traffic stop at 10:30 a.m. April 4 on East Avenue in Batavia. He subsequently had two arrest warrants and turned himself in on those on an unspecified date. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail pending his next court appearance Aug. 5.

Stephanie Peterson, 43, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Nov. 22 on Clinton Street and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. She was also given an appearance ticket for the charge and is due in Batavia City Court on July 21.

Reanne Reed, 26, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more; speeding; open container of alcohol in vehicle. Reed was arrested after a traffic stop for speeding on Bogue Avenue at 8:57 p.m. on June 28. She was released with tickets and is due in Batavia City Court July 13.

Wendy Henry, 36, was arrested June 29 on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear in Batavia City Court court regarding an incident that occurred at 5:37 a.m. Jan. 26. Henry was released with an appearance ticket to be in court on July 14th.

Michael Jackson Jr., 40, was arrested July 1 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court. He had previously been issued an appearance ticket for petit larceny and a warrant was issued for failing to appear in court as required. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, held on $100 bail and is due in city court July 29.

NWS office in Buffalo issues Hazardous Weather Outlook: heat, humidity, then storms and gusty winds

By Billie Owens

From the National Weather Service office in Buffalo:

1151 a.m. EDT Monday July 5: Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie.

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western and north central New York this afternoon and tonight. The combination of heat and increasing humidity levels today may lead to heat index values near advisory levels of 95F inland across the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region.

Tonight, a cold front will approach and then move into the Lower Lakes with increasing chances for storms. The best chance to see a storm will be just south and east of Lake Ontario.

A Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms has been issued with the main threat damaging wind gusts.

Tuesday through Sunday -- a stronger system approaches the Lower Lakes Wednesday with another round of storms. A Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms has been issued for Wednesday afternoon and evening with the main threat damaging wind gusts.

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