Sackets Harbor beat Notre Dame today in the semi-finals of the boys basketball tournament in Glens Falls.
The final score: 50 to 40.
It's only the second loss of the season for the Fighting Irish, who won their first Section V title since 2001 and the Western Regional title.
It looks like Batavia Downs is a long shot to expand into a full-blown Vegas-style casino with table games and expanding gambling options.
The NYS Legislature took a big step yesterday toward opening up so-called racinos to more casino games, but capped the number of race tracks that can expand at seven.
Western Regional OTB board member Dick Siebert told WBTA that he's very concerned that Batavia Downs is being excluded from the expansion.
“Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs are the closest raceways to the Senecas' casinos (in Niagara Falls and Allegany), and they’re the ones putting the heat on the state,” Siebert points out. “So I’ve got a strange but very sound feeling that we’re the two being targeted.”
The seven target locations have not been disclosed.
The Senecas believe they have an exclusive lock on gambling in New York and the legislature may have caved to pressure from the Senecas by excluding Buffalo and Batavia from the expansion.
“They’re behind it,” Siebert said. “They’ve got money, and they’re throwing it around. They don’t want the competition. But not having Batavia Downs be a full casino hurts Western New York a lot more than what might happen to the Senecas.
“I’ll probably get myself in trouble to say it – but it’s the truth,” Siebert added.
Michael Kane, CEO of the Western Regional OTB remains hopeful, however.
“I don’t think it takes Batavia Downs out of the mix at all,” Kane says. “I think the number was just negotiated between the governor and the two houses.”
When you want to shop locally and shop online, there's only one place to do it: Shop Batavia.
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A possible brush fire is reported in a wooded area near 10355 South St. Road in Pavilion. The location is just north of Route 20. Pavilion Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: A responder on scene says "It looks like a controlled burn. It looks like it's contained. ... The homeowner's on location. I don't think it's going anywhere." The assignment is put back in service.
UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: The actual address was determined to be 7635 South St. Road. The homeowner was informed of the new open burning regulations.
A 35-year-old Batavia resident has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly making false claims with the Department of Social Services.
Lee Heckman, of 5 Fairmont Ave., is accused of submitting various forms with DSS that concealed income from a scrap recycling business.
Heckman allegedly received food stamp benefits totaling $600 from March 2011 through July 201, as well as temporary assistance totaling $1,576.13.
Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, Heckman was jailed without bail.
Besides the grand larceny, 4th, charge, Heckman is also charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing.
Cases of suspected welfare fraud can be reported by calling 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.
A large field fire is reported in the area of 1283 Lewiston Road, just west of Alleghany Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 4:03 p.m.: The fire is under control.
UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: The fire is out. All units returning to service.
Reuters: New York cuts pension benefits for public workers
Press release from Mary Pat Hancock, chairwoman of the county legislature:
I applaud Governor Cuomo for not backing down in his fight to provide meaningful long-term savings for local governments. Over the past several years, pension costs have crippled local governments in New York. Here in Genesee County we have seen our annual pension costs escalate from $247,000 to over $4 million dollars in a 10-year period. That is just not sustainable. It makes maintaining vital local services most difficult. I cannot emphasize enough how important it was for the state legislature to enact meaningful pension reform this year and thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership.
Technology students from throughout the GLOW region gathered at GCC today for the fifth annual Tech Wars.
The event pits teams from high schools and middle schools against each other in contests of engineering and design, including bridge building, Lego robots, CAD design and web page design, among more than a dozen other contests.
The competition's first year was 2008 and it has grown every year since its inception.
A grass fire is reported in Alexander at 11250 Maplewood Road. Alexander Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: The fire is out. All units returning to service.
The Sheriff's Office will run a first-of-its-kind experimental DWI checkpoint March 17 somewhere in the county.
The "enhanced" DWI checkpoints feature the common roadblock, but will also include road patrols in the area looking for drivers who are apparently trying to avoid the checkpoint.
The governor's office is funding enhanced checkpoints as an experiment in four counties to combat a growing prevalence of smart phone apps that help alert drivers to checkpoints as well as other means drivers might find out about a checkpoint and then try to avoid it.
On March 17, the Sheriff's Office will operate the checkpoint and Batavia PD, Le Roy PD and State Police will provide additional patrols.
An officer trained in drug recognition will be at the checkpoint to assist in identifying drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs.
Other enhanced DWI checkpoints will be scheduled during the year in the county, in Batavia and in Le Roy.
The overtime cost associated with the enhanced checkpoints is covered by a $21,775 state grant.
Joseph A. Monkelbaan, 40, of Tesnow Road, Akron, and David J. Albright, 51, of Meadville Road, Basom, are charged with trespass. Monkelbaan and Albright are accused of trespassing on property on Wright Road, Alabama, while riding ATVs.
Gregory Angel DeJesus, 21, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with disorderly conduct. DeJesus was arrested following an argument with a family member at 12:25 a.m., Wednesday, and jailed on $250 bail.
Mickey Harlen DeJesus, 23, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with disorderly conduct. DeJesus was arrested following an argument with a family member at 12:50 a.m., Wednesday, and jailed on $250 bail.
Darik R. M. Orbaker, 19, of 12 Elm St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker was allegedly observed with a person protected by a "stay away" order.
With its 2012 legislature, Genesee County has made history -- maybe ... probably.
In all likelihood, Genesee County has the first legislature in New York State history with a female majority.
The historical record is hard to nail down, according Mark LaVigne, deputy director of the NYS Association of Counties, but a check he conducted with all the other counties turned up none willing to dispute the claim.
He discovered Otsego County has more women on its legislature -- seven, but also has seven men, and Sallie Brothers in St. Lawrence County is the only woman on a board otherwise comprised of 14 men.
In the absense of any evidence otherwise, then, it seems reasonably certain that 92 years after women won the right to vote they claimed the majority of a legislature in New York for the first time in one of the state's most conservative counties.
"I think it’s excting," said Marianne Clattenburg, serving her first term on the legislature. "It’s a testament to the good job that the women who are here have been doing. The fact that women continue to get elected is exciting. I look forward to working with the women and all the member of the legislature."
Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock called the legislature a "magical nine" and said she is proud to serve with all the members.
"What’s exciting to me is to lead a legislature of nine interested, educated people who really want to dedicate their time to the job and are willing to cooperate and willing to work together," Hancock said.
Reminded that he is now part of a historic minority, first-time Legislator Frank Ferrando laughed and then said he admired the women elected to the board.
"It’s just great just being a part of the legislature," Ferrando said. "We’ve got some real key people, some leaders who are women. It’s great working with them."
Esther Leadley agreed a female majority is historic, but also appropriate when a majority of registered voters are women.
"I'm proud of Genesee County," Leadley said. "You know I am. I speak out about how proud I am of Genesee County whenever I can."
Photo: From left, Shelly Stein, Annie Lawrence, Mary Pat Hancock, Esther Leadley and Marianne Clattenburg.
Mary Pat Hancock's State of the County address:
Good evening friends and family of Genesee County. I especially recognize and welcome our three new legislators…Marianne Clattenberg, Frank Ferrando, and Shelley Stein. Thankfully, they hit the ground running and brought with them the enthusiasm, energy and knowledge that is essential to their new roles. And let me thank all of you…those present and those of you who were not able to attend this evening, for your continued efforts, cooperation and support during this most challenging time. This year has sped by, our challenges sprang up like dandelions on a spring day, but the good grass also flourished thanks to the good work of our employees, renewed energy of our constituents and the climate of possible change at the state level.
Tonight, let’s focus on us -- on Genesee County and how we managed during the year 2011 when the state’s Property Tax Cap had not yet taken effect, but the mandated service expenses were at an all-time high and continued to whittle away at funds previously available for local and essential programs.
How did we manage? It was a year of enlightenment. Having emerged from a difficult budget process, we responded to the lethargic economy by holding the line on taxes and trimming already lean programs. Strong efforts were also made to rethink how services were delivered and which programs might be combined for mutual benefit. We looked within and beyond our county for collaborative opportunities. This was not just one lean year, with relief around the corner. The only thing that we could count on was that things would be tighter in 2012, with the Property Tax Cap, the end of the stimulus fund, and no significant Mandate Relief. It was a new reality for the local governments and for their constituents. And neither of us liked it. Anger is one of the first stages of grief, and we were angry that fine programs, good employees, and needed services were impacted. We were angry that bloated mandated programs continued to expand and feed on our dwindling resources. We were angry that our continued message of Mandate Relief now fell on deaf ears. In order to survive, we had to temporarily put our anger aside and reached for temporary acceptance. We picked up the increasingly heavy burdens and did our best to carry them.
We are a resilient lot. Positive goals were accomplished, new ventures succeeded, and we did not collapse. For this evening, I needed help to look a bit deeper into the accomplishment specifics, yet also respect the fact that good as you are, there is a limit to anyone’s tolerance for sitting and listening, so I asked our department chairs to please send a paragraph to me with their selection of the most significant items to cover in their departments during 2011. Were they thrilled? NO. It is nearly impossible to put all your good efforts into a single book, or chapter….a paragraph, impossible. But impossible things are happening every day. I received the necessary information in the abbreviated form and for this I am most grateful. I take full responsibility for cutting department responses to the quick, but the full information is available in the annual reports on file.
Something of enormous import took place this year at our Community College. Dr. Steiner retired after being associated with the college since its inception in the 1960s and its president since 1975. The perfect selection and smooth transition to a new college president was crucial to all of us and was handled with tremendous skill by the College Board. A thorough nationwide search, and an equally thorough screening process, and final interview process identified the best possible candidate. A local boy, regionally local, with just the right experience and skill sets was hired. We welcomed James Sunser to our midst fall of 2011 and look forward to the formal inauguration ceremonies on May 5th of this year.
Within the Office for the Aging, the fastest growing program is Health Insurance Counseling, which in 2011 served 719 Medicare beneficiaries, resulting in over $1,000,000 in savings for those using this valuable service. Support services such as home-delivered meals, transportation to medical appointments, in-home care, personal emergency response units, home safety checks, and support for caretakers can enable those who want to “Age in Place” to do so. In the past decade the number of our older adults has grown by 16%, causing increased demands on OFA services. Encouraging healthy active aging through programs like the RSVP, Living Healthy courses, exercise classes, fall prevention programs, recreation and social events are ways that OFA promotes this goal. To fill the niche for those qualifying programs not covered by any other funding, which add so much to our seniors’ quality of life, Genesee County is fortunate enough to have the Muriel H. Marshall Fund.
The procurement card program was organized and implemented by the Purchasing Department and the Treasurer’s Office. Procedures and training materials were revised and training was provided. This program replaces a variety of processes, including petty cash and advance checks. Its purpose is to establish an efficient, cost-effective, easily monitored method of purchasing and payment for small dollar transactions. In an additional effort to lower the cost of products and services, Purchasing joined the Western New York Online Bid System. A section of this department, the Mail room processed over 177,000 outgoing pieces of U.S. Mail and by using a pre-sort discount they saved the County approximately $4,000 on first-class mail.
Cornell Cooperative Extension continued its tradition of putting the latest scientific knowledge to practical use. In this county agriculture is our economic engine, and attending to that business is the Extension’s business. Last year there was a new course at GCC…Western New York Agriculture, its success suggests that it is the first course in a targeted curriculum. An Extension outreach brought a new business to this area…goat cheese production, with its many special requirements and the provider was guided to a happy landing as a successful Ag business by Extension staff. Another venture in the works is the development of a Broccoli Industry in the East, which includes our area. Staff members: James Kingston, Jan Beglinger, and Christie Hoepting are to be especially congratulated. A collaborative effort by the Rotary Club, YMCA, UMMC, and CCE and Dr. Jain, initiated a GET FIT program for families in this area to begin to address the national concern of Childhood Obesity. The health of our young people cannot be overemphasized and this program shows great promise.
We had plenty of elections in 2011. In addition to four primary contests in September, and the General Election in November, an unanticipated countywide Special Election was held in April. Our frugal Board of Elections was able to absorb the additional costs by cost-saving adjustments in other areas. They presently have well-founded concerns that 2012 will force three to four primary dates…with the resulting extra expenses. The State Legislature must iron out their disagreements and coordinate their primary dates to avoid this wasteful extra expense...
The Office of Emergency Management Services insures that the County develops and maintains multiple emergency plans. They see that the County has the equipment, manpower and resources to respond to disasters or emergency situations. The 2011 State Homeland Security Grant Program ($101,948) will alone provide Fire Investigator Protective Clothing, Law Enforcement Equipment (ERT); provide Critical Infrastructure and security enhancements to the County emergency operations center and the County Highway Departments. It will also provide upgrades to the interoperable communications equipment and provide the funding for the Fire and EMS Reporting Management Systems. This year a Countywide Recruitment and Retention program for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel was made possible through the Federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant of $388,000.
Under the Highway Department’s banner, please include the actual Highway crews who maintain our roads and bridges and are concerned about the effects of deferred maintenance as a result of flat funding and escalating material prices. The Parks Department, under this banner, continues to find new grants and outside funding opportunities to keep the Parks open for residents during difficult financial times. Several improvements were made to the DeWitt Recreation Area in 2011 expanding opportunities to explore this urban park. Airport fuel sales increased nearly 8% this year and the GC Airport again turned a profit…as it has done for the past nine years. We continue to explore options to replace its aging terminal facility…to meet federal safety requirements without a financial burden on our residents. Our Highway Superintendent/Water Project Director continues to investigate the future financing of the Countywide Water Project as well…so that Phase II may be implemented as planned within the next five years.
The History Department and Records Management completed two long-term projects this year. The first was the digitizing of the department’s photograph collection which includes 10,570 photographs. The second was the Archival Cataloging Project which included 742 cubic feet with a total of 1,672 items cataloged. In addition, they provided assistance to thousands of people interested in local history…generating income for the County. They were assisted by volunteers who helped them accomplish numerous additional projects. They all still had the time and strength to help us commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War….beginning with the bell ring observance of April 12th; we were helped to realize the impact of this war on Genesee County by an original display board and power point presentation.
In 2011 Human Resources partnered with the County’s Employee Assistance Plan to provide the required countywide workplace violence training for employees. Kudos are given to all County employees covered by the County’s Self-funded Health Plan for their cooperation in providing the necessary documentation for the Health Plan Eligibility Audit that was conducted in 2011.
During 2011 Information Technology focused on updating an aging infrastructure to ensure the reliability and availability of systems that support all county departments. They also introduced a new County Website, put IPADs to use by the Public Defenders and District Attorney’s offices and addressed several compliance issues.
This past year the Genesee County Career Center assisted 4,514 job seekers, a 30% increase from 2010 with a 77% placement rate. They also served 267 area businesses by posting employer job openings and hosting businesses for on-site recruitments, as well as screening and assessing the skills of all of their job applicants. Workshops (147) were conducted on high-demand topics.
The County’s Comprehensive Planning Process continued with the Steering Committee, representing the 10 Focus Groups, making its Annual Monitoring Report to the County Legislature in September. The Planning Department continues to support other County agencies and local municipalities as they strive to create a more livable community for our residents. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of our County’s economy. The County Legislature remains committed to continued support of the Agricultural District Program and the long-term protection of the County’s agricultural base including the preservation of prime farmland. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection and an ongoing program supporting recycling are going strong and continue to attract strong participation throughout the GLOW region.
Probation supervision remains as the most cost effective form of an alternative to incarceration for the nearly 700 adults and juveniles in Genesee County. As a mandated function with strong NYS oversight, funding remains critical at the state and local level to support this vital function of the criminal and juvenile justice system. Presently the NYS reimbursement to Probation Departments continues at 12-13%, which is far short of the 48.5% required by statute.
Quiet times are the fruit of a successful Public Health Program, 2011 was such a year. Mandates and deliverables were accomplished on time and on budget overall. Program reviews and NYS Audits proved favorable. On the flip side, it was retirement time for key personnel in the department and their departure represented a loss of valuable experience. The demands of an increasingly tight budget are being felt at every level.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office continues to provide excellent public safety and correctional services to the residents of Genesee County. The Sheriff’s Office took a zero tolerance position with regard to underage drinking and the deputies made over 500 unlawful possessions of alcohol arrests at Darien Lake. In addition deputies took 175 drunk drivers off the roads. The jail saw an increase in population of male inmates during 2011, averaging 71 per day and Genesee Justice monitored almost 1,600 offenders. The Sheriff’s Office partnered with GCC offering the facilities at the Animal Shelter for Vet Tech Students. Emergency Dispatch Center handled over 175,000 phone calls, including over 28,000 9-1-1 calls, leading to over 50,000 calls for service. The Sheriff’s Office was fortunate to receive over $149,000 in grant funding.
In difficult economic times, more of our citizens turn to the Department of Social Services for assistance. Caseloads in public assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and HEAP continue to grow. Families are stressed and also require more help with their children...Our DSS has been doing the best possible job to deliver services while controlling costs.
During 2011 the Veterans Service Agency moved and became co-located with the Department of Social Services. The move allowed for increased administrative support for processing all of our veterans’ claims for compensation, pensions, education, etc. at a cost saving. With the end of the Iraq War and the reduction in the military, there are more veterans returning. Presently, there is a huge backlog of claims at the federal level and this trickles down to the local level and is causing an increased number of claims pending. When the backlog is combined with the high rate of unemployment for our veterans, it produces a less than ideal homecoming for the individuals who earned and deserve the best.
The Weights and Measures Department had a good and productive year in spite of budget constraints. Scales and liquid measuring devices were checked, devices were inspected, milk tanks were calibrated, store packages were checked and price comparisons were performed. Consumers are paying higher prices for nearly everything, the least we can do is to insure they are receiving their money’s worth.
A long-awaited partnership with the City of Batavia was formalized in 2011. The youth bureaus entered into contract for the County to provide administrative oversight assigning 20% of the Executive Directors time for the City Youth Bureau. This collaboration reduces expenses and is mutually beneficial to both agencies. Sadly, 2011 was also the year when Debbie Kerr Rosenbach retired. She had been the Director of the County Youth Bureau for many years and initiated many innovative programs which directly impacted the young people in this region in a most positive way. All this was accomplished during a time of shrinking resources.
The District Attorney’s Office prosecuted a charge of predatory sexual assault against a child. It was the first time the office prosecuted such a charge. It was remarkable because of the degree of interagency cooperation which came together for the trial of this offense. The trial resulted in a guilty verdict, with a sentence of 15 years to life. A former member of the District Attorney’s Office received a high honor at the NYS District Attorney’s Winter Conference. The prestigious Robert M. Morgenthau Award recognizes those whose professional accomplishments, honesty, integrity and commitment to justice exemplify an extra ordinary high standard…congratulations to David Gann!
We are still having a difficult time even approaching a break-even financial status, or manageable fiscal support with the Nursing Home. We have made, and continue to make, positive changes based on recommendations to increase efficiency and lower costs. But for every step forward, we seem to be forced back two steps. There are additional requirements to meet new standards, frozen reimbursement levels, a changing system of payment, and increasing costs for care…all combining to add to increasing the financial burden on the County. Presently we contribute over two and one half million dollars every year to just meet expenses. And this amount grows each year. How long can we afford this? With the tax cap and our already high tax rate, not long. The Legislature continues to take a proactive approach as we deal with this crucial issue.
Genesee County should be very proud of the achievements of our GCEDC. The recent ground breaking by Alpina in our newly opened Agricultural Park, and even more recently the announcement of the Wave Project in the same Park promises an investment of $206 million dollars in the economic health of our area and a resulting 186 jobs. The GCEDC was able to participate in 30 project “wins” and enabled $51.3 million of investment over the 2011 fiscal year. There were additional achievements, new cooperative workforce-training programs, businesses expanding, jobs retained….do not think that all this would have happened without the inspired and dedicated work of the GCEDC and their team. Their success is our success. Great work!
The County Clerk’s Office has been busy with the implementation of several new programs made possible by contract enhancements with their computer company. They are now able to issue plastic permits for pistols, as well as image, index, and merge 210 years of mapping into the system, issue veteran’s ID cards for the popular “Return the Favor” discount program for veterans, to be announced soon. This new technology has allowed for the scanning of criminal and civil court records to allow for direct access and paper-free transmission to the Court system of these records. And, in spite of economic fluctuations and a recession in the motor vehicle industry, the Motor Vehicle Office was able to maintain sufficient revenue to operate their office with a net profit of over $600,000. Many out of county clientele use our MVO for registration, license renewals, and an increasing number of dealers who use the Genesee County MVO for all their transactions. Much of the credit for this goes to a staff that emphasizes friendly, thorough service.
In January of 2011, we sent prescription discount cards out to all of our citizens. These were at no cost to the county. The program was introduced by the New York State Association of Counties, and during the course of this year has saved the 4,874 participants 52% on their prescription costs. As you might suspect, the program continues to grow.
I hope you can tell from this brief synopsis that our county is working hard to maintain a positive direction. And we are succeeding. The legislators are working hard to reach out to their constituents with information, petitions, meetings, and resolutions about the need for immediate mandate reform. There is legislation ready to pass…but it hasn’t happened yet. Legislator Lawrence has headed up the (Mandate) Medicaid Reform outreach and through her efforts, the other eight legislators, and the cooperation of our constituents we are turning in over 1,500 signatures from NYS citizens demanding Medicaid Reform.
Yes, we are keeping our heads above the water, but we can’t tread water forever. I remain hopeful that 2012 is the year for State leaders to step up and work with their partners in County government to enact real reforms that will enable us to maintain and enhance the local safety and quality of life programs that will attract and keep families and businesses here in New York. You can help. This is not a political issue…it is a survival issue. In every case, when there has been a real change at the state level…it was because the people back home insisted. Let your voices be heard.
The pressures evidenced in the New York State Association of Counties state wide “9 for 90” mandate relief initiative coupled with the new state imposed property tax cap have given county governments across New York State a focused rallying cry and platform to demand change and real long-term mandate relief. These reforms and solutions must originate in Albany. The state Legislature and Executive in the past have made passing reference and lukewarm commitment to such relief. Now is the time for them, with our help, to pass real reform measures, provide real property tax relief by changing and decreasing the nine mandates…most especially Medicaid, presently consuming 40% of our tax dollars each and every year.
In 2004-2005 our message was “Don’t Come Home without it (the Medicaid Growth Cap)." In 2012, the message to our elected State delegation and Governor Cuomo has to be “Don’t Adopt a Budget without Medicaid Reform and Local Medicaid Share Relief.”
Now that’s a plan we could live with. Right?
A caller on Church Street, Le Roy, reported seeing a possible fire behind her residence, telling dispatchers she could see a large red glow.
Le Roy Fire responded and chiefs report finding a bonfire with people in the area.
The department's brush fire truck is responding to deal with it.
UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: One chief informs another that the people with the fire recently relocated to the area and were unaware of the open burn regulations.
UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: Fire is out. Le Roy back in service.
Genesee County will be well represented in the 8th Annual Scotty Bowman Showcase, a hockey tournament sponsored by the Buffalo Sabres, with five local players making the junior and senior squads.
Named to the teams are three players from Notre Dame High School-- Zach Blew, Tyler Kessler and Brett Perfitt -- and two from Batavia HS -- Tom Grammatico and Josh Marr.
The games will be played March 20 at First Niagara Center. Tickets for the event are $5.
The first game begins at 6 p.m. and pits all-star squads from Buffalo and Rochester made up of players in their junior year of high school.
The senior game is at 7:30 p.m. and the winner of that match will be awarded the Bowman Cup. Buffalo has a 6-1 advantage in the tournament.
All five Batavia-area players will be on the Rochester teams.
Scotty Bowman, a former head coach, notched more NHL wins than any coach in history. The coach will be on hand to present the Bowman Cup to the winning team.
Notre Dame Head Coach was also named a Bowman team coach.
One of the two men charged in a pair of burglaries in September entered a guilty plea in Genesee County Court today and faces up to 10 years in prison.
Michael J. Hilton, 20, a former Le Roy resident, entered a guilty plea to burglary, 2nd. He had also been charged with grand larceny, 4th.
According to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Hilton faced two additional burglary charges -- a break-in at 39 Trumbull Parkway and one at 36 Williams St. -- but his office won't file those charges as part of the plea agreement.
Under the plea agreement, Hilton waived his right to appeal and agreed to pay an unspecified amount of restitution to his victims.
However, in order for the two uncharged burglaries to be included in any restitution total, the DA's office would need to file charges in those cases. Friedman told Judge Robert C. Noonan that is possible, though the charges would not figure into Hilton's sentencing.
Hilton can't receive more than 10 years in prison, under the terms of the agreement. Sentencing is set for May 9.
Hilton was arrested with Kurt Hawkins following a pair of break-ins on Williams and Swan streets, Batavia, in late September.
Hilton and Hawkins reportedly entered an occupied residence on Swan Street.
Hawkins was sentenced Monday on burglary and assault convictions to nine years in prison.
A warrant was issued in Genesee County Court today for a woman involved in a one-car rollover accident March 8 and expected to be released from Strong Memorial Hospital today.
Michelle Crawford, who in 2009 was the first person in Western New York charged with felony DWI under "Leandra's Law," was placed on the court docket for an alleged violation of probation.
"I would request a warrant," said Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl, "especially considering the circumstances that required her appearance, which included drinking and driving and getting into a serious motor-vehicle accident."
No charges have been filed related to the March 8 accident. The Sheriff's Office is awaiting results of blood tests before determining what, if any, charges are filed.
According to attorney William Harper, of the Public Defender's Office, Crawford was taken out of the intensive care unit yesterday.
Crawford will require ongoing medical care upon her release from the hospital, but Zickl said outside of court that if she is arrested and jailed, the jail can provide for her care.
Reportedly, Crawford's jaw has been wired shut.
The 26-year-old Batavia resident has three children and was arrested for alleged DWI in November 2009. Her children were reportedly in her car at the time of her arrest, making it a felony DWI under a fairly new law that made driving while drunk with children in the car a more serious crime.
However, in a bench trial in Erie County, Crawford was acquitted of the felony charge and convicted of driving while ability impaired and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The family of a man who died following an accident at the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy has filed a lawsuit in federal court.
Frank P. LaMont Jr., reportedly died after his wheel chair fell through the back of the handicap access lift at the museum. The fall was three feet, but his head hit the concrete.
Named in the suit are the United States of America, the Le Roy Historical Society, The Safety and Access Co. Inc. (the company that serviced the lift) and Ikeco Inc. (the company that sold and installed the lift).
LaMont was a resident of Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center at the time of the accident in October 2010.
Sophia LaMont, his daughter, previously filed a claim for $500,000 with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The claim was denied.
(Source: Democrat & Chronicle)
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