Victor Figueroa's empanadas recipe was a big hit with the judges in the Foodie Challenge, propelling him toward winning one of two slots inside the FreshLAB restaurant incubator inside the recently opened Eli Fish Brewing Company.
Yesterday, The Wild Rican, Figueroa's Puerto Rican-flavored food stand, officially opened.
Pictured are Michael Scribner, Michelle Figueroa, Victor Figueroa, and Cristal Nunez.
Brooke L. Brumber, 18, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Brumber was arrested on a warrant. She allegedly entered a residence on Washington Avenue at 8:01 p.m. May 3 without permission after being told she was no longer welcome there.
Matthew James Cratsley, 42, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to report a change of address and failure to complete verification form. Cratsley allegedly moved and failed to notify the NYS Sex Offender Registry. He is also accused of failing to complete the annual registration form.
Jonathan Peter Smith, 40, of Little Canada Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and failure to signal. Smith was stopped at 1:28 a.m. May 13 on Main Street, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.
Sammy Lee Domthongmivanh Jr., 29, of Halstead Road, Alexander, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .18 or greater; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely; failure to attach registration sticker to vehicle. Domthongmivanh was stopped at 11:49 p.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, following a complaint of traffic offenses, by Deputy Eric Meyer.
Riecha B. Morris, 34, of Hawks Nest Circle, Greece, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Morris was stopped at 9:33 a.m. Friday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Kevin DeFelice following a complaint of erratic operation.
David L. Castaneda Trejo, 19, of Byron, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and making a false written statement. Castaneda was arrested on an incident reported at 11:22 a.m. Sunday in the Town of Byron by State Police. No further details released.
Matthew J. Lamkin, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Lamkin was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 11 p.m. Sunday in the Town of Batavia by State Police. No further details released.
Alexandria C. Pisarek, 25, of Corfu, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child. Pisarek was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 11:50 a.m. May 9 in the Town of Bergen by State Police. No further details released.
John Roche, who owns Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle with his wife, Cathy, stands behind the counter in his store at 8 Center St., Batavia, which is celebrating 100 years in business.
Roche and his wife Cathy, of Corfu, are owners of Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, which is celebrating 100 years in business this year.
“I have the pleasure of going to work and playing all day,” said Roche, who bought the business in 2002.
The store was started by Walter Davis in 1918 as a wheel goods store. In 1929, he built the building at 8 Center St., selling baby buggies, doll carriages, tricycles, bikes and pedal cars.
When Adam Miller purchased the business in 1946, he changed the name to Adam Miller Wheel Goods. In the mid 1950s, Miller erected a neon sign out front, which is still in use today. He continued to increase his line of merchandise, adding on to the building in the 1960s to accommodate a full-service repair shop and expanding to toys and hobbies.
Miller retired in 1970, turning the business over to his children, son Gary, and daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Buzz Masse. Gary and Buzz were both schoolteachers, and after school they were mechanics in the bike shop.
Adam Miller died in 2000 at the age of 90.
As for Roche, he has years of experience in the bicycle business. He started fixing bikes for his friends at age 13 in his parent’s garage. After graduation, he went to work for 13 years at a bicycle shop in Lancaster, before going into the wholesale bicycle business for a company in Cheektowaga.
When his company decided to move to New Jersey, Roche didn’t want to go with them. He got a job at Potter Lumber, but in the back of his mind, his retirement plan was to buy a bicycle shop.
While doing business with the Adam Miller store, Roche became friends with Miller’s children. When the Masses were ready to retire, after running the business for 25 years, they called Roche.
“Joyce and Gary wanted someone who would keep their family’s tradition as a bike shop,” Roche said. “They called me and I took the opportunity.”
The bicycle business has gone crazy, with all different styles, Roche said. He has one model which is a three-wheel version, capable of being used as a hunting vehicle.
“It’s big enough you could put a deer on the back to drag it out of the woods,” Roche said.
The store continues to be considered “the neatest store in town,” Roche said.
The bicycle repair shop is a big part of the business, with Michael Mugler as shop manager. He has been with Roche since day one, having worked with him for 20 years in the bicycle warehouse.
The Roche’s have three sons, all of whom have their own careers, but also an interest in bikes. They all worked in the store growing up. One has a bicycle collection on display in the store, and their middle son Shawn likes to tinker with bikes, and builds his own. They help out during special occasions, such as Christmas in the City.
Roche’s plans for the future include moving into online sales, while continuing to offer the favorite toys and games from past decades.
Customers have been bringing in old toys and games, which Roche is displaying in the store windows. He invites anyone with any old toy to bring it in.
The store will celebrate the 100th anniversary with two parties, a customer appreciation day on June 30 and another special event at Christmas time.
A caller reports that two individuals drove up on motorcycles to his residence on Rose Road and assaulted his son.
No word on any injuries.
They left the area approximately five minutes ago.
Law enforcement is responding.
Five Nazareth College undergraduate students who are from Genesee County earned their bachelor's degrees at the 91st Annual Commencement ceremony that took place at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester on May 13.
In addition, three Genesee County students earned graduate degrees and were recognized at the May 13 Commencement. They are:
Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts.
The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in Pittsford, a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y., challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.
There will be a Business After Hours networking opportunity at O'Lacy's Irish Pub from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, sponsored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
O'Lacy's is located at 5 School St. in Downtown Batavia.
Light snacks will be served. Cash bar.
If Nathaniel D. Wilson Jr. did use a knife Thursday night to kill Terry J. Toote, as police believe he did, it wasn't the first time Wilson used a knife to attack another Batavia resident, according to the man he nearly stabbed in the back 12 years ago after a scuffle behind Biggie's Sandwich Shop on East Main Street.
Louis Kingsbury said he barely escaped serious injury because Wilson mistakenly thought he had stabbed Kingsbury so he then fled the scene.
"I don't know how I didn't get stabbed because with the (surveillance) camera, actually, it looks like he's stabbed me," Kingsbury said. "In the investigation, he told the police that he thought he had stabbed me, that's why he stopped and took off running the opposite away."
The only thing cut was Kingsbury's shirt.
Wilson eventually entered a guilty plea to attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The plea deal would have kept Wilson out of prison but Wilson, Kingsbury believes, committed other crimes while awaiting sentencing and so ended up being sent to prison for several years.
He may have been released a couple of years ago but available records are incomplete. He may have been adjudicated a youthful offender, as an 18-year-old, at sentencing in 2005, which could explain the lack of records.
Wilson was arrested in the City of Batavia two years ago on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. He was transferred from the Genesee County Jail to state prison on a sentence of one and a half to three years in May 2016.
The incident behind Biggie's began when a tenant of motel apartments to the east of the sandwich shop ran across the street to the pet food store, where Kingsbury worked. The tenant told Kingsbury that somebody, while fighting with his girlfriend, had punched and broken the illuminated sign in front of the motel.
The pet food store and the apartments were owned at the time by Ken Mistler and Kingsbury was and still is an employee of Mistler.
Kingsbury ran over and found Wilson hiding behind Biggie's.
When he confronted him, according to Kingsbury, Wilson said, "What are you going to do about it, cracker?" He then lunged at Kingsbury.
There was a scuffle and at one point, Kingsbury had him in a headlock and then Wilson managed to break free. Kingsbury said he saw him pull out a knife.
"Thank God, it was like one of those butterfly knives, so he was kind of fidgeting with it and trying to open it," Kingsbury said. "I realized it so I was able to react when he came at me and tried to stab me. When he missed, that time I said 'I'm out of here.' "
Kingsbury ran toward the motel and he said he could feel Wilson right behind him lunging at him. After he felt the knife catch his shirt, Wilson stopped his attack and ran toward the woods to the north and through the woods toward the house where Kingsbury believes Wilson's grandmother lives to the east.
Others in the area had already called 9-1-1 and police were on the scene quickly but couldn't find Wilson. It was some days or weeks before Wilson turned himself in.
When he was sentenced, Wilson was ordered to pay $864 in restitution to Mistler for the broken sign, according to a probation letter Mistler received. Kingsbury doesn't believe full restitution was ever made.
According to police, Wilson, who has been charged with murder, stabbed Toote in the middle of Toote's chest and Toote died that night. In the fight, Wilson was shot in the leg by another person, allegedly by 17-year-old Samuel R. Blackshear. Jennifer K. Urvizu-Hanlon, 41, is accused of supplying the gun to Blackshear.
Local entertainer Jonathan Blades visited Batavia Downs yesterday for the Preakness and stopped by a table set up by the Western OTB to sign a petition asking the State Legislature to approve a bill that would take advantage of Monday's Supreme Court ruling throwing out federal prohibitions on state-regulated sports wagering. The bill would make sports betting legal at off-track betting locations and casinos.
Multiple units of the Batavia Police Department and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office converged on the Southside of the city at Central and Pringle avenues around 11:30 p.m. after reports by residents of gunshots fired.
Officers then began searching nearby streets such as Cherry and Wood in their investigation.
At this point, law enforcement has not been able to locate anything suspicious.
UPDATE 12:17 a.m.: The sound of more suspected shots were heard a few minutes ago in the same vicinity. Law enforcement is on scene.
UPDATE 12:30 a.m.: At this point, nothing located.
The Central Avenue murder and attempted murder investigation stemming from last night's melee on Central Avenue in the city took an unexpected turn today.
A 48-year-old local businesswoman and a 17-year-old boy, who was found this afternoon at her residence on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia, were arrested in connection with the shooting of Nathaniel D. Wilson Jr.
Jennifer K. Urvizu-Hanlon, owner of La Mexicana store in Valu Home Plaza, is accused of providing a gun to Samuel R. Blackshear during the confrontation on Central Avenue last night; and Blackshear allegedly shot Wilson in the leg with that gun.
Urvizu-Hanlon is charged with criminal liability for conduct of another/criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd.
Blackshear is charged with attempted murder, 2nd, attempted assault, 1st, assault, 2nd, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd.
Additional charges are possible.
According to Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch, police were able to charge Urvizu-Hanlon based on video evidence. A video camera installed on Central Avenue earlier this week captured the entire incident. Urvizu-Hanlon, Heubusch said, was on Central Avenue at the time of the incident.
"Her activities at the scene were she provided the weapon that was used in the shooting," Heubusch said.
Asked if the video showed her physically transferring the weapon from her possession to Blackshear's, Heubusch said, "I can't disclose that information as that's probably going to be part of the legal process."
Urvizu-Hanlon was the registered owner of the gun and permitted bearer of the weapon, Heubusch said. He did not say whether the weapon was recovered during searches today but did say evidence was recovered from the searched locations.
Heubusch said investigators have yet to discern the nature of the relationship between Urvizu-Hanlon and Blackshear.
Blackshear and another unidentified male were located at Urvizu-Hanlon's residence this afternoon.
That residence is a small yellow house on property owned by Upstate Toyota and next door to the dealership. Urvizu-Hanlon is a rental tenant.
Heubusch said, however, that investigators have not established that Blackshear was living there. He is officially listed as "no permanent address" and Heubusch said he tended to stay with other members of the community, as well.
Wilson, the man injured by the gunshot, was arrested after being released from the hospital and charged with murder in the stabbing death of Terry J. Toote, a 41-year-old Batavia resident whose last known residence was on West Main Street.
Urvizu-Hanlon, Blackshear, and Wilson are all being held without bail.
Batavia PD was able to bring all three into custody in less than 17 hours after the stabbing and shooting.
"Our guys did phenomenal police work," Heubusch said. "We had a lot of a lot of evidence to go through. They had a lot of witnesses to talk to. And it's still not done. But I'll tell you that they did a tremendous job overnight, and taking care of all of the issues that were at hand, and handling the other calls for service."
Heubusch also credited the assistance of the Sheriff's Office, State Police, the Orleans County SWAT (which assisted the Genesee County ERT), the Department of Environmental Conservation, and city fire for assisting at the scene last night and throughout the investigation.
"I can't speak highly enough about the cooperation in this county," Heubusch said. "Any time you need something, you give the sheriff or somebody else a call and they're going to send some people your way."
Another subject who was found at the West Main Street Road residence was released after questioning and is not a suspect, Heubusch said, though he may be a witness.
There is still investigative work to be done and Heubusch is asking witnesses to come forward and residents in the area who have video of the incident to supply it to investigators.
That said, it is likely that the primary suspects from Thursday night have all been arrested.
"The video evidence that we received and that we viewed was pretty clear," Heubusch said. "We do not believe that there are any outstanding suspects in this case."
Whether the incident last night is related to prior incidents on Central Avenue over the past few weeks is still unclear. There may be some connection, Heubusch said, but it's not clear which prior incident threads to a connection with this incident.
"We're still investigating as to what was the motive leading up to it," Heubusch said. "There was a large disturbance that took place down there. There was a fight between several individuals -- the deceased, the suspect that was arrested for that crime, as well as a suspect that was arrested for the shooting. There were other individuals involved in punching and kicking and that sort of thing. But it looks like there was a large fight."
Heubusch agreed it's striking that of all four individuals police have connected to this incident -- Toote, Wilson, Blackshear, and Urvizu-Hanlon -- none are residents of the Central Avenue/Pringle Avenue area of Batavia, though all four have long-standing ties to the community.
Why Central Avenue has become a flashpoint in the past several weeks is hard to pinpoint, but Heubusch said police are doing what the can to address the issues.
"I certainly can't deny that there are problem areas," Heubusch said. "That is something that we have been anxiously working on to try to solve the issues in that particular neighborhood. When it came to our attention that there were several instances of disturbances down there we took measures to increase the lighting in that area. We took measures to put up a street camera down there, which was essential in capturing the evidence that led us to the conclusions here. So you know we did as much as we possibly could."
Ultimately, brighter lights, cameras, and more patrols won't solve neighborhood problems without the cooperation of the residents who live on problem streets, Heubusch acknowledged.
"We would like to see is more community interaction," Heubusch said. "If you see something you need to give us a call. Don't be afraid to take back your neighborhood, so to speak. That's what we need. We need people to be proactive. We need neighbors to take care of neighbors and not hide from things like this. We will do whatever we can to protect you but come forward; otherwise, we can't charge these folks and get them out of your neighborhood."
Top photo and second photo, from a vigil on Central Avenue, by Howard Owens. The next photos of the vigil courtesy our news partner 13 WHAM.
A person of interest from last night's crime scene at Pringle and Central avenues has been detained.
He was located in a little yellow house next to the Batavia Toyota dealership on West Main Street Road earlier this afternoon.
Law enforcement closed the road and surrounded the house.
Traffic on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia near the Batavia Toyota dealership was blocked in both directions for at least a half hour due to the law enforcement action.
UPDATE (By Howard) 5:04 p.m.: Photos added. Top photo: the house where we believe the person of interest was found and detained. Below, La Mexicana store, located at 4152 W. Main Street Road in Valu Home Plaza. We have few confirmed details, but the store is part of the investigation. This afternoon, the Emergency Response Team entered the store to search it. Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said use of ERT was merely a precaution since there was at least one weapon used in last night's incident.
Nathanial D. Wilson Jr., 30, with a last known address on Chestnut Street, Batavia, has been charged with murder in the second degree in the stabbing death last night of Terry J. Toote, 41, of West Main Street, Batavia.
Toote suffered a knife wound to the center of his chest. Wilson suffered a gunshot wound to his leg.
Police are looking for the suspected shooter. There is a person of interest police would like to interview.
Det. Eric Hill said he couldn't comment on whether any weapons were recovered.
After Toote was stabbed, other people in the area came to his aid. People were yelling "call 9-1-1, call 9-1-1" and a citizen started performing CPR and continued CPR until Mercy EMS arrived on scene.
Police have not said what precipitated the confrontation last night but don't believe it is connected to an incident a couple of nights earlier where a group of people were jumped by a number of other people, at least two with baseball bats and one person with a gun.
Toote has a criminal record. He was recently released from state prison on a conviction for attempted sale of a controlled substance. He was charged in Orleans County. That was a second felony offense for Toote, according to Orleans Hub. He was arrested in Batavia in 2014 on a harassment charge.
We haven't been able to confirm yet whether Wilson had any prior arrests.
The incident started some time before 11:30 p.m., Thursday. A witness who lives on Pringle Avenue said she heard people walking down Pringle talking loudly. One said, "I apologized. I apologized." When the group reached Pringle and Central, she said it sounded like the argument escalated, then she heard three gunshots. She said when she looked down the street she saw an SUV leaving the scene quickly.
Another witness said there was a car parked on Highland and the driver yelled, "They shot my boy. They shot my boy." And then that vehicle left.
Toote was pronounced dead at UMMC by County Coroner Donald Coleman.
While Wilson was being treated at UMMC, investigators developed information that indicated Wilson was allegedly responsible for stabbing Toote. Once he was released from medical care, he was taken into custody and then arraigned this morning in City Court on the murder charge.
Shortly after midnight, there was a disturbance at the hospital. Family and friends of Wilson and Toote were involved, according to police. The hospital went on lockdown as a precaution. There were no weapons displayed or threatened. The parties were separated. No charges have been filed.
Central Avenue has been a hotspot of disturbances recently so just about 24 hours before the stabbing and shooting, police activated a recently installed camera, which became critical in gathering evidence for this case.
"Due to these issues, the Department installed a video surveillance camera in the area and had the street lighting enhanced," Batavia PD said in a statement. "The street surveillance camera was instrumental in this investigation. The Department has also received several other videos showing the incident from witnesses who will remain anonymous. These, too, were instrumental in aiding in this investigation."
The case is under active investigation and Hill said police have been busy following up on leads.
From the press release:
The Department would like to thank the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (ENCON), City of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy Medics and Genesee County District’s Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information in reference to the case may contact Detective Thad Mart at 585-345-6372 or the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or online at http://www.batavianewyork.com/police-department/webforms/report-suspicious-drug-or-criminal-activity.
More information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
CORRECTION: We initially pubished the suspect's name incorrectly. The correct last name is Wilson. The story has been corrected.
A victim of a gunshot wound is reported at Central and Pringle avenues in the city. CPR is in progress. City police and fire responding.
UPDATE 11:37 p.m.: The gunshot is unconfirmed. A victim of a stabbing is transported to UMMC. City and state police have Pringle Avenue and Central Avenue cordoned off.
UPDATE 12:05 a.m.: Several witnesses at the scene say they heard at least three gunshots. A witness on Pringle Avenue says she heard people arguing; one person said she heard "I apologized; I apologized." When the subjects got to Pringle and Central Avenue, a witness reports hearing the argument escalate. Then she heard three gunshots. Then she saw an SUV peel off. Another witness said she heard a group of people on Pringle Avenue and they were screaming "Call 9-1-1; call 9-1-1." Another witness says there was a car parked in a driveway on Highland and the driver yelled: "They've shot my boy, they've shot my boy!" before peeling off in a vehicle. Yet another witness says he saw a shirtless white male running from the area. We've only confirmed with law enforcement that there is a stabbing victim; it is not confirmed there is a shooting victim."
UPDATE 12:10 a.m.: The state Department of Environmental Conservation is on scene with personnel and a canine capable of detecting gunpowder residue. A press conference is imminent.
UPDATE(S) (By Howard) 12:49 a.m.: We'll have a little more information in a bit, but two things: There are two victims. The gunshot victim was transported to UMMC by private vehicle. At about 12:30 a.m.; UMMC was placed on lockdown.
UPDATE 1 a.m.: Assistant Chief Todd Crossett briefed reporters at the scene on what police know at this time. Police were dispatched to Central and Pringle for a report of a man down in the street. They located a man who was the apparent victim of a stabbing. A second victim was transported to UMMC by private vehicle.
"Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 and then we will get an officer out to talk with you as soon as we can," Crossett said.
Crossett said there is no information at this time to indicate this incident is associated with the one at Jackson and Central a couple of nights ago where four people were assaulted with baseball bats and a pistol.
"But obviously, it's still really early (in the investigation)," Crossett said.
In recent weeks, Batavia PD has given Central Avenue more attention, Crossett said, with increased patrols during the day and patrols stationed on the street when available at night.
"We've done some different things with increasing the street lights, making them brighter," Crossett said. "We've just recently moved our street camera down here. So we've done some things to try to get a handle on this to see what's going on down here."
There's no information yet available on the victims as far as description, age, race, gender. They are both in serious condition.
Given the early nature of the investigation, Crossett was not able yet to provide descriptions of other people who may have been involved or how many people were involved.
UPDATED 5 a.m.: One victim has died, according to Crossett. He didn't say which victim.
It will be an exciting day sometime in June when the Holman family -- Matt, Maren, and Reya, who is 3 months old -- can finally move into their new home on Edgewood Drive, Batavia.
Five years ago they put their names on a waiting list for their planned home to become a construction project for the BOCES building trades program, they finally got to draw up plans with an architect a year ago.
After 11 months of building, the 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath house with a finished basement is nearly complete.
"Obviously they did a phenomenal job around here," Matt Holman said. "The teachers kept them in line the way that good teachers do. It's been a phenomenal process. They take care, so it's just a good value for everybody and that is evident in the work."
The building trades program gives students interested in construction work an opportunity to learn about construction both from a residential standpoint and a commercial standpoint. The students do the work under the supervision of teachers coupled with classroom construction on what they're doing and why.
Affordability was a big reason Mat and Maren turned to BOCES for their new home construction.
"We've been through the last four or five (BOCES houses) and we saw the quality of work they did," Matt said. "That was the tipping point. We knew the potential cost savings but we wanted to be sure that the quality was where we wanted to be."
It is and now they will have a new home for their infant daughter.
"We did it all for her," Matt said. "She's the reason we're here."
Darcia M. Golda is indicted for the crime of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 26 in the Town of Batavia that Golda stole property with a value of more than $3,000 -- in this case, U.S. currency. In count two, she is accused of the crime of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that on Sept. 6 in the Town of Batavia that Golda, with intent to defraud, made a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. She allegedly did so by making a fraudulent return slip for $20 for the purposes of stealing from a store. In count three, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on Sept. 19 for $99.87. In count four, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on Sept. 11 for $150.37. In count five, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly the fraudulent return slip was undated; the amount was for $125.03. In count six, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 22, 2016 for $79.45. In count seven, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 26 for $60.20. In count eight, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 27 for $81.25. In count nine, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 29, 2016, for $74.65. In count 10, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 15, 2016, for $140.30. In count 11, the defendant is accused of the same crime as in count two, but it allegedly occurred on June 15, 2016, for $85.74. In counts 12, 13, 14 Golda is accused of third-degree forgery, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 6, Sept. 19, Sept. 11, respectively, she falsely made, completed or altered a written instrument -- store return slips. In count 15, she is also accused of third-degree forgery for allegedly falsely completing an undated store return slip, sometime between Oct. 26, 2016 and Sept. 27, 2017. In counts 16, 17, 18 and 19, Golda is again accused of third-degree forgery for allegedly falsifying a return slip, respectively on: June 22, 2016; June 26; June 27; and, lastly, on June 15, 2016.
Melissa R. Rosenberg is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 27 in the Town of Batavia that Rosenberg drove a 2001 Acura on Route 5 while intoxicated and while a child under age 15 was a passenger in the vehicle. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, also a Class E felony, for DWI while a second child age 15 or under was a passenger in the vehicle. In count three, the defendant is accused of DWI as a misdemeanor. In count four, she is accused for DWI, per se, for having a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In counts five, six and seven, she is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old. In counts eight, nine, 10 and 11, Rosenberg is accused of vehicle and traffic law violations. Respectively, these are: driving left of pavement markings; moving from lane unsafely; failure to use designated lane; and moving across hazard lines.
Gioacchino F. Aquino is indicted for the crime of third-degree burglary, a Class E felony, for allegedly knowingly entering a building unlawfully with the intent to commit crime -- in a convenience store on Broadway Road in the Town of Darien on Jan. 10. He is accused of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony, for allegedly intentionally damaging the property of another person -- a glass door -- in an amount exceeding $250.
Joshua Francis Zalar, 20, of School Street, Le Roy, and Alexander R. Dunn, 22, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, are charged with trespass. Zalar and Dunn are accused of trespassing on Hanson Aggregates property in the area of Circular Hill Road, Le Roy. Zalar fell off a cliff and required rescue by the Le Roy Fire Department. He reportedly suffered a foot injury. No information has yet been released on why Zalar and Dunn were in the area of the gravel pits at 12:18 a.m. (Initial Report)
Michael Joseph Mawn, 55, of Roosevelt Highway, Hamlin, is charged with DWI, driving while ability impaired by alcohol, speeding, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Mawn was stopped at 5:57 a.m. Monday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Joshua Brabon.
Paula Deborah Bennett, 34, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and moving from lane unsafely. Bennett was stopped at 2:32 a.m. Wednesday on Lake Street Road, Le Roy, by Deputy Mathew Clor.
Christina R. Armstrong, 32, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with petit larceny. Armstrong is accused of stealing from her employer, an undisclosed business at 412 E. Main St., Batavia (the Masse Plaza).
Rae C. Cook, 29, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, conspiracy, 6th, and resisting arrest. Cook was arrested following an investigation into the theft of items from a residence on East Main Street, Batavia.
Booker T. Ricks, 46, of Prune Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. Ricks' dog allegedly attacked a dog in another yard that was properly leashed.
Sean M. Keem, 37, of Joseph Street, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Keem was stopped at 8:19 p.m. May 9 on Ross Street, Batavia, by Officer Darryle Streeter.
Tyshon L. Taylor, of Morse Place, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 3rd. Taylor allegedly made comments to a person that he intended to kill that person. He then allegedly made a motion like he was going to hit that person but was stopped by a bystander. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.
Nicholas D. Culver, 22, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, is charged with petit larceny. An 18-year-old (name not released) resident of Batavia Stafford Townline Road was charged with conspiracy, 4th. The two men were arrested by State Police for an incident reported at 11 a.m. Wednesday. No further details released.
There are few firefighters at age 23 who come into City Fire with a resume to match Ryan Hinz.
He's been a volunteer in Alexander since he was 16. He twice won Firefighter of the Year. He rose to the rank of EMS captain and won awards for his EMS work. He also won a chief's award.
Fire Chief Steve Napolitano said Hinz scored high on his civil service exam and his agility test and excelled at the fire academy.
Perhaps this isn't a surprise. He's the son of career firefighter Marty Hinz, currently a captain with City Fire, and the grandson of a firefighter who also served for several years as Genesee County's emergency coordinator.
Marty Hinz said he almost sees Ryan through his father's eyes.
"I remember when I joined the Alexander Fire Department and became chief down there and how proud my father was," Marty said. "And now I can empathize with his feelings, you know, just the look on his face -- now I understand where he was coming from and now I understand how proud he was. Now I'm just as proud of Ryan."
Napolitano was quick to emphasize that Ryan -- who is assigned to the First Platoon with Marty is assigned to the Third Platoon -- wasn't hired because he was Marty's son. He earned it.
"We're expecting big things from him," Napolitano said. "You know, he's got a good 30-year career out of here. We're expecting the same things that he's done from 16 to 23 to continue over the next 30 years."
Marty, understandably, but with good reason, thinks Ryan is qualified to be a career firefighter.
"Ryan has a certain pride, the intelligence, the humility that it takes to be a good firefighter," Marty said. "He's just a great kid."
Ryan said while he was inspired by his father to pursue a career in fire services, that isn't the only reason he took this career path.
"I like being able to help people," Ryan said. "I know that sounds like a cheesy response but it's just what I enjoy doing."
He said he is proud to follow in his father's footsteps and that serving an Alexander was a great experience that gave him a good idea what a career in firefighting might be like, plus, he said, he formed lasting friendships with his fellow volunteers.
Whatever inspired Ryan to become a career firefighter, Napolitano said it is what will make him an asset to the department.
"We're very fortunate in the fact that we have someone that has that internal desire to want to continue the family lineage and someone that it's not just a job for him," Napolitano said. "That is pretty much everyone in this department. It's a passion. It's not just a job. And that translates to the service delivery that we're able to provide. It's not just going through the motions. It's they live they breathe it and that they value the opportunity to work here. That translates to the service product that we're putting out there.
"To have Ryan, who, again, this is what he wants to do, this is where he comes from. It just enhances our service delivery."
Previously:
Chief Steve Napolitano, Ryan Hinz, and Capt. Marty Hinz.
The first platoon: The new mentors for Ryan Hinz.
A dispatcher just informed a Batavia PD supervisor of some pending calls, including:
Submitted photos and press release:
Peconic Landing and historic Brecknock Hall in Greenport, N.Y., are honored to announce the winners of the eighth Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback. The willing couple will receive an all-expenses paid wedding at Brecknock Hall thanks to the support of area businesses.
Air Force Technical Sgt. Trenton Todd Zanow, 27, of Batavia, (enlisted 2009) and his fiancée, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lynn Lenzi, 23, of Ridge, N.Y., (enlisted 2012) have been named this year's winning couple.
Both are active service members who met while serving at the 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
The couple currently serves full time at the 103rd Airlift Wing, a unit of the Connecticut Air National Guard. The couple was notified they were selected during a surprise reveal Tuesday afternoon. (View the You Tube video of the announcement here.)
Trenton has served for 10 years and is currently an E6 Flight Engineer. He has received a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, among other medals and ribbons.
Jennifer has served for five years and is currently an E5 Airfield Manager, and was recently named "Airman of the Year" for the Connecticut Air National Guard 103rd Operations Group. She has also received an Air Force Commendation Medal in support of her service during Operation Enduring Freedom, among multiple other medals and ribbons.
The couple intends on making a 30-year career in the military and also spends time volunteering in their local community, including making care packages for members overseas and donating Thanksgiving dinners to wounded veterans, among others. Jennifer has also helped coach a youth cheerleading team.
Trenton and Jennifer were engaged Veterans Day Weekend 2017 while taking a helicopter tour in Rhode Island to celebrate Jennifer's recent promotion to Staff Sergeant. The two landed in a field at sunset where Trenton proposed.
“First and foremost I want to extend my sincerest thank you to all those who contribute to making this military wedding giveaway possible!" Jennifer said. "It's truly amazing to know that so many people in our community support military members and are willing to donate their time and resources to make our dream wedding a reality.
"We are forever grateful and equally as excited! Our military lifestyle can sometimes make seeing family and friends difficult so I am extremely thankful that this special occasion will bring everyone together and Brecknock Hall at Peconic Landing is a breathtakingly beautiful place to do so. We are truly blessed and overwhelmed with joy!"
Trenton added, "we cherish your support for military veterans and are honored to have been chosen as the winning couple. Thank you for helping make Jennifer's dream wedding become a reality. We look forward to working with all the vendors over the next few months and can't wait to see it all come together. Thank you again for your support."
The winning couple was chosen by a panel of Peconic Landing's veteran members who judge the contest based on the number of years served, special military honors, contributions to the community and each couple's personal love story. Their wedding will take place on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in celebration of Veterans Day, and will accommodate up to 80 guests.
"The Veterans Wedding Giveback Committee diligently reviewed 12 applications this year; it is always a tough job to narrow down to one couple from the list." said Ted Webb, a Navy veteran and president of the Brecknock Hall Foundation. We are delighted to congratulate Trenton and Jennifer as this year's winners."
We are indebted to all the sponsors and vendors for their generous support. What a wonderful way to say 'thank you' to those who serve our country in the armed forces."
Those wishing to contribute can contact Valerie Tirelli-Hallock, Brecknock Hall Sales & Events Coordinator at info@brecknockhall.com.
Robert J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing, delivered the good news during the surprise reveal on May 15.
“It has been some time since we had a couple actively serving at the same time, and it’s also very fitting that they have served in our local community at the 106th in Westhampton Beach," Syron said. "We wish them a future of happiness and success. Thank you, again, to all of the sponsors who make this giveaway possible."
Sponsors of the 2018 Veterans Day Wedding Giveback, so far, include: A Flippin Good Time, Allison G. Pressler at Blue Sage Day Spa, American Tent Company, Beautiful by Dina, Blue Duck Bakery, Christopher Michael Catering, East End Event Catering, Fire Monkey Hair Design, Greenporter Hotel, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Ivy League Flowers, Jillybean Custom Designs, Kim Jon Designs, Lisa Nicolosi Photography, Make Some Noise DJ’s, Massage Me by Sara Leonard LMT, Mattituck Environmental Services, Moments In Time Floral Designs, Moriches Main Street Florist, North Fork Bridal Shoppe, North Fork Brides, Southold Fish Market, The North Fork Box and Southold-Greenport-Mattituck ROTC. Times Review Media Group has signed on as the media sponsor.
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Peconic Landing is an innovative, not-for-profit CCAC-CARF-accredited continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located on the waterfront in Greenport, N.Y., on the North Fork of Long Island. Among its long list of achievements, Peconic Landing is the only equity-based LifeCare community in the State of New York. It is a member of LeadingAge and LeadingAge New York and embraces a healthy, active lifestyle infused with a sense of exploration, creativity, and generosity of spirit.
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