batavia

Cory Richenberg places a race car on the track of the annual Boy Scout Pinewood Derby at United Methodist Church in Batavia on Saturday.

About a dozen high school students from the region took part in the classroom lecture portion of a 14-week tractor safety course sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension at Java Farm Supply in Batavia on Saturday.

The classes are held at multiple farm equipment sales locations in the county with a safety-driving test this spring at Empire Tractor.

The instructor Saturday was Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Topics over the length of the course include tractor controls, preventative maintenance, operation, connecting equipment, driving practice, a written test, and a skills test. Students who pass the course will be licensed to operate farm equipment.

John Michael Taggert, 38, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Taggert was arrested on Lyon Street following a domestic incident at 9:58 p.m. Feb. 28 during which he allegedly threatened to kill a person and burn down a house. He was processed, transported to jail and arraigned at 10 a.m. the following morning in Batavia City Court. Taggert was released on his own recognizance and is due to return to city court this afternoon (March 4). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

John Charles Clark, 51, of Linden Road, Bethany, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 12:32 a.m. on March 3, Clark was arrested following an investigation. Clark is accused of shining a light in the victim's window on Linden Road in Bethany over a prolonged period of time and repeated period of time. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Bethany Town Court on March 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Sgt. John Baiocco.

Tammy L. Truax, 55, of Leicester, is charged with third-degree assault. The incident was reported at 10:02 p.m. on Dec. 10 on Woodrow Road in Batavia. Truax was arrested on a Batavia City Court warrant on Feb. 28 after being located  by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. She was arraigned in city court and released on her own recognizance. She is due to return to city court at a later date.

Kevin M. McCoy, 53, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested McCoy following a complaint at the Park Site Manor Apartments on East Main Street in Batavia at 10:53 a.m. on Feb. 28. McCoy was given an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 10. Officer Stephen Quider assisted in the case.

Jeanne M. Casper, 41, of Knowlesville Road, Oakfield, is charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to keep right. On March 4, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies Jonathan Dimmig and Ryan Young responding to a property damage accident at 12:11 a.m. on Knowlesville in Alabama. The deputies made contact with the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, who identified herself as Jeanne M. Casper, of Oakfield. She was arrested on the charges and is due in Alabama Town Court on March 11.

From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

Two men were arrested Feb. 28 by local law enforcement and the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force.

Justin T. Gladney Sr., 30, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, was arrested on a Probation warrant by the Local Drug Task Force and members of the Batavia Police Department. Upon his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana. Gladney was issued appearance tickets for criminal possession of controlled substance in the seventh degree and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. He is due in Batavia City Court March 10.

Jerome (aka "Rome") Edmonds, 27, of Turner Street, Rochester, was arrested on a Genesee County Court Indictment warrant by the Local Drug Task Force and members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. His arrest concluded an investigation into the transportation, sale and possession of "crack" cocaine in and around the City of Batavia. Edmonds was charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree -- with intent to sell, a Class B felony; and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. He was arraigned in county court and released on his own recognizance. The county District Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation.

Daniel Jon Lewis, already a suspect in several crimes in January -- a period he was out of jail while awaiting sentencing on a prior conviction -- has been charged in a Jan. 25 incident involving a police chase of a Spectrum work truck.

Lewis is charged with: six counts of criminal mischief, 2nd; one count of criminal mischief, 4th; unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; reckless driving; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; driving on a sidewalk; three counts of insufficient turn signal; and two counts of failure to stop for a stop sign.

Police say the Spectrum truck was stolen, perhaps by Lewis, from a residence outside the City of Batavia. After the truck was reported missing, a Batavia police officer spotted it on Washington Avenue. Lewis is accused of fleeing when the officer attempted a traffic stop.

Lewis allegedly drove to the end of Charles Street and then took the vehicle through multiple backyards of residences on Oak Street in an attempt to evade police. Lewis is accused of knocking down several fences, striking three parked cars, and a house. The incident reportedly caused more than $25,000 in damage.

Lewis then is alleged to have abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

There were no injuries reported in the incident.

Lewis was arrested Jan. 25 and charged with a Jan. 1 robbery on Bank Street and is currently being held without bail on that charge.

On Dec. 6, he entered a guilty plea on a possession of stolen property charge stemming from an incident in May where he was found sleeping in a vehicle in Pavilion that contained stolen property along with another person.

There was a misunderstanding of the new bail reform rules that were about to take effect in New York during that hearing.

It's unclear if Lewis might have won release from custody while awaiting sentencing without that misunderstanding. But the assumption that Lewis would be eligible for release on Jan. 1 under terms of bail reform did factor into Judge Charles Zambito's decision to release Lewis under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Previously:

• Two people charged with possession of lots of stolen items in Memorial Day bust in Pavilion
• Man found with stolen property pleads guilty, released from jail pending sentencing
• Police looking for white male with long hair involved in stolen truck incident and chase
• Law and Order: Lima man accused of stealing vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Batavia
• Since being released from jail due to bail reform, man charged with two more crimes, person of interest in Spectrum truck theft
• New charges for man who allegedly went on crime spree after release from jail because of bail reform
• Criminal released because of bail reform faces another set of stolen property charges
• New charge filed against man released from jail after admitting to prior crime

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Salon Miaou, a salon on East Main Street, Batavia, hosted a meet-and-greet Monday evening for Joan Seamans, center, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 61st State Senate seat.

Photo and info submitted by Nicole Ilasi.

A 17-year-old female who lives on Jerome Place in Batavia is charged with second-degree harassment. She is accused of striking a Batavia Police officer during an incident at 12:27 p.m. Jan. 24 on Central Avenue in Batavia. At 1:56 p.m. on Feb. 27, she was arrested, processed and released with an appearance ticket. She is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 for arraignment. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Austin Hedges.

Kyle Christopher Madden, 27, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with: grand larceny in the third degree; first-degree identity theft; and second-degree criminal impersonation. On Feb. 1, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of stolen credit card information from an apartment in the 8000 block of Lake Street Road in Le Roy, which was used to purchase merchandise online on Jan. 19. An investigation allegedly revealed the defendant stole property exceeding $3,000 and acted as the person who owned the credit card in an attempt to defraud the victim, and did this using internet websites. The defendant was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court Feb. 28 and released. He is due back in court at a later date. The case was handled by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Investigator Christopher Parker.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with robbery in the third degree and second-degree harassment. She was arrested Feb. 21 and arraigned in Batavia City Court following an investigation of an incident that occurred at 1 p.m. on Feb. 15 on Washington Avenue in Batavia. She was released on her own recognizance and is to return to city court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Austin Hedges.

William T. Hughes, 63, of South Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. On Feb. 25, Hughes was arrested after a domestic incident at 10:01 p.m. on South Spruce Street, wherein it is alleged Hughes violated an order of protection. He was arraigned on Feb. 26 an held without bail. He is due in Batavia City Court on March 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Michael Douglas Busch, 20, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Busch was arrested Feb. 27 after the investigation of an employee at Walmart in Batavia. Busch allegedly stole a total of $440 from Jan. 27 to Feb. 18 from Walmart cash registers while working there. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on March 12. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Press release:

February 29 only happens once every four years, and for proud parents Chelsie Pangrazio and Daniel Laudico, and siblings Ky’Reese and Karter, it was an extra special day. Meet Kerigan Mae Laudico, born Leap Day at 8:33 a.m. This adorable little leapling and her family are all doing well!

Commonly Asked Workers’ Compensation Questions:

A two-car accident with minor injuries that is blocking traffic is reported at Lewiston and Park roads in Batavia. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding, along with Mercy medics.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I), congressional candidate Chris Jacobs (NY-27), and State Senate candidate Ed Rath (61st SD) will join a host of local Republican candidates and members of the public on Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Dibble Center in Batavia from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to kick-off campaign season 2020 and continue petition drive efforts.

All are invited to attend.

Dibble Family Center is located at 4120 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski released a budget message video on social media today.

Deanna Lynn Yox, 34, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. At 9:27 p.m. on Feb. 25, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to a residence on Broadway Road in the Town of Alexander for a physical altercation between a male and female. Following an investigation, Yox was arrested. She allegedly became involved in an altercation with an adult male and struck him multiple times in the face while in front of two children. Yox was issued appearance tickets and is due in Alexander Town Court at 4 p.m. on March 10. The case was handled by deputies Erik Andre and Brock Cummins.

Michael R. Lanze, 30, of Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. Lanze was arrested at 10:29 p.m. on Feb. 10. It is alleged Lanze punched another person in the head during a domestic dispute, while in the presence of two children. Lanze was arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 11 and released. He is due back in court today (Feb. 27). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Shannon M. Armstead, 26, of Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with: second-degree criminal mischief; petit larceny, thrid-degree criminal tampering; and second-degree harassment. On Feb. 24, Armstead was arrested on a Batavia City Court warrant after being located by NYS Police. The warrant stems from an investigation into a disturbance at an address in the 4000 block of West Main Street Road in Batavia on Oct. 1. Armstead is accused of throwing paint on the victim's car. Following arraignment in city court, Armstead was released on recognizance and is due in city court on March 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Raymond C. Cook, 49, of Pleasant Street, Le Roy, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- with a prior conviction within the last 10 years; driving while intoxicated -- with a prior conviction with the last 10 years; failure to keep right on a two-lane road; failure to return license plates/registration after revocation; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor in the second degree -- with drugs/alcohol involved. Cook was arrested on Main Street in Batavia at 1:14 a.m. on Feb. 13. Batavia Police officers Austin Hedges and Nicole McGinnis conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Cook was driving and allegedly determined he was intoxicated. Cook was arrested, then released with an appearance ticket for March 4 in Batavia City Court.

Heather K. MacPherson, 30, of Gully Road, Le Roy, is charged with driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more, and DWI. MacPherson was arrested at 3:03 a.m. Feb. 23 on Jackson Street in Batavia after she was allegedly found sleeping behind the wheel of her vehicle in the parking lot of a local vehicle. She was issued tickets returnable to Batavia City Court on March 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Eric K. Ricks, 41, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident that occurred on Feb. 17 on Thomas Avenue in Batavia. Ricks was transported to Batavia Police headquarters and processed. He was then arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance He is due back in city court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Dan. M. Carter, 58, of Leopard Street, Rochester, is charged with identity theft. Carter was arrested on Feb. 24 after a disturbance complaint on West Main Street in Batavia. He is accused of identity theft stemming from an incident at 3:59 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2017 in the 100 block of Walnut Street in the City of Batavia. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court on Monday, he was released on his own recognizance and was due back in court today (Feb. 27). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Adam D. Altobelli, 39, of Schell Place, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. At 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 22, Altobelli was arrested after he allegedly stole a Red Bull energy beverage from the Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest. He was issued appearance tickets for Batavia City Court and is due there March 3. The case was handled by Batavia Police OfficerJoshia Girven, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 42, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to comply with a court-ordered program. He was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court at 11:55 on Jan. 30 on a bench warrant. It was issued after he allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program on Jan. 22. He was released on an appearance ticket for city court Jan. 31 and was placed under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Devon A. Wright, 18, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. Wright was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Feb. 12 on Law Street in Batavia after a traffic stop. Wright was released on an appearance ticket for Feb. 25 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.