Somebody committed a daytime residential burglary on South Street in Le Roy on Saturday and the Le Roy PD is asking for assistance in solving the crime.

According to Le Roy PD, an unknown person or persons forced entry into the residence between 12:45 and 3 p.m. and stole jewelry.

Anyone with information to share with the police regarding the burglary can call the Le Roy PD at (585) 345-6350.

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Route 237 and Cole Road. Byron Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: One of the two women involved says she has minor shoulder pain. She's shaken up but only wants to be evaluated, not transported. Mercy is not needed. Another responder will handle the sign off. The accident is not blocking. UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: Now Bryon fire is requesting Mercy.

UPDATE 3:31 p.m.: After further review, Byron commands cancels the response by Mercy.

A grass fire is reported in the woods behind the College Village apartments. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. College Village is located at 8170 Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

A car on Bank Street near Main in Downtown Batavia reportedly struck a manhole cover and it flipped up and damaged the vehicle. Police are responding to take a report.

The wheels of justice can sometimes turn slowly, especially, it seems, when it comes to investigating the operations of judicial departments.

Sometime earlier this year, the state's Judicial Review Commission opened an investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Village of Corfu Court.

The months-long process, according to documents obtained by The Batavian through a FOIL request, has village officials wondering when they might be able to file an insurance claim and get reimbursed for money they suspect was stolen from the court.

The allegations of missing funds first came to light with the release of an audit by the state comptroller's office that found at least $30,000 in alleged irregularities in the amount of fines collected, bail money received and reports filed with state agencies.

The village has attempted to file a claim for at least $10,000 with its insurance carrier, but the carrier demands further documentation before it will review the claim.

Internal emails obtain through the FOIL request reveal a degree of frustration and concern among village officials over the lengthy process to settle the matter.

The State Police, according to village officials, are unwilling to launch their own investigation until the Judicial Review Commission completes its work for fear of hampering that investigation.

According to village Attorney Mark Boylan, the commission is a deliberative body that works slowly and takes its time to check and weigh every fact.

An email within the FOIL package indicates that the commission has requested and received "a lot of paperwork."

That's probably the same kind of paperwork needed by the insurance carrier.

"The insured does need to present documentation that would prove they sustained a loss from employee dishonesty for coverage to be provided," wrote Julie Diehl, a property specialist for Glatfelter Claims Management of York, Pa., in a letter to Boylan. "This does require a high level of documentation and each transaction claimed must be shown to us."

The village must also prove that the bonded employee converted the money for personal financial gain.

"The narrative of the audit report ... does not speak to employee dishonesty rather to poor record keeping and a cash shortage due to that poor record keeping. So it is even more important to present the financial records, receipts, bank statements and cashbook entries and other documentation available to show the clerk diverted the monies to obtain personal gain."

Boylan responded and told Diehl "The Village Justice maintains all of his own books and records ... and the village does not have access to those records at this time."

Until the investigation by the commission is completed, and possibly until the State Police complete an investigation, those records probably cannot be turned over to the insurance company.

Glatfelter originally demanded it receive the records by June 6, but the village has been granted a 60-day extension and may apply for further extensions every 60 days as necessary, according to the documents.

For the period covered by the comptroller's audit, Brandi Watts, the daughter of Village of Corfu Justice Robert Alexander, was working as Alexander's clerk. 

Watts was eventually dismissed by the village board after discovering under state law Watts was too close of a relation to Alexander to be working for him and an appeal by Alexander to the state was denied.

According to the FOIL'd documents, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman plans to seek the appointment a special prosecutor (or special district attorney to handle the case).

In an interview this week, Friedman declined to discuss the specific case, but explained that whenever his office might have a conflict of interest -- in this case, working closely with an arm of the judicial branch -- Friedman can petition Judge Robert Noonan to appoint a special district attorney.

The DA is usually selected from one of the surrounding counties.

Because there have been no criminal charges filed in this case, no such request has been sent to Noonan, Friedman said.

The documents received by The Batavian indicate a good deal of ongoing conflict between Alexander and the village board. Officials are concerned the situation is disrupting the normal operations of the court, which is another reason they're eager to get the situation resolved.

"We need to ensure that justice is being served and people’s cases are being heard and the job is being performed," Boylan said.

About an hour ago, a small kitchen fire was reported at the Wendy's restaurant on Main Street in the City of Batavia. The automatic alarm system notified emergency dispatch of the incident. City firefighters responded and investigated. They then called for representatives from code enforcement and the health department to come to the scene. Wendy's is closed temporarily so their inspections can be done.

A bus and a van collided at the intersection of routes 77 and 33. One person on the bus has a minor injury. Corfu Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: Two units from Niagara Frontier Transportation Association are responding to take a report, as per protocol in this accident involving a bus.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: The Corfu assigment is back in service. The patient is being transported to Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: The Dodge van needs to be towed.

A two-car accident, with two youths complaining of neck pain, is reported at the intersection of routes 5 and 77. Indian Falls rescue is on scene and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:09 a.m.: Both patients are being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:11 a.m.: The Indian Falls assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: The medic says the patients are female friends ages 13 and 16 who were traveling in a Ford pickup truck when it was rear-ended by another pickup truck, occupied by their parents, at 5 miles an hour. The trucks were barely damaged. They live in Ontario.

The Genesee County Fair hosted its annual parade Wednesday night.

The fair continues through Saturday.

Today's events include horse driving, small fry tractor pull, stock car races, meat animal auction and The Trolls perform from 8 to 11 p.m.

For complete schedule, click here.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.  To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Oakfield Fire Department is responding to a report of smoke in the bathroom at 32 Bennett Ave., Oakfield.

UPDATE 8:27 a.m.: A burned out light fixture is reported.

UPDATE 8:35 a.m.: Oakfield back in service.

View Larger Map

A one-vehicle rollover accident on Route 77 right in front of the Darien Lake Theme Park has been reported. Darien Fire Department is responding.

Minor injuries are reported.

UPDATE 7:17 a.m.: Vehicle is upside down at the bottom of a ditch that's 6 feet deep.

UPDATE 7:39 a.m.: Darien back in service.

His uncles told him, "Bernie, when you get to Hawaii, you need to look up Sailor Jerry and get a tattoo."

So Bernie Thompson, originally from Brattleboro, Vt., but a 30-year resident of Batavia, found Sailor Jerry and after a little effort, got his first tattoo.

Some 45 years later, the panther on his right arm is a little faded, but as far as Mark Fanara sees it, "it's the same arm Sailor Jerry worked on."

And that's pretty cool.

"The first time I worked on his arm, I was almost a little intimidated," said Fanara, who owns High Voltage Tattoo on Main Street, Batavia.

As far as Fanara knows, Thompson is the only person he's ever met, let alone given a tattoo to, who has the work of the legendary artist on his body.

Born Norman Collins in California in 1911 (he died in 1973), Sailor Jerry eventually settled in Hawaii where he skippered a schooner, played saxophone and gave young sailors tattoos. Eventually his fame spread the world over and he is considered the most transformative tattoo artist of the 20th Century.

"He's an American tattoo legend," Fanara said.

Thompson joined the Navy out of high school and because a friend of the family was a local recruiter, he was able to get himself sent to San Diego for basic training.

He was at the Navel Training Base in October, November and December of 1967.

He figured if he was going into the Navy in the winter, training in San Diego was preferable to the Great Lakes.

"And wouldn't you know it," he said. "It snowed while I was there. (It did in fact snow in San Diego in 1967). I was 6 years old. I barely remember it, but I do know it happened."

Thompson had two uncles in the Navy. One was a captain and the other had a few tattoos completed by Sailor Jerry, including a mural on his back which Thompson said he always admired.

As soon as he hit port in Hawaii in 1968, Thompson went to Sailor Jerry's shop.

Collins immediately asked for Thompson's permission slip.

"Permission slip?"

It turns out, and Thompson didn't know it, that a seaman in 1968 needed written permission from his commander to get a tattoo.

Two days later, Thompson was back in Sailor Jerry's shop with his permission slip.

After looking through Sailor Jerry flash, Thompson settled on a panther, but he said Collins drew in some variations to make the tattoo unique. There is no other panther tattoo by Sailor Jerry that has the quite the same design or color.

It was Thompson's first tattoo.

Sailor Jerry told him, Thompson said, "If this is going to be your first, I can tell you it won’t be your last. I can guarantee you that.'"

Today, Thompson has 17 tattoos and Fanara is the seventh tattoo artist to ink him.

One of the most memorable was the 90-year-old Chinese man who gave Thompson a tattoo with bamboo in a parlor over an opium den in Hong Kong.

Getting a tattoo with bamboo was his uncle's suggestion.

"I could have killed him when I got home on leave," Thompson said. "It was one of the most painful ordeals I’ve ever been through."

Today, the 63-year-old Thompson was in High Voltage to have Fanara cover over one of his youthful tats, a pinup girl on his right forearm (see photo supplied by Fanara below).

In the coming months, Fanara will cover over one of his other tattoos and then complete a mural on his back started by a tattoo artist who has left Batavia.

Thompson said he discovered Fanara after stopping into his old shop on Ellicott Street some years ago.

The Red Sox had just won the 2004 World Series, but Thompson had been in an induced coma at Strong Memorial Hospital for the entire playoff and world series run. He wanted a tattoo to commemorate the victory, though.

Fanara, Bernie said, reminds him the most of Sailor Jerry because of his artistic touch and his professionalism.

"I came in and I was talking to Mark," Thompson recalled. "I said, 'I’m not sure my doctor wants me to get one yet because of the blood situation.' He said, 'That’s good.' This is where he reminded me of Sailor Jerry. He said, 'I wouldn’t tattoo you anyhow unless you had a slip,' and it dawned on me, slip, Navy, needed it.  So I came back six, seven months later, we put (on) the Red Sox tattoo."

Previously: Tattoos gain acceptance as body art, statements of individuality

If you would like to march with a nice dog in this afternoon's parade for the 2012 Genesee County Fair, the Volunteers for Animals would love to have you. Volunteers may walk with dogs from the shelter and personal dogs are welcome as well.

Lineup will be at Department of Social Services 5130 E. Main St. Road (Route 5) at 5:30, with the parade starting at 6:30 to the fairgrounds. Park at the fairgrounds or start site.

<http://www.vol4animals.org/">http://www.vol4animals.org>

The turn out may have been but a few people at 400 Ellicott Street this morning, but the community support for the anti-bath-salt protest at 420 Emporium was much bigger.

Cars streamed by honking horns or people waved and gave a thumbs up or shouted out support.

One mother who was there said she came out because she believes bath salts have ruined her two adult sons' lives.

She said she's too embarrassed by the turn of events to give her name, but she said one of her sons made $55,000 a year and the other $40,000. They've both lost their jobs and have become exceptionally paranoid, living with sheets over their windows and convinced just about every one around them is an undercover cop.

"We took them for a ride and they said, 'there’s one,' 'there’s one,' " She said. "An old lady went by in a van and they said, 'there’s one.' I said, 'that’s an old lady. She can’t possibly be,' and they said ‘that’s what they do, they’re undercover.’"

Neither of her sons, she said, had ever gotten into any sort of trouble before they started using bath salts, which she said they bought at 420 Emporium.

Bath salts, she said, need to be completely wiped out in America.

"I’m hear because people have to see what’s going on with these kids. It’s killing them. It’s ruining their lives.  They’re losing everything they have."

Joan Liggetto (top inset photo), a licensed clinical social worker and counselor said she came out because she's just seeing too many of her clients getting messed up on bath salts.

"The more I see, the more I'm impacted," she said. "I see it just taking over youths. It's easy to get and easy to escape. I think it just makes them crazy."

She said she's seeing the same paranoia and manic behavior described by others.

"They’re normal and rational at times, but when you’re on bath salts, you’re not normal, you’re not rational," Liggetto said. "They’re staying up for three, four days; they’re on the streets at night. It’s a really, really bad epidemic the way I see it."

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian (second inset photo) showed up as well to lend her support and she vowed again to do everything she can to get 420 Emporium shut down.

Bath salts, she said are too easy to buy.

"All you have to do is go up the counter, act crazy like somebody who is on it, and they'll sell it to you," said Christian, who pulled exactly that sort of acting job, she said, on Saturday night, and could have bought a package if she hadn't dropped the act and identified herself.

"It has to stop," Christian said.

The protest is scheduled to conclude at 1 p.m.

UPDATE: The protest pretty much dissipated by 12:30. Nicole Lang said they will put together another protest some time in the near future. Lang also said that after I left, two customers went in and one came out bragging about buying bath salts (though he didn't show a package) and the other, when he pulled away on his motorcycle, had left an empty package of alleged bath salts.

Earl Edward Vattes, 38, of Jefferson Street, Wellsville, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer, 3rd. Vattes was taken into custody on an arrest warrant stemming from an alleged pursuit of a motorcyclist by local law enforcement Aug. 4. Vattes is accused of failure to stop for a police officer who attempted to initiate a traffic stop for an alleged traffic violation in the City of Batavia. The motorcycle operator was pursued into the Town of Bathany where Vattes is alleged to have dumped the bike and fled into a cornfield on foot. A search of the area was unsuccessful in locating the suspect and the Sheriff's Office believes Vattes has been identified as the operator of the motorcycle.

Nichole M. McKerrow, 27, of 227 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, two counts of aggravated DWI (Leandra's Law, for allegedly driving drunk with children in the car), aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and refusal to take breath test. McKerrow is accused of being involved in a minor motor-vehicle accident. When Sgt. John Peck and Officer Kevin DeFelice arrived on scene, McKerrow was allegedly found passed out in the car. Two children, ages 3 and 5, were also allegedly in the vehicle. McKerrow was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Garth P. Hubbard, 21, of Kibbe Wilcos Road, Pitcher, is charged with public lewdness. Hubbard is accused of urinating in public at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Bernadine Doris Peet, 40, of Town Pump Circle, Rochester, is charged with DWI and speeding. Peet was allegedly caught on radar driving 56 mph in a 35 mph zone in the Village of Corfu at 10:51 p.m., Monday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.  Peet was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Jason Michael Wagner, 33, of Alden Road, Carnegie, Pa., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure obey police officer. Wagner allegedly attempted to drive around Sheriff's patrols that were directing traffic at the intersection of Route 77 and Sumner Road, Darien, at 11:29 p.m., Tuesday. Wagner was released on $200 pre-arranged bail.

One person required transportation to a local hospital following a rear-end accident on Route 77 at Route 5, Pembroke, at 10:12 a.m., Tuesday.

The driver whose car rear-ended another said he looked down to check his GPS and didn't have time to stop after looking up and seeing a car stopped in front of him.

No citations were issued.

Michael J. Roeland, 19, of Newark, was southbound on Route 77 when he struck the southbound car driven by Tamibeth P. Campbell, 21, of Watertown.

Roeland had three passengers in his vehicle and Campbell had four passengers.

Harley M. English, 17, a passenger in Campbell's car was taken to UMMC with a complaint of neck pain.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Tim Wescott.

(Initial Report)

The following arrested were made by the Sheriff's Office during the Vans Warped Tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

Jeffrey P. Rolison, 18, of Chapel Street, Mt. Morris, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.

Jason M. Fobare, 17, of Hardwood Lane, Cicero, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.

Andrew G. Trask, 21, of Taurus Avenue, Derby, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.

Andrew C. McClure, 20, of Patriot Court, Derby, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.

Taylor L. Cucinelli, 18, of Manitou Road, Spencerport, is charged criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of hydrocodone, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Eric J. Saurini, 17, of Maida Drive, Spencerport, is charged criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly possessing a quantity of hydrocodone and marijuana.

Mitchell, A. Schroeder, 16, of Timber Ridge Drive, Spencerport, is charged criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol with intent to consume under age 21, for allegedly possessing a quantity of hydrocodone, marijuana, alcohol and drug paraphernalia.

The Sherfiff's Office issued the following 58 people citations for allegedly possession and/or consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Cameron R. Miller, 20, of 74^th Street, Niagara Falls
Cassandra R. Hefner, 17, of Peppermint Road, Lancaster
Jennifer M. Merkling, 17, of Lou-Ann Drive, Depew
Marissa A. Merkling, 16, of Lou-Ann, Depew
Kathryn M. Solecki, 18, of Walden Terrace, Buffalo
Ellen R. Pieroni, 17, of Wheaton Drive, Cheektowaga
(Name redacted upon request), 19, of McNaughton Avenue, Buffalo
Salvatore Ferrugia Jr., 20, of Wood Street, Lynbrook
Daniel C. Dapice, 18, of William Street, Hornell
Jacob E. Mazzatti, 17, of Crosby Street, Hornell
Justin R. Kelleher, 18, of Collier Street, Hornell
Rebecca K. Lovering, 17, of Scottsville Road, Scottsville
Brianna G. Boehmer, 17, of Chester Avenue, Rochester
Samantha P. Cyganik, 17, of Gallup Road, Spencerport
Kathryn M. Springsteen, 17, of Bissell Road, Bergen
Julia G. Colt, 19, of Boynton Street, West Seneca  
Daniel Gabamonte, 20, of Zoerb Avenue, Cheektowaga
Michael P. Musilli, 20, of South Creek Drive, Cheektowaga
Matthew J. Anderson, 20, of Versailles Plank Road, Versailles
Catherine A. Dickerson, 20, of Raspberry Patch Drive, Rochester 
Benjamin X. Luong, 20, of Burritt Road, Hilton
Joseph A. Ciuto, 20, of Country Meadow Way, Hilton
Jamie L. Talbot, 20, Wheelock Street, Canajoharie
Vianna M. Lawrence, 20, of Holland Avenue, Albany
Brandon J. Fox, 20, of Mead Run Road, Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Colin M. Josephson, 19, of McGraw Drive, Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Brooke E. VanHouton, 19, of Stilson Hill Road, Pittsford, Pennsylvania
Alexander J. Dunn, 19, of College Street, Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Leslie A. Bailey, 20, of East Main Street, Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Rebekah C. Warda, 19, of Emerson Drive, Amherst
Benjamin B. Warda, 16, of Emerson Drive, Amherst
Steven A. Delvecchio, 18, of Hurstbourne Road, Rochester
John T. Gasser, 19, of Pemberton Road, Rochester
Michael D. Petote, 18, of Pinoak Lane, Rochester
Kiara A. Wiltsie, 20, of Cavan Cove, Oswego
Danielle E. Pauldine, 20, of 5th Avenue, Oswego
Christopher J. Wilson, 19, of Strathcona Drive, Catherines, Ontario, Canada
Kyle E. Potter, 19, of Rochelle Drive, Street, Catherines, Ontario, Canada
Rosario S. Tocco, 19, of Mile Creek Road, Niagara On The Lake, Ontario, Canada 
Jennifer E. Vinson, 18, of Collier Road, Thorold, Ontario, Canada
Clarissa M. Metz, 19, of Bunting Road, Catherines, Ontario, Canada
Molly E. Gibson, 17, of Tonawanda Creek Road, Clarence
Robin C. Graziano, 16, of Calvin Drive, Buffalo
(Name redacted upon request), 17, of Hunters Lane, Williamsville
Robert P. Burke, 20, of Jamestown Street, Angola
Erin E. Redfield, 20, of Brescia Path, Clay
Parker M. ?, 20, of Lisbon Avenue, Buffalo
Matthew S. Fancher, 17, of Locomotive Lane, Cicero
Joshua A. Fancher, 19, of Locomotive Lane, Cicero
Kevin W. Lefurgy, 19, of West Leigh Road, Cicero
Morgan P. Cutter, 20, of James Street, Dryden
Kayla E. Ackerman, 18, of W. 10th Street, Elmira Heights
Brittany M. Button, 20, of Jefferson Street, Dansville
Daniel J. Alexander, 19, of Reeds Corners Road, Elmira Heights
Emily M. Brill,18, of Robin Wood, Elmira Heights
Kevin Oneal, 19, of East Avenue, Olean
Edward M. Seigler, 18, of Vicksburg Avenue, Tonawanda
James A. Coppola, 18, of Curtis Parkway, Tonawanda

A power line is reported arcing in the trees on Ham Road between Gorton and Knowlesville roads, and there are reportedly power outages in the area.

Alabama Fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:19 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene. Two tree limbs have fallen on the line.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: National Grid reports 38 customers without power. Full restoration expected by 9:15 a.m.