byron

A plea offer is on the table for a 55-year-old Byron resident accused of firing a rifle at a Sheriff's deputy who was sitting in his patrol car March 7.

David O'Connor appeared in County Court today for a scheduled Huntley hearing, which is based on a defense motion to dismiss statements O'Connor may have made once he was in custody. But O'Connor's attorney, Thomas Burns, dropped the motion and O'Connor waived the hearing after being told of a plea offer from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The specifics of the plea offer were not discussed in open court.

O'Connor has until Aug. 1 to decide whether to accept the offer.

He is charged with attempted aggravated murder of a police officer. He was initially charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief.

O'Connor is accused of firing a single round from a .22-caliber rifle from the window of his apartment at the Byron Hotel at Deputy Andrew Hale, blowing out the windows of Hale's patrol vehicle, while Hale was performing a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Byron Arrow Mart.

No one was struck by the projectile and there were no injuries.

Previously: Single gunshot in Byron highlights the dangers of modern law enforcement

Three young men were arrested late last night after Sheriff's deputies investigated a traffic offense complaint in which a person allegedly fired a 20-gauge shotgun in the direction of a vehicle that was following the vehicle that the alleged shooter was riding in. The incident occurred at 11:35 p.m. July 11 at an unspecified location in the Town of Stafford.

Michael T. Leubner, 18, of Linwood Avenue, Pavilion, is accused of firing the shotgun and he is charged with first degree reckless endangerment. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond. Leubner is due in Town of Stafford Court at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 14.

Austin J. Yockel, 19, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor. Yockel was issued a traffic summons for allegedly driving a motor vehicle which unreasonably endangered users of the public highway while following the vehicle occupied by Leubner and others. Yockel is due in Town of Stafford Court at a later date to answer the charge.

Jason A. Armstrong Jr., 19, of Sweetland Road, Stafford, who was also a passenger in the vehicle Leubner was riding in, was allegedly found in possession of marijuana (a violation). He was issued an appearance ticket for City of Batavia Court at a later date. 

The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, assisted by: Investigator Joseph Graff, Sgt. John Baiocco, Deputy Eric Meyer, Batavia PD and NYS Police.

A fast-moving field fire is reported in the area of Byron Holly Road and North Bergen Road, Byron.

There is reportedly fire equipment and a propane tank in the field.

Byron and South Byron dispatched.

Elba requested to the scene. Clarendon requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: The propane tank doesn't appear to be in any danger now.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Stafford's brush truck was requested and just arrived at the scene.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Command reports the "fire is under control and out."

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Overhauling underway. Mercy rig called to firefighters' rehab area, 6332 Byron Holley Road. One lane of traffic is closed by law enforcement.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: The assignment is back in service; all remaining units returning to quarters.

A car has reportedly hit a utility pole at Warboys Road and South Byron Road, Byron.

Unknown injuries.

Byron and South Byron fire departments along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: Southbound traffic being shut down.

On June 27, Bartnick turned himself in to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a sealed indictment issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury charging him with the crimes.

He allegedly sold a quantity of marijuana to an operative of the Genesee County Drug Task Force on two separate occasions. He was arraigned in County Court and put in jail without bail.

The Genesee County District Attorney's Office and uniform members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office assisted Task Force members with the investigation.

The Task Force is comprised of police office from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET officers, and the Le Roy Village Police Department. This arrest came at the conclusion of an investigation into the sale of marijuana in Genesee County.

Joshua Michael Pierce, 21, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation. Pierce was arrested on June 18 following the investigation into a domestic incident at 3 a.m. on June 14 on Route 5 in the Town of Pembroke. He was arraigned in Town of Pembroke Court and jailed in lieu of $10,000 cash bail and is due in Pembroke Town Court on June 30. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Joshua Michael Pierce, 21, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. He was arrested on June 18 following the investigation into a domestic incident that happened on Route 20 in the Village of Alexander at 1:05 p.m. on June 11. He was arraigned in Alexander Town Court and jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail and is due in Alexander Court on July 12. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Jason Saile.

Rodney John Prichard, 28, of North Main Street, Delevan, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle while registration suspended, and having an open container of alcohol. At 3:08 p.m. on June 19, Prichard was stopped on Alleghany Road in the Town of Darien for allegedly driving with a suspended registration. He was also allegedly found to possess an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Darien Town Court on July 12. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Brittney Lynn Caldwell, 26, of North Main Street, Delevan, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. At 3:28 p.m. on June 19, following a traffic stop on Alleghany Road in the Town of Darien, Caldwell was allegedly found to possess marijuana and have an open container of alcohol inside a vehicle. She was released on appearance tickets for Town of Darien Court on July 12. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Rondell Jermaine Watson Sr., 34, of Raeburn Avenue, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, conspiracy and disorderly conduct. On June 18, Watson was turned over to Genesee County Sheriff's deputies by the Rochester PD on a bench warrant out of the Town of Batavia Court. He was put in jail and is due in Town of Batavia Court on June 27. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

A 16-year-old who lives on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 2:45 p.m. on June 15, the youth was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana on the school grounds of Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. high school. The youth was issued an appearance ticket for Bergen Town Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Butler.

From left: Counselor Mrs. Feeney, seniors Nick Dubois and Aaron Holley, Dr. Moscicki, and Principal McGee at a new marker and flower bed leading into the Tamra Troke Memorial Trail.

Submitted photo and press release:

Byron-Bergen Central School seniors, Nick Dubois and Aaron Holley, rebuilt wellness trails on the Byron-Bergen school grounds as part of their work-based learning hours associated with the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential.

Nick and Aaron completed an 11-day work experience on the Tamra Troke Memorial Trail. They cleaned out all the fitness stations, cut and lined all of the hiking trails, made benches and a new flower bed, and constructed a campfire area.

Vocational Coordinator Roxanne Noeth, CSE Chairperson Dr. Donna Moscicki, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Patrick McGee, and School Counselor Andrea Feeney were all thrilled with the hard work and effort the two students put into this project. It was wonderful to see them take such pride in their work.

The Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential is part of the four Regents exams and one project-based program to graduation.

The project-based program requires: students complete a career plan; demonstrate attainment of commencement level learning standards in the areas of career exploration and development, integrated learning, and universal foundation skills; satisfactorily complete two units of study (216 hours) in Career and Technical Education coursework and work-based learning; and have one completed employability profile or have met the criteria for the national work readiness credential.

That last community fundraiser you went to with a chance auction (often called a Chinese auction) and a 50-50 raffle, it probably violated state law.

These common fundraising tactics used frequently by groups coming together for a sudden and unexpected hardship or tragedy that hits a member of our community are not allowed by state law, according to Rich Kaczynski, from the New York State Gaming Commission, who spoke Tuesday night at the South Byron Fire Hall.

The event, hosted by the South Byron Volunteer Fire Department, was prompted by the recent discovery by several local volunteer departments that their longtime fundraising events may have, at best, skirted the edge of state law.

This year, Stafford fire canceled its Corvette raffle and Town of Batavia fire canceled its annual Harley raffle. In both cases, the departments are looking to better understand the law.

Kaczynski's department regulates four types of games of chance -- bingos, raffles, bell jar tickets and casino night type of games.

The state allows certain types of nonprofit groups to use these games as fundraisers, including volunteer fire departments, service organizations, fraternal groups, veterans groups and religious organizations.

For bingos, the group need only have existed one year before applying for a license, but for all other games of chance allowed by the state, the organization must have existed for at least three years.

It's that last provision that may most frequently put community fundraisers for victims of hardship into legally questionable territory. Often these efforts are created by ad hoc groups of people who are friends of the family and are not legally established groups in existence for at least three years. 

Sometimes, these raffles are organized by established nonprofits, but if the fundraising isn't for the legally defined purpose of the group, then it also runs afoul of state regulation, according to Kaczynski. For example, a volunteer fire department can't hold a raffle to raise money for a member stricken by cancer.

To assist that cancer victim, there would need to be a three-year-old organization with the express mission of raising money for cancer victims, or similar hardships.

For the sake of extending the example, then, Genesee Cancer Assistance could host such a raffle, but only members of Genesee Cancer Assistance could conduct the raffle, and to be a member eligible to conduct the raffle, you must be a member for a least a year prior to the raffle.

The good news, perhaps, is that for small organizations, the bureaucracy of fundraising through games of chance isn't quite as cumbersome as it is for groups raising larger sums of money.

Groups that will hold raffles that generate a profit of more than $5,000 on a single raffle, or whose total profit for the year on raffles exceeds $20,000 in profit fall into Category 2 of New York gaming law and have more paperwork to deal with. Groups that reach Category 1 have more paperwork and pay a 2-percent tax on profits over $30,000 in a calendar year.

If your raffle efforts fall in Category 3 (below $5,000 in profit on a single auction, less than $20,000 profit in a year), you can self-define your group as meeting state requirements for existing for three years (or a year for bingo), not meeting the profit thresholds, falling within the proper categories for games of chance, and managing your funds within state guidelines.

Groups in categories 2 and 3 must register with the state and once they receive a state ID number, apply for a license from the town, village or city clerk where the group is organized.

In all three categories, if they want to sell raffle tickets outside of their home jurisdictions, they can sell only within jurisdictions within their same county and in the municipalities in counties contiguous with their home county. They cannot venture outside of that group of contiguous boundaries to sell tickets. For example, no selling tickets to your cousin in California. If your cousin from California wants a raffle ticket for your gun raffle in South Byron, he must fly to Buffalo, drive to South Bryon, enter your fire hall and buy a ticket with cash, and only cash.

In order for a group in any of the three categories to sell in a contiguous jurisdiction, they must request a letter of authorization the municipality's clerk. For example, if you're a volunteer with the South Byron Fire Department and you work at Graham Manufacturing, your department needs authorization from the City Clerk of Batavia in order for you to sell raffle tickets to your coworkers.

That applies to every single possible contiguous jurisdiction. If there are 20 contiguous municipalities, the organization needs 20 different letters of authorization.

If you're a business owner and a volunteer with South Byron and your business is located in the Town of Byron, you can sell raffle tickets at your business, but your employees can't sell raffle tickets unless they're related to you by blood or marriage.

A volunteer fire department can get a license to fund raise through a game of chance, but in order for the Ladie's Auxillary to help with that fundraiser, it must get its own state ID, and the same applies for the "Sons of" organizations. With all three groups properly licensed, and duly noted on the proper paperwork, they can assist each other in games-of-chance fundraisers, but otherwise, only members with at least a year of membership can participate.

If you want to hold a casino night, the gaming implements must be owned by the organization or rented from a licensed company, or, if approved, borrowed from an organization that owns the tables and wheels and cards and dice. Only members of the organization can deal cards or spin roulette wheels.  

Even if your casino night doesn't have a buy in, if it's based on chance and has prizes, it's regulated by the state.

If you're running a game that isn't authorized by the gaming commission regulation -- such as a Texas hold 'em tournament -- you're likely violating state antigambling laws.

Your blackjack tournament? It's allowed, but it must be run precisely according to state regulations.

Repeatedly during the presentation, Kaczynski had to remind audience members he was just repeating state law. He doesn't make state law or control state law. That's up to the Legislature, or up to the gaming commission's attorneys to interpret. 

There is legislation pending, supported by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, to help take away some of the difficulties being faced by local groups that have long relied on raffles as primary fund-raising tools.

Nicholas Tyler Stutes, 18, of Wyoming Road, Wyoming, is charged with third-degree assault. He was arrested at 11 a.m. on June 2 following a complaint and investigation of an assault on Big Tree Road in Pavilion. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jenna T. Girolamo, 18, of Sutters Run, Rochester, and a 16-year-old female from Churchville, are charged with making graffiti, a misdemeanor, and trespass, a violation. The two defendants were allegedly found trespassing in Buttermilk Falls, Route 19, Le Roy, at 7:40 p.m. on June 4. They were also found to have allegedly made graffiti in the same area. They were arrested on the charges and issued appearance tickets for July 18 in Town of Le Roy Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy J.M. Diehl, and Le Roy PD officers E. Blodgett and Dent.

A 17-year-old male from Byron and a 17-year-old male from Bergen are charged with trespass, a violation. The two defendants were allegedly found trespassing in Buttermilk Falls, Route 19, Le Roy, at 7:40 p.m. on June 4. They were arrested on the charge and issued appearance tickets for July 18 in Town of Le Roy Court. They were accompanied by two females (previously cited above). All were removed from the property. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy J.M. Diehl, and Le Roy PD officers E. Blodgett and Dent.

David Zuppelli, of Batavia, submitted this photo of his father, Chester Zuppelli, playing Taps on Memorial Day 1944 in New Caledonia, South Pacific.

Here's a schedule for Memorial Day Ceremonies and the Batavia parade:

7 a.m. -- Genesee County Park (11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany) -- Vietnam Veterans Memorial (VVA #193)

8 a.m. -- Williams Park, City of Batavia-- WW I Memorial (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

8:30 a.m. -- Batavia VA Medical Center

8:45 a.m. -- NYS Veterans Home

9:30 a.m. -- Upton Monument (routes 5 and 63) (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

9:45 a.m. -- Batavia Cemetery, Harvester Avenue, City of Batavia (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

10 a.m. -- Elmwood Cemetery, off Harvester Avenue and Webster Street in the city (AL #332)

10 a.m. -- CITY PARADE -- Begins at the Eastown Plaza traveling west along Main Street and ending at Jerome Center on Bank Street at 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m. -- UMMC -- Jerome Center:

• Memorial Day ceremonies: Invocation; National Anthem with Batavia Concert Band; G.A.R. Order of the Day; Veterans Service Organizations Commemorations; wreath laying with Gold Star Mothers; Honor Roll with drum roll; rifle salute; Taps; Benediction; "God Bless America."

Noon -- Hansen Brothers Grave -- Grandview Cemetery on Clinton Street Road, Batavia (MCL #951)

Participating organizations:

Hansen Borthers Marine Corps League Detachment #951

Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post #332

Veness-Strollo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1602

Disabled American Veterans Chapter #166

Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #193

Sons of Union Veterans Abraham Lincoln Camp #6

Here are more local Memorial Day ceremonies/parades:

• ALEXANDER: Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Alexander High School and travels to the cemetery on Railroad Avenue with a ceremony to take place at the cemetery following the parade.

• BERGEN: Parade at 9 a.m. beginning at the Fire Hall (Route 19 & Hunter Street), traveling south on Route 19 to Hickory Park with ceremony to take place at the park immediately following the parade.
•  
• BYRON: Parade at 11 a.m. from Terry Street to Swamp Road with a ceremony immediately following at Byron Cemetery.

• CORFU: Parade at noon from Corfu Fire hall on Route 33 to the Intermediate School on Route 77. Ceremony immediately following the parade.

• ELBA: Ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m. No parade. The Elba Historical Society Museum will be open for tours after the ceremony.
•  
• LEROY: Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion to Trigon Park with a ceremony at Trigon Park at 11 a.m. following the parade.

• OAKFIELD: Parade at 11 a.m. from the Oakfield Fire Dept. to Triangle Park with ceremony to be held at Triangle Park.

• PAVILION: Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Town Park at intersection of routes 63 and 19. No parade.

No parades/ceremonies for the following:

• Alabama

• Bethany

• Darien

• Pembroke

• Stafford

Christopher Tyler Sprague (pictured left), 22, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, and petit larceny. On May 25, Sprague was transferred from Genesee County Jail to Batavia City Court where he was arraigned on these charges following an investigation into a burglary which occurred at a business at 3 Treadeasy Ave. in the city between May 7 and May 9. Sprague allegedly broke into the building and stole money while inside. He also allegedly damaged several picnic tables and pavilions behind the building. Following his arraignment before City Court Judge Durin Rogers, he was released, but due to a pending parole violation for which he was being held, he was transported back to jail. He is to be in City Court to answer the charges at 1 p.m. on June 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Det. Richard Schauf, assisted by Det. Eric Hill.

Chase Michael Putnam, 20, of Circle Drive, Williamson, is charged with driminal possession of a weapon, 4th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. At 11:57 a.m. on May 26, Putnam was stopped on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke The defendant was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of suspected cocaine and marijuana, as well as a doubled-edge knife. Putnam was arrested and issued an appearance ticket for June 21 in Town of Pembroke Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Reeves.

David Alan Ornt, 24, of Hall Road, Holley, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, speed in excess of 55 mph, and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was arrested on the charges following a traffic stop at 6:52 p.m. on May 22 on South Holley Road in the Town of Byron. He was issued appearance tickets for June 20 in Town of Byron Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Chet William Kenyon, 32, of Sandybrook Drive, Hamlin, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree and open container of alcohol in a a motor vehicle. He was arrested at 6:23 p.m. on May 22 on South Holley Road in Byron following a traffic stop. He was issued appearance tickets for June 20 in Town of Byron Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Angelo A. Cassidy, 39, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned on the charges at 11:10 a.m. on May 18 and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. It is alleged that at noon on Oct. 20, Cassidy removed a home-heating system, appliances and building supplies from a residence on Washington Avenue in the City of Batavia without permission. He is to appear in City Court at 9:30 a.m. on June 16. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Kiha Samuel McNear, 18, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. McNear was arrested at 1:50 a.m. on May 22 on Walnut Street in Batavia after allegedly striking an individual multiple times in the face with a closed fist. The alleged victim was under the age of 17. McNear was jailed on $1,000 bail and was to return to City Court on Monday (May 23). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Twan Conway, 45, of Walden Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Conway was arrested following a 9-1-1 call hang-up investigation. The call was made at 12:30 p.m. on May 17. Conway was arraigned at 10:30 a.m. on May 22 and jailed on $500 bail. Conway was scheduled for City Court on May 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice. Then on May 23, at 7:40 p.m., Conway was arrested again following an incident wherein he allegedly pushed another person while an active order of protection was in place. He was jailed without bail and is be in City Court tomorrow, May 27. This case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Michael Patrick Sullivan, 53, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment. At 7:54 p.m. on May 24, Sullivan was arrested after allegedly violating a court order by subjecting two people to physical contact by throwing a glass item at them. He was jailed on $1,000 bail and is to be in Town of Stafford Court on June 9. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl, assisted by Sgt. Eric Seppala.

Sara Jo Likus, 30, of Townline Road, Darien, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs or both alcohol and drugs; driving on the sidewalk; and moving from lane unsafely. At 9:28 p.m. on May 18, it is alleged that Likus drove a vehicle while her ability to do so was impaired, and that while driving she changed lanes unsafely and drove over the curb onto the sidewalk, striking a utility pole. She was issued several tickets and released to a third party. She is to be in City Court on June 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Charles-Gus Williams, 37, of Robinson Road, Lockport, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 1:49 p.m. on May 20, it is alleged that Williams violated a complete stay away order of protection at a residence on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. He was jailed on $2,500 bail and was due in City Court on May 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Jeffrey D. Matla, 56, of Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with: DWI -- common law; speeding; failure to signal a lane change; and DWI with a BAC greater than .08 percent. Matla was arrested at 5:18 p.m. on May 22 on West Main Street in Batavia following a traffic stop. He was stopped for traffic violations and allegedly found to be operating his motorcycle in an intoxicated condition. He was released and is to be in City Court on June 8. The case was handled by Patavia Police Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Joshua Yeomas, 31, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with third-degree unlicensed operation and failure to use headlights while operating with windshield wipers. Yeomas was located during an unrelated NYS Parole investigation, assisted by Batavia PD, and taken into custody on an arrest warrant stemming from an incident on April 13 on West Main Street, Batavia. He was released and is to appear in City Court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Bert Clifford Earl, 55, of Grandview Terrace, Batavia, is charged with harassment. He was arrested at 11:50 p.m. on May 20 following a disturbance at Batavia Downs wherein he allegedly subjected another person to unwanted physical contact. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Lori A. Brightenfield, 56, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested for writing a check to a business on May 18 to buy alcohol when she allegedly knew she did not have the funds to pay for it. She was issued an appearance ticket for City Court and is to be there on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Carol M. Pahuta, 47, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Pahuta was arrested following a larceny investigation on West Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is to be in City Court to answer the charge on May 31. The case was handled by Bataiva Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Daniel Colin Healy, 25, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. He was taken into custody at 1:48 p.m. on May 23 by Gates PD on an active bench warrant out of City Court for failing to appear on the charge, stemming from an incident June 27 on Vine Street in the City of Batavia. He was jailed on $250 bail and was to be in City Court Wednesday (May 25). Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze handled the case.

Mark J. Zinni, 21, of Evergreen Drive, Batavia, is charged with driving without lights and unlawful possession of marijuana. Zinni was arrested following a traffic stop on Pearl Street at 11:39 p.m. on May 21 in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Zinni was driving without lights and that he was in possession of several small bags containing marijuana. He was released on appearance tickets and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Katelyn C. Kubala, 27, of Genesee Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. She was arrested on a warrant for NYS Parole. At the time she was taken into custody, at 10:59 a.m. on May 20, she allegedly had a quantity of marijuana in her purse. She was turned over the NYS PArole Officer April Fuller at BPD and is to appear in City Court on May 31. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Michael W. Funke, 21, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Funke was arrested following a traffic stop on Pearl Street at 11:52 p.m. on May 21 in the City of Batavia. He was a passenger in the vehicle and allegedly in possession of marijuana. He was released on an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Julie L. Dutton, 21, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on May 23 on a bench warrant out of City Court. It is alleged that she violated the terms of her release under supervision. She was jailed on $5,000 bail and is due in City Court today. The case was handled by Batavia PoliceOfficer Christopher Lindsay.

Andrew C. Webster, 23, of Martin Road, Akron, is charged with failure to appear. At 4:05 p.m. on May 20, Batavia police took custody of Webster from NYS police on a City Court arrest warrant for failure to appear. Webster paid an undisclosed amount of bail and was released. He was to be in City Court on May 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Brian J. Dorman, 32, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with owning an unlicensed dog in the City of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Heidi A. Pahl, 42, of French Road, Attica, is charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or more. She was allegedly involved in an accident at a restaurant in the City of Batavia at 9:18 p.m. on April 25. The vehicle was located at a relative's house in the Town of Alexander a short time later. An investigation revealed that she was allegedly intoxicated at the time. She was arrested and released with appearance tickets for Alexander Town Court on May 31. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Alexandria M. Provens was arrested on April 24 on an outstanding bench warrant issued by the Town of Byron Court for failure to pay fines. She was arraigned before Town of Stafford Court and jailed in lieu of $2,000 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Ellen Marie Martinez-Brayley, 28, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with violation of Family Court Act. She was arrested on an outstanding Family Court warrant and arraigned April 25 and released. She is due back in court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Keiyana S. Clark, 35, of Bronx, was arrested April 23 by state police for petit larceny after she allegedly took more than $270 worth of clothing from Target. Clark was allegedly observed selecting multiple clothing items and hiding them in a large reusable bag; Clark then paid for the items in her cart but failed to remove the items concealed in the bag. Clark was arraigned on $200 bail. She is scheduled for Town of Batavia Court on May 10.

Amanda M. Rumble, 28, of Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 5:50 p.m. on April 25 as the result of a shoplifting complaint at Walmart. She allegedly stole $86.63 in merchandise. She was issued an appearance ticket for a later date in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Press release:

Tonight, Byron-Bergen Central School honors the two newest inductees into its Hall of Fame. Judy (Hulburt) Holly (Class of 1976) and Amy (Seward) Stacy (Class of 1980) join the ranks of other distinguished Byron-Bergen alumni honored with a place in the Hall of Fame for their achievements after graduation.

The Byron-Bergen Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of the district’s graduates, providing young people of our district with positive adult role models, showing that graduates of Byron-Bergen can achieve high levels of accomplishment in their lives.  This honor is in its 13th year and has become part of our school district culture and a permanent reminder to our students about the outcome of hard work and diligence.

The 2016 inductees will be honored on tonight at the school at 7 o'clock. Each will briefly speak to students and receive their B-B Alumni Hall of Fame plaques at the Sr. National Honor Society induction ceremony. They spent the day visiting with Byron-Bergen students and sharing how their school experience influenced their lives.

After college graduation, Holly was employed as a nurse at Highland Hospital (Rochester), working on a medical floor then transferring to labor and delivery. She worked there until she started her family.

Holly has stated that her greatest achievement is her family. She is married to a wonderful man; together they are parents of six children, and have two grandchildren.

She and her husband are foster parents (through Monroe County) and have fostered 50 foster babies (so far), many of whom are medically fragile infants.

Holly has dedicated herself to helping children, most of whom are unable to care for themselves and in need special attention, demonstrating the utmost compassion.

Holly is an excellent role model and source of inspiration to the youth of Byron-Bergen.

She earned several scholarships and awards upon graduation.

After high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from Cornell University in Nutrition, and a master’s degree from SUNY Brockport in Health Education in 1989. Stacy is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, certified dietitian/nutritionist, and certified pump trainer.

She has worked for the WIC Program, Lakeside Memorial Hospital, Strong’s Cardiac Rehab Program, and Lakeside Memorial’s Wellness Center.

Currently, Stacy works for Rochester Regional Health System (Unity Diabetes Program in Brockport) and is the sole proprietor for Innovative Nutrition by Amy.

Awards include Who’s Who in Diabetes Education and the Healthy Heart Contributor Award. She also received a New York State grant for nutrition education. Memberships include the American Diabetes Association, American Association of Diabetes Educators, Rochester Association of Diabetes Educators, American Dietetic Association/Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Genesee Dietetic Association, and Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

She is an active community member who is involved in her church (Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School, worship team), and numerous activities within the Bergen area. Stacy stated her greatest achievement has been to raise four wonderful children with her husband, Rick, and being grandparents.

Involved in her community and through her faith, Stacy inspires the youth of the Byron-Bergen community.

Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office investigated a motor-vehicle accident at the 7-Eleven convenience store on South Main Street in Oakfield on April 19 at about 2 p.m.

A motor vehicle crashed into the south wall of the store and immediately fled the scene. The vehicle was later found on Townline Road in Byron occupied by a male operator. The male was identified at Hicham Fathallah, 34, of Rochester. He was charged with leaving the scene of a motor-vehicle accident and inadequate brakes.

He is to appear in the Town of Oakfield Court at a later date and time.

For initial post, click here.

An out-of-control brush fire is reporred at 6925 Transit Road, north of Route 262. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.