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Help is sought in locating missing person John Shaughnessy, 38, of Washington Avenue, Batavia. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, gray sweatshirt, black boots. He is 5' 9" 140 pounds, black hair with a mustache and brown eyes. John was riding his bike, a red and white beachcomber style with whitewall tires and a small plate on the back that says John with Las Vegas. His proxy Charity R. Horncastle said that John is disabled with a severe social impairment and mild cognitive impairment. She said he will unknowingly put himself in danger. John has no food or clothing for inclement weather on his person nor a place to stay at night. She can be reached at (585) 813-5975 or call \Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

UPDATE: Shaughnessy has reportedly shaved off his mustache.  He was last seen yesterday at Tops wearing army fatigues.

UPDATE: Mr. Shaughnessy has been located and is safe.

A former Dellinger Avenue resident arrested in November following a string of robberies in Batavia and Oakfield as well as an alleged botched burglary of a local Rent-A-Center was arraigned on a new burglary charge this morning.

Mark J. Maltese, 42, was arraigned in front of Judge Robert C. Noonan in County Court on the seven-count sealed Grand Jury indictment.

The indictment was sealed because it contained the new burglary charge.

Maltese was already charged with three counts of robbery, 2nd, burglary, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 2nd.

He's now being accused of second-degree burglary and grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly breaking into a residence on Hutchins Street on March 26, 2013, and stealing a safe with cash and jewelry worth more than $3,000.

Maltese is accused of committing armed robbery Nov. 21 at the Best Western in Batavia, Nov. 22 at the 7-Eleven in Oakfield and Nov. 24 at the Days Inn in Oakfield.

He was arrested Nov. 27 after he and an alleged cohort broke into the Rent-A-Center in Batavia and allegedly stole a big screen TV. They were tracked to a residence on Colonial Boulevard.

Previously:

• BREAKING: Arrest made in recent robberies
• Suspect says 'out of control' addiction to crack cocaine led to robberies

The Genesee County Fairgrounds are empty this morning, but come July 15, fair organizers say they expect to see more people than ever walking the midway and sitting in the grandstands.

At least members of the Genesee County Agriculture Society are working harder than ever to create more reasons for people to come to the fair. There will be more attractions, more vendors, more rides and more entertainment.

"There will be something to do every day," said ag society President Norm Primm. "Before, the first part of the week was just ag shows, but we're planning on having big events throughout the week this year."

For the first time in years, the raceway will host a monster truck show. The Fair Queen Contest is also being expanded. There are now four age groups for contestants, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16 and 17-19.

The children's rides will be open for a total 39 hours, compared to 20 to 24 hours in the past, with a special kids' day for groups or families with discounted ride tickets.

A new kids' zone is being created with a corn-filled sandbox, a mural for kids to paint and even a horse to paint.

The tractor pull is being expanded.

There are a number of new vendors setting up in the vendor hall, including Alpina and Quaker Muller.

All of the towns and villages have been invited to set up displays.

It's the 175th anniversary of the fair, so organizers are hoping for the biggest fair parade yet, though because of DOT regulations, the parade will be confined to the fairgrounds instead of starting on Route 5.

"The fair is the center the county," Primm said. "Genesee County is an agricultural county and what's better than having an agricultural fair in our own county. That's why we want to see people come out and enjoy the fair. I really think we can get back to having great attendance and putting on a great fair where poeple will want to come throughout the week."

Trucks filled with base and binder are on the south end of Cedar Street this morning getting ready for this week's paving job. The south end will be closed until at least Friday. Everything north of Edwards Street remains open, though crews are putting the finishing touches on that street reconstruction project. Businesses on Cedar Street remain open.

Residents who have a run in with a potentially or known rabid animal will have another option for treatment starting June 1.

On Monday, the Human Services Committee approved a contract with Insource Urgent Care that would allow the County Public Health Department to refer clients to Insource.

The contract isn't exclusive. Patients would still be able to go to the emergency room at UMMC or the urgent care clinic at St. Jerome's if they wished.

"Insource offers a lower rate and the feedback we've been getting is it's a better experience," said David Whitcroft, environmental health director. "It's a faster in and out for the patients."

Whitcroft said Insource had sought out the contract and this was an opportunity "to enter into a contract more favorable to us.

The county pays for the initial exam and the first round of treatment, but booster shots are provided by the health department at County Building #2.

"St. Jerome's has worked out really well for us and we have a good relationship, but this is one more option," Whitcroft said.

The full County Legislature will be asked to approve the arrangement at its next meeting.

Alternet: Why Goats Are Coming to An Urban Backyard Near You

An Oakfield fire chief has requested a deputy to a residence on Pine Street where there is a controlled burn taking place.

The chief says it's an ongoing problem.

City residents are invited to an open house at the Community Garden from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, 10 MacAruthur Drive (behind the Batavia Youth Center, the former wading pool).

Residents can meet the garden staff and learn about square-foot gardening, which provides a way for people looking for locally, grown fresh fruits and vegetables to grow their own in a way that is easier than digging up a plot of land.

There are more than two dozen beds available for residents to rent and applications can be obtained by calling the Youth Bureau at (585) 345-6420. Prices range from $15 for a 4'x4' plot up to $35 for the one 4' x 12' plot.

Plants that might be grown include tomato, green peppers, winter squash, eggplant, cucumber, green beans, basil, parsley and beets.

A gardner could wind up with more than 50 pounds of produce out of a 4' x 4' box.

The gardner provides the seeds or sprouts, waters and cares for his or her own box and brings his or her own tools.

Pictured: Master Gardner Bob Gray.

Press release:

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is scheduled to visit Batavia on Friday May 9th. The Bishop will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church with the students of both St. Joseph School and Notre Dame High School. Following Mass the Bishop will tour both schools.

The public is welcome to attend the mass at 11 a.m.

Press release:

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) announced today that total wagering at WROTB on Saturday’s Churchill Downs races including the Kentucky Derby topped out at $2,173,378. This beat WROTB’s previous record set in 2012 of $2,007,064. The 2014 number is an 8.8-percent increase over the 2013. Wagers placed at Batavia Downs Gaming totaled $26,000, an increase of 30 percent over last year. Wagering using BataviaBets.com, WROTB’s online Web site, was $97,387 -- a one-day record. Nationally, the handle on the Kentucky Derby was about even with last year. Seven winners across OTB’s branches hit the Superfecta for $7,691 each. One patron at Batavia Downs hit the $2 trifecta five times winning $17,500. Total handle taken in by WROTB on May 3rd was $2,529,197.90, a one-day record for the corporation, celebrating its 40th year of existence this month.

“We’re happy to see such robust numbers," stated WROTB CEO and President Michael Kane. “With national wagering flat, it’s great to see that people in Western New York made it a point to visit our gaming facility, branches and EZ Bets on Saturday to get in on the excitement that the Kentucky Derby brings to viewers. As a public benefit corporation, a percentage of money wagered goes back to the counties that own WROTB meaning higher Derby handle numbers benefit all residents of Western New York.”

TV Ratings showed that Buffalo Ranked 4th nationally among viewership in major cities posting a 16.9 rating and 32 share.

“It’s so exciting to see that interest in the Kentucky Derby is alive and well in Western New York,“ said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing of Batavia Downs and WROTB. “We’re all pulling for a triple-crown contender in California Chrome. All our Branches will be open at 10 a.m. on May 17th, the morning of the Preakness, and we’ll be having another party at Batavia Downs with specials which include food, Free Play and a complimentary Preakness wager like we had for the Derby. There will also be live tellers available.”

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional OTB is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 30 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility.

Work is beginning today to replace the the 38-year-old cedar shingles on the roof of the Old Courthouse in Batavia. Workers will also repair the wooden cuppola. The county awarded the contract to Joseph Sanders and Son Co., out of Buffalo, in an amount not to exceed $180,000.

Rachel A. Gillespie, 23, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, moving from lane unsafely and driving on the sidewalk. Gillespie was arrested by Officer Marc Lawrence following a report at 2:33 a.m., Friday, of a disabled vehicle in the area of 218 E. Main St., Batavia. Gillespie allegedly drove the vehicle over the curb and onto the sidewalk at East Main and Center streets.

Amber L. Jaczynski, 22, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Jaczynski was arrested by Officer Matthew Lutey following a report at 1:35 a.m., April 27, of a vehicle parked in front of 22 Oak St., Batavia.

Steven M. Hoffere, 38, of Howard Avenue, Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hoffere was arrested by Officer Peter Flanagan after Flanagan stopped at 15 Main St., Batavia, to assist with a disabled vehicle at 2:53 a.m., Saturday.

Dwayne Andrew Pearsall, 23, of Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, was arrested on a warrant. Pearsall was arrested by Hamburg PD and turned over to Batavia PD. He was jailed on $200 bail.

John A. Branscomb, 27, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Branscomb is accused of stealing a bicycle that was left outside the Genesee County Courts facility.

Rae C. Cook, 25, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief. Cook was allegedly involved in an altercation at Billy Goats at 1:50 a.m., April 25.

John E. Jaszko Jr., 28, of Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and trespass. Jaszko was arrested following a report of an alleged incident involving his ex-girlfriend at 10:30 p.m., Thursday.

Steven D. Scroger, 28, of Oak Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Scroger is accused of failing to appear in City Court on a charge of unreasonable noise.

Ryan M. Shrauger, 44, of Hull Park, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged improper parking, 2 to 6 a.m.. Shrauger paid $85 police bail and was released.

Christopher A. Tetrault, 30, of Beaver Street, Albion, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Tetrault is accused of making several phone calls threatening to harm the person being called. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Lisa M. Durham, 42, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Durham allegedly had verbal contact with a person in violation of an order of protection.

Elizabeth Erin Hulshoff, 36, of Sokol Road, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Hulshoff is accused of stealing $212.45 in merchandise from Walmart.

Jeremy D. Holmwood, 22, of Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, two counts of menacing, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing and unlawful possession of marijuana. He's also charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Holmwood was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident reported at 2 p.m., Friday, in the Town of Batavia. The criminal contempt charge stems from an alleged incident reported at 9 p.m., Saturday. No further details released. Holmwood was jailed on an undisclosed amount of cash bail.

New York Times: Young Blood May Hold Key to Reversing Aging

Manpower from Byron and South Byron fire departments has been requested to search the area of a one-vehicle rollover accident near 6272 Byron Holley Road, Byron.

A deputy found the vehicle unoccupied.

The deputy has also requested dispatchers contact area emergency rooms for anybody who might have been brought in.

A guard rail near the accident scene is damaged.

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.: A deputy informs dispatchers that it appears the driver may have been belted at the time of the accident. "He may still be injured but not as severe as we thought." Based on some paperwork in the car, Batavia PD was sent to an apartment in the city, but nobody was home. They'll check again in an hour.

UPDATE 6:34 a.m.: The vehicle is a 2001 green Ford F-150.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: All Byron and South Byron units back in service. No word on whether the driver was located.

About 100 Pembroke High School students held a prayer walk this evening from the school to the cemetery in Corfu in memory of Dean Cullinan. The 19-year-old Corfu resident died the night of April 23 while walking his bike on Genesee Street in Darien.

There is a frost advisory in effect overnight with temperatures expected to fall into the mid 30s.

The advisory is from 2 to 8 a.m.

An overnight frost could damage tender spring vegetation and outdoor potted plants. The National Weather Service recommends taking steps to protect plants.

There was a big crowd for the big race at Batavia Downs.

The Kentucky Derby was won by California Chrome.

This gentleman wanted me to take a picture of his "winning" ticket. I couldn't find him after the race, so I can't confirm that it was indeed a winner.

The Caryville Inn in Oakfield also hosted a Derby Day party. Above, Donna Dilcher in the fanciest hat there (at least while I was there).

Today at Terry Hills the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation hosted its annual Derby Day Gala fundraiser.

As expected, there were lots of fancy hats.

Above, Dave Pero.

Emily Branche.

Barb Pierce.

Kevin Carlson created formal portraits of guests.

Anthony Nemi.

Donna Kabel.

The hat of Linda Klips.

Ann Marie Suttell and Nancy Chapman.

Vandals have struck the Elmwood Cemetery for the third time in less than a month, this time knocking down eight headstones and two urns, according to Superintendent Steve Davis.

This time, the urn of the cemetery board president's father was knocked over, destroying a pot of fresh lilies.

According to Davis, a police investigator was able to get a picture of some fresh foot prints left in some dirt.

Previously:

• Vandals knock down 25 headstones at Elmwood Cemetery
• Elmwood Cemetery hit by 'intolerable crime' again