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At last night’s Jan. 8th regular meeting, the Le Roy Central School District Board of Education acknowledge receipt of the formal resignation of Board Member Lawrence Bonacquisti.

In Mr. Bonacquisti’s letter he noted, “I feel that being away for months at a time plus plans for extended vacations is not in the best interests of the community and the students whom I represent. It has been a real pleasure sharing Board efforts with such a fine staff, administration, and fellow colleagues.”

Mr. Bonacquisti has spent 78 years of his life in public education as either a student, teacher, coach, adjunct professor, mentor, and/or board member. He retired in 1993 after a 36-year teaching career at York Central School District, only to then continue on at Genesee Community College as an adjunct professor teaching Psychology. In 1997, Mr. Bonacquisti also supervised student teachers as a senior clinical supervisor at SUNY Geneseo.

Mr. Bonacquisti was an Advisory Member of the Genesee Wyoming BOCES Board from 1978 – 2002, and served on the Le Roy Central School District Board of Education from 2003 – 2018. During his time as a Le Roy school board member, Mr. Bonacquisti was selected as the 2014 Al Hawk Award Recipient for his “outstanding contributions to public education and children in his own community.”

Le Roy School Superintendent Merritt Holly stated, “It has been an absolute honor working with Mr. Bonacquisti over the past three years. His knowledge, experience, and passion for students will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Board, we wish Mr. Bonacquisti the best in his extended upcoming travels!”

Lastly, the Board of Education has decided to wait for the board election process to take place in May in order to fill the remainder of Mr. Bonacquisti's two-year term.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider accepting an application for incentives from Churchville Fire Equipment Corp. at the agency’s Jan. 10^th board meeting. 

The company is seeking to purchase land and build a truck setup facility in an existing facility on 10246 Perry Road in the Town of Pavillion.  The $900,000 investment by the company would create three new jobs.

Churchville Fire Equipment Corp. is seeking just over $50,000 in incentives, including sales and mortgage and property tax exemptions.

Churchville Fire Equipment Corp. has decades of experience in the fire and emergency services industry, and supplies area fire companies with life-saving equipment.

Press release:

Today Congressman Chis Collins (NY-27) formally requested that his paychecks be withheld during the partial government shutdown. Along with withholding his pay, Collins has cosponsored legislation that will ensure that the federal employees who keep our communities and nation safe are paid for their service as shutdown negotiations continue.
 
“I believe it’s unfair for me to receive pay while the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our country safe are seeing their paychecks delayed,” Collins said. “I’ve requested that my paychecks be withheld until essential federal employees, like our Border Patrol and TSA agents who work to protect the safety and security of American citizens, are fully compensated for their duties during this partial government shutdown.”
 
The Providing Pay For Essential Employees Act, introduced by Congressman Bob Gibbs, (OH-07), and cosponsored by Collins, directs the Treasury Department to appropriate funds to cover the salaries and any expenses of any officer or employee of the federal government physically working during the partial government shutdown beginning on or about Dec. 22, 2018.
 
Collins added: “It’s time for partisan Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to quit using hardworking Americans as pawns as they stonewall efforts to secure the border and reopen our government. Protecting American citizens should be a top priority, and it is my hope that Congress and President Trump can work together to find a bipartisan solution that effectively secures our borders and reopens the federal government in a timely manner.”

Pembroke students Tuesday had a lot of questions for Astronaut David Saint-Jacques about being a space pioneer and life aboard the International Space Station.

Sixteen students were selected to ask questions and participating the planning of the event and today it all came together after months of preparation -- going back to April of last year -- during an assembly in the school's auditorium.

Saint-Jacques answered questions about what it was like to be in space, how his life inside the space station, what surprised him about going into space, and whether it was fun, along with addressing other topics.

Melissa Smith, a 7th and 8th-grade science teacher, took the lead on setting up the event and said it was a great opportunity to expose the students to things they may not otherwise get to do as part of their school experience. They learned about shortwave radio, the space station, about astronauts and they worked with members of the community to help bring it all together.

"We want to make a relatable experience for them so this was really cool because this isn't something we would necessarily teach in our curriculum, in our class, so it was a way we could go above and beyond what students normally learn," Smith said.

In all, 16 students were selected to ask questions during the eight or nine minutes the station was in position to connect via shortwave with a transmitter.

The ARISS event was managed by an international consortium of amateur radio organizations and space agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at SUNY Buffalo State, and members of the Genesee County Radio Amateurs (GRAM) Club.  Pamela Ware, from Corfu, and member of GRAM, holds an FCC amateur extra license and was the liaison for the team of radio operators who provided hands-on training and experience for Pembroke students. 

Here's something you don't see every day: A ring-necked pheasant in the city.

Joanne Fleming spotted the bird by Pizza Hut yesterday afternoon.

Buffalo News: Thurman Thomas calls for bail system reforms

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.24, down 3 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.49. The New York State average is $2.58 – down 4 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.67.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.68 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.64 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.42 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.55 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.56 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Syracuse- - $2.46 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.63 (down 7 cents since last week)

With OPEC production cuts in the works, analysts are closely watching the price of oil, which is a factor that could push gas prices back up. However, AAA expects to see minimal volatility at the start of the cartel’s production cuts. Oil prices would have to go up by about $30 per barrel to push gas prices back to the $3 per gallon range.

January is a low-demand month for gasoline so a sharp spike in prices is not expected in coming weeks.

Michele A. Case who, in her last court appearance, invited Judge Charles Zambito to put her in jail will get her wish.

Zambito issued a warrant for her this morning after she failed to appear in court on further proceedings regarding restitution she owes for stealing more than $14,000 from her former employer, HomeCare & Hospice.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman requested the warrant after being informed that she also did not provide her attorney, Public Defender Jerry Ader, a financial statement nor did she make a restitution payment on Jan. 2, which Zambito previously ordered.

"(Considering the other factors and) her rant when she was in court last time where she invited the court to send her to jail because she's not going to make any more restitution payments, I request a warrant," Friedman said.

Ader didn't oppose the warrant but indicated he planned to file an appeal challenging the Genesee County Court's jurisdiction in the restitution case.

The PD has maintained that because Case's probation was served in other counties -- first Erie County than Niagara County, where she presently lives -- Ader maintains that now that she's off probation the local court doesn't have the authority to compel restitution and that the matter should be referred to Niagara County. 

Zambito has ruled previously that he does have jurisdiction and he said the Genesee County Probation Department has indicated it will accept restitution payments from Case under these circumstances.

Case was employed by HomeCare & Hospice when she falsified documents about her patient visits that enabled her to collect more than $14,000 in unearned income. She was convicted at trial twice by a jury (her first conviction was overturned on appeal because of how some evidence was presented at that trial).

A structure fire is reported at 3899 Ridge Road, Elba.

A second alarm sounded.

First responders report a working structure fire.

Elba Fire, Oakfield and Barre dispatched.

UPDATE 1:53 a.m.: It's reportedly an abandoned house. Town of Batavia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 4:11 a.m.: Video and photos added. The structure was vacant. A neighbor called in the fire. It was difficult to fight because it was a dead-end road making it harder to get tankers in and out of the area. 

UPDATE 4:14 a.m.: Elba command informs dispatch that the fire is pretty much out, "just working on some hot spots."

Le Roy PD has been dispatched to a location on Lake Street, Le Roy, to check on a recreational vehicle that the caller claims is a residence for people who "have been starting fires."

Community tips, following news reports of larcenies in the Robbins Road area of Le Roy, as well as a tip from two of the suspects themselves, helped Le Roy PD officers piece together a case against four Le Roy residents in a scheme to allegedly steal personal property and sell the items for drug money.

Taken into custody were Tyler M. Powers, Robert J. Pragle, Shane C. Anthony, and Michelle A. Condidorio.

A series of larcenies was first reported Wednesday, with more than $20,000 in private property reportedly stolen. Le Roy PD provided a surveillance photo of a suspect and information about the crimes to local media.

On Thursday afternoon, police officers received a complaint of suspicious activity in the area of Robbins Road. Individuals were reportedly seen disposing of items near the property of the caller. The two people then left in a vehicle. 

When police officers arrived, they identified many of the items as those reported as stolen.

A short time later, two subjects arrived at the Le Roy Police headquarters and offered to identify the suspect in the photo provided to news outlets.

Officers determined the person identified by the people at the police station matched the subject in the photo.

As it turned out, based on further investigation by the officers, the two people at the police station appeared to also be involved in the larcenies. Another person was also identified as a suspect in the thefts.

As a result of the investigations, officers obtained a search warrant at a residence shared by the suspects. 

At the residences, officers say they found additional items that had been reported stolen along with crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

During the search, Anthony was also allegedly found in personal possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

Charges:

Tyler M. Powers was charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd, a Class D felony, and one count of criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, a Class D felony. Powers was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Robert J. Pragle was charged with one count of criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, a Class D felony, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, a Class A misdemeanor, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, a Class A misdemeanor. Pragle was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Shane C. Anthony was charged with one count of criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, a Class D felony, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Powers was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Michelle A. Condidorio was charged with one count of criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, a class D felony, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Condidorio was jailed on $10,000 bail.

A dedication to the community, to law enforcement, and his reputation among his peers as a person of good character, are among the reasons Sheriff William Sheron Jr. said he picked Sgt. Brad Mazur as his new undersheriff after Mazur took his oath of office yesterday.

Judge Charles Zambito administered the oath to Mazur at the Sheriff's Office on Park Road in Batavia, witnessed by Mazur's wife, Lisa, and their children Hunter, 18, Brady, 12, and Casey, 9.

"He's well recognized not only by the law enforcement community but the criminal justice system for being just an outstanding individual, a great human being, compassionate," Sheron said. 

The undersheriff is the person who steps in when the sheriff isn't available. The undersheriff is also a key supervisor in day-to-day operations of the department with responsibilities that cross patrol, investigations, communications, and the jail. The undersheriff is also a point person on new hires, disciplinary procedures, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations, and handling grant applications.

"Brad is, the best way to put it, an outstanding individual, somebody that I know I can count on," Sheron said. "I've known Brad's family since I was a young child. They actually grew up on the same street as me. I just think he's a he's a person of great character, somebody I have no doubt I can rely on in any type of situation."

Mazur said he's been in love with law enforcement since he started his career in 1999 as a deputy in the Sheriff's Office. He's risen through the ranks, most recently being promoted to sergeant in 2017 and given command of the Local Drug Task Force. He's also been a field training officer, a drug recognition expert and a hostage negotiator. He was named Officer of the Year in 2002 and received the Kiwanis Criminal Justice Award.

After the retirement of Greg Walker at the end of the year, Sheron didn't announce a job opening. He waited for members of the department to come to him and express an interest in the job. Mazur was among those who spoke up.

"I wanted to rise to the leadership challenge and I wanted to give back to the department," Mazur said. "I've had excellent supervisors throughout the years and I've learned from them. Right now, I have a great team around me so I'm looking forward to this new challenge."

The current command staff: Jail Superintendent William Zipfel, Sheriff William Sheron Jr., Undersheriff Bradley Mazur, Chief Deputy - Investigations, Jerome Brewster, Chief Deputy - Road Patrol, Joseph Graff.

A Pembroke farmer was killed Friday evening after his tractor, hauling round bales of hay, was struck from behind by a northbound SUV on a darkened South Lake Road.

The Sheriff's Office investigating the accident and has identified the farmer as Roger A. Sweet.

According to area residents, Sweet raised goats at his small farm on South Lake Road and had a hay field on Maple Road. He regularly drove his tractor, loaded with hay on spikes, from his field on Maple Road to his place on South Lake.

The crash was reported at 5:54 p.m., approximately 70 minutes after sunset.

Preliminary indications are, according to sources at the scene, that he had minimal lighting and reflectors on his Massey-Ferguson tractor.

His wife reportedly heard the crash and rushed outside.

The driver of the 2017 Equinox that struck the tractor, Janet I. Miller, of Rochester, was not injured. The spike holding the back bale of hay on the tractor did not hit the vehicle squarely and did not penetrate the driver's compartment.

Sweet was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Karen Lang.

The accident is being investigated by Chief Deputy Joseph Graff, Sgt. Andrew Hale, Investigator Chad Minuto, Investigator James Diehl, of the Crash Management Team, Deputy Kyle Krzemien, and Trooper Kelli Fitch.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Pembroke, Alabama, Indian Falls, East Pembroke and Corfu fire departments, along with Mercy EMS, Dickinson's Auto Services, and Ron and Newt's Towing.

(Initial report)

A vehicle has hit a utility pole in the area of 7189 Road, Elba, and there is airbag deployment, but there is nobody in the car, according to the caller.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A trooper on scene reports wires down.

UPDATE 11:37 p.m.: The pole is snapped in half.

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: Heavy front-end, driver-side damage.

UPDATE 11:48 p.m.: Mercy EMS back in service. No patient found.

An SUV and hay wagon have reportedly collided in the area of 9341 South Lake Road, Pembroke.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: Subject trapped under the hay wagon. Dispatchers checking the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Road being closed at Maple and at Cohocton. Corfu Fire Police requested to assist.

UPDATE 6:08 p.m.: Mercy Flight is canceled.

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: This is a fatal accident. It appears the male driver of a Massey Ferguson tractor hauling a hay bale(s) was northbound on South Lake Road when he attempted to turn into his driveway and was rear-ended by a northbound SUV. The collision caused the tractor to snap in two and roll on top of the man. The SUV driver was not injured. The Crash Management Team is on site and preliminary indications are that the tractor had insufficient lighting and reflectors. The investigation continues.

WXXI: Measles case confirmed in Monroe County

If Sean A. Semprie Jr., had just stuck around the Genesee County Courthouse one morning back in May he wouldn't be heading to state prison today.

Judge Charles Zambito was ready to cut Semprie a deal back then that would have meant some jail time followed by five years probation on drug peddling charges. But while Zambito conferred with Semprie's attorney, the 25-year-old told a court official he had to go out to his car. He never came back.

His attorney, Public Defender Jerry Ader told Zambito it should count in Semprie's favor that he never left Genesee County, even with a warrant pending, that he knew eventually he would be caught, and that while it was a poor decision, he wanted to get a job and take care of his family, which he did, Ader said.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell said the "take care of his family" excuse rang a little hollow.

"The defendant had an opportunity here," Finnell said, adding later, "the fact that he's managed to stay away from being re-arrested is not an indication of his ability to behave lawfully. He says he had a job but there's no indication of what he's been doing (since May).

"Going back to 2008, there's been a bench warrant issued for him, he's had his probation revoked, that was in Monroe County on a burglary charge, and there was a warrant for his return here in 2017 (when Semprie was extricated from Maine on his drug dealing indictment)."

Given that history, and with a maximum available sentence, Finnell said, "He's done nothing to earn less than the maximum."

Semprie spoke politely but said he disagreed with the district attorney. He said he was sorry for the trouble he caused the court, but "everything he says about me was 10 years ago. I was a different person. Now I'm a man. I have a child. I did make poor choices. I mean, I'm sorry for what I did but I don't think I deserve five years."

Zambito said he didn't have a lot of confidence that Semprie is a man who abides by the rules.

"This is not the way to take care of your baby," Zambito said. "I guess the disturbing part is that you were here and after I tried to talk with your attorney, you left. Well, I guess that was a mistake on my part but what you did was a bigger mistake on your part."

Perhaps a three and a half year jail term followed by two years of parole will teach Semprie a lesson, Zambito said, adding, "I don't know."

Semprie still faces a bail jumping charge in Batavia City Court.

Busking in Batavia is uncommon -- in fact, I've never seen it before and a couple of longtime residents I spoke to said they've never seen street musicians in the city before, so when I spotted Anthony Coco in front of Aldi yesterday evening, I had to stop and chat with him.

He wasn't too talkative, so no interview in the video. 

He said he's been in Batavia for three months. He's from Las Vegas. He's busking -- accepting donations while playing music -- because that's his only option to feed himself. He's lost his Social Security card and birth certificate so can't get help from any social services. He's been couch surfing since moving to Batavia.

Yes, "that would be the idea" to become a professional musician he said, but right now the best he can do is busk.