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Law and Order: Le Roy native arrested on warrant for first-degree burglary, weapons charge

By Billie Owens

Sara E. Schimley, 24, a Le Roy native now living in Buffalo without a permanent address, was arrested July 28 by Le Roy police on a bench warrant out of Le Roy Town Court for failure to appear on two charges: first-degree felony burglary; and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. In addition, Le Roy police charged her with bail jumping, 2nd, a Class E felony, for allegedly failing to appear in court within 30 days of her last scheduled appearance on the original burglary and weapons charges. Buffalo PD located her and turned her over to Le Roy PD. She was jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail. Le Roy PD officer John Condidorio handled the case.

Nicole Lyn Kulzer, 33, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. On July, 30, Kulzer was arrested following an investigation into an incident wherein she allegedly disciplined a child by striking the child with a plastic golf club, causing swelling and redness in the area where hit. The case was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Joseph Graff.

Jennifer Ann Stiles, 31, of Sheppard Road, Pavilion, is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, menacing, 2nd, and conspiracy, 5th, following an incident July 25 in Byron. It is alleged that she was involved in a dispute and discharged a firearm during the conflict. The case was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Joseph Corona.

Brandon Marshall Weig, 26, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt, with a prior conviction within the previous five years. He allegedly violated a court order barring him from having any contact whatsoever with the protected party. Weig is currently in county jail on a similar offense and was issued an appearance ticket on the new charge. He is scheduled to appear in City Court on Aug. 5. The case was investigated by officer Chad Richards.

Nicholas Alexander Verhoef, 18, of Spencer Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. Sheriff's deputies made the arrest after he was stopped for alleged violations of vehicle and traffic law. Verhauf was also alleged to have been drinking alcohol inside his vehicle when he was stopped. The case was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Joseph Corona.

Joseph William McNamara, 19, of Sand Pebble Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. It is alleged that on Aug. 2 in Pavilion he used the NY ID of another person to unlawfully buy alcohol and to possess it while being under age. Also, McNamara was cited for no front license place and open alcoholic beverage inside a motor vehicle. The case was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Joseph Corona.

Amanda Marie Webb, 25, of Colby Road, Darien, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and failure to stop at stop sign. It is alleged that on July 29 she failed to stop at a stop sign and a traffic stop was made, whereupon a Sheriff's deputy allegedly found her in possession of marijuana and a suspended driver's license. The case was investigated by deputy Joseph Corona.

Thomas J. Mitchell, 25, of West Center Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. He was arrested in Erie County by Batavia PD on warrants issued by City Court. He was jailed in lieu of $250 bail. He is set to appear back in court Aug. 7. The case was investigated by officer Jason Davis.

Scott Alexander Lawrence, 23, of Griswold Road, Darien, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Lawrence was a passenger in a vehicle on July 29 when the vehicle was stopped by Sheriff's deputies for vehicle and traffic violations and at that time he allegedly possessed marijuana. The case was investigated by Joseph Corona.

Attorney for DaShawn Butler moves to have felony charges dismissed

By Howard B. Owens
Dashawn Butler

The attorney for DaShawn Butler -- the Batavia resident accused of firing gunshots at a person on State Street last September -- has filed a motion to have the charges against Butler dismissed because, he said, his client's rights have been violated.

Attorney Thomas Burns argued in court this morning that information about two witnesses wasn't available to him before a grand jury hearing on the case, and that the lack of information under those circumstances is so egregious that the case should be dimissed "in the interest of justice."

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman countered that the information was available in the City Court case file and that even if the witness had been made available to testify, their testimony would not have helped Butler's defense.

Burns also requested a hearing on the timeliness of Butler's arrest in December. Burns contends that the police had ample opportunity to locate and arrest Butler after he was named as a suspect in the shooting because Butler never left town.

The lack of due diligence, Burns told Judge Robert C. Noonan, means there was a violation of his client's right to a speedy trial.

Noonan scheduled the hearing for 3 p.m., Aug. 27. He is reserving his decision on dismissal motions by Burns.

According to Burns, there are three witnesses he didn't know about before the grand jury presentation. Two, he said, initially said the shooter the night of Sept. 27 was white and a third said the alleged victim was the shooter.

Burns said there was only an incomplete report in the City Court file prior to the hearing, which is why didn't know about these witnesses.

He questioned why the police waited weeks to interview the witnesses.

Friedman called the initial statements attributed to the witnesses "double hearsay." He said the investigators were simply doing what good cops do, an investigation when they went out to find the witnesses and try to find out what they actually saw.

Once they were actually interviewed -- rather than the police just getting information from intermediaries -- they described the shooter as black and the other did not name the victim as the shooter.

He said the information was in the City Court file prior to the grand jury hearing.

In June, Butler entered a not guilty plea to counts of criminal use of a firearm, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, and attempted assault, 1st, also a Class C violent felony.

He is out of jail on $25,000 bail.

Little girls plead for return of their cat, who had just given birth to three kittens

By Billie Owens

Please! Please! Please! Ella Grace and her two sisters are very sad. Their new cat Syler is missing and was picked up near their home on Raymond Road, across from the Genesee County Park in mid to late July.

Syler just had three kittens, who now have no mother. Syler wants to come home.

Please find it in your heart to return her, no questions asked. You stopped at our neighbor's home but he did not realize that she was ours. Our whole family misses her dearly.

UPDATE 11:20 a.m., Tuesday: Syler has just arrived home. Syler was found July 27 on Lovers Lane by Jack Mirrione. Mirrione, a Byron resident, said the cat was in "pretty bad shape" he found her. Somebody had taped all four of her legs together and two of her legs were still taped when he found her. A skunk had sprayed her. He took the cat home and cleaned her up and fed her and was taking care of her when he saw this post and called Syler's family.

Injury accident, blocking traffic at Route 20 and Transit Road

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at Route 20 and Transit Road, Bethany. It is blocking traffic. There are injuries. Bethany Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Mercy medics are en route from Byron.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Doug Yeomans.

Photos: Fire hydrant painting downtown

By Howard B. Owens

Local artist Brandi Bruggman has been comissioned by Vibrant Batavia to paint two of the fire hydrants downtown. Here she paints the one at Main and Bank, in front of Seymour Place (GO ART!). She said this hydrant will have a colorful paisley design on it. Her other hydrant will be painted like a lighthouse.  

Below, a hydrant on Center Street completed by another artist.

UPDATE: Amanda Earl submitted these photos of Brandi's hydrants from later in the day.

Photos: Summer program students visit firehouse

By Howard B. Owens

Children participating in the summer program at John Kennedy School were at the City of Batavia Fire Hall this morning to learn about fire safety. Among the activities, putting on a firefighter's jacket and spraying water from a fire hose.

 

Two boards signs, perhaps mistaken for trash, missing from YWCA on North Street

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This summer has meant ups and downs for YWCA of Genesee County, and the latest is a downer.

Two valuable signs were apparently mistaken as trash Monday morning and have disappeared from the YW's North Street property.

If you have seen or taken an A-board sign with information about a kickball tournament and/or a sign for My Sister's Closet, please call YWCA at (585) 343-5808.

These materials were an investment that cannot quickly be replaced by the nonprofit agency.
 

Four injured in car wreck at Warboys and Byron Holley roads

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with four people injured is reported at Warboys and Byron Holley roads. Two ambulances are responding along with Byron Fire Department.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: Another ambulance is called to the scene.

UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: At least one person has been transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Lost dog found on Alibon Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

Jeff Allen's daughter found this dog wandering on Albion Road, Oakfield, last night. Jeff said he checked with neighbors and nobody had seen the dog before. It appears to have been at large for some time. The dog has a collar but no tags. If it's your dog, contact Jeff at (585) 356-9705. The owner should be able to describe the collar or present proof of ownership.

UPDATE: All spiffed up:

Car vs. tree accident reported on Valley Drive, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Town of Batavia fire is on scene at 9 Valley Drive, Batavia, for a car that has reportedly hit a tree.

Possible injuries and the car is said to be smoking.

The driver apparently called in the accident and said he hit a water slick and went off the road and hit the tree.

Memorial to Derek Sheldon erected in Trestle Park in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

Friends and family of Derek Sheldon gathered this afternoon in Trestle Park in Byron to remember the young man who died a year ago tomorrow in an accident at West Bergen Road and Selden Road, Le Roy.

Friends created a memorial to Sheldon near the pond in the park. It consists of the memorial post that was originally erected at the accident site, a tree and a log bench inscribed with Sheldon's name, birthdate and date of his death, and a quote from Derek, "People come and go I guess that's life no matter how hard times get put your head up and take the punches because someone's always looking down on you."

The bench was designed and built by Jake Maurer and Josh Lathan. Devon Jessop, JBR Grafx, sandblasted the words onto the back of the bench. Dan Sheldon provided the marker on the original tribute pole.

After people visited for about an hour at the site, Derek's mother, Karen Lashbrook, said a word about how it's hard to believe Derek's already been gone a year.

Ashley M. Stillwell, who was riding on the back of Derek's motorcycle and was seriously injured in the crash a year ago, was at the gathering today and is in much better health.

Previously:

Police investigate a stabbing on Ellicott Street

By Alecia Kaus

Batavia Police were called to 610 Ellicott St. about 2 p.m. this afternoon for a male screaming for help covered in blood.

When emergency crews and police showed up on scene they found a male in his thirties down in the front lawn covered in blood.

Police say the victim was in the rear apartment when he was stabbed. He then ran outside looking for help.

The victim was not a resident of the apartment. He was visiting the female resident there.

The victim and the suspects are believed to be acquaintances.

The suspects fled the scene in a maroon minivan or SUV.  According to police, the vehicle was occupied by a male and a female.

The victim was transported to Strong Hospital by ground ambulance with a stab wound to the lower part of his body.

According to Sgt. Dan Coffey, the victim's wounds are not life-threatening.

City of Batavia Police continue to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information can call the tipline at 585-345-6370

Six arrests reported at Blake Shelton concert at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Blake Shelton concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday. 

Richard A. Laskowski, 47, of Claudette Court, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, after allegedly recklessly causing damage to a vehicle over $250.

Farron R. Rich, 23, of Slaterville Road, Brooktondale, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly biting a CSC Security Guard.

Kayla D. Michael-Lane, 18, of Gulf Road, Holley, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching another concert patron in the nose.

Matthew Lilly, 25, of Marsh Road, Lyndonville, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly being involved in a fight in the parking lot.

Anthony M. Conrad, 26, of East Center Street, Medina, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly being involved in a fight in the parking lot.

Holly M. Bernhardt, 52 of Sovocool Hill Road, Groton, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Tree with wires down on Main Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A tree is down with wires across the roadway on Main Road, Stafford, near Fargo Road.

Stafford fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: Traffic is being slowed, not stopped, on Route 5.

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