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Genesee County's six village's could face a substantial expense if they want to use the Board of Election's modern voting machines, Election Commissioner Richard Siebert told the Ways and Means Committee this afternoon.

The exact cost per village hasn't been determined yet, but it starts with more than 56 cents per ballot to feed into the machines and includes staff support and security.

Only certified staff can supervise the machines in order to ensure there is no tampering, Siebert said.

While school districts can continue to use the old lever machines through the 2012 elections, villages and fire districts are prohibited from allowing voters to pull on the old levers from now on.

The Board of Elections will bring forward a resolution to the Legislature to declare the lever machines surplus property, at which point they can be donated to school districts, if they want them.

For villages and fire districts, they have two choices: shoulder the costs of using the new election computers or use paper ballots.

Legislator Bob Bausch said that Bergen will use paper ballots for its next election.

A proposal to license home improvement contractors who do work in the City of Batavia is being put on hold while further research is done into how the proposed law should be implemented.

The matter has been referred to City Attorney George Van Nest.

City Manager Jason Molino told the City Council about the change in direction during the budget review meeting at City Hall tonight.

While Councilman Bob Bialkowski spoke out against the proposal and Councilwoman Rosemary Christian said she's received a lot of calls on the matter, Council Bill Cox said given the trouble he had with a contractor last year, he leans toward support the proposal.

The proposal was included in the 2011/12 budget. The plan was to impose a $125 annual license fee for contractors doing a variety of home improvement projects, from painting to driveway paving and several other types of improvements.

Christian said there was a lot of confusion about the proposal, such as some people calling her expressing concern that the kid who mows lawns during the summer would have to pay the city $125 per year.

Molino said it's those kinds of definitions that the city attorney will clear up in the research and review process.

There's no timeline for when the proposal might be brought back to the council for consideration.

Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who struck a pedestrian on Ross Street on Tuesday night.

The 16-year-old girl who was struck was treated for minor injuries at UMMC.

The car is described as a dark colored "old style" sports car. The driver is described as a dark-skinned male.

According to Batavia Police, the pedestrian was walking east on Ross when the car, which was heading east on Washington Avenue, failed to stop at the stop sign. The driver made a right-hand turn to head south on Ross and struck the pedestrian.

Anybody with information that might help with the investigation is asked to call Batavia PD at 345-6350.

A Batavia mother who admitted that she tried to smuggle oxycodone into the Genesee County Jail for her son will spend five years on probation, County Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled today.

Kathleen Catino, 60, of Seven Springs Road, entered a guilty plea in November. She tried to bring the drugs in September to Cain Catino, 39, who had recently been arrested for an attempted robbery of prescription drugs from the Oakfield Pharmacy.

I’m sorry," she told Noonan. "Would I do again? No. It’s very hard to watch your child suffer. It’s been a very long 15 years."

Dressed all in black, Catino also complained to the judge that  officials at Oneida State Prison are not providing her son -- serving one-and-a-third to three years for attempted robbery -- with the substance abuse treatment Noonan ordered.

He responded that in some areas the legislature has not granted him the power to require corrections officials to do everything he might require of a convict.

"Short of that authority, they're on their own and know more about the business they conduct than I do," Noonan said.

As for Catino's actions, the judge told her "You have to understand, and everybody needs to understand, that just because you see somebody suffering you can’t take the law into your own hands to correct the difficulty."

Noonan did allow Catino, who has no prior criminal history, to retain her driver's license, finding that taking it from her would have posed a significant hardship.

As part of the plea agreement, Catino agreed to be searched or have her home searched by probation at any time.

This is the view of the Tonawanda Creek behind the court house at about 3 p.m.

The weather advisory is lifted.  There is about a 40-percent chance of snow showers tonight.

A Batavia man accused of forcible rape can get out of jail while he awaits further legal proceedings if he can raise $10,000 in either cash or bond.

Patrick J. Donahue, 21, of 44 Williams St., appeared in City Court today with his attorney, Kevin Earl, who argued that Donahue should be released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Earl also asked for a felony hearing to challenge the validity of the rape in the first degree charge. The hearing was set for 10 a.m., Friday.

Donahue is accused of raping a 30-year-old woman at a residence on Walnut Street on Jan. 10.

Assistant District Will Zickl argued that some amount of bail should be required because of the seriousness of the crime. He also noted that Donahue is currently serving a five-year probation term for a previous, unspecified, conviction.

Earl noted that Donahue has only three months left on the probationary term and has met all of his obligations while on probation.

Earl argued that the release under supervision evaluation should have given more weight to Donahue's employment. Donahue has held down a seasonal job with the same employer for three years and even though he is currently drawing unemployment, he is scheduled to go back to work Jan. 31.

Judge Robert Balbick said that while Donahue may have fallen a point short on the RUS evaluation, it's not all about points. The evaluation does not take into consideration the seriousness of the crime.

Donahue, who appeared in court in a jail jumpsuit and shackled, with a paragraph-long tattoo on his upper left arm, is a lifelong Batavia resident and graduate of Batavia High School.

Eight or nine family members, along with Donahue's girlfriend, were in the courtroom for the hearing.

"I think that shows the support my client has and what they believe about the viability of this charge," Earl said. "They don't think my client would do these things."

A city plow struck a passenger car in the area of 400 E. Main St. in Batavia shortly after 10 a.m.

The driver appeared conscious and alert as she was helped from the car and placed on a stretcher.

The only visible damage to the car was a shredded rear tire and busted rear window.

Office Ed Mileham said until the report is done, all he could say was that the driver was making a left-hand turn into the parking lot of H.E. Turner when the city plow struck it.

Be prepared for slick roads today.

Freezing drizzle and light snow are likely to keep road salt crews busy.

The National Weather Service issued a weather advisory for cold, damp weather until 4 p.m.

Accumulation of snow is expected to be only trace amounts, but this will make for slippery roads where they haven't been treated.

Local hoteliers are so opposed to a planned Holiday Inn Express -- just north of the Thruway, off Route 98 in the Town of Batavia -- that they've hired a lawyer to make their case to local officials.

Thomas J. Warth (pictured), of Hiscock & Barclay out of Rochester, tried to make the case against the new hotel before the Town of Batavia Zoning Board on Tuesday night. But after a spirited discussion, the board voted unanimously to grant the new hotel permission to exceed local height requirements by 10  19 feet.

With local occupancy rates averaging 45 to 50 percent, hotel owners say there is no need to build another 40, let alone maybe 80, rooms (the final plans have not been presented yet).

The $3.25-million project, located at 8360 Commerce Drive, next to an existing Hampton Inn, will make use of a banquet facility already constructed at the location and include an indoor pool, fitness area, lobby and meeting space.

The developers are seeking tax incentives from the Genesee Economic Development Center. The proposed site is part of a previously prepared industrial park, so the developer will save on construction costs by going into a "shovel ready" complex.

The government-backed cost savings, combined with variances to current zoning laws, are giving the new competition too much help, local hotel operators complain.

"Why can't they live with a 40-foot height if we can survive with a 40-foot height?" asked Vibhu Joshi, owner of Days Inn and Super 8. "The new hotel is getting all kinds of goodies and all kinds of variances. I can see maybe a use variance, but why a height variance?"

Hotel owners are concerned that the height variance will allow the developer to put in even more rooms, though it wasn't clear from the application whether the additional 19 feet was for another story on the building (making it four instead of three) or if the extra height was just needed for elevator shafts.

"The additional rooms in this marketplace will have a significant impact on everybody else," said Richard Lewis, acting manager of the Travel Lodge, which recently underwent significant renovation.

Zoning Board Chairman Gary Diegelman mentioned a couple of times during the meeting that economic issues are not part of the zoning approval process. He said the owners will need to raise those concerns with the planning board, which will have final say on the variances.

Warth argued that even economic issues aside, the developer -- who was not represented at the meeting -- has not made a case for why the height variance is needed.

Diegelman said, "point taken," but added later, "I don't see any (neighboring) businesses here objecting to the height variance."

The project will go before the planning board at a future meeting, but that agenda has not been announced yet.

In order to secure a federal grant for a new helicopter, Mercy Flight apparently needs a long-term lease for its facility at the Genesee County Airport.

During Tuesday's Public Service Committee meeting, Legislator Ray Cianfrini said he's concerned that the proposed terms of the lease are not in the county's best interest.

The proposed lease would cap rent increases at 2 percent per year and Cianfrini is concerned that in the future, the county could be losing out on a good deal of potential revenue.

"It just seems to me that 25 years down the road, this could be a pittance compared to what other people are paying for similar space," Cianfrini said. "I don't ever want to lose Mercy Flight. They're a tremendous asset. But as a lawyer, as a legislator and as a taxpayer, I think it's a horrible lease for Genesee County."

David Wozniak, deputy superintendent of county highways, pointed out that Mercy Flight leases additional space for its ambulance service which isn't tied to the hangar lease. Mercy Flight owns its own hangar, and plans to build a new one, and leases the land it sits on. Also, there's no cap on the price of fuel Mercy Flight buys from the county.

The terms of the lease require a mutual agreement to renew every five years, but because of a discrepancy between the lease language and supporting documents provided to legislators, a vote on the lease was tabled and the matter was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

Ways and Means meets today at 4 o'clock in the Old Courthouse.

Genesee County will receive a $29,195 state grant to help authorities deal with pets during major emergencies.

Acceptance of the grant was approved by the County Legislature's Public Service Committee today.

In 2010, the Office of Emergency Services drafted an emergency response plan for the county that would cover a range of contingencies for natural and man-made disasters. Part of the plan involves dealing with pets' safety because people often won't evacuate a dangerous location if it means leaving pets behind.

While voting in favor of the grant acceptance, committee Chairman Jay Grasso expressed concern that the government was spending money on pets in current economic conditions.

"Don't get me wrong," Grasso said. "I love my dogs. They won the dog lottery with me. But in these tough economic times, I just don't understand spending money on pets."

The grant is funded by the NYS Division of Homeland Security.

It will be spent on the purchase of mobile pet-sheltering equipment and training.

The emergency pet plan is being developed in conjunction with regional emergency partners Wyoming and Orleans counties.

Authorities are asking for help in locating a missing youth who may be in Batavia.

Nathaniel Davis, 15, may be in the company of a 17-year-old girl.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Davis reportedly is a runaway.

He is described as black with brown eyes, 5' 3", 175lbs.

Anybody with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 1-800-346-3543.

A 48-year-old woman is facing two felony charges, accused of stealing $6,172 from her employer, a child-care facility.

Doris M. Castle, of 8325 Vallance Road, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and falsifying business records, 1st.

Castle is accused of pocketing funds from clients who paid in cash for child-care services.

Det. John Condidorio said Castle also allegedly altered a cash receipt journal in order to try and cover up her alleged thefts.

Castle was releasedon her own recognizance.

A 21-year-old Batavia man has been accused of forcibly raping a 30-year-old woman.

Charged with rape in the first degree is Patrick J. Donahue, of 44 Williams St.

He was jailed without bail following arraignment today in City Court.

He is accused of raping a woman at a residence on Walnut Street the evening of Jan. 10.

UPDATED 1:31 p.m.

Suzanne Corona, 42, was back in police custody today after allegedly trying to steal a flower arrangement from Batavia Stage Coach Florist & Gifts in the Genesee Country Mall.

Corona is charged with petit larceny.

During her arraignment in Batavia City Court this afternoon, Judge Robert Balbick said Corona is accused of stealing a table-top floral arrangement with a light in it valued at $20.

Corona has been given time to meet with a public defender before entering a plea. She is scheduled to reappear in city court on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Corona was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Outside of the courthouse, Corona said, "What can I say? My life is a mess and I overreact in the wrong direction."

The Batavia resident made international news last summer when she was charged with public lewdness and and adultery for engaging in sexual activity with 29-year-old former Oakfield resident Justin Amend in Farrall Park. 

Corona eventually entered a guilty plea to public lewdness and was placed on probation.

Today, Corona entered the florist shop, according to owner Loretta Delpriore, and had a couple of items in her hand when Delpriore went into a back room for a phone call. When she came out, Corona was gone and so were the flower arrangements, the owner said.

Delpriore called police, identifying Corona by name as the suspect.

"I know who she is," Delpriore said. "I think everybody knows who she is."

Meanwhile, Amend, who admitted to public lewdness, is currently wanted on a bench warrant after reportedly moving to Florida before his sentencing.

Three people who may be suspects in some recent church burglaries here were chased into a swamp by Monroe County deputies yesterday.

The three suspects were allegedly in a stolen Jeep being chased by a deputy on Route 441 when it crashed near Dublin Road in Penfield. The suspects then tried to escape through a swamp.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster confirmed this morning that the suspects may be connected to some church burglaries in Genesee County.

The investigation is ongoing and Brewster said more information would be released as the case develops.

Arrested in Monroe County were Juan Morales, 21, Abner Santiago, 28, and Jose Morales, 16, all of Monroe County.

The trio was arraigned on burglary, 3rd, charges for allegedly breaking into the Church of the Resurrection on Mason Road in Perinton earlier Monday morning. The allegedly stolen Jeep was reportedly seen fleeing from the scene after deputies responded to a burglary alarm.

More from the Democrat and Chronicle.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: What better way to brighten your home or office for the holidays than with flowers? We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kraving's offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for three weeks of yoga, 3 classes, a $30 value, for $15.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; new all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's, a great place for pizza, wings, subs -- eat in, take out or delivery. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Scratch Bakery, 24 Main St. Le Roy, NY: A real bakery right in Genesee County. Scones, cookies, cakes, breads, rolls and more. Call ahead, 297-2441, for availability or special orders. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Source: The New York Times, Why Jobs Haven't Come Back

Rebecca A. Chatley, 19, of 61 Mill St., Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Chatley is accused of going through the purses of fellow employees at a business in the Village of Le Roy. When confronted, Chatley was allegedly found in possession of another employee's debit card. Chatley was released on an unspecified amount of bail.

Melissa Ann Peterson, 25, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. A complainant reported on Dec. 22 that Peterson failed to return a set of keys. Peterson reportedly denied repeatedly having the keys, stating adamantly, according to a Sheriff's Office release, that she returned the keys.  Peterson then later turned the keys over to the Sheriff's Office.

Summer Ogden, 34, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, who has a previous conviction for criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, is charged with resisting arrest, attempted criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal tampering, 3rd. Ogden was reportedly being held in Wyoming County Jail for an unrelated incident. A warrant was issued for her out of Town of Batavia Court on the listed charges. (Previous Reports)

Assante Darrell Huggins, 18, of Brunswick Boulevard, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. Huggins was arrested on a Darien Town Court warrant following his release from the Erie County Holding Center on an unrelated charge. Huggins was jailed on $500 bail.

Kipa Luii Limonti, 39, of Roebling Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and no vehicle inspection. Limonti's vehicle was stopped by a State Trooper for alleged traffic violations at 12:40 p.m., Jan. 3, on Park Road, Batavia. The vehicle allegedly had a 2009 inspection sticker and a bald front right tire. Deputy Brian Thompson provided backup for the trooper and his K-9 "Pharaoh" allegedly alerted on the vehicle and Limonti was allegedly found in possession a small amount of marijuana.

Phylicia L. M. Carey, 18, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Carey was reportedly involved in a two-car accident on Church Street. Carey's car reportedly hit a parked car and then a utility pole. Carey was arrested by Le Roy Police.

Dennis Kaijage Stambuli, 18, of Sutton Park Road, Poughkeepsie, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Stambuli was allegedly found in possession of marijuana by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, who responded to a complaint of a loud party in the Village of Oakfield at 9 p.m., Jan. 14. A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana at the same time.

Angela Maria Draper, 34, of Transit Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Draper was allegedly involved in a one-car accident at 2:47 a.m., Saturday, on Route 63. Her car reportedly went into a ditch and struck a mailbox. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Scott E. Clark, 49, of 172 1/2 South Main St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speed not reasonable. Clark was reportedly involved in an accident at 10:30 p.m., Friday, on Ellicott Avenue near Washington Avenue, Batavia. Clark's car reportedly slid into a curb and rode up the guide wire of a utility pole, coming to rest on its side. Clark was not injured in the accident. (Initial Report)