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Police Beat: Man accused of threatening woman

By Howard B. Owens

Trevor M. Rich, 29, of 8943 Creek Road, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Rich is accused of verbally threatening a woman at 1:38 p.m., Tuesday. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Markeda Daphne Starks, 19, South Lyon, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia Town Court related to a charge of trespass, 3rd.

Maxwell Raymond Pfendler, 18, of Lake Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Pfendler was stopped on an alleged traffic violation at 10 p.m., Tuesday, by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Paladino dominates in Genesee County even while getting trounced statewide

By Howard B. Owens

Statewide, Andrew Cuomo picked up 1.2 million more votes than Carl Paladino in the race for governor, but Genesee County proved to be "Carl Country."

The controversial Republican candidate garnered 60 percent of the vote locally, with his name cast on 9,944 ballots to 6,007.

None of the third-party candidates cracked 200 votes.

It went that way in nearly every other statewide race, with the Republican candidate taking the lion's share of Genesee County votes, but not winning the election.

The exception: Charles Schumer's senate campaign. Schumer beat Republican Jay Townsend in Genesee County 8,287 to 7,644.

In the local State Senate race, incumbent Republican Mike Ranzanhofer won both the 61st District and the local vote. In Genesee County, Ranzanhofer beat Marc Coppola 11,497 to 3,992.

In the 139 Assembly District race, incumbant Republican Steve Hawley beat Chris Barons 10,328 to 2,446 on local ballots.

Daniel D.Mangino won the race for town supervisor in Alabama.

Joseph M. Higley won for Alexander town councilman.

Mark Yungfleisch won a tightly contested highway supervisor race in Elba over John F. Pflaumer.

(FULL LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS: Genesee County's election page has the results with a very annoying automatic scroll. I've reproduced the page here without the scroll.)

Local politicos dropping in on party campaign headquarters

By Howard B. Owens

Party faithful have started filtering into the respective headquarters of the Republicans (above) and Democrats as they await tonight's election returns.

Meanwhile, The New York Daily News is reporting that Andrew Cuomo has won.

UPDATE: Word is there are problems with the voting machines in Genesee County and election results will not be available for hours.

Meanwhile, the GOP continues to congregate at its headquarters on Jackson Street (below) and the Democrats have decamped to Larry's Steakhouse to watch results from around the nation come in on TV.

Grassfire reported in Bethany

By Billie Owens

A small grassfire is reported in Bethany at 5563 Broadway (Rte. 20), between East and Transit roads.

A brush truck from Bethany Fire Department is requested.

UPDATE (9:47 p.m.): Fire is out. Bethany fire units are back in service.

Main St. Pizza gives away new TV to drawing winner

By Howard B. Owens

Felicia Pfalzer parleyed two large pizza's into a 42-inch plasma TV this week.

The Darien resident was the lucky winner of a drawing offered by Main St. Pizza Company to celebrate National Pizza Month (October).

Above, Main St. owner Vic Marchese with Pfalzer after presenting the prize this afternoon.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of having drugs for sale at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

We only recently received the October indictments from the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Charles J. Porreca is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. On May 6, Porreca is accused of possessing marijuana while in a vehicle at 8123 Prole Road Extension. On the same date, he is accused of possessing psilocin and psilocybin contained in mushrooms with the intent to sell in a room at College Village. At the same address, he is accused of possessing more than two ounces of marijuana along with hydrocodone.

Robert Thigpen III, is charged with burglary, 1st, menacing, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Thigpen is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling at 111 State St., Apt. 3, Batavia, on Aug. 30, with intent to commit a crime. Allegedly, Thigpen used a knife to threaten another person. He is also accused of damaging a lock.

Amy L. Brown is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and eight counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st. Brown is accused of stealing from the Department of Labor from Sept. 21 through Nov. 16, 2008. She is accused of filing false records with the Department of Labor.

Robert J. Van Pelt is charged with vehicular assault, 1st, DWI and aggravated DWI. Van Pelt is accused of driving a motor vehicle on May 2, Sandhill Road, Town of Alabama, and causing another person to be injured. His BAC was allegedly above .18.

Christopher J. Matusak is charged with DWI as a felony, aggravated DWI, three counts of criminal mischief, 3rd, and three counts of reckless endangerment, 2nd. Matusak is accused of driving drunk on May 31 with a BAC of .18 or greater, and in Town of Le Roy damaging the property of another person. The property is described as a 2007 Hyundai, a 1998 Lincoln and a 1996 Cadillac. He is accused of intentionally striking the Cadillac, which allegedly had three passengers at the time.

Shannon V. Albano is charged with a felony count of DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Albano is accused of driving drunk on April 19 in the Town of Darien.

Autumn M. Connolly is charged with grand larceny third. Connolly is accused of stealing about $4,200 from a family member between March 27 and April 13.

Sex offenders dislocated by fire have registered new addresses

By Howard B. Owens

Three of the level-2 sex offenders who were displaced by the Oct. 11 fire at 433 E. Main St., Batavia, have relocated, according to Det. Rich Schauf.

The offenders had 10 days to notify authorities of their new addresses.

Schuaf said that by law he can't disclose the new addresses of level-2 offenders. The website that originally listed the level-2 offenders should not have made the addresses publicly accessible.

The three level-2 sex offenders who have relocated are still within the 14020 zip code, Schauf said and appear to have settled in their new residences.

"The perception would be that these are places where they will permanently live," Schauf said.

There were four level-2 offenders living at 433. E. Main St. at the time of the fire. All are accounted for. One of the four died, but not as a result of the fire.

The four listed on the site were Dean Jaroszek, Jeremy Eaton, John Sissel and John Robinson.

Motor-vehicle accident on Oak Street, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 23 Oak St., at the intersection with Prospect Avenue. It involves three vehicles, none of which are blocking the roadway.

There is one minor injury and another person is "shaken up" because of the incident.

City fire and Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE (12:24 p.m.): City fire is clearing the scene, back in service.

UPDATE (12:28 p.m.): Two people are transported to UMMC with minor injuries and/or to be evaluated. Personnel on scene reported that two vehicles had only "brush marks" as a result of the incident. The other vehicle had minor damage.

Football picture sale

By Howard B. Owens

We've reduced the prices on the pictures from our 2010 high school football coverage.

For the month of November, football prints can be purchased for as much as 75 percent off the suggested retail price.

Click Here to view the galleries.

Sheriff's Office announces five drug-related arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Five Genesee County residents have been arrested on various drug charges over the past several weeks, the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force announced.

One person is suspected of dealing drugs, a husband and wife as well as another man are accused of growing marijuana. Another woman is accused of possessing marijuana.

The following arrests were announced:

Anthony Nigro (pictured), 59, of Alexander Road, Alexander. Nigro is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, 3rd, and criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd. Nigro was arrested in September and released on his own recognizance.

Michael D. Myers, 49, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd, and unlawfully growing marijuana. Myers is accused of possessing more than 16 ounces of marijuana at the time a search warrant was executed on Sept. 13. Myers was released on his own recognizance.

Robie A. Dersham, 41, of Creek Road, Pavilion and Kimberly A. Dersham, 41, of Creek Road, Pavilion, are charged with criminal possesion of marijuana, 4th, and unlawfully growing marijuana. The Dershams were allegedly found in possesion of two ounces of marijuana in September.

Laura L. Pacer, 25, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana. Pacer was allegedly found in possession of two ounces of marijuana following the execution of a search warrant on Oct. 12.

County youth director says programing will stay the same for city in shared services

By Howard B. Owens

The kids will be alright, according to Debbie Kerr-Rosenbeck, youth bureau director for Genesee County.

If a proposed shared-services agreement is approved by both the city and county elected bodies, Kerr-Rosenbeck doesn't anticipate any loss of programs currently offered to the youngsters of Batavia.

"If anything, I think (services) will expand and increase, not be less," Kerr-Rosenbeck said after a meeting of the county's Human Services Committee, where she briefed legislators on the proposal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kerr-Rosenbeck would become director of the city's program as well as maintain her position with the county.

The city hopes to save at least $15,000 by eliminating its director position -- which with salary and benefits cost the city more than $80,000 per year -- and adding a coordinator position.

As part of the agreement, the city would reimburse the county $21,000, covering part of Kerr-Rosenbeck's current salary (but not increasing her salary) and five hours of clerical time per week.

"What the children see will not change significantly," Kerr-Rosenbeck said. "They may see some new faces when staffing is short. I'll put my staff there to help out evenings and weekends, but they won't see any changes in the programs at all."

Kerr-Rosenbeck said she's already started working on the transition and anticipates putting in more than the weekly eight-hours called for in the agreement in the beginning to help ensure the transition goes smoothly.

Both the Legislature and the City Council are expected to vote on the proposed shared-services agreement in December, so Kerr-Rosenbeck can officially take over the city's program in January.

The city has been without a youth director since the previous director retired about six months ago.

Three-car accident reported on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries has been reported on the Thruway, eastbound lane between mile markers 402 and 404.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire  with Mercy EMS being dispatched.

The Pembroke chief warns that responders should be aware that the Route 77 bridge over the Thruway is very slick.

On scene, the chief reports three vehicles involved. No word yet on injuries.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: Everybody is out of the cars and walking around. One person may have an eye injury.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

Garage fire reported on Route 19 near Cole Road

By Howard B. Owens

A garage fire was called in several minutes ago at a residence on Route 19 near Cole Road in the Pavilion/Le Roy area.

It sounds like both Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments have responded.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: Le Roy Fire back in service.


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Proposal being floated to consolidate Genesee Justice with county probation

By Howard B. Owens

In an effort to close a significant budget gap, the Genesee County Legislature will be asked to look at eliminating Genesee Justice and moving its services to the County Probation Department.

Genesee Justice provides a variety of services, including supervising accused criminals released from jail, as well as some convicted drunken drivers, and assisting victims of crime.

County Manager Jay Gsell said in the 17 years he's been with the county, Genesee Justice has gone from a program funded entirely by state grants to one that now has $237,000 in unfunded expenses.

The county is a looking for a way to cut that expense in an effort to trim $7.5 million from the proposed 2011 budget.

"We know what services Genesee Justice delivers and we know how it is delivered," Gsell said. "What we're looking at is how can we deliver that same level of service to the community through the probation department."

Ed Minardo, director of Genesee Justice has some concerns about whether the same level of services can be maintained.

He said he's working on an information campaign to help decision-makers understand all that Genesee Justice does and exactly what's involved in delivering the current level of services.

"I'm concerned," Minardo said. "We've been here 30 years. I want to ensure that this is a carefully deliberated decision."

Under the proposal -- which Gsell says is very preliminary -- about seven-and-half positions in Genesee Justice would be eliminated and three positions created in probation.

The Children's Advocacy Center, which employs two people, would remain under the supervision of the Sheriff's Office, which currently oversees Genesee Justice.

Gsell said the change could eliminate administration and overhead costs, but it still needs further study.

Minardo said that in 2009, Genesee Justice supervised 419 people assigned to community service; and 518 people in Genesee Jail were screened for possible release under supervision; and 245 accused criminals were released and supervised by Genesee Justice. 

The number of victims helped by Genesee Justice is not immediately available.

The county budget hearing is at 6 p.m., Nov. 17 in the county courts facility.

Grassfire reported in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A grassfire is reported on Marble Road, near Akron Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding.

UPDATE (3:22 p.m.): The little fire has burnt itself out. Alabama fire helped out and got to the scene first. The units from Pembroke and Indian Falls were held back and now Alabama is returning to quarters.

Police responding to possible child abduction on Route 77

By Howard B. Owens

Multiple law enforcement units are responding to Route 77 north of Route 5 following the report of a possible child abduction by a parent.

The report came in through OnStar.

The suspect car is a 2010 silver Chevy Malibu.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: The search is now located in the area of Flying J.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: A deputy has the vehicle stopped in the Flying J's parking lot. Brighton PD is being notified. The car is registered to a woman in Spencerport.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Deputy: "The child is fine. (The driver) was heading to the rez for cigarettes." Now it appears that Ogden PD is lead agency.

Open Thread: Your endorsements

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavian doesn't do endorsements, but no reason who you can't.

Who are you voting for (with maybe a short explanation why)?

Of particular interest, what is your position on changing the terms of Genesee County legislators?

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