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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?

Police Beat: Batavia woman with multiple prior arrests in trouble again

By Howard B. Owens

Latoya D. Jackson, 25, no permanent address, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Jackson was arrested after police responded to T.F. Brown's restaurant at 12:35 a.m., where she was reportedly causing a disturbance after being denied entry due to her apparent intoxication. Jackson allegedly yelled obscenities on Liberty Street and began to struggle with officer Darryl Streeter following her arrest. Jackson was jailed on $2,500 bail. For previous reports on Jackson, click here.

Manuel Larry Valdez, 32, of Shane Drive, North Syracuse, is charged with criminal mischief, petit larceny, harassment and disorderly conduct. Valdez was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into an alleged incident at 9:55 p.m., Friday, on Veterans Memorial Drive. Valdez is accused of yelling profanity in a public parking lot, allegedly pulling the hair of another person, biting her arm and punching her in the face.  Valdez also allegedly damaged the victim's car keys so she couldn't start her car. Valdez also allegedly stole merchandise from a store. He was jailed on $10,000 cash bail.

Mark R. Mack, 48, of 5 Chapel St., Mt. Morris, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Mack was reportedly found at 3:34 a.m., Friday, in his car with the motor running by Sgt. Michael J. Hare of the Le Roy Police Department, in a parking lot on Main Street, Le Roy.

Andrew Russell Desmond, 27, of Seaford Terrace, Hamburg, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Desmond was stopped at 8:20 p.m., Friday, for allegedly driving 100 mph on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reported he found Desmond allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Armekcl Devonte Austin, 19, of Terrace Park, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Austin allegedly trespassed on College Village property after being evicted and told to stay away.

Carla L. Spikes, 20, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation and speeding. Spikes was stopped at 3:13 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Patrick Anthony Martone, 48, of Benedict Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Martone was stopped by Deputy Brian Thompson at 10:45 p.m., Oct. 24, for allegedly running a red light on West Main Street, Batavia. Thompson reportedly could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car.

John Richard Schumacher, 19, of Colonial Woods Drive, Alden, is charged with trespass. Schumacher was reportedly on College Village property after being banned from the property several months ago.

Gregory P. Drake, 20, of Phillips Road, Holley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC. 08, driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone, consumption of alcohol in vehicle and failure to dim headlights. Drake was stopped at 12:32 a.m., Sunday, on Route 237, Byron, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ronald A. Bialy II, 20, of 337 Bank St., Apt. 37, Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Bialy was stopped at 2:33 a.m., Sunday, by Officer Eric Bolles.

Paul E. Bishop, 44, of Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bishop is accused of striking the 13-year-old child of an acquaintance.

A 16-year-old resident of Killian Road, Pembroke, is charged with trespass. The youth is accused of being on private property after being advised not to.

Marie Nicole Wenzel, 19, of Melville Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wenzel was stopped by at 2:46 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33 in Stafford, by Deputy Brian Thompson for allegedly tinted windows and illegal license plate cover. Wenzel was reportedly found in possession of a marijuana pipe with marijuana in it.

Man hit by car on Center Street

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATE 11 a.m.

A 61-year-old Rochester man was hit by a car at about 8 a.m. on Center Street, Batavia.

The driver of the car said he was looking further up the road and just didn't see the man until it was too late.

The man was walking diagonally across Center Street with his back to the northbound car.

"The driver just didn't see the pedestrian," said Sgt. Robert Yaeger, who added that visibility was a little lower at the time of the accident. "It's just one of those things. It's an unfortunate accident."

No citations were issued, though the accident remains under investigation.

Injured was Paul H. Wypych, of Rockingham Drive, Rochester. The driver is identified as Dennis A. Weibel, of Route 38, Castile.

Wypych was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where at 11 a.m. he was still being evaluated.

Photo: Dan Fischer, WBTA

Circle of Love Foundation Shares the Warmth on Halloween Night

By Robin Walters

Billie Ball, Founder of Circle of Love and her volunteers set up tables on Ellicott Avenue on Halloween Night. Their tables were filled with  donations of  warm clothing, scarfs, hats, jackets, boots  fresh produce and much more.  The children were offered a stuffed animal to take home with them. When speaking to Billie, she stated that she has a heart to reach the homeless and the needy.  She also shared that a local dry cleaner cleans the donated jackets for free! Many families benefited from the generosity of the Circle of Love on this chilly night.

Photos: Haunted house on Watson

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia's trick and treaters were out and about Sunday and several of them stopped by the haunted house on Watson Avenue.

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