Charles S. Ganoung IV is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on March 25 in the 6300 block of Transit Road in the Town of Byron that Ganoung possessed an assault weapon. According to the indictment, it was a DPMS Panther Arms semiautomatic .223-caliber rifle, equipped with a telescoping stock, pistol grip, detachable high-capacity magazine, loaded with 28 live rounds, flash suppressor/muzzle break and a bayonet mount. In count two, he is accused of the same crime for also allegedly possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The indictment says it was a large capacity .223-caliber magazine loaded with 28 live .223-caliber rounds.

Tawny L. Collazo is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 25 in the Town of Pembroke that Collazo drove a 2013 Dodge on Route 5 while in an intoxicated condition and while a child 15 years of age or less was a passenger. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. In is alleged in count two that she had a BAC of .08 or more at the time with passenger age 15 or under. In count three, Collazzo is indicted for the crime of aggravated DWI as a Class E felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated while a second child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count four, she is again accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time with a second passenger age 15 or younger.

Michael J. Wojdyla is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on June 3 in the Town of Darien that Wjodyla drove a 2009 Chevrolet on Main Park Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

From information provided by HomeCare & Hospice: 

Help HomeCare & Hospice Foundation Inc. raise funds for area patients and families by participating in its inaugural October Fest on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The event, sponsored by Overhead Door of Batavia, National Fuel, and Stan’s Harley-Davidson, will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs. It is located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

The October Fest will include 25+ vendors for beer, wine, and food tasting, live harness racing, a cash bar, DJ, 50/50 drawing, and more than $2,000 worth of basket raffle prizes! With the purchase of a $25 pre-sale ticket or $30 at the door, you will receive $10 of free play, food, wine and beer sampling vouchers, and a sandwich or bratwurst.

You must be 21 years of age or older to register for and be admitted to the event. Please bring a valid ID the day of the event.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the HomeCare & Hospice in Batavia, located at 29 Liberty St., or the Warsaw office at 450 N. Main St. You can also purchase tickets at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce (8276 Park Road, Batavia), Big Pauly’s Pizza (314 Ellicott St., Batavia), or online at HomeCare-Hospice.org/October-Fest.

Special discounted tickets for designated drivers are available for $15. Discounts are also available at the Batavia Downs Hotel for the night of the event. If you are interested, please call the Batavia Downs Hotel at (585) 815-7000 and mention HomeCare & Hospice.

HomeCare & Hospice is also seeking volunteers to help during the event. If you would like to find out more about volunteering or to pre-register for the October Fest, please call Nick O’Keefe at (800) 719-7129 or email him at nokeefe@homecare-hospice.org.

About HomeCare & Hospice

HomeCare & Hospice is a nonprofit organization serving a large population in Western New York. Our focus is on providing patient care as a person enters the later stages to end stage of life, and on alleviating the stress this can cause their families. We do this through providing care within the home and keeping hospital stays to a minimum. We operate on two levels – Providing licensed homecare services as well as hospice services.

To reach HomeCare & Hospice's administrative office in Olean, call (716) 372-5735.

A former Batavia High School student is in her third day of a hunger strike to protest the way the University of Rochester has handled sexual harassment complaints against a professor in UR's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Lindsay Wrobel says she won't eat until Dr. Florian Jaeger is removed from the faculty.

Wrobel is not claiming that she was sexually harassed.

Jaeger is at the center of an EEOC complaint filed against the university. 

"Until Professor Jaeger is removed from the university, there’s going to be no trust among the student body," Wrobel said. 

Wrobel graduated from BHS in 2013 and was a Top 10 member of the class.

The sexual harassment allegations have roiled the campus for more than a year but became national news after a long story in Mother Jones. There's also been coverage in The New York Times and Nature.

The university conducted an investigation into the allegations and found no evidence that Jaeger violated its policy. After complaints that the investigation failed to consider all of the evidence or interview all witnesses, the findings were appealed and a dean in another department at UR investigated the appeal and upheld the findings of the original investigation. 

At least one faculty member has resigned in response to UR's handling of the case and others have alleged retaliation for their part in the accusations. The university also investigated these complaints and found no evidence of retaliation.

After seeing Wrobel not looking well, an anonymous person called 9-1-1 on her behalf, but Wrobel reportedly declined medical treatment.

Wrobel said her hunger strike is painful and scary but she intends to persist.

"I fully intend to do this until I’m hospitalized. I think what’s of primary importance is the students on this campus feeling safe. And as of right now, they don’t, and they won’t until Professor Jaeger is removed," Wrobel said. 

Our news partner 13WHAM has been following the story:

• U of R's Seligman responds as student vows hunger strike over harassment case
• Online petition calling for resignation of ill-reputed U of R professor
• Three days into hunger strike, student isn't giving in until professor is gone

Joel Zsebehazy, 33, an Iraq War veteran from Niagara Falls, was sentenced to three to six years in prison by Judge Charles Zambito in County Court this morning.

Attorney Lisa Kroemer, from the Public Defender's Office, requested a two-to-four-year prison term for her client after noting that Zsebehazy was on parole at the time of the robbery, so he now owes the state prison time before he can start serving a sentence on the Key Bank robbery. 

"Given that fact, he's going to be serving a lot of time anyway," Kroemer said.

Zsebehazy apologized for his actions.

"I realize there is no excuse to justify what I did," Zsebehazy said. "I know what I did was wrong. I knew when I went into the situation it was wrong. I know it negatively impacted more people than just myself."

He then apologized to the teller and the court for his crime.

After the robbery, Zsebehazy fled the state. He was eventually located in Lousiana and brought back to Batavia on the bank robbery charge. During his travels, Zsebehazy said, he started attending AA meetings and going to church and felt like he was getting his life back on track.

"I've been making progress in my life," Zsebehazy said. "I know that in no way excuses myself and I stand here ready to make amends in any way I can."

Zambito said he wasn't moved by either the fact that Zsebehazy will spend an even longer time in prison because he was on parole at the time of the robbery or that he was getting his life together. The fact is, Zambito said, he robbed a bank and had to be chased down in order to be brought to justice.

"To say that this has been an opportunity to start a new life by robbing a bank is something I find incredible," Zambito said.

Zambito said Zsebehazy had already received a substantial break on potential prison time when he was offered a plea deal that capped his sentence at three to six years.  To cut it any further wouldn't fit the crime, he said.

Zsebehazy was ordered to start making payments toward restitution while he's incarcerated. Kroemer tried to convince Zambito to delay restitution payments until Zsebehazy is out of prison because Zsebehazy will receive such a minimal allowance for toiletries, writing paper, and other personal items while in prison that any restitution payment would make it difficult for him to obtain necessities. 

She suggested that lack of money for these items is why some prisoners turn to "less than legal activity" in prison.

District Attorney Lawerence Friedman said Zsebehazy should start paying restitution immediately and that prison officials have a formula to take only a portion of a prisoner's money for restitution payments so they still can buy necessities from the prison store.

Zambito agreed.

Photo: file photo

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Knowlesville and Lewiston roads, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The roadway is partially blocked.

A first responder on scene says there are two patients, one with lower leg injuries. "Some extrication will be needed." Mercy Flight is called.

UPDATE 7:20 a.m.: The trapped patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:46 a.m.: Two patients taken to ECMC.

UPDATE 7:56 a.m.: Alabama engine is back in quarters.

UPDATE 8:03 a.m.: Trooper Frank C. Velletta said a red Chevy was headed eastbound on Lewiston Road, while a gold Toyota was westbound. For reasons unknown, the red vehicle crossed over into the westbound lane and struck the gold vehicle. The driver of the red car suffered leg injuries and was airlifted to ECMC; the driver of the gold car was transported there by ground ambulance. Neither driver suffered serious injuries and both were conscious and alert when transported. The collision is being investigated.

Two vehicles left the scene, and two didn't leave the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 9548 Alleghany Road, Darien.

A chief on scene reports minor injuries. 

Darien fire responded.

Deputies were advised of the vehicles that fled the scene.

The Kiwanis Club of Corfu/Pembroke/Darien sponsored its annual Classic Car Show at the Pembroke Town Park today.

There was also a basket raffle benefiting Crossroads House.

Photos by Lenora Kohorst.

A free check of child safety seats will be available at the City of Batavia's Fire Headquarters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The location is 18 Evans St.

Nationally certified technicians will be on hand to answer questions, check product recalls and assist people with making sure their child safety seat is correctly installed.

For questions, please call the Fire Headquarters at 345-6375.

City firefighters are responding to 38 N. Lyon St. for the report of someone burning trash in the back yard. They are responding in non-emergency-mode.

A one-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in Le Roy in the area of 491 North Street Road. It is off the road, possibly "east of the bridge in the stream bed." Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and Caledonia fire is called for mutual aid.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: Le Roy command on scene requests all units responding to proceed in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.: Command orders the roadway shut down and lights turned on to illuminate the scene.

The Arc of Genesee Orleans hosted the agency's annual 5K run and walk in Elba this morning.

We have not yet received the results of the race.

The public is invited to attend the Lanmark Society of Genesee County's annual Preservation Awards & Dinner on Oct. 7 at Batavia First United Methodist Church.

Dinner begins at 6, with the awards ceremony to follow. The church is located at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

RSVP by Sept. 30 to (585) 757-2714 or mullinsjc@gmail.com.

Cost is $15 for a chicken dinner. If you prefer a vegetarian meal, please request this when making your reservation.

The 50-year-old society supports the many people who enhance the quality of our county by the preservation and improvement of their homes, churches and businesses.

The awardees for 2017 have not yet been announced.

The Batavia Blue Devils moved to 2-1 on the season with a 28-13 victory over Cardinal-O'Hara at Cardinal-O'Hara this afternoon.

Ray Leach rushed for 179 yards on 21 carries and scored a TD.

Chandler Baker gained 91 yards on the ground, scoring once, on nine carries. He was 7-10 passing for 33 yards.

On defense, John Kindig had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Josh Barber had seven tackles and two interceptions, including one on Cardinal-O'Hara's two-yard line that he returned for a touchdown to close out the game.

Anthony Ray had six tackles.

A complaint came in a few minutes ago of two dogs locked inside a red Volvo in the Walmart parking lot. An officer was called to respond; and susbsequently it was reported that a verbal argument was underway between shoppers and the dog's owner, who returned to the Volvo.

(The National Weather Service in Buffalo says it's 83 degrees outside, with 48-percent humidity.)

After replacing the injured starter at QB, Le Roy's Cole Biggins helped his offense put together two scoring drives in the 4th quarter Friday night to lift the Oatkan Knights from 18-7 down to a 19-18 victory over archrival Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen.

Biggins capped the second drive with a nine-yard TD pass to Reece Tresco with 10 seconds on the clock.  

After coming in during the 2nd quarter, Biggins was 9-14 passing for 73 yards and gained 65 yards on the ground in eight carries.

Kyler LaCarte gained 48 yards on 13 carries and scored on a 14-yard run for Le Roy's first 4th quarter TD.

Reece Tresco caught four passes for 33 yards and a TD. Gavin Luckey gained 25 yards on two receptions.

Bryce Bordonaro had eight tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Senior Luke Stella and Coach Brian Herdlein celebrate the Knights’ victory.

Reece Tresco hauls in the game-winning TD 

Reece Tresco (16) and Cole Biggins (22)

Kyler LaCarte

Gavin Luckey with a tackle.

Bryce Bordonaro with a tackle.

Cole Biggins races 31 yards through the Raiders’ defense for a TD.

Craig Gillard sent in this picture of a couple of men fishing the Tonawanda Creek in Batavia this morning.

Zach von Kramer rushed for 250 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns to lead the Pembroke Dragons to a 48-6 win over Notre Dame.

Von Kramer also had nine tackles on defense.

For the Irish, Timothy Klotzbach was 6-11 passing for 122 yards and one touchdown.

In other games:

• Attica 53, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 7: Mason Compton had 148 yards, three touchdowns on five carries. 
• Alexander 44, Holley 6: The Trojans are now 3-0. For Alexander, Chris McClinic carried the ball 12 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Terrez Smith rushed seven times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.Erik Scharlau, four catches, 70 yards, one TD.

We'll have more on the Le Roy vs. Cal-Mum game later in a separate post.

Top and bottom photo by Thomas Ognibene. The rest of the photos by Jim Burns.

(Photo credit Nicole Boyce)

With photography being more popular than ever, the Batavia Photography Club is about to start its 31st year. 

In those 31 years, the club has seen the change from film to digital and the definition of what a photographer is change dramatically. Today anyone with a cell phone can be considered a photographer. Cell phone photo art (picture below).

If you have a desire to create images, learn how to make better images, or just want to meet with others who like to do the same. You should make a point of getting to a Batavia Photo Club meeting. Anyone can attend up to two meetings a year, to attend more or enter the contests you need to be a member.

(Photo credit Sue Meier)

Our first meeting is a walking tour through DeWitt Recreation Area at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18. We are going to take a walking tour around the grounds. Please come on out and join us. Bring a smartphone or a camera or just come for the walk. We are meeting at the playground. Our walk guide Scott Neumann took the photo below at the park.

Most meetings are held at the Richmond Memorial Library.

For more information please join us on Facebook or on our website:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/312745832128502/

https://batavia.visualpursuits.com

2017 - 2018 Batavia Photography Calendar

• Sept. 18th -- Walk DeWitt Park and cell phone photography
• Oct. 2 -- Table Top Photography
• 16 -- Member critique -- Each member submits three or four images.(Digital OR/& prints)
• 30 -- Extra Monday — Star Shoot
• Nov. 6 -- Race car speaker
• 20 -- Shoot & talk about exposure compensation, HDR exposure &  Photo
• Presentation
• Dec. 4 -- Member photo retouch show and tell (with image limit and time limit)
• 18 -- Christmas dinner somewhere & walk around shoot
• Jan. 15 -- Focus stacking (hands on?) & Develop Black and White
• 29 -- Extra Monday — Possible fun day/field trip or studio day
• Feb. 5 - Member critique - Each member submits three or four images (Digital OR/& prints)
• 19 - Studio night at Sue’s
• Mar. 5 - Hands on different Lenses uses and examples
• 19 -- End of Year Competition
• 31 -- Saturday Morning -- set up Richmond Library Exhibit
• April 2 -- Gallary Show Reception Open House at Richmond Library
• 16 -- Scavenger Hunt
• May 7 -- End of Year Dinner -- Robert Williams Banquet Dinner

(Photo credit above Marcy Morgan)

(Photo creedit above Barbara Paserk)

(Photo credit above Christy Hibsch)

(Photo credit Jim Burns)