Time Magazine: On the release of the Sandy Hook 911 tapes

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 5647 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Bethany and Stafford fire departments are both dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

There was initially a report of a vehicle fire, but the first responder says there is no fire and possibly only minor injuries.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Pavilion Fire Police requested to Texaco Town to shut down traffic on Route 63.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Route 63 was reopened about 20 minutes ago.

The Meads, Donald and Elaina, will each serve six months in jail for their part in a confrontation with police June 17, 2012 at 21 Maple Ave., Le Roy.

Judge Robert C. Noonan said because of the dangers stemming from their actions he would have been inclined to send them both to prison save the outpouring of support from friends and family.

"The letters I've received (about three dozen), it's obvious to me you were not the person that day that you have been for the other 51 years of your life," Noonan told Donald. "You are the patriarch of a very tight-knit family. You've done a very good job of raising seven children, of whom five have challenges in life that many people do not have.

"Two of the hardest jobs in America," Noonan added, "are being a parent and being a police officer and those two things came squarely face to face at your house that day."

For all of their family values, Noonan told Elaina, there is another value the Meads should teach their children and 11 grandchildren: let police officers do their jobs.

"Teach them the value that if a police officer shows up and advises somebody he is under arrest, stay out of it," Noonan said. "Let the police officers do their job.

"I'm not naive enough to believe police officers are always right," Noonan added. "I know sometimes they are wrong, but those are issues that can be rectified at another time and not by disobeying orders and bring out knives and interfering with them while they're conducting their jobs."

After six months in jail, the spouses will spend five years on probation.

Donald and Elaina Mead were arrested on Father's Day after Deputy Matthew Butler went to their residence to talk to their son Micheal.

According to statements in court today by Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell, Butler had been trying to work with Michael to resolve a Family Court matter, giving, Finnell said, Michael every chance to clear up the matter. But after Butler spoke with Michael that day and found that Michael couldn't produce the paperwork necessary to prove he hadn't violated a court order, Butler told Michael he was under arrest.

At that point, according to Finnell, Donald Mead slammed the door against Butler and slammed it against him several times, causing Butler to suffer minor injuries.

The confrontation then spilled out of the house and, according to Finnell, Elaina emerged from the house with a kitchen knife and held it to the chest of Butler.

Officer Emily Clark knocked the knife from Elaina's hand, sustaining a minor cut, according to official accounts.

Elaina Mead has maintained that she dropped the knife when she came out of the house.

Both Elaina and Donald entered their guilty pleas -- Elaina to menacing a police officer and Donald to attempted assault -- on an Alford basis, meaning they have not admitted to the factual allegations just that a jury would likely find them guilty if their cases went to trial.

To Noonan, he said, Elaina has shown a lack of remorse for her actions. In September, Elaina entered a guilty plea but after reviewing the pre-sentencing report, Noonan said he couldn't go along with the plea arrangement that would have allowed for a six-month jail term and probation. He said at the time, he didn't think the sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of the allegations and Elaina's unwillingness, he said, to accept responsibility for her actions.

"When I read the pre-sentence report (in September), it's clear that you showed absolutely no remorse," Noonan told Elaina. "You were not at all apologetic for the very dangerous situation you created. Now I've read a whole lot more about you and I'm glad I have a better picture of who you are. You obviously have strong family values and strong family support. You have done an extraordinary job of keeping a family together in difficult circumstances."

The fact, however, that by interfering with police officers trying to make an arrest, the Meads created a situation, Noonan said, that could have led to serious, if not fatal, injuries either for the officers or the Meads themselves. For that reason, Noonan said, some jail time was appropriate for both defendants.

Finnell said both Butler and Clark, as victims in the case, asked that the Meads be given some jail time.

Elaina declined to speak in court, but her attorney, Thomas Burns, said she has expressed regret for the events of June 17.

"There's no doubt in my mind, at least, that she wishes if she could have one day for a do over, that would be the day," Burns said. "She did not intend to cause injury. I do believe she acted irrationally and she should not have endangered anybody or had any contact with police when they attempted to subdue her son and attempted to take him away under arrest."

Donald said he regretted what happened June 17.

"If I could go back to that day and live it all over again, I would do things differently," Donald said. "I didn't intend for anybody to get hurt, especially an officer. I wish I could live that day over again. I keep going over and over it in my head. If I could, I wouldn't have to come here and waste anybody's time. I keep thinking what I could have done differently."

Previously:

• Three members of Le Roy family jailed after scuffle with police
• Former Le Roy resident pleads guilty, but doesn't admit threatening deputy with knife
• Woman accused of threatening deputy with knife plans to proceed in case with new attorney
• Husband and wife involved in scuffle with police in Le Roy enter guilty pleas

All of  the victims of two-car accident Friday at Richmond Avenue and Oak Street are out of the hospital, according to Batavia PD.

The two pedestrians struck either by a vehicle or debris were treated and released at UMMC for cuts and contusions. One victim was 22 years old, the other 29.

Of the four occupants of the red GMC Jimmy, one patient spent about a day at Strong Memorial Hospital. The 14-year-old suffered a broken orbital bone in his or her left eye. 

The driver, 40, was treated and released for a back injury. The front passenger, 45, was treated and released for a wrist fracture. The other rear seat passenger, 20, had no injuries.

The driver of the black Acura, age 45, suffered a back injury and was treated at UMMC and then transferred to Strong and has since been released from the hospital.

Chief Shawn Heubusch has declined to release the names of the victims citing an ongoing criminal investigation.

Previously, the driver of the Acura was reported to be Michael I. Sanders of 22 Columbia Ave., Apt. #1, Batavia. He was cited alleged failure to yield right of way.

Huffington Post: Is Pope Francis a Liberation Theologian?

A pair of 23-point performances by Jesse Pflaumer and Brandon Naylor wasn't enough to secure victory Tuesday night for the Elba Lancers in the team's season opener against Albion.

After Elba jumped to an early double-digit lead by pulling down defensive rebounds and getting easy baskets in transition, foul trouble in the first quarter and a rash of turnovers let the Purple Eagles grab a lead it never relinquished the rest of the night.

"When switched to zone, we gave up some defensive rebounds and they (Albion) ended up cashing in on them," said Head Coach Mark Beeler.

The Lancers battled back, erasing a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter and when Pflaumer hit all net on a three-point jumper from the top of the key with just 26 seconds left in the game, Elba trailed by only two points, 71-69.

"That's when I really had a feeling it was going to go our way, but give Albion credit, they executed down the stretch to close it out," Beeler said.

On the in-bound pass, the Lancers fouled Albion to kill the clock and then grabbed the rebound on the missed free throw. Chad Kowalik got behind the defense and had an open path to the basket, but the pass was just a little beyond his reach and traveled out of bounds.

Albion would inbound two more times in the game, drawing fouls each time, leading to more free throws, which lead to two more points and seal the victory for the Eagles.

"I was just really happy to be in it at the end after being down 10 in the fourth," Beeler said. "The guys showed a lot of character tonight, sticking with it."

As exciting as the game was, it was also sloppy. Both teams got into foul trouble early and Albion rang up a number of fouls early in the second half (Elba slowed the pace a bit for their fouls in the third period).

The Lancers had 30 turnovers, with more than a dozen of them coming on in-bound passes, while the Eagles coughed the ball up 27 times.

"I'd like to blame it on first game jitters, but we had four scrimages so we shouldn't be that nervous," Beeler said. "Thirty is a lot. They had 27, so I'm sure (Albion's head coach) is not happy either. The third and fourth quarters were helter skelter and the intensity was amped up, and when it gets to that pace and the kids aren't used to it, turnovers are going to happen. But, yeah, you're not going to win many games with 30 turnovers."

Despite the loss, Beeler likes what he sees of his team so far and thinks with five seniors in the starting line up, a run at a sectional title is not out of the question.

"I think as these guys play and the season goes on and we eliminate some of the errors, I think we'll be right there," Beeler said "We've got good size. We've got a lot of seniors. That's going to help us down the stretch."

Beeler also has a secret weapon on the bench -- Tom Nowak, the recently retired former coach of the girls team, the coach with eight sectional titles and a state championship to his credit.

Nowak has been filling in as a part-time assistant for Beeler, whose first coaching job was working for Nowak as a girls JV coach.

"He taught me lot and continues to teach me a lot," Beeler said. "It's been great to have him in practices and definately on the bench. It's like hitting the coaching jackpot as far as getting an assistant on the bench with you."

The team responds well to Nowak's presence, Beeler said.

"When I tell the kids he's coming to practice ahead of time and as soon as I tell them he's coming in, they get excited because they know they're going to get better that day," Beeler said.

Besides the 23 points apiece for Pflaumer and Naylor, Dan Scott had 14 points. For Albion, Dez Blackmon had 20 points and Manny Thompson had 15.

Top photo: Jesse Pflaumer driving for the basket.

Albion's Alex Bison.

Brandon Naylor at the free throw line.

Head Coach Mark Beeler

Naylor

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

The National Weather Service is warning of a freezing drizzle tonight leading to hazardous driving conditions.

Caution is recommended on elevated roadways and bridges where colder air may result in slick spots.

Press release:

Dr. Cornelius V. Robbins, the second president of Genesee Community College, died over the weekend, in Delmar, New York, where he lived with his wife, Janet. He was 82 years old.

Dr. Robbins served as president from 1970 to 1975, succeeding Dr. Alfred C. O'Connell, the College's founding president. Dr. O'Connell died in 2011. Under Dr. Robbins' leadership, the current Batavia Campus opened, replacing the temporary storefront campus on West Main Street Road.

Prior to his arrival at Genesee, Dr. Robbins served as dean of the Community College of Delaware County (Pennsylvania), dean of instruction at Ocean County College (New Jersey), member of the consulting staff of the Washington, D.C.-based McManis Associates, an educational consulting organization, and associate director of the School Study Councils at the University of Pennsylvania. He also served as a secondary school teacher early in his career. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware and his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania in 1964.

While serving at Genesee Community College, Dr. Robbins became actively involved in community life, serving as an office of the Chamber of Commerce, board member of the United Fund (currently Genesee Country United Way), United Fund campaign chair and as a volunteer and member of many other charitable and civic organizations.

Dr. Robbins left Genesee Community College in 1975 to serve as associate chancellor for Community Colleges in the SUNY Central Administration. He later served as president of SUNY Cobleskill and following that, served as a professor of Educational Administration and Policy Studies at the University at Albany.

Genesee's current president, Dr. James M. Sunser, called Dr. Robbins one of the College's pioneers: "Neal Robbins was another of the early pioneers who left an important mark on the history of Genesee Community College. It was under his leadership that the faculty, staff and student body moved from temporary quarters on the west side of Batavia to our beautiful Batavia Campus. He was known for his commitment to academic excellence, and those who knew Neal remember him as an engaging leader. Genesee Community College is a wonderful part of his legacy."

These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Patrick E. Sewar is indicted for first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D felony, for allegedly subjecting another person under the age of 11 to sexual contact on June 24 in the Town of Darien.

Saul D. Standsblack is indicted for second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling on Bloomingdale Road in the Town of Alabama on Oct. 13 with the intent to commit a crime.

Michael B. Kropp is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, for allegedly operating a 1995 Ford on June 17 on Freeman Road and Ivison Road, Town of Byron, while intoxicated. In count two, he is further accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class D felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In count three, he is indicted for aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for operating a motor vehicle at the time of the incident while knowing or having reason to know that his driving license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn, and the defendant was driving while allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Batavia resident and avid chess player Kevin Larsen has had some free time on his hands lately, so he decided to start a chess club in Batavia.

This comes just as the game of chess seems to be making a comeback. According to a recent article in The New York Times, the game lags in popularity in spite of a record number of players worldwide -- possibly due to the absence of an appealing personality to represent it.

A promising candidate is 22-year-old Norwegian player Magnus Carlsen, who is the top-ranked chess player worldwide. Larsen has not followed Carlsen too closely, but he agrees that an appealing personality as the "face of chess" might, in part, be what the game needs.

"If people see someone young and cool playing chess," he said, "they might be more interested."

Furnished with United States Chess Federation regulation boards, clocks, and scorebooks, the "Batavia Community Chess Club" is for novices and chess buffs alike. 

"As long as people have fun with it, it's fine with me," Larsen said. "But I do hope to get people who are interested in coming every week and want to get better at chess by studying and competing."

He would like people to use clocks so that competitors have equal playing time, as well as scorebooks so they can keep track of their progress in the game and discover what they need to work on.

So far, 13 people have said they will come to the first meeting this Thursday from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.

Club meetings will take place every Thursday during that time frame. All ages are welcome, but young children should be accompanied by their parents.

Larsen said it will be easier if everyone who is interested comes at the same time, since otherwise people might have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for someone to play against. But people are welcome to walk in at any time between 6 and 8:30.

Because "Batavia Community Chess Club" is being run with the support of the library, it is open to the public at no cost. However, Larsen said he will accept any donations to pay for equipment upgrades, clocks, and funding for the NIOGA Library System so they can purchase more chess-related books.

Chess has been touted as a tool for helping people to sharpen their concentration, build patience and perseverance, develop critical and analytical thinking, and improve planning and management skills.

Larsen rejects the stereotype that you have to have a high IQ in order to do well at chess.

"It helps," he said, "but if you have a good teacher and are willing to study, you'll do fine. I've read scientific literature about people who had below-average IQs but were high-ranking chess players."

Right now, Larsen has only a couple of volunteers helping with the club. When he gets more, he would like to have people available to teach the game.

For more information and to contact Larsen, visit www.bataviachess.org.

Police have yet to identify the driver involved in a hit-and-run accident around 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 22 on Liberty Street near Ellicott Street.

A black Chevy Silverado struck two vehicles and fled the scene. Both struck vehicles sustained significant damage. No serious injuries were reported.

A witness described the suspect vehicle as an extended cab, possibly late 1990s or early 2000 with 4x4 written on the side. The truck would have sustained damage to its front and back. A partial plate of 14196 or 14197 with a letter A in it. The driver is described as a white male with dark blond hair and facial hair, approximately in his 30s. He is possibly 5'8" to 6' tall and about 200 pounds.

Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation can contact Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

Le Roy PD is trying to determine who stole a two-seat go-cart from inside the old Jell-O factory on North Street.

The go-cart was stolen some time during the last week of October, probably during nighttime hours.

Anybody with information to assist with the investigation are asked to contact Le Roy PD at (585) 345-6350.

The photo is a stock photo of a go-cart that is a similar make, model and color.

UPDATE. Press release from Le Roy PD:

The missing go-cart stolen from North Street in LeRoy has been identified as the go-cart found on October 10, 2013 by a golfer behind the LeRoy Country Club Golf Course. The go-cart is currently in the possession of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and arrangements are being made to return the go-cart to the owner.

The perpetrators of this crime are still outstanding.

Washington Post: Supreme Court declines case on making online retailers collect sales taxes

Since 1971, the Genesee Chorale has been making beautiful music for the people of WNY. That tradition continues this month with two holiday concerts.

First, the Chorale performs a show entitled "Hail the Star" starting at 7 p.m., Friday, at Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School, 9300 South St.

Two days later, on Sunday at 3 p.m., the group performs in Albion at the First Presbyterian Church.

The 70 or so people who comprise the chorale have been traveling weekly to Batavia from the seven area counties of WNY to prepare for these concerts.

"We come from a lot of rural communities," said chorale president Maureen Degolyer. "Coming from a rural community, like I am from Castile, you have to be willing to travel a distance to do any quality music, and that's what we do here."

The Chorale is dedicated, she said, to providing audiences with the highest quality performance they could possibly hear.

"Our expectations are high and we don't do anything that isn't quality because nobody could stand it," Degolyer said. "We aim for quality and it is wonderful stuff."

The concert is a blend of traditional and contemporary songs.

A few of the selections are: “Jesus Loves Me,” which has a jazz influence and will be feature Dan Jones on the alto saxophone; “What Strangers Are These,” featuring Fran Woodworth on flute and Mike Teeling on acoustic guitar; and, a unique arrangement of “Jingle Bells” as made popular by Barbra Streisand.

For more information and tickets, visit www.GeneseeChorale.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Top photo, conductor Ric Jones.

Fran Woodworth

Maureen Degolyer

Mike Teeling

Bob Holley

Jones conducting, Woodworth on flute.

The chorale's rehearsal at St. James Episcopal Church in the community room.

Volunteer fire departments do so much for our community. Thomas Dix and his mother, Mary, owners of Jay E. Potter Lumber Co. in Corfu and Le Roy, thought it was time the family business gave back.

Last week, they announced a program that provides discounts to volunteer firefighters and rebates for designated purchases to local fire departments.

"We're looking to help the local fire departments with funding and give people incentive to join and move up the ranks," Thomas Dix said. "The volunteers have a lot of time invested. These guys are required to go through hours and hours of training and they've got to devote a lot time to it and there's no pay for it."

Here's how the program works:

• Basic firefighter, 7-percent discount on all purchases and 2 percent of the purchase price goes back to your fire department (checks get cut quarterly)
• Firefighters who have completed interior training or EMS training get a 10-percent discount and 2 percent goes back to the fire department.
• Line officers (chiefs, captains, lieutenants) get free delivery on supplies for projects, 10-percent off and 2 percent goes back to the fire department.
• Non-volunteers don't get a discount, but they can join the program and designate a fire department to receive 2 percent of their purchase.

Dix said he isn't aware of any other locally owned business offering a similar program, but he's hoping others will pick up the idea and implement it themselves.

Potter Lumber Co. is located on Maple Avenue in Corfu and on Mill Street in Le Roy.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer with your local department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Dustin Michael Locicero, 29, of Gibson Street, Bergen, is charged with forgery 2nd. Locicero was arrested following an investigation into a complaint of a stolen check and its forged use at a location in the City of Batavia. Locicero was jailed without bail.

Thomas E. Newcomb, 42, of 27 E. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Newcomb is accused of striking a woman in the face with his hand during an argument.

Brandon David Gendron, 25, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to keep right. Gendron was stopped at 11:25 p.m. Fridayon Fotch Road, Stafford, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Stephen Joseph Peters, 18, of Wyoming Road, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Peters accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

David William Buchholtz, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Buchholtz is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Harry Lee Flatt, 68, of Fruit Avenue, Medina, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely.

Donald Anthony Irwin, 43, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Irwin was allegedly found in possession of a metal knuckle knife following a property damage accident at 9:12 p.m. Thursday in the Walmart parking lot.

Michael J. Wall, 39, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Wall was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident reported at 6:40 a.m., Nov. 23.

Christopher Brian King, 22, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of ordering food at the Denny's in Pembroke and leaving without paying for the food.

Dana Robert Devin Cipra, 21, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cipra was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:47 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Corfu, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Danielle M. Stevens, 37, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Stevens was arrested after a check of video surveillance footage indicated she allegedly stole two vacuums from Walmart.

Robert Allen Norway, 40, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with violation of a Family Court order. Norway was arrested on a warrant out of Family Court.

A private contractor is working on a water line on Center Street today. The line broke Saturday afternoon. The line runs into Center Street Smoke House and for most of the day, the city has been able to provide water to the restaurant. The restaurant is expected to be open for business this evening.

UPDATE: Water service was fully restored at 5:30 p.m.

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Need a gift for Grandma? How about a framed Custom Wall Canvas? This is the same high quality product you would receive from a professional photography studio; only ours is made in-house, right here in Batavia and it won’t leave your pockets empty. This holiday season, give a gift that your loved ones can cherish for years to come!

Call Adam or Joe at Vinyl Sticks today at 585-300-4307 and they will gladly provide you with an estimate and answer any questions you may have.

Please take a moment to check out the gallery at www.VinylSticks.com.

Since opening nearly a year ago, Vinyl Sticks has quickly become Batavia’s premier Sign and Decal Company. Vinyl Sticks uses a state-of-the-art wide-format printer and software to create stunning graphics, banners, vehicle graphics and much more. They have graphics that allow you to advertise on glass, while still being able to see out of the glass. These one-way window graphics make great gift ideas for business advertising and custom designs for the rear window of vehicles. 

Vinyl Sticks offers free estimates, free consultation, and of course design, production and installation services. Feel free to visit Vinyl Sticks, located at 23 Ganson Avenue in Batavia, NY. Off of Route 63, turn onto Evans Street; go past the Falleti Ice Arena, and at the stop sign go straight onto Ganson Avenue. Vinyl Sticks will be on your right.

Gift Certificates are available in any amount!

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and car is reported in front of the Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street. It is blocking traffic. Batavia fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.

An accident with minor injuries is reported at 352 Main Road in Pembroke. A tractor-trailer that was "bobtailing" allegedly sideswiped a car and the driver has facial lacerations from broken glass. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Also, Akron is called to provide a pumper, mutual aid.