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SUNY GCC announces spring 2023 president's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

205 students from Genesee Community College named to President's List. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

  • Jennamarie Schiller of Alexander
  • Christian Haller of Alexander 
  • Hiroto Mori of Batavia
  • Alexandra Christopher of Batavia
  • Paige Derisley of Batavia
  • Benjamin Streeter of Batavia 
  • Jessie Leone of Batavia 
  • Joshua Jacobs of Batavia
  • Unai Cruz Prieto of Batavia
  • Benjamin Frongetta of Batavia
  • Angelo Boncore of Batavia
  • Donato Fiorentino of Batavia
  • Kurstin Smith of Batavia 
  • Michael Lepkowski of Batavia 
  • Julie Busch of Batavia 
  • Allison Dent of Batavia 
  • Scott Dorchak of Batavia
  • Lydia Evans of Batavia
  • Andrew Atwood of Batavia
  • Andresha Richardson of Batavia
  • James Weicher of Batavia 
  • Xandria Jackson of Batavia
  • Jocelyn Coburn of Batavia 
  • Cameron Heineman of Batavia 
  • Trent Ryan of Batavia 
  • Tamara DePalmo of Batavia 
  • Margaret DeMare of Batavia
  • Vincent Sotir of Batavia 
  • Gabriella Rindell of Batavia
  • Jonah Luplow of Batavia
  • Joseph Perl of Batavia
  • Melissa Mullen of Batavia
  • Blake Pahuta of Corfu
  • Henry Richley of Corfu
  • Alec Skeet of Corfu
  • Megan Stiles of Corfu 
  • Jill Paxon of Corfu
  • Megan Miller of Corfu 
  • Amarri Watts of Corfu
  • Isabella Wheeler of Darien Center
  • Dominic Nicastro of Darien Center
  • Leah Bezon of Elba
  • Heidi Burdick of Oakfield 
  • Kenneth Kline of Oakfield
  • Natalie Utz of Bergen 
  • Emily Johnson of Bergen
  • Kaitlyn Windhauser of Bergen 
  • Joan-Marie Gabalski of Byron
  • Bryanne Puma of Byron
  • Sean Whiting of Le Roy
  • Brock Flint of Le Roy
  • Amy Kaplun of Le Roy
  • Makayla Grant of Le Roy 
  • Willard Prevost of Le Roy 
  • Maille Martin of Le Roy
  • Lauren Russell of Pavilion 

SUNY GCC announces spring 2023 provost's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

243 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost's List. Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

  • Melanie Pohl of Alexander 
  • Phyllissa Mitzel of Alexander 
  • Ian Edmonds of Alexander
  • Alan Riggi of Alexander 
  • Kevin Neureuter of Batavia
  • Carrie Lathan of Batavia
  • Jill Kratz of Batavia 
  • Maranda Vanelli of Batavia
  • Michelle Witherow of Batavia 
  • Jennifer Kula of Batavia
  • Naomi Peck of Batavia 
  • Lauren Reimer of Batavia
  • Anthony Haitz of Batavia
  • Brandon Delaporte of Batavia
  • Amanda Woodrich of Batavia
  • Stephanie Gordon of Batavia
  • Shamiqua Hickman of Batavia
  • David Boyce of Batavia 
  • Kelly Smith of Batavia
  • Catherine Richardson of Batavia
  • Kingsley Antwi Darkwa of Batavia
  • Alexander Frank of Batavia
  • Seth Coburn of Batavia
  • James Pulliam of Batavia
  • Don Buckel of Batavia
  • Leah Buckel of Batavia
  • Katie Abaire of Batavia
  • Theresa Tesch of Batavia 
  • Elizabeth Rindell of Batavia 
  • Jessica Barone of Batavia 
  • Maia Hoffman-Miller of Batavia
  • Sara Smith of Batavia
  • Samantha Conibear of Batavia 
  • Mikhail Saxton of Corfu
  • Neve Tilley of Corfu 
  • Colton Tarbell of Corfu 
  • Raymond Vanelli of Corfu 
  • Autumn Korytkowski of Corfu
  • Trenton Woods of East Bethany 
  • Aidan McClurg of Elba
  • Elizabeth Verratti of Elba
  • Genevieve Roman of Oakfield
  • Cierra Tiede of Oakfield 
  • Melinda Osborn of Oakfield 
  • Jacob Cone of Stafford
  • Amara Condidorio of Le Roy
  • Matthew Bolton of Le Roy
  • Dylan Dziekan of Pavilion

Local students make SUNY Oswego honor rolls

By Press Release

Press Release:

SUNY Oswego recently recognized three Genesee County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and Deans’ List for the spring 2023 semester.

President's List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Students on the President’s List include:

  • Charles T. Burton, Batavia, creative writing

  • Collin J. Knapp, Byron, journalism

Deans' List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the Dean's List include:

  • Ty C. Kornow, Basom, psychology

  • Finch Uhrinek, Basom, geology

  • Dylan Zielinski, Corfu, broadcasting and mass communication; cinema and screen studies

RIT announce local graduates for the 2022-2023 academic year

By Press Release

Press Release:

Rochester Institute of Technology(RIT) conferred more than 4,800 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2022-2023 academic year. RIT's academic convocation celebration was held in May and featured remarks by Thomas Zurbuchen, astrophysicist and the longest continually serving associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA's history.

The following local residents received degrees:

  • Nicholas Kelly of Byron received a degree in software engineering (BS)
  • Andrew Pickard of Batavia received a degree in software engineering (BS)
  • Sophia Zwolinski of Corfu received a degree in mechanical engineering (BS)
  • Maddi Howard of Elba received a degree in psychology (BS)
  • Megan Conibear of Corfu received a degree in global business management (BS)
  • Jacob Gualtieri of Le Roy received a degree in computer engineering (BS)
  • Kyle Tezanos of Batavia received a degree in materials science and engineering (MS)
  • Rachel Schauf of Batavia received a degree in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (MS)
  • Ella Llewellyn of Batavia received a degree in medical illustration (BFA)
  • Will Palmer of Batavia received a degree in new media design (BFA)
  • Callee Norton of Elba received a degree in biomedical sciences (BS)
  • Chase Roth of Alexander received a degree in web and mobile computing (BS)
  • Colin Hunt of Batavia received a degree in packaging science (BS)
  • Michaela Mesiti of Le Roy received a degree in science, technology and public policy (MS)

SUNY Cortland announces spring 2023 president's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

A total of 696 SUNY Cortland students earned President's List honors for the Spring 2023 semester. To qualify for the President's List, students must earn a grade of A- or better in each of their classes while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

  • Emma Efing of Le Roy (Adoles Educ-Social Studies)
  • Emma Gutowski of Corfu (Professional Writing)

SUNY Cortland announces its spring 2023 dean's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

More than 2,300 students earned recognition for academic excellence on the SUNY Cortland Dean's List for the Spring 2023 semester. The Dean's List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.

  • Emma Efing of Le Roy (Adoles Educ-Social Studies)
  • Emma Gutowski of Corfu (Professional Writing)

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of driving drunk with children in the vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

Zachary D. Leitten is indicted on three counts of aggravated DWI, a Class E felony,  DWI, a Class E felony, DWI, as a misdemeanor, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a misdemeanor. Leitten is accused of driving drunk with children less than 15 years old in the car on Jan. 17 in the Village of Corfu. His BAC at the time of his arrest was allegedly .08.

Kent L. Handy, Jr., is indicted on a count of DWI, a Class E felony. Handy is accused of driving drunk on Jan. 28 in the Town of Stafford while on the Thruway. The indictment alleges that Handy was previously convicted of DWI on Sept. 8, 2015, in the City of Rochester.

Ryan J. Wanike is indicted on counts of DWI, a Class D felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class D felony. Wanike is accused of driving drunk on Nov. 28 on Clinton Street Road in the Town of Stafford. His BAC was allegedly .08.  The indictment alleges that he had a prior DWI conviction on Sept. 24, 2015, in the Town of Gates.

Sarah L. Elmore is indicted on counts of aggravated DWI, a Class E felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E. felony. Elmore is accused of driving with a BAC 0f .08 or greater with a child less than 15 years old in the vehicle on Sept. 10 in the Town of Bethany on Molasses Hill Road.

Joseph C. Jeffords is indicted on counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony, and petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Jeffords is accused of falsifying a bill of sale at Pawn King on Dec. 10 in order to conceal a theft from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Parker E. Payton is indicted on counts of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, DWI, a Class E felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E felony. Payton is accused of driving drunk while on a revoked license on Dec. 31 on South Street in the Village of Le Roy.

Dale W. Skaters, Jr., is indicted on one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Skates is accused of stealing property valued at more than $1,000 while at The Home Depot on Nov. 16.

Chad W. Main is indicted on counts of driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class D felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor.  Main is accused of driving while impaired by drugs on Parmalee Road in the Town of Le Roy on Dec. 2 while his license was revoked. He is accused of possessing more than 500 milligrams of cocaine and of possessing methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Main had his driving privileges revoked on April 27, 2017.

Isaac D. Abrams is indicted on one count of robbery in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. Abrams is accused of using force on March 10 to steal money and a safe from a dispensary on Poodry Road in the Town of Alabama.

Matthew M. Keiffer is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, and criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony. Kieffer is accused of breaking into a business in the Town of Pembroke on March 16, causing damage to the building, with the intent to commit a crime, and of stealing two credit cards.

Anthony F. Armstrong, Jr., is indicted on counts of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, menacing in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Armstrong is accused of entering an apartment on Walnut Street, City of Batavia, on March 20, with the intent to commit a crime within, and of using a serrated blade knife to threaten another person and of unlawfully restraining that person. He is also accused of causing physical damage to the property.

Local chef smokin' in Corfu with BBQ restaurant and catering service

By Jazmyne Boozer
Nick Rada
Nick Rada and chef at Burning Barrel BBQ in Corfu.
Photo by Howard Owens.

After selling barbecue in front of his house to help locals endure the 2020 pandemic, Nick Rada decided it was time to translate his training and skills with smoked meat and open an authentic Southern BBQ restaurant in Corfu.

It's where his lifelong passion has led him.

“I’ve always had a passion for it. I always would hang out back by my grandfather’s pond. [I would] cook over live fire,” Rada said. 

After years of cooking with fire, Rada found himself in Greenville, S.C., and he said a man nicknamed “Mr. T” showed him old-school southern barbecue. It was there that Rada’s passion for barbecue was solidified. Now, after barbecuing first as a hobbyist, then for those during the pandemic, Rada has opened his own restaurant. 

The restaurant offers catering, limited dine-in services and takeout. 

Diners can enjoy Southern classics like smoked barbecue chicken, pulled pork, chopped beef and more. Rada also takes great pride in not just perfecting his main dishes but his sides as well. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens and tangy cole slaw are fan favorites. 

“It’s about as authentic and true you will get to real barbecue compared to anywhere down south. Even though I’m up in New York State, come on in, and you’ll have good barbecue. I take pride in it.” 

He makes his own sauce, mixing his own sauce that he developed with a store-bought sauce.  The baked beans and potato salad are made from scratch.

He said during the summer, most of his business is catering, and his weekends are frequently booked.

Burnin’ Barrel BBQ is located at 10 E. Main St in Corfu. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 

Photos by Howard Owens.

burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023

Sponsored Post: OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW - 2023 Indian Fall Road, Corfu

By Lisa Ace
2023 Indian Falls Road, Corfu

2023 Indian Falls Road, Corfu - OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JULY 1, from 11am-1:00pm! Truly the most warm and inviting country home you will see! Immaculately kept this property has all quality upgrades and is no flip! All Anderson windows, radiant in floor heat(you will fall in love again this winter)upgraded 200 amp electrical service, fully gutted/remodeled kitchen with gorgeous tongue and groove ceiling and large pantry room with laundry is just the start! Inviting country kitchen has small breakfast nook as well as dining area for larger gatherings. Cozy wood burning stove and half bath downstairs for your guests makes this place great for entertaining as well as large family room with Cathedral ceiling and beautiful windows that lead out to wrap around deck with views of the prettiest backgrounds! Inviting 1st floor bedroom suite with closet everyone will be jealous of and newly renovated large&bright private bath that leads to its own deck with hot tub! A 2 bay shop built in 2016 with xtra tall covered carport ready for RV, gorgeous gardens, fruit trees and grapevines and fire pit area with charming waterfall makes this property a true homestead! Offers due July 5 @ 4:00. 

Village of Corfu unveils new welcome signs created by Pembroke students

By Howard B. Owens
corfu signs
Ileana Draper and Mayor Tom Sargent with one of the new Village of Corfu entryway signs that she and her classmates at Pembroke High School created for the village.
Photo by Howard Owens.

The welcome mat, in the form of entry signs into the village, will be a little brighter in Corfu beginning this summer.

After 15 years, the entry signs along the main thoroughfares into Corfu have become a bit faded, so the village board invited art students at Pembroke High School to design and paint new signs.

They wanted color, flowers, especially tulips, and a welcoming message.

That's what they got, and students involved in the project said they got to work on an exciting, meaningful project.

"It was a cool experience because we could kind of shape how things in our community look," said Kayla Reynolds, who just finished her senior year and is heading off in the fall to Roberts Wesleyan. "It was a fun project. We could be creative and try to represent our town in the best way possible."

Junior Sophie Crandall is thinking about making a career in art so the project was especially fascinating to her, she said.

"I just think it was really interesting getting to do such a big project with very little restriction," she said. "We kind of got to do whatever we wanted with those designs."

Fifteen years ago, a group of Pembroke students designed the outgoing signs, and when the village's maintenance supervisor Norm Waff noticed the signs were showing their age, he approached the village board about designing and painting a new set of signs.

Waff said he thinks the students are really talented and did a wonderful job.

"I think that it really gives the students an opportunity to get involved in activities of the village around Pembroke," Waff said.

Deputy Mayor Michael Doktor said the students were given only a little direction -- incorporate village history, which means flowers.

"Other than that, it was just really leaving it up to the kids' imagination and their creativity," Doktor said.

About tulips: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were five greenhouses in Corfu. The florists mainly grew tulips and the tiny village was one of the largest exporters of tulips in the nation. Changing tastes and the Great Depression led to the eventual demise of the tulip, but a couple of the greenhouses survived until just the past decade or so (both were heavily damaged by the 2009 tornado that blew through town) by growing mums.

Mayor Tom Sargent said the project both helps beautify the community as well as builds community spirit.

"This is something that keeps the kids involved in our community," Sargent said. "It's a way for them to give back. Now every time that they come into the village, even 10 years from now, the signs will still be here. They can say, 'I did that sign.'"

The fact that the students knew everybody entering the village over the next 10 or 15 years would see the signs really motivated them to do their best work, Reynolds said. 

"We really wanted it to be the best quality possible because people are gonna see it for -- we don't really know how many years -- and everyone that drives into Corfu is going to see these signs. We wanted them to be as finished and as professional looking as possible."

corfu signs
Kayla Reynolds with the sign she was most involved with creating.
Photo by Howard Owens.
corfu signs
Sophie Crandall with the sign she was most involved with creating.
Photo by Howard Owens.
corfu signs
Photo by Howard Owens
corfu signs
Jonah Martin and Lily Martin with Mayor Tom Sargent.

Motorcycle reportedly off the road in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcycle is reportedly off the road with injury at Route 33 at Snipery Road, Corfu.

Corfu Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:24 p.m.: Apparently, only cuts and scrapes, according to a first responder.

Sponsored Post: Just listed from Reliant Real Estate; 2023 Indian Falls Road, Corfu

By Lisa Ace
2023 Indian Falls Road, Reliant Real Estate

2023 Indian Falls Road, Corfu. OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JULY 1st from 11am-1pm. Truly the most warm and inviting country home you will see! Immaculately kept, this property has all quality upgrades and is no flip! All Anderson windows, radiant in floor heat (you will fall in love again this winter), upgraded 200 amp electrical service, fully gutted/remodeled kitchen with gorgeous tongue and groove ceiling and large pantry room with laundry is just the start! Inviting country kitchen has small breakfast nook as well as dining area for larger gatherings. Cozy wood burning stove and half bath downstairs for your guests makes, this place great for entertaining as well as large family room with Cathedral ceiling and beautiful windows that lead out to wrap around deck with views of the prettiest backgrounds! Inviting 1st floor bedroom suite with closet everyone will be jealous of and newly renovated large&bright private bath that leads to its own deck with hot tub! A 2 bay shop built in 2016 with xtra tall covered carport ready for RV, gorgeous gardens, fruit trees and grapevines and fire pit area with charming waterfall makes this property a true homestead! Offers due July 5 @ 4:00. 

23 students named RIT dean's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

The following students were named to the Dean's List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean's List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed at least 12 credit hours.

Jake Humes of Batavia, who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Tori Russell of Pavilion, who is in the biotechnology and molecular bioscience program.

Jake Long of Batavia, who is in the civil engineering technology program.

Lexi Begin of Corfu, who is in the communication program.

Zach Wagner of Batavia, who is in the computer engineering program.

Tanner Richardson of Batavia, who is in the electrical engineering program.

Emily Eckdahl of Stafford, who is in the environmental sustainability, health and safety program.

Megan Johnson of Oakfield, who is in the finance program.

Megan Conibear of Corfu, who is in the global business management program.

Amelia Beckman of Batavia, who is in the illustration program.

Xishun Miller-Williams of Batavia, who is in the industrial engineering program.

Sophia Zwolinski of Corfu, who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Austin Hunt of Batavia, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Timothy Bessel of Le Roy, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Ella Llewellyn of Batavia, who is in the medical illustration program.

Fanny Venegas of Elba, who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.

Megan Watson of Le Roy, who is in the photographic sciences program.

Madison Maniace of Pavilion, who is in the physician assistant program.

Maddi Howard of Elba, who is in the psychology program.

Cambria Kinkelaar of Bergen, who is in the public policy program.

Robert Lin of Batavia, who is in the robotics and manufacturing engineering technology program.

Isaac Ladley of Byron, who is in the supply chain management program.

Chase Roth of Alexander, who is in the web and mobile computing program.

SUNY Canton announces spring 2023 president's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran recognizes students for earning a spot on the spring 2023 President's List.

"Congratulations to all the exceptional SUNY Canton students who have earned a well-deserved spot on the President's List for the Spring 2023 Semester," Szafran said. "Your remarkable achievement is a testament to your dedication, perseverance and outstanding academic abilities. I take immense pride in witnessing your success and seeing you excel in such a highly competitive academic environment. I hope this accomplishment serves as a stepping stone towards even greater achievements in your future endeavors."

To earn a spot on the President's List, full-time students must earn a 3.75 or greater GPA during a single semester. A complete list of all honor students runs on www.canton.edu.

  • Katharine N. Smallwood, a SUNY Canton Health Care Management major from Corfu.
  • Zechariah Gowanlock, a SUNY Canton Emergency Management major from East Bethany.

Corfu-Pembroke dollars for scholars is set to receive large scholarship donation

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars will be announcing the receipt of a $300,000 donation (Vernon J. Rupert Memorial Endowment Scholarship) to our organization to support scholarships for graduating Pembroke students. 

The senior awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium. News information will be provided at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium by the Dollars for Scholars Board of Directors and school administration. 

Currently, the Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars (DFS) awards 24 scholarships to scholars annually. The addition of this new gift will allow us to more than double the financial awards to graduating students.

These new funds will be used to create and support FIVE- $5,000 annual awards for students pursuing trade school careers, 2-year associate degrees, and 4-year college or university studies.

In the last 14 years, the Corfu-Pembroke DFS chapter has awarded 186 scholars over $145,000 for college study. This year DFS is awarding $19,300 to graduating Pembroke seniors.

Law and Order: Batavia woman, 80, accused of trespassing, kicking police officers

By Howard B. Owens

Carolyn L Kurek, 80, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and harassment 2nd. Kurek is accused of refusing to leave a location on North Street.  After a lengthy negotiation with police, according to the report, the officers attempted to physically remove her, and she allegedly kicked and scratched the officers.  Kurek was issued an appearance ticket, transported to her apartment, and released.

Shane Kyle Logan, 50, of Meadville Road, Basom, is charged with criminal sexual act 3rd and incest 3rd.  Logan was charged following an investigation by Investigator Kevin Forsyth for an act alleged to have occurred on Aug. 30 in Basom. He was ordered held on $5,000 bail.

Teesean T. Ayala, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass, obstruction of governmental administration, and criminal impersonation. On May 21, at about 6:05 a.m., police officers were dispatched to Vine Street to investigate a report of a male walking onto driveways and checking car door handles. A possible suspect was identified who then fled from police on foot through backyards in the northeast section of the city. The suspect was eventually apprehended and identified as Teesean Ayala. He is scheduled to appear in City Court at a later date.

Richard A. Demmer, Jr., 30, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny and falsifying business records. Demmer is accused of stealing property from a residence on Towne Place, Alabama, on May 24. He then allegedly falsified a bill of sale at Pawn King on Veterans Memorial Drive. Demmer was arraigned and was released on his own recognizance. The case was investigated by Deputy Jenna Ferrando and Investigator Erik Andre.

Madison Lee McKenzie, 19, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child.  McKenzie is accused of using Snapchat between May 28 and May 30 to send explicit messages and photos to a person under age 15 in violation of an order of protection.  McKenzie was arraigned and released pending her next court appearance.

Heather N. Holbrook, 38, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic with the intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. Holbrook was a subject of a traffic stop by Officer Wesley Rissinger on May 17 at an unspecified location in the City of Batavia. At the time of the stop, the Sheriff's Office held an arrest warrant for Holbrook.  While being taken into custody, she was allegedly found in possession of a significant quantity of a narcotic. Holbrook was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. Also charged as a result of the traffic stop was Jeremy P. Holbrook, 40., of West Bergen Road, Bergen. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Nathaniel L. Beglinger, 31, of Peaviner Road, Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd, and obstructed view.  Beglinger was the subject of a traffic stop on May 17 on East Main Street, Batavia. He was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Rosemary R. Waters, 37, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Waters was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance during a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia, on May 17. She was arraigned and ordered held on $1 cash bail.

Chantel C. Holmes, 23, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd and criminal mischief 4th. Holmes was reportedly involved in a disturbance on May 7 on Ellicott Street, Batavia.  She is accused of striking another person in the head with a shovel, which caused an injury. She is also accused of damaging property. Holmes was arraigned in City Court and released.

Donald F. Koziol, 55, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and no/insufficient tail lamps. Koziol was stopped on May 14 on Ellicott Street by Officer Adam Tucker. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Ashley Davis, 34, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, unlicensed operator, and unsafe backing. Davis was arrested by Officer Andrew Mruczek on May 8 following an investigation into a report of a vehicle backing over a curb and striking another vehicle in a parking lot on North Street, Batavia. Davis was released on an appearance ticket.

A 17-year-old female resident of Ellicott Street,  Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. The youth is accused of striking another person while in an unspecified park in the City of Batavia on May 15. The youth was arraigned in City Court and released.

Kevin M. McCoy, 56, of East Main Stree, Batavia, is charged with trespass and harassment 2nd. McCoy was allegedly involved in a fight at a business on East Main Street, Batavia, on May 12. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

Lakeisha A Gibson, 36, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Gibson is accused of failure to comply with a subpoena to appear at a trial. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Zakara R. Jackson, 19, of Trumbull Parkway,  Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Jackson was allegedly found in possession of a narcotic and drug paraphernalia when she was arrested on warrants on May 16. She was arraigned and released.

Jeanette L. Higgins, 47, of Ganson Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Higgins is accused of throwing an acquaintance to the ground during an argument on May 15. ßhe was issued an appearance ticket.

Jaqulyn Ann Dueppengiesser, 39, is accused of stealing an item from Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive at 4:25 p.m. on May 23.  Her release status is unknown.

Jared Evan Flaming, 36, of Genesee Street, Darien, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old, criminal mischief, and harassment 3rd. Flaming is accused of damaging a mailbox on Gabbey Road, Pembroke, while walking at 8:15 p.m. on May 27. He is accused of screaming profanities at the time and threatening a caller in the presence of children. Flaming was held in the Genesee County Jail pending his arraignment.

Joshua Rashad Brown, 25, of Spalding Street, Elmira, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd and harassment 2nd.  Brown is accused of entering an enclosed area of Darien Lake Theme Park on May 29 without permission. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Isrrael Obregon, Jr., 42, of Tucker Road, Walnut Cover, N.C., is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed driver 1st, misuse of dealer plate, unlicensed driver, and driver view obstructed. Obregon was stopped on May 29 at 4:22 on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy.  He was issued tickets and released.

Hunter M. Passage, 22, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Passage was stopped by State Police on May 29 at 9:08 p.m. in the Town of Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Miguel A. Rendon Fuentes, 39, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Fuentes was stopped on May 29 at 12:06 a.m. by State Police, He was released on an appearance ticket.

Brian E. Daggar, 37, of Elba, is charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Daggar was stopped by State Police in the Town of Batavia on May 27 at 12:41 a.m.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Lavar V. McKnight, 45, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal contempt 1st. McKnight was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported on May 25 at 9:20 at an unspecified location in the Town of Batavia.  He was ordered held.  No further information released by State Police.

Trinity N. Wright, 20, of Syracuse, is charged with conspiracy 5th, grand larceny 3rd, and criminal possession of stolen property 3rd. Alexis M. Stackhouse, 26, of Syracuse, is charged with conspiracy 5th, reckless endangerment 1st, grand larceny 3rd, and criminal possession of stolen property 3rd. Noemi Morales, 23, of Syracuse, is charged with conspiracy 5th, possession of burglar tools, grand larceny 3rd, and criminal possession of stolen property 3rd. Wright, Stackhouse and Morales were arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported on May 25 at 12:42 a.m. Both were ordered held in custody.  No further information was released by State Police.

Judge rules against Scott Doll in latest appeal of 2010 murder conviction

By Howard B. Owens

The latest attempt by Scott F. Doll to get his 2010 conviction for murder overturned has failed to persuade another judge and his appeal based on what his attorney claimed was new evidence has been denied.

Attorney Michael S. Deal, from the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, filed a motion to overturn the conviction earlier this year. A hearing on his motion was heard by Judge Sanford A. Church on March 10.

Deal argued that he had uncovered new evidence related to the failure of the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office to collect fingernail scrapings from Doll's victim, Joseph Benaquist, and new DNA tests of people who might have had access to the murder scene should lead to Doll's conviction being overturned and a new trial granted.

Church ruled that the defendant did not present a factual assertion that the two pieces of "newly discovered evidence" could not have been available for the 2010 trial. 

"As discussed below, a sound defense trial strategy could have been to avoid further scientific testing and emphasizing the prosecution's failure to test some evidence," Church wrote. "The defense was aware, for example, of the drops of blood on the victim's boot before trial and that it had not be subjected to DNA profiling. All they had to do was ask that it be tested."

The defense could have also asked that fingernail scrapings be tested.  If the defense had made the request, the attorneys would have learned that clippings and scrapings had not been collected.

As for a bit of third-party DNA found on the victim's boot, that evidence could have been available at trial, Sanford said. There were photographs available to the defense that showed a possible bloodstain on the victim's boot.  The defense, he said, could have insisted that the bloodstain be tested.

Prior court rulings have found that for evidence to be considered "new" in an appeal, it must be evidence that could not have been discovered by the defense through diligence. 

It's also not readily apparent that the DNA comparisons would change the outcome of the trial, Sanford ruled.

For these reasons, Doll has failed to prove that his "new evidence" could not have been discovered before trial.

Church, an Orleans County judge, heard the appeal because Genesee County Court Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini formerly worked for the Genesee County District Attorney's Office and had been involved in prior appeals, so she had a conflict of interest.

Doll was sentenced to 15 years to life for the 2009 murder of Benaquist. He has consistently maintained his innocence since his arrest.

On the night of Feb. 16, 2009, Doll was found walking in Pembroke in blood-soaked clothing by a deputy and questioned.  Due to the suspicious nature of his appearance and a van he identified himself as operating earlier in the evening, he was questioned by investigators who feared there was a seriously hurt or dead person in the area.  Those emergency circumstances allowed investigators wide leeway in questioning Doll and searching for a possible victim. Several hours later, Benaquist's badly beaten body was found in the driveway of his home in Pembroke.

Benaquist and Doll, a prison guard, had been partners in a used car business.

For all of The Batavian's prior coverage of Scott Doll, click here.

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