Stories from

From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

Rachelle N. Laney (inset photo right), no age and address provided, is charged with two felonies, seven misdemeanors and two violations after Genesee County Sheriff's deputies stopped the vehicle she was driving on Griswold Road in the Town of Le Roy on Sept. 10.

At 5:17 that afternoon, she was allegedly was observed using an "illegal turn signal" -- a vehicle and traffic violation. During the course of the following investigation, a license check allegedly found she was driving while her privilege to do so in New York is revoked by authorities.

Based on information that arose from an interview with Laney, NYS Trooper Shawn Gourdine and his canine partner "Ash" were contacted and requested to the scene.

Ash was deployed by Trooper Gourdine, allegedly resulting in a positive alert for narcotics inside the vehicle. It is alleged that a quantity of suspected narcotics were located, including a powdered substance and prescription medication, along with drug paraphernalia.

The suspected narcotics were sent to a laboratory for testing, which found the powdered narcotics to be a fentanyl mixture and the prescription medications were confirmed to be controlled substances.

She is chanrged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor; three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, also a Class A misdemeanor; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, an unclassified misdemeanor; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, another unclassified misdemeanor; unlicensed operator -- a violation; and "illegal turn signal" -- a violation.

On Oct. 23, Laney was arrested and arraigned in Genesee County Court via Skype. In accordance with the NYS Bail Reform Law, the charges were not qualifying offenses so Laney was released on her own recognizance and is due to return to court at a later date.

Don't forget to support these two volunteer fire departments on Sunday, Oct. 25, when each will offer drive-thru chicken BBQ to raise money for their respective departments in a year when opportunities to do so have been few and far between.

ELBA

A drive-thru chicken barbecue to benefit the Elba Volunteer Fire Department will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the fire rec hall on Route 98 in Elba.

It starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until sold out. Cost is $12.

Coronavirus protocols will be observed. Please wear a face mask and remain in your vehicle.

"Because of the (COVID-19) shutdown, last month was the first chicken barbecue we held this year," said an organizer, Barbie Starowitz. "It's sold out so fast! Now that we can be outside again we wanted to do another one. We're hoping for a nice (weather) day."

The address of Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall is 7143 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98). 

SOUTH BYRON

There will be a chicken BBQ fundraiser for the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 until sold out.

It will be held on a drive-thru basis at the fire hall, located at 7389 Route 237 in South Byron.

Cost is $12 per person.

Please wear a face mask and remain in vehicle.

One vehicle crashed into a guardrail and injuries are reported on Route 19 at Griswold Road, near the Thruway entrance. The roadway is completely blocked, according to a first responder on scene. The entire guardrail is off its posts, laying across both lanes.

Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding. Traffic control will be needed and DOT was notified and will call a crew out there.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: The guardrail has been removed from the roadway. Le Roy fire is back in service. The scene is turned over to NYS Troopers. The DOT is assembling a crew to repair the guardrail. The patient refused medical attention; Le Roy ambulance is back in service.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: A first responder on scene estimates about 100 feet of the guardrail is damaged.

Press release:

For more than 20 years, Genesee Community College has invited the public to its Main Campus in Batavia on Veterans Day for two very important events -- welcoming potential new students with a virtual Academic Open House and honoring veterans for their service to our country with a Veterans Day Ceremony.

However, due to the current pandemic-related mandates and concerns for the health and safety of the veterans in our community, the Adult Educational Opportunities Center (AEOC) and other staff and faculty at GCC have collaborated to prepare a special honor celebration to make sure our veterans know that nothing would stop the College from recognizing their dedication, their service and their sacrifices.

This year the AEOC and GCC have prepared a video recognition that will be accessible to all on GCC's website at any time on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

"Prerecording the pieces of the event not only allowed us to keep everyone safe and healthy during the process, but gave us the luxury of editing," said Director of the AEOC Staci Williams. "Viewers will have much more regulated volume than you sometimes have attending a live event. Also, everyone has the best seat in the house."

The entire event will be posted to GCC's website so veterans, their families and all community members can watch whenever they choose, as many times as they like and from anywhere!

"While we will miss the ability to shake our veterans' hands and thank them face to face, we are very excited to be able to expand our reach and be able to share this with those who have been unable to attend our events in the past," added Williams.

In addition, potential students of all ages and their families are strongly encouraged to register and join GCC's Virtual Open House also on Nov. 11 beginning at 9:30 a.m., which includes a schedule of virtual presentations and Q&A sessions.

Open House begins with information about the Admissions process, Financial Aid, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and services specifically designed to support Home Schooled students and Adult Learners.

Around 11 a.m. participants will get to hear about the role of GCC's Student Success Coaches and Campus Center Advisors and get some expert help figuring out if Online Learning is right for you. 

Then, at noon, the Academic breakout sessions will give all participants a chance to meet faculty from their intended major, hear about program expectations and technology associated with the program.

After the breakouts, Transfer and Career Services will explain how they help students maximize their time and plan for the future they want. The Learning Center -- which provides FREE tutoring to GCC students, the Counseling, and Access and Accommodations offices will also present the plethora of services they provide to help ensure student success.

Then, at 1:30 p.m. listen in to the Student Experience Panel as they discuss "What is there to do at GCC?" and hear all about Living on Campus at College Village. Wrapping up the event, at 2:30 p.m. join the rest of the Cougar Pride in an informative Athletics presentation.

Online registration for the Open House is the best way to reserve a seat for the opportunity to explore GCC. The registration form includes the complete Open House schedule.

With more than 60 affordable degree and certificate programs, online courses, Hyflex learning opportunities and seven campus locations, GCC makes it possible for anyone to achieve higher education dreams. Please email admissions@genesee.edu or call (585) 345-6800 with any questions regarding Open House.

For more information or photographs contact Vice President, Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Nicholas Brian Turnquist, (inset photo left) 35, of Reading Road, West Falls, is charged with first-degree rape. Turnquist was arrested Oct. 21 after a multi-county investigation into a series of sex offenses involving one victim, according to the Sheriff's Office, that occurred at various locations in Genesee, Wyoming and Erie counties. These included an incident that allegedly occurred at 11 p.m. Aug. 23 on Alleghany Road in Darien. He was arraigned virtually in Darien Town Court, then returned to Wyoming County Jail where he is being held without bail on related charges. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Howard Carlson.

Thomas Frederick Rudolph, 29, of Maple Road, Basom, is charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to signal. On Oct. 22 at 12:43 a.m., Rudolph was arrested after a traffic stop on Reynolds Road in the Town of Darien. Rudolph was released on an appearance ticket an is due to appear in Darien Town Court on Nov. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Aurello Aragon-Figueroa, 41, of Chapel Road, Byron, is charged with third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, and offering a false instrument for filing, a Class E felony. He was arrested Oct. 21 after allegedly not reporting income that he was earning and filing applications, starting on Aug. 1, 2014, that were used to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without citing that income. As a result, it is alleged he received $9,321 in SNAP benefits that he was not entitled to. The case was investigated by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi, and the arrest was made by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Press release:

Reality Check programs of Western New York are getting creative to honor this year’s Great American Smokeout. As communities continue to grapple with the challenges of COVID-19, the youth coordinators in the GOW Region decided the safest (and fun) way to help young people demonstrate their leadership is through an art contest.

The deadline to submit entries is Nov. 13. Winners will be announced on Nov. 19, the date of this year’s Great American Smokeout.

“We miss doing group events like cigarette butt pickups, educational events, and watching our young people champion issues they believe in,” said Brittany Bozzer, GOW Reality Check coordinator. “This art contest will build awareness on the impacts of tobacco use and help ensure that youth voices are a part of the solution for healthier communities.”

The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout is an annual event that encourages and offers support to smokers to make a plan to quit smoking or to quit smoking on the day of the event – Thursday, Nov. 19. By quitting – even for one day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk. 

Contest Details

Creative Western New Yorkers between the ages of 12 and 18 are encouraged to virtually submit a piece of artwork that highlights the dangers of tobacco use or why they want their community to be tobacco free. Artwork can be a poster, poem, comic, photo or video. Winners will be chosen in two age groups: 12-14 years old and 15-18 years old. 

Youth are asked to submit their masterpiece, along with their name, age, school name, phone number and guardian’s name, to:   rcofwny@gmail.com

About Reality Check

Reality Check is a youth-led movement in New York State that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members create change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education.

Reality Check groups work in their communities by trying to limit the exposure of tobacco marketing in stores, help make smoke/vape-free public, work, and housing spaces, and limiting the exposure to smoking/vaping in movies.

These initiatives are to help discourage young people from becoming new daily smokers and encourage current smokers to quit. More information can be found at realitycheckofny.com and tobaccofreenys.com

Cody Michael Donahue, 24, of Royce Road, Varysburg, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated per se -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; refusal to take a breath test; speeding -- exceeding 55 mph. At 2:28 a.m. on Oct. 17, Donahue was arrested after a traffic stop for a traffic violation on Alexander Road in Alexander. He was allegedly found to be intoxicated. Donahue was released on appearance tickets and is due in Alexander Town Court on Nov. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

Sarah Jane Scott, 39, of South Fitzhugh Street, Sodus Point, is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC greater .08 percent; DWI; and no turn signal. At 10:17 p.m. on Dec. 9, Scott was arrested after a traffic stop for allegedly failing to use a turn signal when turning onto Clinton Street Road (Route 33) in Bergen. She was allegedly found to be intoxicated at the time. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Bergen Town Court on Dec. 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Jhermero Darius Maxey, 29, of Robinson Road, Lockport, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and speeding (65 in a 55-mph zone). At 10:19 p.m. Oct. 16, Maxey was arrested after a traffic stop on Lewiston Road in Alabama. He was issued traffic tickets and released on his own recognizance. He is due in Alabama Town Court on Dec. 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig.

Starting this weekend, the shelter cats are back at Petco!

Everyone is welcome to stop by the store in Towne Center at Batavia on Veterans Memorial Drive and take a gander at these furry guests.

One of them is "Chloe" (inset photo left). She is a gray domestic longhair, known to be "quite the character." The intense stare is the first clue, of course. Rescued from the not-so-great outdoors -- for homeless cats anyway -- she was petrified by people (and particularly, it seems, any person wielding a camera).

But Chloe morphs into a social butterfly once she gets acquainted, and likes to get petted and even fetch toys occasionally. Not a big fan of competition, however; it is preferable that no other cats, or young children, or horrors! -- dogs -- get in the way of her bliss -- you.

The Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter had to stop taking cats as such as Chloe to Petco for adoption in March​ due to COVID-19.

That put the brakes on an avenue of adoption that began when the store opened in September 2008 -- the ability to adopt cats and kittens directly from the store.

The six cages provided by Petco exponentially increased the chances of finding homes for homeless felines. Petco staff also assists with their daily care and the adoptions.

So it's easy to see why the Volunteers for Animals say they are excited to be able bring them back to Petco.

"We have several beautiful kittens at the store now with more to come," they wrote in an emailed bulletin. "Help get our shelter kitties home!"

You can visit prospective adoptees during regular store hours. Hey, Petco doesn't close until 7 tonight -- that means there's still time to meet-and-greet today!

You can check the Volunteers for Animals website and see the "candidates." If a cat is at Petco, the description will say so. Otherwise, they're at the shelter.

Since June 2, all animal adoptions at the shelter itself continue to be done by appointment. Please email the volunteers at info@vol4animals.org for an application and to set up an appointment.

Anyone coming into the shelter must wear a face covering and will be asked about current health and recent possible exposures to COVID-19. If you are sick, please do not come to the shelter. They also ask that you limit the number of people per family coming to the shelter to adopt animals.

For adoption, there is a $60 NONREFUNDABLE FEE for all animals, which needs to be cash or a check -- NO CREDIT CARDS. If the animal is not spayed or neutered there is a $35 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT upon proof of surgery.

An adoption application must be filled out by the person wishing to adopt the animal. Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the potential adopter may visit and meet any of the animals. All cats must leave the shelter or pet store in a cat carrier. Please bring a cat carrier.

All animals older than 3 months of age are given rabies vaccine. Unless there is proof of a prior rabies vaccine, the vaccine is good for one year. All animals are given at least one dose of deworming medication. All cats receive a feline distemper combo vaccine (good for one year) and are tested for FeLV/FIV.

FYI: You may want to take the time to read up on Adopting a Cat.

Remember: Volunteers For Animals is always in need of monetary donations for the animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Their largest expense is veterinary care for sick and injured animals. A great deal of their money is spent spaying and neutering as many animals as possible BEFORE they leave the Shelter. Spaying and neutering animals is the ONLY way to reduce the number of homeless animals.

In addition to vet care, they also purchase FIV/FeLV tests for cats and heartworm tests for dogs. Please consider making a donation today. All donations to Volunteers For Animals, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are tax-deductible.

You can make a donation through the Paypal button on the Volunteers for Animals home page, or by mailing a check to: 

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY 14021

Petco Hours

(Phone: 343-1426)

• Sunday -- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Monday through Satruday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

GC Animal Shelter, 3841 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia

(Phone: 343-6410)

Adoption Hours

• Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m. & 7 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Closed Thursday

Photo of "Chloe" courtesy of Volunteers for Animals.

A car has crashed into a tree in Oakfield at the Depew Rod & Gun Club, 6067 Fisher Road. There are possibly two people injured. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along Mercy medics. The location is between Albion and Lockport roads.

A third-party caller reported one person was outside the vehicle and attending to someone still inside it.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: Command reports there's a tree in the middle of the roadway. Fire police are on scene and instructed to slow traffic down near the curve.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: A 35-year-old male complains of bruising around his ribs; medics are told to continue to the scene in emergency mode.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: A female still inside the vehicle "is possibly a sign-off but she does want to be checked out."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: The male patient is being transported to Erie County Medical Center by Byron ambulance with Mercy medics' Squad 1 on board.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: The Elba fire assignment is back in service.

City firefighters are on scene at 111 Jackson St. after a resident there reported the smell of smoke. The resident alerted others in the building and it was evacuated. Command reports finding a melted electrical outlet in an upstairs apartment.

Mercy medics are responding in non-emergency mode for a report of someone with burns.

The location is between Highland Park and Watson Street in the city.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The patient was a sign-off. City fire is back in service.

Jordan Elena Rubin, 36, of Chili Avenue, Chili, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny -- automobile with a value over $100. On Oct. 15, Rubin was arrested and is accused of stealing a motor vehicle from a residence on Hartwell Road in the Town of Pavilion at 6:38 p.m. Oct. 3. Rubin was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Pavilion Town Court on Dec. 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Jacqueline Raj Garrett, 41, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with illegal use of toxic vapaors, a violation of NYS Public Health Law. At 10:06 a.m. on today, Oct. 16, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a female outside of a department story on Veterans Memorial Drive who was inhaling an aerosol. A deputy was dispatched and located the female allegedly in the act of consuming a hazardous inhalant while outside a store in view of the public. She wa arrested and issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Nov. 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Thomas Edward Ditzel, 65, Belvedere Lane, Batavia, is charged with attempted grand larceny in the third degree, a felony. He was arrested as a result of an investigation into the misappropriation of funds as a Power of Attorney at 3 p.m. Dec. 24, 2018. Ditzel allegedly attempted to take almost $17,000 by closing an investment account of a family member and have the check sent to an address where he allegedly planned to retrieve it. However, another family member intercepted the check. "The duties of a POA, amongst others, is that the POA must act in the principal's best interest, rather than their own," says the police report. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Christopher A. Parker.

Ifrah Hajimusse Armstrong, 41, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and four counts of offering a false instrument for filing, all Class E felonies. Armstrong was arrested after allegedly not reporting income that she was earning and also filing an application that is used to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits without including the income. The application process was started on Aug. 1, 2017. As a result, it is alleged Armstrong received $5,208 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to. The investigation was conducted by the GC Department of Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson and she was arrested Oct. 13 by GC Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Ana Marie Uribe, 27, of Willow Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, both Class E felonies. It is alleged that at the time of her application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on May 1, 2019, she did not report income she was earning, which is used to determine eligibility. As a result, she allegedly received $3,218 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to. The investigation was conducted by the GC Department of Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson and she was arrested Oct. 14 by GC Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.