Stories from

Wendy S. Pritchard, 39, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with false reporting an incident and providing a false written statement. Pritchard is accused of falsely reporting that a check written to her landlord was stolen and cashed without her permission.

Ajia R. Hasenauer, 22, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hasenauer was arrested by Le Roy police after a check by a probation officer of her residence allegedly uncovered a quantity of pregabalin, a controlled substance.

Brenda L. Babcock, 31, of West Ave, Brockport, was arrested on a warrant by Le Roy PD. Babcock was wanted in connection with a 2008 charge of issuing a bad check. 

Michael J. Elmore, 24, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Elmore was arrested following an investigation into a trespassing complaint at 6:06 a.m. Monday at an address on Summit Street, Batavia.

Ela Arana, 37, of Chapin Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Arana was allegedly observed by Batavia Downs video surveillance staff stealing a phone. Also charged with petit larceny, Luz E. Ramos, 54, of Chapin Street, Rochester.

Jae-Quele M. Tomlin, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Tomlin was arrested following a complaint of a disturbance at Billy Goats, 345 W. Main St., Batavia, at 11 p.m. Friday. Also arrested, Amber D. Blackshear, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, who was charged with assault, 3rd. Blackshear allegedly hit and injured a bouncer. Also arrested, Winston Ashton Lockhart, 20, no permanent address, who was charged with second-degree harassment and trespass.

Barbara Lynn Burns, 51, of Westwind Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Burns was arrested by Deputy James Diehl following a report of a property damage accident at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

Larson Zane Sundown, 18, of Meadville Road, Basom, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, moving from lane unsafely, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop for a red light on a right turn and driving left of pavement markings. Sundown as stopped by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello on Lewiston Road, Batavia, at 11:53 p.m. Nov. 25.

   Glenn Morton

Most notably, perhaps, Glenn R. Morton was a Genesee County Judge, but in matters of public service, he was so much more than that.

Morton was a former county legislator, a former Genesee Community College trustee and a member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors, as well as a former supervisor in the Town of Batavia. He was also active in the Lions Club and on the board of the YMCA.

The 81-year-old Morton passed away Tuesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 8, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Co. is handling arrangements.

For Morton's full obituary, click here.

Press release:

The year 2016 marks the 177th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair! 

The Genesee County Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that the 2016 Genesee County Fair will be held on July 12th – 16th. Please note that the Fair dates have changed by one week to allow the Agricultural Society to secure a top of the line midway and entertainment. This date change will enable the Fair to continue to grow into the future. 

Preparations have already begun in the planning of the 177th Genesee County Fair. The Agricultural Society welcomes the return of Midway Rides of Utica as the midway ride provider for 2016. This year, once again, admission to the Fair is only $5 per carload. Several of the popular Grandstand events will be returning this year, including the Demolition Derby, ESP Tractor Pulls & Stock Car Racing. Other returning events include the Genesee County Fair Talent Show, The Grand Parade, a classic/antique auto & farm equipment show, small fry tractor pull, 4-H livestock auction, 4-H animal exhibits and the Fair Queen Pageant.

For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com 

These are just some of the events happening during the 177th fair. With your help, the Agricultural Society hopes to make 2016 a memorable year for the fair by adding new and exciting events. The board of directors would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer, exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair. Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the weeks before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!

Becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers that live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year. If you are interested in volunteering, exhibiting or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to  HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com to download all of the forms and for contact information.

The Agricultural Society would like to make the 177th fair special. In order for this to happen, your help is needed! The Genesee County Agricultural Society would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Genesee County Fair over the years!

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is always receiving reports of scams that are attempted via the phone, mail or online. Scams can range from “you won the lottery” (that you didn’t even enter) to a call from someone claiming to be a relative who is in trouble with the law and needs bail (a favorite for elderly grandparents).

The common denominator for all of these scams is an eventual attempt to get the victim to send/wire money to the caller. If it’s an ID theft scam, the goal is to obtain personal information from you such as your date of birth, address, Social Security number, etc. Another commonality is the pressure to act now or loose the opportunity. This pressure can come in the form of a threat.

Today alone, we received no less than five reports of an IRS scam that is being perpetrated via phone. In this scam, the caller identifies him or herself as an IRS agent, tells the victim they owe the IRS a sum of unpaid taxes and threatens to have him/her arrested immediately if cash is not withdrawn from the bank and wired to an address the caller gives. The caller doesn’t allow any time for the victim to check the validity of the call and actually continues to verbally threaten the victim.

Today, a potential victim came to the Sheriff’s Office to report such a scam attempt. The victim had been convinced that the caller was with the IRS and that she was going to be arrested if she didn’t immediately comply. She went to her bank, withdrew over $5,000 and drove to a local retail store (as directed) where she was to wire out the money. Fortunately, she called a family member at the last minute, despite the threats not to delay, and was diverted to the Sheriff’s Office before the money was gone forever.

The IRS never attempts to collect legitimate debt over the phone or Internet. They never attempt to persuade you not to confirm the legitimacy of such a contact. While there may be a deadline involved, it is never so short as not to afford you time to check out the authenticity of the notification with the IRS using publicly listed contact numbers.

If you have doubt, if you are confused, if you feel threatened, call a trusted family member and/or the Sheriff’s Office. IRS scam attempts can be reported directly to the Treasury Inspector General for Taxation Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or via their Web site: www.tigta.gov

Services have been announced for Norman D. "Don" Ball, 69, who was shot and killed early Tuesday morning while he slept in his bed at his residence on Selden Road, Le Roy.

A neighbor, Kyle Johnson, has been charged with murder in the second degree.

The Falcone Funeral & Cremation Service in Le Roy is handling arrangments for the Ball family. Calling hours are from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, 8700 Lake Road, Le Roy. Funeral services are at noon, with interment to follow at Stafford Rural Cemetery.

Ball, a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Air Force, will receive military honors.

For the complete obituary, click here.

Previously:

• Selden Road victim sleeping in bed before being shot to death
• Arson, murder suspect in Le Roy reportedly taunted police before surrendering
• Person reportedly shot at residence in Town of Le Roy

The season opener for the Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team didn't exactly go the way Dave Pero Sr. would have liked, with a tough loss to Gates Chili, 42-33, but Pero couldn't have been prouder of his son.

Dave Perio Jr., was appointed the Gates Chili coach during the off-season, and after three years as an assistant to his father at Notre Dame, the younger Pero gets his first opportunity to run his own program.

"I've been happy for him since the day he got the job," said Pero Sr. "It's a great opportunity for him. It's his second win. He's 2-0. He's got a nice road ahead of him. Let's hope he keeps building and great things are going to happen."

Always intense on the sidelines, Pero Jr. was perhaps even a little more animated making his first appearance as a head coach in a gym where he played high school ball and helped the Lady Irish to a couple of championship seasons.

"Coming in here, seeing my brother on the other bench and my family here, and I've coached these girls on Notre Dame's team for three years, so I know every single one of them," Pero Jr. said. "I know they wanted to beat me as much as I wanted to win. I'm trying to build a program at Gates Chili, so a win at Gates is just as big for my program. I loved my time here, but unfortunately, I had to move on and I'm trying to do the best I can where I am now."

He said the win was bittersweet because he hates seeing his father lose, but he needed his girls to play winning basketball.

"My father is my mentor, one of my best friends," Pero Jr. said. "It was tough coaching against him."

Both coaches said the game was like watching twin teams battle on the hardwood.

"I teach the same things he does," Pero Jr. said. "Hard work, boxing out, diving on the floor for loose balls. Everything I know, I learned from him."

Both coaches are optimistic about their teams' prospects for 2015-16, even though they both have young teams. Pero Sr. said the loss was just a small setback. It doesn't derail the season.

"My expectations are high, even after a loss tonight," Pero Sr. said. 

One roster change that makes Notre Dame a bit younger than expected this season is the departure of Shea Norton, a 6' 2" senior who was one of the area's dominant girls basketball players last season, who decided she would rather be a cheerleader than a hoops star. It's a change of heart Pero Sr. didn't want to discuss other than to say, "We're moving on."

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is repairing a broken water main on South Swan Street. South Swan Street will be closed to traffic from Ellicott Street to Sumner Street until repairs are completed.  

There will be a water service interruption for residents from Ellicott Street to Sumner Street. Other residents in the area may experience low water pressure or discolored water, which should return to normal once repairs are complete.

The Batavia High School Drama Club will present a special adaptation of "Peter Pan" called "Peter and Wendy" this weekend on the stage -- a theater-in-the-round setting -- in the school's auditorium.

The adaptation, by writer Jeremy Bloom, explores some of the deeper themes of "Peter Pan," including the relevance of time.

There are 28 students in the cast and four more working as stage crew. The production is directed by Caryn Burk.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students.

Pictured are: Shannon Cervone, Eryn Dunn, and Elise Hoerbelt as Lost Boys; Alex Mott as Peter, Chelsea Jensen as Tiger Lily and Sarah Wetzel as Tinker Bell.

Norman Don Ball
Photo provided by a family member

Kyle G. Johnson, 53, of 7324 Selden Road, Le Roy, has been charged with murder in the second degree in the shooting death this morning of Norman Don Ball, 69, of 7421 Selden Road, Le Roy.

Johnson is also charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree arson, and reckless endangerment. Additional charges are pending.

Johnson is accused of entering the home of Ball through an unlocked rear door at about 3:50 a.m., going upstairs, asking a roommate if Ball was home, and then going back downstairs, entering Ball's bedroom, where Ball was sleeping, and shooting him in the head with a 12-guage shotgun.

Johnson then fled on foot, according to the Sheriff's Office, and returned to his house, which he then allegedly set on fire through unknown means.

The roommate reported hearing a pop, went downstairs and found Ball in his bed with a gunshot wound to his head. The roommate then went next door, where Mr. Ball's son lived, and informed him of the shooting, and the son called 9-1-1.

The first deputy arrived on scene at 4:02 a.m., followed by a Village of Le Roy police officer at 4:06 a.m.

At 4:15 a.m., dispatchers received a call from another Selden Road resident who reported a structure fire at 7324 Selden Road.

Le Roy fire was dispatched and a chief and village officer arrived on scene. The suspect fired his shotgun in their direction, according to the Sheriff's Office statement. 

No firefighters or officers were injured as a result of these shots.

Numerous deputies and troopers then arrived on scene and the suspect was contained within the general area around his house.

The Batavia PD emergency response team then arrived on scene and kept the suspect contained to the immediate vicinity. 

The suspect reportedly paced back and forth around his house and out onto the roadway and ignored numerous commands to drop his weapon.

The SWAT team of the Monroe County Sheriff Office arrived on scene and provided further assistance with its armored vehicles. 

The vehicles were used to confront Johnson, but Johnson allegedly failed to comply with commands to drop his weapon and surrender. 

"He would charge the armored vehicle and then back off," according to the statement. 

At approximately 7:55 a.m., Johnson placed his weapon on the ground and he was rushed by members of the SWAT team and taken into custody.

There was a press conference at the Sheriff's Office this afternoon and we will have an additional story on today's event later.

Photos of Johnson being escorted from his arraignment in Le Roy by Ray Coniglio.

Previously:

• Arson, murder suspect in Le Roy reportedly taunted police before surrendering
• Person reportedly shot at residence in Town of Le Roy

Based on information obtained from sources, we believe the suspect is in this photo, standing near the front of the Sheriff's patrol vehicle with the lights on. The photo was taken at 7:09 a.m. with a 300mm lens and has been enlarged substantially for publication. We were told the suspect wandered around the area of the roadway and his home while officers tried to talk him into surrendering. Shortly after this photo was taken, SWAT teams arrived. The suspect surrendered at about 8:10 a.m., we are told.

 

A Selden Road resident who is suspected of murdering a neighbor early this morning in Le Roy and setting his own home ablaze was taunting the police once they arrived on scene, according to a witness.

"Did you see what I did to my house?" the witness said the man told police. "Just shoot me."

Sheriff's deputies and Village of Le Roy police, along with Mercy EMS, were dispatched to 7421 Selden Road just after 4 a.m. after dispatchers received a report of a person being shot in the face. About 10 minutes later, Le Roy fire along with the Bergen Fire Department were dispatched to 7324 Selden Road for a structure fire with flames showing. Shortly thereafter, Stafford and Pavillion fire departments were called to provide mutual aid.

At first, there was no indication the two incidents were related, but when the first assistant chief for Le Roy fire, accompanied by the department's safety officer and a chief from a mutual aid company arrived on scene, along with a patrol from Le Roy, the suspect reportedly turned his shotgun on the responders and opened fire.

None of the responders were hit and they made a quick exit from the area, with the chief informing dispatchers they had been fired on and to hold back all responding units.

The chief was pretty shaken and returned to the fire hall a short time later, said 2nd Assistant Chief Tom Wood.

"We actually never got told there were any shots fired or the second incident was happening, so we responded as a normal incident," Wood said.

It's unclear if the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was firing indiscriminately or deliberately targeting either firefighters or police.

Wood said it appeared to the firefighters the gun was pointed at them.

"When they got on scene they saw the individual and he pointed the gun in their direction, or the direction of the police, and, I believe, fired two or three rounds at them," Wood said. "Nobody was hit, but it was definitely scary."

It was a tense time for Jon Marcello and his family, who moved from the village to Selden Road in July. He said he spoke to his neighbor, the suspect, for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The suspect, he said, placed a no trespassing sign in his front yard because he was going through a divorce and he didn't know who his ex-wife might had given keys to.

"He was concerned about other people coming into the house and on the property," Marcello said.

When Marcello saw a fire burning outside this neighbor's house, he went outside to investigate. He then heard two gunshots. A police officer told him to get back in his house. He said he and his wife and his two small children, who are too young to have comprehended what was going on, sheltered upstairs.

"It's certainly concerning when you see him walking down the street and on our property with a shotgun, SWAT teams all around telling him to put the gun down and he wasn't complying," Marcello said. "He was actually taunting them telling them to shoot him. I don't know if it was a suicide mission, or what."

The suspect surrendered about 8:10 a.m.

The name of the victim has not yet been officially released.

No other injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.

The incident was troubling for the volunteers who responded to the scene, Wood said. Even though nobody has forgotten what happened in Webster, where firefighters were shot and killed responding to a fire, on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago, it's still not something you expect to happen here. Wood said he doesn't know how you prepare or train for such unexpected violence.

"It's scary," Wood said. "We don't know how to deal with stuff like this. We're a small rural department and all volunteer."

The Sheriff's Office has scheduled a press conference at 2 p.m. about the incident.

Previously: Person reportedly shot at residence in Town of Le Roy

The residence of the shooting victim.

Tom Wood speaking with members of the media.

Law enforcement and Mercy medics are responding to a residence on Selden Road in the Town of Le Roy where a person has reportedly suffered a gunshot wound.

A dispatcher advises that "the victim has been shot in the face. The suspects appear to have left the area."

UPDATE 4:10 a.m.: It's described as a "marauding incident" (which Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines as "roaming about and raiding in search of plunder.") Further law enforcement communications have been moved to a secure channel.

UPDATE 4:18 a.m.: Now there is a report of a structure fire at a residence near the original caller's address. Smoke and flames showing. Le Roy fire and Bergen fire dispatched. Of course, at this point, it's unknown if the incidents are related.

*** We're withholding the address pending more complete information and to avoid identifying the victim at this stage.

UPDATE(S)(By Billie) 4:28 a.m.: "Shots fired. Back out of the area," the fire chief on scene tells responders. Stafford and Pavilion fire departments were also called to the fire.

UPDATE 4:41 a.m.: Le Roy Fire Police are instructed to shut down Selden Road at Route 19 and at West Bergen Road. Only emergency responders and law enforcement will be allowed to pass.

UPDATE 5:08 a.m.: Flames are no longer visible at the scene of the structure fire, however firefighters have not yet been allowed to access the property because law enforcement has not cleared the scene. An emergency command center, or staging area, has been set up at the Eastern Carolina, LLC, complex at 7591 Selden Road, near Route 19. (The gunshot incident and the fire are roughly a block apart on Selden Road.)

UPDATE 5:34 a.m.: People on Selden Road are ordered to "shelter in place," according to an order given by law enforcement. They must remain inside until further notice.

UPDATE 6:17 a.m.: A reader who lives on Selden Road said he "came outside when I first noticed the fire and a police officer told me to get back in the house and there was an active shooter. Soon after, there were two loud gunshots, sounded like a shotgun. ... The fire is still blazing pretty good on the west side of the house closest to me. No firefighters on scene, assuming they have not found the shooter (s). ..." This reader also submitted the photo above.

UPDATE 6:58 a.m.: A woman who has identified herself as the daughter of the shooting victim has told the media that her 69-year-old father has died as a result of the gunshot wound(s). Police have not confirmed this.

UPDATE 7: 22 a.m.: Photo from the scene:

UPDATE 8:14 a.m.: Multiple law enforcement units have cleared the scene; they've left the area. It has not been confirmed, but indications are that the situation has been resolved, that the incident has concluded.

8:32 a.m.: A suspect has been taken into custody.

A would-be robber reportedly pointed a long gun at a potential victim outside the 7-Eleven at 404 E. Main St., Batavia, at about 9 p.m. Sunday, according to the Batavia Police Department, and demanded money.

The assailant demanded personal property from a person sitting in a vehicle, but after the person did not turn over any property, the assailant left the area.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as wearing a mask, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, and camouflage pants. There's no further description of the suspect available. 

The confidential tip line for Batavia PD is (585) 345-6370. Police dispatch can be reached at (585) 345-6350.

Harrison J. Hartung, 32, of Power Street, Syracuse, was arrested on a warrant by State Police in Auburn during a traffic stop and turned over to Batavia PD. The warrant stems from an alleged incident in 2005 that led to a charge of disorderly conduct. The incident was reported at 6:19 a.m., May 7, 2005, at 318 E. Main St., Batavia. Hartung was arraigned in City Court, pled guilty, was fined $80, plus a $95 surcharge, and released.

Nicholas Alexander Pleace, 29, of Orangeport Road, Gasport, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Pleace allegedly forced his way into a residence on Pratt Road at 2:25 p.m. Thursday,and damaged property in the process. He allegedly shoved a victim and refused to leave upon request. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Wayne Lewis, 28, of Thorn Street, Rochester, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Lewis was arrested following an investigation by Le Roy PD into the theft of a credit card at Tops Market. Lewis was identified as the suspect through the use of surveillance footage that helped identify him and his vehicle. Lewis is accused of stealing the card and then making a purchase with it. He was issued an appearance ticket.

A 17-year-old resident of River Road, Pavilion, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday by Officer Chad Richards (defendant's name withheld by Batavia PD).

James E. Wroten Jr., 49, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Wroten allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection.

Leslie O. Hinz, 66, of Manhatten Avenue, Batavia, turned himself in on an arrest warrant after speaking with Sgt. Dan Coffey. Hinz was wanted on a harassment, 2nd, charge. Hinz allegedly approached and continuously followed a stranger at 10:20 a.m., Oct. 19. Hinz posted $300 bail.

Kathleen M. Watkins, 36, of Perry Road, Pavilion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear to pay a fine.

Oscar L. Muniz Jr., 22, of Parma Center Road, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, inadequate muffler and uninspected motor vehicle. Muniz was stopped at 9:23 p.m. Wednesday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards for allegedly driving a vehicle with a loud muffler.

Kimberly Ashley Paladino, 25, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Paladino is accused of stealing $198 in merchandise from Walmart on Thursday. She is also accused of stealing $163.37 in merchandise from Walmart on Nov. 19.

Members of the Pembroke Teachers' Federation volunteered Saturday, along with their family members, to be bell ringers for the Salvation Army.

If you, your family or group would like to participate in the Genesee County Red Kettle Campaign, contact Major Robert Kurtz at 585-861-0676 or robert.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org.

Photos submitted by Aaron K. Brown.

Shoppers at Batavia Town Center today could get a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

There is a report of heavy smoking showing from an apartment at 103 W. Main St., Building 1, Apt. #5, Le Roy, the Royal Apartments.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance along with Bergen, Pavilion and Town of Batavia's Fast Team are dispatched.

UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: Second alarm responders can stage in quarters.

Bill Moon came home to his house on Bank Street, City of Batavia, Saturday evening to find a bullet hole in a family room window. A neighbor said he heard the shot ring out between 4 and 5 p.m.

Fortunately, Moon said, nobody was home at the time, but he blames the county's new law allowing long rifles to be used during deer season.

He said Batavia PD, a Sheriff's deputy and a Department of Environmental Conservation officer responded and agreed the shot likely came from a .30-caliber rifle, such as a .30-30 or .30-06.

The bullet passed through the family room and into the kitchen.

A spokesman for Batavia PD confirmed a complaint was filed and law enforcement responded, but said the investigation is being handled by the DEC. We were unable to reach the DEC for further information.

Photo submitted by Bill Moon.

 A mattress that was on fire was pulled outside at 2 Valley View Drive, Batavia, and the fire is now believed to be out and contained. 

 Town of Batavia fire responding.