A suspected shoplifter accused of leading police on a high-speed chase from Rochester to Batavia more than a year ago entered a guilty plea to attempted assault in the first degree in Genesee County Court on Wednesday afternoon in exchange for a guaranteed prison term of no more than 10 years.

Andrew A. Said, 49, and a native of Buffalo and a resident of Florida at the time of his arrest Aug. 3, 2018, entered his plea on an Alford basis. That means he would not admit in open court to the underlying events of the charge but acknowledged that if the case went to trial, he would likely be found guilty by a jury.

Said was indicted in May on counts of: attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer; first-degree attempted assault; first-degree reckless endangerment; third-degree criminal mischief; second-degree criminal mischief; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; driving while ability impaired by drugs; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; reckless driving; operating an unregistered motor vehicle; operating a vehicle without insurance; and uninspected motor vehicle.

The plea satisfies all of the counts, including a count pending in Batavia City Court stemming from an incident in the jail.

In county court yesterday, Said he would only factually admit to being in Batavia and driving a vehicle in Batavia at the date and time specified in the indictment.

As for the rest of the facts of the case, as part of the Alford plea process, First Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini recited the narrative the prosecution would present to a jury at a trial.

She said Said is accused of driving a 1997 Mercedes into Genesee County sometimes at speeds in excess of 100 mph in a reckless manner that forced some other vehicles, including State Police patrol vehicles, off the roadway.

After Said's Mercedes exited the Thruway in Batavia, Cianfrini said State Police were able to execute a "box-in" maneuver at Exit 47, but Said threw his car into reverse, slamming into a patrol vehicle. Then the defendant is accused of putting the car in drive and accelerating quickly and driving straight toward a Trooper who had exited his vehicle. The action forced the trooper to dive out of the path of the car for his own safety.

Said then led troopers on a high-speed chase over city and town streets, again hitting speeds in excess of 100 mph at times, until he tried to ditch his car at a property on Kelsey Road in the Town of Batavia.

As part of the plea, Said was required to agree to pay restitution to the State of New York to damage to patrol vehicles, which exceeds $7,000. There may also be a claim for restitution from the property owner on Kelsey Road where Said and a passenger were apprehended.

City firefighters are called to investigate a possible controlled burn by the nature trail at DeWitt Recreation Area off Cedar Street.

UPDATE 12:47 a.m.: Firefighters are in the area investigating. The caller reported two bicycles in the vicinity of the blaze.

Submitted photo and press release:

Bergen -- On Saturday, Sept. 21, student athletes from Byron-Bergen and Caledonia-Mumford joined more than 400 other participants on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Batavia.

This year, the Byron-Bergen Varsity Football Team was joined by members of the Byron-Bergen Girls Varsity Soccer Team.

The football and soccer players’ combined efforts raised more than $900 for the Alzheimer's Association, Western New York Chapter.

Byron-Bergen’s participation in this annual event began three years ago when the combined Caledonia-Mumford/Byron-Bergen Varsity Football Team decided to take part.

“In the past, the team used to do a cancer walk, but our soccer teams do a cancer fundraiser, so we thought itwould be good to give to a different organization,” said Byron-Bergen senior and varsity football co-captain Bryce Yockel.

The team raised money, but they also raised awareness.

“We made posters in honor of different community members affected by the disease that we posted around the area," said Byron-Bergen senior and varsity football player Alex Dean. "We made one for my grandfather who has Alzheimer’s.”

“I’m proud to walk with members of our football and soccer teams,” said Byron-Bergen High School Principal Pat McGee. “They’re great kids supporting a great cause.”

“It’s really about the feel good part,” Yockel said. “It’s helping people who are struggling and can’t do anything about it. A lot of the people who are in the walk are older, a lot of them are walking for themselves, so it feels good to support them.”

All together, the day’s event raised more than $40,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association and 441 people participated.

Photo: Members of the Caledonia-Mumford/Byron-Bergen Raiders Varsity Football Team with Byron-Bergen High School Principal Pat McGee (bottom left).

Kaleb J. Bobzien, 21, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at Batavia City Court at 1:39 p.m. on Sept. 24 when he appeared for sentencing on an unrelated matter. Bobzien is accused of violating a stay away order of protection at 4:43 p.m. on Sept. 15 on Dellinger Avenue. He was processed and arraigned in city court then put in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or bond. Bobzien is due to return to court on Oct. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison.

Andrew J. Rock, 33, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Rock was arrested following an alleged violation of an order of protection. The incident allegedly occurred at 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 4 while the defendant was an inmate at Genesee County Jail. He is currently incarcerated there. He is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Sgt. Matthew Lutey.

Austin M. Hejza, 24, of Argus Drive, Depew, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; unlawful possession of marijuana; and running a red light. On Sept. 24, Hejza turned himself in the Batavia Police Department on an arrest warrant out of City of Batavia Court. He was processed at BPD and arraigned at 1:31 p.m. in city court before being released on his own recognizance. Hejza is due back in court on Oct. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissigner, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison.

Michael E. Weichman, 24, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with: petit larceny; obstructing governmental administration in the second degree; and conspiracy in the sixth degree. He was arrested at 11:06 a.m. on Sept. 18 after allegedly shoplifting from Dollar General on East Main Street in Batavia and attempting to flee from police. Weichman is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Steven M. Lindner, 46, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 6:48 p.m. on Sept. 23 after allegedly shoplifting from a business on East Main Street in Batavia. He is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department’s origin and cause team under the command of Captain Martin Hinz has determined through a systematic process of comparison examination, reconstruction of the fire scene, witness statements and a detailed examination of fire debris the cause of the following incidents in 2019:

• July 4 -- 13 Hutchins St.: Under investigation
• Aug. 26 -- 337 Bank St.: Accidental, cooking related
• Aug. 31 -- 18 East Ave.: Accidental, electrical
• Sept. 17 -- 511 Ellicott St.: Accidental, cooking related
• Sept. 18 -- 11 Garfield Ave.: Accidental, mechanical failure
• Sept. 23 -- 1 City Center (Island Hawaiian Grill): Accidental, spontaneous combustion

Chief Stefano Napolitano commends Captain Hinz and the other members of the investigation team for their dedication and diligence in determining the origin and cause of these fires.

The process of investigating is never easy, however, it is imperative that a determination is made so as to bring closure as well as enhance the possibility of not repeating the cause if possible.

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted in part by City of Batavia Police and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Tuesday, at the fairgrounds, more than 800 students from schools throughout Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties had a chance to try out several skilled trades first hand in the region's first-ever "GLOW With Your Hands" event.

The next step in Plush Dozier's case is a Huntley Hearing to determine evidence admissibility. This afternoon in Genesee County Court, Judge Charles Zambito set the hearing for 2 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Dozier (inset photo, right), who is charged with first-degree arson and attempted murder, was put into the custody of the Commissioner of Mental Health for treatment and reevaluation by Zambito in May after three psychiatrists examined the defendant.

Although two of the doctors found Dozier capable of understanding the charges against him and the court proceedings, all three agreed he suffers from schizoaffective disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and is prone to paranoia and hallucinations.

"All three doctors who evaluated him said he could snap at any time," Zambito said in May.

Dozier is also accused of menacing a police officer after an alleged violent incident while in local custody two months after his arrest.

See previous coverage:

• Man accused of arson and attempted murder will receive mental health treatment before case proceeds
• Law and Order: Rochester man accused of menacing officer and damaging door of Sheriff's Office vehicle
• Grand Jury Report: Man accused of arson and attempted murder in Maple Street fire
• Arson and attempted murder charged in Maple Street fire

Harvester 56 Theater, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia

The mission of Batavia Players Inc. is to bring affordable theater to the community by making theater accessible to everyone with a variety of quality productions, to enhance artistic growth of participants and encourage audiences to think, feel and develop an appreciation for theater.

Jiggetts was arrested on Tuesday (Sept. 24) and arraigned at 10 a.m. in Town of Batavia Court following an investigation into allegations that she intentionally struck a 5-year-old with an object, causing injury to the child.

The incident allegedly took place on Thomas Avenue at noon on June 30.

The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Howard Carlson.

Subsequently, at 10:15 a.m. yesterday she was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on the other count of second-degree assault.

That case stems from an investigation into an incident on Sept. 21 at the Batavia Meadows apartment complex in which Jiggetts allegedly intentionally struck a 3-year-old with an object, causing injury to the child.

She is due back in Batavia Town Court on Oct. 21.

The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Howard Carlson, assisted by Investigator/Youth Officer Timothy Westcott.

Press release:

The "All Weather Gang" founded by Batavians -- the late John Hodgins and Don Grieger -- originally known as "The Group of Two"
has grown to 12 members.

For nearly 40 years the AWG has wandered the back roads of Western New York, painting the unnoticed, the ignored and the unappreciated.

Their show titled, "CAUTION! -- Men Working -- paintings by the All Weather Gang," will be held at the Richmond Memorial Library during the month of October.

A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7.

Batavian Kevin Feary and former Batavian Bill Mancuso are also "Gang" members participating in the show. A book entitled "The All Weather Gang" written by Mancuso is in the library's collection.

The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

By Samantha Stryker, Community & Adult Services Librarian

The fall series of Books Sandwiched In will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Richmond Memorial Library and will run each Wednesday through Oct. 30.

All sessions begin at 12:10 and run until 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch; coffee and cookies will be served.

You do not need to read the book to attend these sessions! A gift card to a local lunch establishment will be given at each session as a door prize!

A longstanding program at the library, Books Sandwiched In invites community members to share reviews of books, often works of nonfiction. As always, this fall’s series will present a wide array of topics from presenters with a variety of backgrounds. 

First up on Oct. 2, Millie Tomidy-Pepper will present Melinda Gates’ "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World" (2019). Tomidy-Pepper is the executive director of the YWCA of Genesee County and was previously the executive director for the Mental Health Association in Genesee County.

Gates’ debut work rests on the theory that, “if you want to lift a society up, invest in women,” and has been called “a timely and necessary call to action for women's empowerment.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Scott Herring will discuss "The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West" by David McCullough (2019). A native of Otego, Herring worked with the Farm Credit System throughout the Northeast until his retirement in 2015.

The newest book from popular historian McCullough uses the experience of five pioneers to explore the settlement of the Northwest Territories of the United States.

Greg Van Dussen, Ph.D., will join us on Wednesday, Oct. 6 to review "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World" by Cal Newport (2019). Van Dussen is a resident of Batavia and an adjunct professor at Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, having also retired from the United Methodist Church as a pastor.

In Digital Minimalism, Newport applies the theory of minimalism (“the art of knowing how much is just enough”) to our use of technology. Van Dussen says that Newport “sees clearly the price our society is paying for constant connectedness and offers a workable plan for using technology wisely.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Peggy Grayson will examine Jeff Dondero’s "Throwaway Nation: The Ugly Truth about American Garbage" (2019). A resident of Stafford, Grayson is the recycling administrator for GLOW Region Solid Waste Management Committee.

This book examines the problem of waste in the United States, examining the environmental impact and “not just how we got here and where we're headed, but ways in which we might be able to curb the tide.”

Lastly, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Jim Lewis will present "More Deadly Than the Male: Masterpieces from the Queens of Horror" (2019), our only fiction selection for this series.

Edited by Graeme Davis, this anthology of classic and “unexpected” horror stories includes tales from authors such as Louisa May Alcott and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

A Navy veteran and retired Batavia City Schools Social Studies teacher, Lewis is active in the community with organizations such as the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library and the Batavia Players.

For more information about the Books Sandwiched In titles and presenters, visit our website at batavialibary.org/events. 

For more information about these or other events, visit us online at batavialibrary.org, at the library, or call the library at 585-343-9550.

Richmond Memorial Library, located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia, continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment.

Todd Jantzi took these photos this morning at the corner of Pike Road and Beaver Road in Alexander.

Editor's Note: This post was updated Sept. 26 to include more information about Genesee County, see below ***.

From the NYS Association of Counties:

Across New York State, local governments are enacting local laws, adopting energy-saving initiatives, taking steps toward climate resiliency, and collaborating to develop programs for supporting more resilient communities.

“As we celebrate Climate Week, it must be noted counties across New York are investing in hundreds of initiatives to combat climate change and promote more climate resilient communities,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Through state programs such as Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities, counties are acting to both mitigate their environmental impact and save taxpayer dollars in the process.

Counties will also be key partners with the state in meeting the goals established by the recently-enacted New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation set the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goals of any major economy and will put New York State on a path to carbon neutrality.

“Our county leaders are in a unique position to work with state, federal, and local agencies on environmental issues, and to develop partnerships to mitigate and prepare for the impact of climate change on our communities,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “During this Climate Week, we are highlighting the programs underway in our communities.”

________________________________

***Genesee County received a Smart Growth grant from the NYS Department of State for climate resiliency planning: 

When the grant was announced last September, Genesee County Legislature Chairman Robert Bausch said, "The Smart Growth grant program has provided some of our State's most vulnerable counties with the resources they need to ensure they are prepared for the next severe weather event.

"We can never be sure when the next disastrous storm will hit. With this funding to build more resilient communities and fight against the devastating effects, Governor Cuomo is creating a more sustainable New York for all."

Genesee County was among five Upstate counties chosen to divvy up a total of $1 million to develop resiliency plans and identify projects while incorporating the principles of smart, sustainable growth and development.

The plans funded through the grant will address:

• An increase in frequency and severity of storm and precipitation events;
• Sea-level rise;
• Storm surge;
• Coastal and riverine flooding;
• Drought; and
• Debris and ice jams.

For the first phase, they mapped the whole county and worked closely with four municipalities (see below). Now, for Phase 2, they're hoping to work with as many communities as possible.

The person overseeing the local Smart Growth planning and projects is county Planning Director Felipe Oltramari (Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us).

The Green Geneese/Smart Genesee plan is available online here.

________________________________

 To learn more about the climate actions counties have undertaken, check out the NYS Energy Research & Development Authority's Clean Energy Communities map here.

Village of Bergen (2010 Census population: 1,176)

Clean Energy Community -- designated

• 4 High Impact Areas Completed: Unified Solar Permit; LED Street Lights; Energy Code Enforcement Training; Benchmarking.

Town of Batavia -- (2010 Census population: 6,809)

Village of Corfu (2010 Census population: 709)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Town of Pembroke (2010 Census population: 4,292)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Above, an employee of Bonduelle Americas in Bergen was among 10 who volunteered to pick up trash along village streets and parks on Friday.

BERGEN – The Village of Bergen and employees from Bonduelle Americas joined to celebrate World Cleanup Day on Friday.

Bonduelle’s plant manager Bob Frantangelo offered a crew of 10 employees to pick up trash along village streets and in parks.

“Cortney and I met this wonderful and motivated group as they worked along Route 19 in the village,” said Mayor Anna Marie Barclay, referring to village administrator Cortney Gale. “They did an amazing job and we greatly appreciate their efforts in the village.”

World Cleanup Day was observed Sept. 21 by people in 150 countries who stood up against the global trash problem and cleaned up waste, making it the biggest positive civic action the world has seen, Barclay said. 

The initiator of World Cleanup Day is the Let’s Do it Foundation, a global civic movement with a mission to connect and empower people and organizations around the world for a clean planet. Already, 17 million caring people have joined the movement.

Bonduelle enjoys contributing to the protection of our natural resources and environment, locally and globally, Frantangelo said.

“This was and is a worldwide initiative that all Bonduelle locations participate in annually,” he said. “We did all of Main Street and the adjacent parks. It looked pretty nice as it was, but we still found some trash, as you can see. Our village always looks great.”

Below, eight of the 10 employees from Bonduelle Americas at the entrance to Bergen’s Disc Golf Course with bags of trash they picked up on World Cleanup Day.

Submitted photos.

A car is on fire and flames are shooting out from under the hood after a car vs. deer accident in Byron. The location is 6609 Byron Road, between Warboys and Tower Hill roads. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: Elba Fire Department is called to the scene for mutual aid. Route 237 is to be shut down at Tower Hill and Warboys roads.

Pembroke Intermediate School in Corfu is promoting community and wellness this week with a program called “Start with Hello."

On Tuesday morning students were greeted by police and firemen saying hello and handing out apples. The event today is part of a weeklong effort to promote emotional wellness at the school.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the strange case of bags full of dead animals being left in a cornfield near the intersection of Merriman Road and Cook Road in the Town of Byron.

With little information to go on, the Sheriff's Office is asking the public's assistance to help investigators determine where the animals came from and why the remains wound up where they did.

Deputies responded Friday after receiving a call about the garbage bags in the field. Deputies located several bags filled with dead animals, including pigs, two small calves, along with other animals.

It's not clear how the animals died.

Animal Control officers along with investigators from Lollypop Farm Humane Society in Monroe County and Orleans County Dog Control are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

City Council members on Monday night took a defensive stance after a resident inquired into why his trash pickup schedule had been changed.

John Roach, speaking during the public comments portion of the Conference Meeting at City Hall, said his trash day was moved from Wednesday to Monday and when he asked the (Waste Management) driver, he was told that the change came from City officials.

“Whose idea was it to mandate (change)?” Roach asked. “Did City Council direct anybody to do this? What did they mean by required or made to do it?”

Since he was the only speaker from the public, Council’s response came quickly.

“Since we privatized garbage pickup, people complain that there is trash pickup every day of the week,” John Canale said. “We charged the city manager (Martin Moore to look into it) so we don’t have garbage picked up every day.”

After Council President Eugene Jankowski noted that this issue was discussed at a public meeting, Moore provided additional details.

“We were approached with concerns that several streets had pickups four to five days a week,” he said. “The public works director and I sat down (to see) what schedules can help reduce that down to a couple days per week.

Moore said his communication with the four trash companies was positive with three of them indicating that something could be worked out.

He said that Waste Management stated they “will handle it with their customers, and hopefully other companies will be contacting their customers. The closer we get to one or two days a week on each street, the better off we’ll be.”

Jankowski said that the people on the trucks may not be aware of what their company has done.

“At this point, the complaining will continue and we’ll address them as we can,” he said. “We’d rather not have to make an ordinance … let them (trash collection businesses) manage themselves.”

Following the meeting, Roach seemed to be taken aback by the abrupt response, telling this reporter that he wasn’t really complaining but was looking for an explanation.