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Law and Order: Woman accused of carrying expandable baton in purse

By Howard B. Owens

Stephanie Ann Bonin, 19, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Bonin was arrested following an incident reported at 1:24 p.m., Dec. 6, at 4330 Commerce Drive, Batavia. She was allegedly found in possession of an expandable metal baton in her purse.

Joshua John Lein, 34, of Kibbe Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Lein was stopped at 1:12 a.m., Saturday, on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Raymond W. Schramm, 27, of East Pembroke, and Marla A. Mugler, 24, of Batavia, are each charged with harassment, 2nd. Schramm and Mugler were arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported at 3:45 p.m., Dec. 9. No further details released.

Community meeting scheduled Monday in Le Roy to discuss Main Street lane changes

By Howard B. Owens

A community forum to discuss a Route 5 resurfacing project will be held at 5:30 p.m., Monday, at the Town Hall in Le Roy.

The informal discussion is hosted by the Le Roy Business Council and will include officials from the NYS Department of Transportation.

The project involves potentially reducing the number of lanes on Main Street in Le Roy from four to two.

Topics will include the project itself, how the project came to be, input from public safety officials and local businesses as well as community leaders.

The Le Roy Town Hall is located at 48 Main St.

Daniel M. Thomas

By Howard B. Owens
Corfu - Daniel M. “Danny” Thomas, 66, of Corfu, formerly of Le Roy, passed away Friday (December 13, 2013) at Strong Hospital, Rochester.
 
Danny was born on August 19, 1947, in Batavia, a son of Hazel A. Thomas of Avon and the late Joseph Thomas. A machinist by trade, Danny worked for LeRoy Machine in LeRoy. He was an outstanding athlete in LeRoy in his youth, especially in football. Family was the most important thing to Danny. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his sister Becky Holzer and a nephew, Sean Quamina.
 
Along with his dear mother, Hazel A. Thomas, Danny is survived by his loving wife, Ann E. Thomas of Corfu; his daughters, Raequel, Maurica, Danielle and Carla; his son, Adrian; step-sons Jonathan (Jessica) Connolly, Jeff (Danielle) Connolly and Michael (Natalie) Connolly; his siblings, Brenda L. Graham, Bruce Thomas, Rochelle A. Thomas, Beverly L. (Dee) Thomas-Robinson, Christine M. (Herbert) Thomas-Smith, Joseph M. (Anna) Thomas, Khem J. Lucas, Wanda L. Thomas, Cyncerie L. Thomas, Jeffrey Thomas, Wayne (Lisa) Thomas and Toby (Laurasue) Thomas; a brother-in-law, Carl Holzer and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends, also survive.
 
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service is being planned for in the spring. Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4 East Main Street, Corfu, NY.

Time is running out to get a 2014 calendar of Genesee County pictures

By Howard B. Owens

There's a little time left to get a 2014 calendar of Genesee County photographs.  We'll accept orders up until noon tomorrow.

Here's how you can get a calendar: Buy one or become a new member of The Batavian Club and receive a calendar for free (existing members get a discount).

The calendar by itself is $25, plus sales tax, plus $4 for shipping and handling, if you're not a member.

For Club members (check your e-mail for details), it's $14, plus tax, plus $4 shipping and handling.

Use the Paypal buttons below to join the Club or the button on the bottom to buy calendars All calendar orders must be received by Dec. 16.

Members receive $325 in gift certificates for local businesses.

TO JOIN: Use PayPal buttons below, or to pay by check (annual only) or credit card, click here to download form. Or call (585) 250-4118 to pay by credit card.

We've set up four membership tiers -- Subscribe to the club monthly as one person or as a household, or annually at either of those levels. 

Members receive a membership card, bumper sticker and a package of gift certificates to local businesses. 

It's important to note, this isn't a subscription to read the site. Our stories remain free to read. This is a voluntary subscription with benefits (and we'll add benefits as it grows).

Join via PayPal below, or for annual and one-time memberships paid by check, click here to download this form (monthly, recurring payment memberships must be via PayPal or credit card.) To pay by credit card, use the form, or call (585) 250-4118.

Monthly Single Membership, recurring payment - $5 per month
Includes membership card and bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Monthly Household Membership, recurring payment - $10 per month
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual Single Membership, recurring payment - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual Household Membership, recurring payment - $100 per year
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual membership, one payment of $60
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual household membership, one payment of $120
Includes two membership cards, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Order Calendars for $25 each:

Number of Calendars 1 Calendar $25.00 USD2 Calendars $50.00 USD3 Calendars $75.00 USD4 Calendars $100.00 USD

 

Up to 10 inches of beautiful tiny snowflakes expected by tomorrow morning

By Howard B. Owens

Jamie Waff wanted us to see, for a change, some snowflakes instead of just big piles of snow. He took a picture of these flakes on the scope of his muzzleloader. Waff is chief of the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department.

We can expect a lot more of these beautiful flakes to fall on Genesee County. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow. It's in effect through 9 a.m., Sunday.

Up to 10 inches of snow could fall on Batavia by tomorrow morning.

Local woman accused of falsely reporting robbery at gentlemen's club in Florida

By Howard B. Owens

An Alexander woman has been taken into custody on a warrant out of Florida where she's accused of falsely reporting that $800 was stolen from her as she left work at a gentlemen's club.

Stacey Michelle Raines, 24, of Gilhooly Road, Alexander, was arrested by deputies Wednesday.

According to an arrest affidavit issued in Duval County Court, Fla., Raines reported earlier this month that she was a victim of a strong-arm robbery at her place of employment, Wacko's Gentlemen's Club.

Raines allegedly claimed that she was leaving work early in the morning Dec. 1 when an unknown black female coworker pulled her by her hair out of her 2004 gold-colored Chevy Malibu and punched her in the back of the head.

She allegedly told a police officer that the woman said "thank you" after taking her $800.

The officer spoke with Raines after he had responded to her residence at the Pinebrook Apartments to take a missing person report after somebody apparently reported Raines missing.

In order to confirm her alleged contention that Raines was robbed, the officer went to Wacko's Gentlemen's Club and reviewed surveillance video and interviewed the manager.

According to the investigation, Raines had not clocked into work since Nov. 29. The video showed no such incident in the parking lot, and a fellow police officer who happened to respond to the same location at the same time as the alleged robbery on an unrelated call had seen nothing.

The officer then returned to the Raines residence to interview her again. The officer reported that Raines would not open the door and "spontaneously insinuated that she was under arrest, that she had 'the right to remain silent' and refused to open the door to speak with the officer."

According to the officer, the husband stood on a second-floor balcony and spoke with the officer, refusing to come outside.

During the conversation, Raines reportedly yelled at her husband, "Get back inside and ---- them" and demanded that the police leave the property.

Raines is charged in Florida with falsely reporting a crime. She is being held locally while awaiting extradition to Florida.

Alabama man, accused of molesting two children, convicted on 28 counts of sexual abuse

By Howard B. Owens

An Alabama man was convicted of child sexual abuse by a Genesee County jury this morning following a nearly two week trial.

Earl Francis Sprague, 42, of 1366 Church St., Alabama, was indicted by a grand jury on 28 criminal counts of sexual abuse as well as three counts of criminal contempt.

The jury returned guilty verdicts on those 31 counts. He was found not guilty of criminal solicitation, which stemmed from an allegation that he tried to hire a hit man to take out a witness against him.

Sprague still faces a possible trial on additional felonies contained in another grand jury indictment, including predatory sexual assault, two counts of first-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, assault, 1st, and four counts of criminal contempt, 2nd.

Sprague was tried on charges that he repeatedly molested two children in 1997, 1999 and in 2001.

Man wanted in connection with shots fired incidents arrested at home on Walnut Street

By Howard B. Owens
Dashawn Butler

The man who might be described as Batavia's most wanted fugitive has been taken into custody this morning.

Dashawn Butler, 34, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. when police located him at 38 Walnut St., Batavia, while assisting NYS Parole with another person sought by parole officers.

His is charged with a felony stemming from an alleged shots-fired incident Sept. 27 on State Street. He's also a person of interest in a report of shots fired Oct. 8 on Jackson Street.

Butler was taken into custody without incident, Officer Eric Hill said, arraigned in City Court and jailed on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.

The investigation is continuing.

UPDATE: According to a press release from Batavia PD, investigators received information that Butler might be at 38 Walnut with Harvey Lockhart, 31, who was wanted by NYS Parole. Butler is accused of firing a handgun at another person at 117 State St. Police received several tips after police released information that there was a warrant out for Butler's arrest. Butler is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, a Class D felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony, and second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor. "This arrest is the result of good police work, cooperation amongst police agencies and citizen input," said Chief Shawn Heubusch. "This type of criminal activity will not be tolerated in the City. Every resident deserves to live in a safe neighborhood and be able to walk the streets without fear. The witnesses and residents who assisted the officers with piecing this case together should be commended for their actions. Every bit of information was valuable during this investigation." Additional tips can be called into Batavia PD through 9-1-1 or the department's confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

Tonight's snow pictures

By Howard B. Owens

Top two photos submitted by our own Lisa Ace and bottom two from Ali Huey.

Band of heavy lake effect snow headed into Genesee County, weather service says

By Howard B. Owens

A band of lake effect snow is continuing to gradually drift northward, bringing more heavy snow to Genesee County.

The snowfall rate in this band is one to two inches per hour or more. Snow will accumulate on roadways very quickly, according to the National Weather Service.

The lake effect warning is in effect through this evening.

We've been notified of one weather-related cancellation in the county. Pembroke High School's play schedule for tonight is cancelled. A second show may be added for Saturday.

John Kennedy School, closed for the past two days because of power issues and heating issues, will be open again tomorrow.

Information sought on Basom woman missing since Monday morning

By Howard B. Owens
Joy A. Howard William B. Capen

State Police are asking for the public's help in locating Joy A. Howard, 49, of Basom.

She is considered a missing person and was last seen at 11:30 a.m., Monday, at the M&T Bank branch located at 10614 Main St., Clarence.

Howard may be with 51-year-old William B. Capen Jr.

They may be traveling together in a 2012 black Ford Fusion with New York license plate GCW-4846. Authorities do not have information on direction of travel or potential destination.

Capen has previously lived in Basom, Barker, Lockport and Jonesboro, Ark.

Howard is described as a white female, 5' 4", 120 pounds, with hazel eyes, light brown hair and may have blond highlights. She was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie jacket with a green dragon logo on the back, a black sweater and blue jeans.

Capen is a white male, 5' 5", 160 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact NYSP in Batavia at (585) 343-2200.

Reader snow photos from this morning

By Howard B. Owens

We received a couple of snow photos from readers this morning. Above, from Maggie G.

From Raymond Richardson.

UPDATE: Here's a photo from yesterday taken at Hy-Hope Farms in Stafford on Horseshoe Lake Road. Sent in by Lori Totten.

UPDATE: Two more photos.

Submitted by Tiffany Ivison.

Submitted by Lisa Falkowski.

More lake effect snow on the way Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Had enough snow yet? Good, because more is on the way.

A lake effect snow advisory has been issued for Thursday, starting at 10 a.m. through 1 a.m., Friday.

As much as two to four inches of snow could fall Thursday and another two or three inches Thursday night for storm totals of four to seven inches.

Winds of 10 to 20 mph are predicted.

With blowing snow, visibility could be dropped to a quarter of mile at times and places.

Travel could be difficult at times.

The Batavian's series on local farmers receiving award from NYS Agricultural Society

By Howard B. Owens

We just learned that our series on Genesee County Farms and Farmers is receiving an online feature writing award from the New York State Agriculture Society.

We entered the first installments from the series earlier this year.

The award will be presented at the Society's annual forum in Liverpool on Jan. 9.

Tom Rivers, former staff writer for the Batavia Daily News and editor now of Orleans Hub, has previously been honored by the society for his stories on local agriculture.

Readers' snow pictures from today's storm

By Howard B. Owens

Here are some of the snow pictures we received in response to our request to see what it looks like in Genesee County today.

We also got a couple of pictures from Wyoming County and since they got hit a little bit harder, I thought we'd include those (the bottom two pictures).

Top photo submitted by Jessica Radam.

After just a couple of minutes outside, Julie Ingalls' dog was snow covered.

Submitted by Mat Fenton.

Submitted by Angela.

Submitted by Sam Tambe, from Attica.

Submitted by Nora O'Neill from Orangeville.

Send us your snow pictures

By Howard B. Owens

Since Billie and I are missing all the snow Genesee County is getting, how about sending us your snow pictures. E-mail weather-related pictures to howard@thebatavian.com and we'll post the best of them.

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