An investigation into dealing crack cocaine in Batavia has led to the arrest of six people, including two people who were arrested on similar charges in October.

Sgt. Steve Mullen, head of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, said it didn't take long for Thomas L. "Blaze" Hill, 22, of Exchange Street, Rochester, and Jade Cierra Wims, 19, of Menlo Place, Rochester, to allegedly start dealing again once they were out of police custody (October's story).

"It's the pros and cons of living in a small community," Mullen said. "This is one of the pros, if you get busted once and start doing it again, it doesn't take long for the word to get out."

The six people -- four are accused of dealing crack -- were taken into custody Friday night and early Saturday morning after a search warrant was executed on a vehicle stopped on Manhattan Avenue and at an apartment at 174 Ross St., Upper.

The Ross Street residence appeared to be the base of operation for the alleged crack cocaine sales, Mullen said.

Task Force members stopped a car reportedly driven by Doris L. Mayls, 59, of Ross Street, and Mayls was allegedly found operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs and driving on a suspended license.

A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a quantity of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

A passenger in the vehicle, Ricky A. Marsceill, 47, of Ross Street, was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

There was also a warrant for Marsceill's arrest out of the State of Florida for alleged violation of probation.

Task Force members with the assistance of Sheriff's deputies and Batavia PD entered the Ross Street residence and allegedly found Hill and Wims along with Marcus M. "Bling" Allen, 21, of Ferndale Crescent, Rochester, and Richard J. Kubis, 31, of Ross Street, Batavia, in possession of nearly an ounce of crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,500.

Investigators also allegedly found a quantity of marijuana.

Charges:

• Hill is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Allen is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Wims is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Kubis is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Mayls is charged with criminal nuisance, 1st, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.
• Marsceill was arrested as an alleged fugitive from justice based on the Florida warrant.

All six were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail.

Marsceill was arrested in Batavia twice in 2010, once for alleged DWI, and in December 2010, Marsceill allegedly tried to flee when Det. Pat Corona attempted to arrested him on a warrant out of Florida.

In September 2010, Kubis was charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly giving cigarettes to minors.

The status of the previous cases, including those against Thomas and Wims, are not available at this time.

Press release:

Agape Counseling Associates, a nonprofit, faith-based Christian counseling agency with three locations in the Rochester area, now has an office in Batavia. Agape, founded 34 years ago, has served the counseling needs of nearly 30,000 individuals both in the greater Rochester area as well as via distance counseling. (It also has offices in Penfield, Greece and North Chili.)

The Batavia office is located at the South Campus Ministry Center of Northgate Free Methodist Church at 350 Bank St. The highly trained, accredited and NYS licensed therapists at Agape will provide marriage, family and adolescent and individual counseling around a variety of topics.

Agape’s fee schedule is on a sliding scale based on income.

“Agape offers a non-denominational Christian perspective to those in need,” said Board Member Nate Varland. “Our counseling team creates a safe environment where individuals are not judged and where tried and proven methods of psychological healing are used to help each client find spiritual, emotional and psychological healing.”

Executive Director Gretchen DiFante says she's thrilled that Northgate offered Agape space and she looks forward to serving the entire Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming communities.

“I have spent the past two months speaking with physicians, pastors, educators and counselors from all over the GLOW region, and the need for (more) expert and trusted marriage and family counseling is echoed all over the region," DiFante said.

"We see a particularly growing need with those suffering from depression and anxiety and with teen pressures as well as a continuous escalation in the need for marriage counseling.”

To schedule an appointment or to find out more information, call the main office at Agape in Penfield at 385-6030 or visit the website at www.agaperoc.org.

Press release:

Local volunteer firefighters have the opportunity to continue their education at Genesee Community College thanks to the Fireman's Association of the State of New York's (FASNY) new Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP).

To address the vital need for volunteers, FASNY has developed HELP as an incentive for people to serve in New York's volunteer fire services. This program will provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers allowing them to attain up to 80 credit hours from their closest New York State chartered community college.

Volunteer firefighters interested in the FASNY Higher Education Learning Plan are urged to go online to www.fasny.com and click on information involving the Tuition Reimbursement Program. The deadline for the spring semester is February 1.

Under the FASNY HELP tuition reimbursement program, student-volunteers will be eligible to have up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining defined grades and fulfilling defined service requirements as a member in good standing in one of New York's volunteer fire companies. There is no restriction on the type of academic course(s) the FASNY HELP student-volunteer can pursue.

"Volunteer firefighters do a great service to our communities," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC director of Admissions. "We're happy to help these dedicated men and women achieve their dreams of acquiring higher education."

In addition to the HELP program from FASNY, local volunteer firefighters are also eligible for the Benjamin Franklin Scholarship from the GCC Foundation. Any individual who has served as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency responder in the GLOW region for at least a year is eligible to apply, as are spouses, children, and grandchildren of volunteer responders.

The scholarship program is named for Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the United States and the founder of America's first volunteer firefighting company. Further information and scholarship applications can be found at www.genesee.edu/financial/scholarships.

I got a little held up in picking a winner for Week 17 of the Main St. Pizza Company NFL Challenge -- had a little technical challenge and needed to get some help from the company that runs the contest for us.

Plus, it's just been a heck of a busy week.

So, here's the winner: Joseph Duganier.

Joseph wins: One large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize.

Oakland, in a losing effort to the San Diego Chargers (yay!), had the most offensive yards of the 10 teams contestants had to choose from and Joseph, who picked Oakland, was the random pick to win the contest.

The Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter announced today the results of their 2011 Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign.

A total of 225 cats and dogs got a real forever home thanks to the generosity and compassion of those who wanted their true friendship.

Nonetheless, the numbers fell short of the goals set for the adoption of adult animals. The adoption of puppies and kittens exceeded goals, which is, of course, fabulous. Here's the breakdown of goals vs. actual adoptions:

• Dogs: 80 / 62
• Puppies: 10 / 15
• Cats: 50 / 29
• Kittens: 90 / 119

The volunteers say "Thanks to everyone who came out to adopt, help spread the word and stopped in with donations. We greatly appreciate the community's support."

There are more adorable and beloved companions to be found at the shelter. Thus, no need to wait until the 2012 holidays to bring one home. Come on down!

Volunteers For Animals
P.O. Box 1621
Batavia, NY  14021
www.vol4animals.org

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main St. Road
Batavia, NY  14020
(585)c343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday through Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m. (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday -- 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday -- 11 to 1 p.m.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of 1987 Chick Road in Darien.

A caller to dispatch reports "it's bad."

Vehicle is reportedly smoking and the caller is concerned about getting near it. There are people in the vehicle.

Darien fire and ambulance and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Deputy arriving on scene says "it looked like it rolled."

It may have hit a building.

Mercy Flight on ground standby. One person out of vehicle and walking but not responding appropriately.

UPDATE 6:56 p.m.: Only one occupant, and the person is out of the vehicle. The vehicle is not on fire.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: Mercy Flight still on ground standby. One Mercy response cancelled, another continuing.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: Mercy Flight dispatched to a landing zone on Griswold Road, Darien.

UPDATE 7:06 p.m.: Ten minute ETA for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: Updated ETA of five or six minutes for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: Darien fire is clearing the scene.

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An electrical wire is reportedly down across the roadway in the area of 26 Church St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: It's not electric. It's cable. A firefighter is clearing the road.

View Larger Map

Engine 14 is out of service.

The 1989 Pierce Pumper was decommissioned last month and needs to be replaced, according to City of Batavia Fire Chief Jim Maxwell.

Maxwell prepared a memo for the city council to consider with options for replacing the pumper and explaining that the 23-year-old engine has proven increasingly unreliable.

"The unit since my arrival has been undependable when placed into service and has broken down during operations at two significant incidents," Maxwell wrote. "As we neared the end of 2011, it became evident that Engine 14 was not going to last until we took delivery of a new engine."

The city has been preparing for the retirement of Engine 14 and over the past four years has been able to set aside fire equipment reserves of $360,000.

The council will be asked Monday to decide whether to buy a new engine, buy a demonstration unit or buy a used piece of equipment.

City staff is recommending the city try to buy a demonstration unit.

Maxwell, in his memo, presented the pros and cons of each option.

For example, a new unit would be much more expensive, but could be outfitted exactly to city specifications and would come with a warranty.

With a used unit, you never know if you're buying somebody else's problems. There's no warranty. It would have a short life expectancy and would be outfitted to another department's specifications, but would be the least expensive option.

The demo unit is the middle ground -- less expensive than new, might need some equipment changes, but would still be under warranty and would likely be in service longer than used equipment.

When Engine 14 was inspected by Churchville Fire Equipment, inspectors found 51 deficiencies with the truck. Most of them could be fixed at a cost of $15,000 but the engine would still not meet National Fire Protection Association standards.

Until a replacement engine is purchase, the city is using a loaner from the City of Rochester Fire Department.

The department has two other trucks -- Ladder 15 and Engine 12, which go out on almost all city calls. Engine 14 was used for multiple-alarm fires, or when one of the other engines was being repaired or going through preventive maintenance, or when the city's Fast Team was called to the scene of a fire elsewhere in Genesee County.

A man accused of violating probation in Taxes and captured in Batavia On Tuesday appeared in Genesee County Court Friday morning and waived his right to extradition proceedings.

Terry W. Strickland, 30, of 110 Lake Park, Waxahachie, Texas, is allegedly wanted in Dallas County for a probation violation stemming from a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. Strickland could have insisted the governor of Texas produce a warrant for his arrest and challenge any evidence of the charges' validity.

Tuesday, Batavia police officers responded to a report of a domestic incident at a residence on Dewey Avenue and, after identifying Strickland, discovered the warrant.

There is just one day left in our contest:

You know there are local businesses that you just love -- tell us about them on Shop Batavia and you could win a $100 gift certificate from one of your favorite businesses.

Dan Jones: Bypassing The Electoral College in Favor of a National Popular Vote System Benefits Our Communities

The girls of the Pembroke High School basketball team were dressed in all pink uniforms Thursday night in front of a capacity crowd in their home gym.

The big turn out and the pink uniforms were part of a fundraiser called "Shooting for a Cure" to support breast cancer research

Proceeds are being donated to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

The Walt Disney Company donated a family 4-pack of 3-day tickets to their Disney Orlando Parks (value of $1,000) as the grand prize drawing. The winner was selected at half-time of Thursday's game, but we don't yet have the name of the winner.

Bottom picture, Bryan Wittman, global VP of Special Events for Disney, team captain Randi Dellapenta, April McMillion and Buster Bison, mascot of the Buffalo Bisons.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

To purchase printed copies of the photos from this event, click here.

A 46-year-old man released from the Ontario County jail on bail was arrested by Le Roy Police on Thursday and accused of stealing a purse Dec. 20 and using the credit cards at locations in Le Roy, Batavia and Rochester.

Charged with criminal possession, 4th, a Class E felony, is Richard A. Cooke, of 327 E. Main St., Waterloo.

Cooke has two prior felony convictions, according to Le Roy Police, and had recently posted bail in Ontario County following indictments on multiple charges unrelated to the Le Roy case.

Cooke allegedly stole a purse Dec. 20 from a business on Lake Street.

With the help of surveillance video and the assistance of the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center, Avon Police and the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and the Waterlook PD, Cook was identified as the suspect.

Further charges in Genesee County may be pending.

Following arraignment in Le Roy, Cooke was jailed without bail.

This video was produced by Ted Johnson, of Pavilion.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that plans are under way to provide Urgent Care Services at the Jerome Center in Batavia.

“This continues United Memorial’s efforts to increase access to necessary health care services to residents of Genesee County,” said Mark Schoell, president and CEO.

United Memorial currently operates an Urgent Care Center on Tountas Avenue in Le Roy which opened in July 2010. Visits to United Memorial’s Urgent Care Center in Le Roy have grown from an estimated 3,500 to more than 6,000 annually. Analyzing patient demographics based on zip codes indicate that a great deal of that growth is from the Batavia area.

Urgent Care services are a cost effective and convenient way for patients to receive quality medical care when their primary care physician is unavailable and they do not want to spend time waiting in an emergency room to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury or illness. Co-payments for urgent care are typically less than emergency room co-pays.

UMMC’s Urgent Care Center in Batavia, like the center in Le Roy, will be well equipped to treat a variety of ailments, including: sprains and fractures; cuts and lacerations; animal and insect bites and stings; cold and influenza symptoms; ear infections; pneumonia; bronchitis; urinary tract infections; asthma; sore throats/strep and mono; and influenza vaccines.

Urgent Care at the Jerome Center will be supported by United Memorial’s state-of-the-art medical imaging services, the most advanced in Genesee County. The Jerome Center is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Batavia at 16 Bank St. It offers handicap accessibility, convenient parking, a gift shop and refreshment kiosk.

An opening date will be announced soon and is expected to occur in early spring.

Press release:

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's priorities for the State University of New York are good news for SUNY's 64 campuses and for New York State taxpayers, Genesee Community College President James M. Sunser said today.

Gov. Cuomo, in his 2012 legislative address delivered yesterday at Daemen College in Amherst, called the state university system a "precious New York asset" and a "great equalizer for the middle class." The governor said that his new SUNY2020 plan will spur economic development and job creation. SUNY2020 will provide seed money for innovation and economic development initiatives.

President Sunser noted that the governor's plans will further support SUNY's role in spurring business and job growth across the state.

"Our state university system provides a net positive return to New York State residents," Sunser said. "SUNY graduates provide the backbone of many of our critical and emerging industries, and pay state and local taxes far in excess of the investment that taxpayers make in their education.

"Also, SUNY campuses across the state work directly with business organizations, bringing training and knowledge resources that help business leaders build productivity, profit and jobs."

Sunser noted that last year an independent research firm found that Genesee Community College alone has an economic impact of $126 million on the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region.

Sunser said that last year, The BEST Center, Genesee's highly acclaimed business training division, helped more than 650 business organizations.

"We at Genesee Community College, and the other 63 SUNY campuses, are a driving force for economic stability and growth," he said. "Gov. Cuomo recognizes the critical role that SUNY plays in our statewide economy."

Members of the Batavia Kiwanis Club stopped into "My Brother's Garage" after their weekly meeting Thursday. "My Brother's Garage" is a new secondhand store in the YWCA on North Street, where the Kiwanis meet each week. It's patterned after the long-standing and popular "My Sister's Closet" secondhand story at the Y.

Press release:

Breast cancer is a life-threatening opponent that has significantly impacted the rural community of Pembroke. As a result, a group of Pembroke High School athletes has decided to challenge the invasive disease by doing what it does best -- play basketball.

Tonight at 7, the Pembroke High School Girls' Varsity Basketball Team will take to the court for a “Shooting for a Cure" benefit basketball game against Attica High School to raise money for breast cancer research.

The high school is located at 8750 Alleghany Road (Route 77) in Corfu.

Local country music talent Maddie Larkin will perform the national anthem and Buster Bison will be on hand to lead the cheerleading fun.

The Pembroke team is also partnering with a number of area businesses to make this event possible including:

• Impressive Marks -- creating custom-designed apparel for Pembroke teams and fans
• D & D Printing -- providing game fliers, posters and programs
• Next Generation Vending -- donating food to sell
• Pizza Pantry -- donating discounted pizzas for sale
• Great Erie Federal Credit Union -- donating popcorn for sale
• SUBWAY® -- donating drinks for sale
• The Walt Disney Company, donating Disney Theme Park passes as a fund-raising giveaway

According to Coach Mike Wilson, all proceeds from the fund-raising portion of the game will be presented to Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI).

“We are a small school in a rural district and our team has to consistently work to raise money for most everything we need, including our warm-ups and team sneakers,” Wilson said. “But this time, the girls wanted to do something different, something they felt was truly helpful for our school and those affiliated with our Pembroke community who have been so widely impacted by breast cancer diagnoses.

"To their credit they are putting together an amazing fundraiser in partnership with some very generous businesses and organizations.”

RPCI has officially sanctioned “Shooting For A Cure,” and Cindy Eller, executive director of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, acknowledges the significance of the grassroots fundraiser.

“It’s wonderful when young people, such as these Pembroke students, come together to make a difference in the lives of those facing cancer,” Eller said. “And for the girls to go out and enlist the support of businesses for donations to help raise money, truly speaks to the character of the team, their families, the school and the Pembroke community at large.

"We are honored by their efforts in the name of critically needed breast cancer research.”

To help the Pembroke team with their Shooting for the Cure fundraiser, The Walt Disney Company has donated a family 4-pack of 3-day tickets to their Disney Orlando Parks (value of $1,000.) Chances for the tickets will be sold at the game with the winning ticket drawn at halftime. Winner must be present to claim the prize.

The Pembroke High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team is comprised of 12 outstanding girls, ages 15 to 18. Their 2011-12 captains are Breanna Johnson and Randi Dellapenta. Team colors are green and black and their nickname is "The Dragons."

The team’s motto is "Family-Hustle-Winning." The team has undertaken Shooting for a Cure as a unified family and they are committed to hard work and winning, not only in the games they play, but in the battle against breast cancer.

From the office of Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

The governor touched on many important issues worthy of attention in his State of the State Address, but nothing is more pressing for Western New York than mandate relief and job creation. In fact, if we are to fix either problem, we must fix both.

Unfunded mandates have sent local taxes through the roof for years, and I have been fighting to eliminate this burden since my first day in state government. While taxes climb, business owners and job creators flee Western New York in droves. If we are to truly embrace job creation, we must put an immediate ban on any new mandates and begin examining the litany of unnecessary and expensive requirements that can be repealed.

In addition, Western New York’s low-wealth schools have been unfairly burdened by education cuts in recent years. We must protect our community’s schools from having their budgets pilfered in favor of wealthy, downstate districts.

I am encouraged by the governor’s commitment to economic development, but the question, as always, is “How will we pay for this?” As we turn the corner on economic recovery, we must fund these worthy projects by eliminating wasteful spending, not by raising taxes.

From the office of Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer:

By working together in 2011, the State Legislature reduced spending and the size of government, closed a $10 billion deficit without new taxes, and lowered tax rates for the middle class. For 2012, the State Legislature must continue to work together and further build upon its successes of the prior year.

The State Legislature must again close a $3 billion deficit with cuts to spending, not with tax increases. Mandate relief – especially pension and Medicaid reform – must be passed to ensure the property tax cap works for both property taxpayers and local governments. However, the critical goal for this year should be ensuring Albany supports policies and programs that will encourage companies to locate and create jobs in Western New York.

That is why I am encouraged by the governor’s proposal to provide $1 billion in multi-year economic development incentives for the Buffalo region, to attract major companies to invest billions of dollars and create thousands of jobs in Western New York. I am even more pleased to hear his proposal for a second round of $200 million in competitive grants for our regional economic development councils.

As the 2012 Legislative Session begins, I am hopeful that the governor and State Legislature can again work together to build on the successes of last year.”

Andrei Peter Sliker, 20, of 220 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal impersonation. Sliker is accused of stealing $10.75 in merchandise from Kmart on Tuesday. When approached by Kmart security, Sliker allegedly fled. When Deputy Chad Minuto located Sliker at his apartment, Sliker allegedly claimed to be another person in order to avoid being taken into custody. Sliker was jailed on $500 bail.

Dexter Lee Turner, 20, Start Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Turner was arrested by Medina PD on a warrant out of Town of Batavia after Turner allegedly failed to appear to answer to a petit larceny charge.