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There's been enough talk about the deer problem in Batavia, Councilman John Canale said during Tuesday's Batavia City Council meeting after a local resident said he's been chased by a buck in his own yard during public comments.

"Forming another committee isn't going to do anything," Canale said. "We've done this before. We form a committee and the committee studies the issue and makes a recommendation and then there's no action."

It's time for action, he said.

Councilman Paul Viele's suggestion: A controlled kill. It's time, he said, to start thinning the herds that encroach on the city.

Russell Nephew, a Bank Street resident, said there's a large herd that hangs out at that end of town, in the farm fields between Genesee Community College and the city line and enter on residential property, destroying landscaping and leaving their droppings in local yards, and perhaps carrying tics that are a danger to dogs and humans.

"Those things are disheartening and I’ve put up with them but now I’ve got chased through my backyard by a deer," Nephew said. "It reared up and I got away from it luckily. A couple of days later, my 70-year-old neighbor got ran into her apartment from a parking lot. At any one time, there can be from six to 10 deer that run through there."

A resident from Avon spoke up during the council discussion and said that in Avon they've instituted a bait-and-shoot program that has rules, is regulated, and is helping reduce the herd size.

Council President Eugene Jankowski pointed out that any deer killed would have the meat from the animal donated to a food pantry in the region to help feed low-income residents.

He also blamed the growing herd sizes on fewer hunters in New York. He said more people are giving up hunting as a protest against New York's increasingly restrictive gun laws.

While council members seemed to favor some culling effort, no specific plan was approved at Tuesday's meeting.

("JUUL gets our goat, too!" says Dot.)

Submitted photo and press release:

As part of Truth Initiative’s National Day of Action, Reality Check high school champions from Warsaw in Wyoming County and Notre Dame in Batavia took action on Friday, Oct. 11, with a Safari tour and rally at Hidden Valley Safari Adventure in Varysburg titled “Animals Against Human Testing.” 

Just as humans speak out when companies test their products on animals, the Reality Check students "interviewed zebras, deer, geese – and even a camel named Randy – to get their support." To a critter, they all came out in favor of telling JUUL that their pod-based vaping devices and flavor pods present unknown health risks and are not safe for testing on humans. 

While mingling with their friends from another species, the teens also promoted “This Is Quitting,” the first-of-its-kind text-to-quit-vaping service that gives youth and young adults the motivation and support they need to ditch JUUL and other e-cigarettes.

The Safari continued on social media, as Warsaw and Notre Dame youth took selfies and videos with their new animal friends and posted them on social media using Truth Instagram stickers and the hashtag #DontTestOnHumans.

As cases of lung disease and death resulting from the vaping epidemic continue to sweep across the nation, including the recent death of a 17-year-old male in Bronx – the state’s first vaping-related fatality -- Reality Check youth and their adult leaders wanted more than ever to take a stand against JUUL and vaping.

“Truth Initiative has a long history of calling out Big Tobacco for its deadly exploits, and Tested on Humans is the latest example which exposes just how little is known about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes,” said Brittany Bozzer, Reality Check Youth Engagement coordinator of Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GOW).

“We join them in delivering a clear message to JUUL and the entire tobacco industry: the safety and well-being of our region’s youth is not for sale.”

About Truth Initiative                                                                    

Truth Initiative is America’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past. Their mission is clear: achieve a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco.

About Reality Check

Reality Check empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education.

Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free GOW and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

With a senior planner leaving the Genesee County Planning Department for a private-sector job, Planning Director Felipe Oltramari said he sees it as an opportunity to reorganize his department in a way he thinks will be more efficient and help the county save some money.

Oltramari told members of the Public Service Committee on Tuesday that he would like to promote analyst Erin Pence to deputy planning director and create a position of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) clerk, thus eliminating the position of senior planner.

The reorganization, if approved by the Legislature during the budget process, would reduce costs in the department for 2020 by $4,000 and Oltramari said his five-year projection shows continued savings for at least that period of time.

In recent years, Oltramari's staff has consisted of a senior planner (a union-represented position) and an analyst (a non-union management position) and one assistant. The cost savings would be a result of reclassifying the senior planner position into an assistant position.

Oltramari said one of the things he learned after Derik Kane as senior planner for a position with LaBella and Associates is that one reason senior planners tend to stay in such county jobs -- and it's not just Genesee County -- is because the pay scale for the position tends to top out at about the six-year mark at which point, there are better private-sector opportunities.

And since Genesee County's pay scale for that position is about 25 percent less than the market rate, it makes it even harder to hire and retain qualified personnel. Oltramari said he understood why the pay for that position was set at the rate it is at; since it's a union position, raising pay to market rate would necessitate wage increases for personnel in other departments at the same current rate.

The reorganization will also help the planning department provide better service with GIS. Data entry and data management for GIS is time-intensive.

The county GIS map provides a lot of information to the community about tax parcels, jurisdictions, roads, streams and waterways, pipelines, fire hydrants, and a dozen or more other data points of interest.

The GIS system is also used by emergency dispatch, fire departments and local law enforcement for responding to incidents. The GIS system ties into CAD (Computer Assisted Dispatch system in every patrol car. The information can get pretty granular and is ever-changing.)  

Keeping up with the information to ensure the database stays current is time-consuming, Oltramari said. 

Analyst Pence currently handles the data maintenance and has little time to pursue opportunities to expand the system's functionality.

In her new role, she would supervise the data management position and work on expanding GIS services for the public and county agencies. For example, Oltramari said, it would be useful to have GIS provide road-closure information.

As deputy planner, Pence would also take on the duties of a senior planner.

It's Make a Difference Day for Batavia High School seniors with students and teachers taking on several community projects, including cleanup at the Peace Garden despite the rain.

Top photo: Leah Wroten. Second photo, Wroten along with Carolena Williams, Gabrielle Lawrence, Andrea Kraus, Katie Metzler and Ethan DiLaura.

At the Batavia Agri-Business Child Development Center on Brooklyn Avenue, Ron Williams, Alesia Schmidt and Sherry Crumity.

Marcello Harris, Jacob Bondaruk and Joshua Wasiulewski clean toys at the Batavia Agri-Business Child Development Center.

Jacob Crimes cleaning a display case at the Holland Land Office Museum.

Charlie Burton and Ayden Dowd-Devay paint a door at HLOM, while in the background Eddie Goodenough vacuums. 

Shannon Gene Draper, 45, of Oak Street, Pavilion, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Draper was arrested at 8:21 p.m. on Oct. 9 after he was allegedly observed in the presence of a person with an active stay-away order of protection against him. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 15 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia City Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Jennifer Lynn Button, 34, of Bennett Street, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 6:24 p.m. on Oct. 14 Button was arrested after an investigation. It is alleged that she sent text messages to a protected party on East Main Street in Batavia, in violation of a court order of protection. She was issued an appearance ticket for Nov. 7 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 4:54 p.m. on Oct. 10 on Ellicott Street in Batavia after a larceny investigation at a local grocery store. Gibson was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Brian N. Miles, 23, of Sixth Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court on Oct. 15 after he allegedly failed to appear on a subpoena. He was arraigned in city court then jailed on $1,000 cash bail or bond. He is due back in city court Oct. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Agri-Business Child Development at Batavia will host an Open House and Harvest Meal from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Batavia ABCD, 18 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia.

There will also be a scholastic book fair, and community health and resource fair, and a Thanksgiving-style dinner!

Many community agencies will be available to network with an answer questions.

This event is FREE.

RSVP by Nov. 15 to Kolleen Cassidy by phoning (585) 343-8160, ext. 5, by email at:   kolleen.cassidy@abcdmail.org

The Batavia Players and the Harvester 56 Theater are pleased to announce that they will be offering Theater and Acting Master Classes over this Thanksgiving weekend.

The classes will be conducted by Emilio Viera, an award-winning Toronto-based actor.

Classes offered are:

• Unlocking Shakespeare: Breaking Down the Text -- 1 to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29
• Unarmed Stage Combat 101 -- 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 30
• Unlocking Shakespeare: Monologue Workshop -- 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30

Each class has a limited attendance and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. The cost of each three-hour class will be $75, or take all three for $180.

All classes will be limited in attendance and be on a first-come first-serve basis.

“This is an exciting and wonderful opportunity for all our local actors," said Patrick Burk, executive and artistic director of the Harvester 56 Theater. "Emilio is an amazing performer that has an incredible presence on stage. His ability to work with all ages and provide a solid Master Class Program makes him ideal for our theater community.”

Emilio Viera has been featured in "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Measure for Measure" with the Canadian Stage’s critically acclaimed Shakespeare in High Park. Other classical credits include "Titus Andronicus" and "As You Like It" (Canadian Stage), and "Romeo and Juliet" (Guild Festival Theatre).

His performances at the National Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, Ontario, Canada have included several roles in "The Tempest," "Coriolanus," "Twelfth Night" and "Macbeth."

He has also appeared in "Romeo and Juliet" (Guild Festival Theatre.) Viera was part of the original cast of Hannah Moscovitch’s "Bunny" at the Stratford Festival. This past year he was part of the original cast of Andrew Kushnir’s "Towards Youth" at the Crows Theatre in association with Project Humanity.

In 2016, he became one of the youngest recipients of The Peter Donaldson Award at The Stratford Festival, which recognizes an actor with ability in classical texts.

Always game for a candid discussion about the work, Viera enjoys participating in theater education whether it be as a student or a teacher. He is looking forward to being part of the Harvester 56 Theater family and providing classes to the actors that are a part of this exciting regional theater.

Actors interested in any of the classes should contact Patrick Burk at:  pburk@bataviaplayers.org

Enrollment sheets and payments can be made at the Harvester 56 Theater Box Office, which is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, or they can be sent to: Patrick Burk, Harvester 56 Theater, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, NY 14020.

The Batavia Town Planning Board has a new and permanent message for developers of ground-mounted solar farms – “run for cover.”

Planners, at their monthly meeting tonight at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road, voted unanimously to adopt the document, “Solar Array Pollinator Habitat Planting Guidelines,” prepared by the Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and to incorporate the guidelines into the required special use permit.

“I feel that we’re being proactive here and we welcome other communities to contact Soil & Water if they wish to utilize these guidelines,” said Planning Board Chair Kathy Jasinski.

Two weeks ago, the board heard a presentation from Bradley Mudrzynski, district manager for GCSWCD, who drafted a proposal covering topics related to the pollination and ground cover of the solar array.

The document’s topics include the need for and development of planting guidelines, site preparation, species mix, area required for planting, maintenance and performance standards.

The board was concerned about the percentage of the solar farm that should be planted, settling on 80 percent of the acreage inside the fenced-in area.

The guidelines call for a minimum of 80 percent of the solar area located within the fenced limits to be planted to perennial native vegetation, while the remaining 20 percent of the area is allowed to be maintained roadways, accessory structures, concrete pads, etc., necessary for management and maintenance of the solar array.

The document also requires mowing two to three times per growing season for the first two growing seasons to kill fast-growing annual weeds.

Prior to the official adoption of the planting guidelines, planners fielded questions from Daniel Yanosh and Tom Healy, project managers for a proposed 19.8-acre, 4-megawatt solar farm at 3565 Galloway Road, about the required percentage of pollination within the fenced-in area.

Yanosh and Healy were back in front of the board for a third time as they sought a special use permit and site plan review approval to move ahead.

Healy asked in a couple of different ways if area outside the fence could be considered when figuring the ground cover percentage, but was met with the same response: 80 percent of the area within the fenced-in area must be seeded with some sort of flowering vegetation.

Previously, Yanosh and Healy reported that they had made revisions to the site plan requested by the board (more screening with trees). Last night, they said they will be working with National Grid to keep the number of utility poles to a minimum.

Their latest information was enough to earn unanimous favorable votes on both the special use permit and site plan, with both measures contingent upon a final engineering review, adherence to the new pollinator guidelines and acquisition of a decommissioning bond.

Jasinski noted that the pollinator guidelines will apply to ground-mounted solar farms already in operation in the Town, with inspections by the zoning department being scheduled.

Photo: Daniel Yanosh, left, and Tom Healy speak to town planners about their Galloway Road solar farm project. Photo by Mike Pettinella. 

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will hold its Annual Meeting beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, at the YWCA of Genesee County, 301 North St., Batavia.

The theme this year is "Impact -- The Power in Partnerships."

The local Cooperative Extension is committed to pursuing partnerships that benefit Genesee residents. The organization believes in the transformative power of partnership to accomplish our mission: putting research based knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being; helping families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.

Presenters for the morning will be Morgan Harrington and Emmaline Long. Cornell Cooperative Extension friends, volunteers and members of the community are welcome to attend.

Please RSVP to Yvonne:  ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Every October and November, Troopers handle an increased number of vehicles collisions striking deer in Troop A-Western New York.

Operators should use caution around dusk and dawn.

If you are operating a vehicle and a deer enters the roadway do NOT swerve. When an operator swerves to avoid a deer, the vehicle is more likely to strike another vehicle or exit the roadway striking trees or utility poles.

If you strike a deer, remain at the scene and call 9-1-1. An accident report can be completed by Troopers if your vehicle has more than $1,000 in damage or if an involved person has been injured.

NYSP Troop A stats for car/deer collisions:

• September       2017-- 83 collisions
• October            2017-- 181 collisions
• November        2017-- 314 collisions

2017 total collisions -- 1,412

• September       2018 -- 103 collisions
• October            2018 -- 187 collisions
• November        2018 -- 270 collisions

2018 total collisions -- 1,523

The on-campus radio station 89.1 The Point at SUNY Brockport is undertaking its Fall charity drive and this year the beneficiary is the Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester, which serves Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties.

Students will be collecting various items for donation this Friday and Saturday at the Walmart in Batavia (and Brockport).

Batavia Walmart donations can be dropped off from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The items wanted are new and gently used women's and children's clothing and shoes, personal care items, and pet care supplies.

For clothing and shoes -- Fall wear only please

• Women’s casual clothing – tops and bottoms
• Children’s clothing (sizes 12m -- 14/16)
• Seasonal adult and children’s shoes (sneakers) 
• New women’s underwear (sizes 5-14 only)
• New children’s underwear and T-shirts (sizes 2T-XL)
• Bras (sizes 44 and up only)
• Bathrobes
• Pants hangers

Personal care items

• Softee-hair food with vitamin-E
• Face cleanser
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair combs
• Lip balm

Infant/toddler

• New umbrella strollers
• New baby bottles
• Baby wash & lotion
• Baby oil
• Baby wipes
• Diapers– sizes newborn, 1, 2 & 6

Pet Care Supplies

• Canned dog food (chicken and rice preferred)
• Flea and tick collars or medicine
• Gift cards for pet food
• Kong dog toys
• Heavy duty outdoor toys
• Puzzle feeders/enrichment toys for dogs and cats
• Cat toys (catnip mice, balls, pom poms, etc.)

Please contact our Donations Expert with questions at (585) 232-5200, ext. 224, or email SondraG@WillowCenterNY.org

Due to sorting, storage, and redistribution costs, we cannot accept items that are not on our Wish List.

Justin DeMartino and his friend Joe Carrender are Christian musicians who perform and collaboratively write songs as Providence Bridge. They have a shot at a big-time opportunity in Music City, thanks to a competition underway on Facebook.

DeMartino, the 35-year-old Creative Arts pastor at Batavia Assembly of God church on North Spruce Street in Batavia, and Carrender, 40, entered a national singing competition through a company called Rixon Entertainment Group.

They spent three or four hours writing a song called "Break Me Free" and recorded the performance on Monday, Oct. 7.

On Tuesday it was entered in the Facebook contest, joining thousands of other video entries.

But unlike most, by Wednesday it had soared to the top five. It has garnered 15,000 views and nearly 1,200 likes.

Voting ends at 3 a.m. this Friday, Oct. 18.

Below is the link to their song. If you like what you hear, they ask for your vote of support to help them win.

In order to have your vote count, you must click on the link for the video and hit the LIKE button.

The songwriter(s) will be flown to Nashville and get to record with a multi-Dove-Award-winning, Grammy-nominated record producer and the professional result will be sent across all media platforms for international distribution. (Dove Awards honor outstanding achievements in Christian and Gospel music.)

"We would love to have your support and spread the news!" says DeMartino.

"Break Me Free" is a song that speaks to the zeitgeist of today's America as regards the opioid epidemic in particular. It was inspired by a drug-addicted friend, DeMartino said.

It uses the metaphor of an hourglass -- with sand (troubles, pressures, temptations, addictions) pouring in, and the light that shines through to you at the bottom barely seen. From that perspective, life can seem hopeless at times, DeMartino said, but the light of Christ is there to pull you out and up...onward.

A driver is suspected of following another car too closely on Route 98 in Alexander on Sunday at 7:02 p.m. when it struck another car that was also traveling northbound near Dodgeson Road.

Possible charges are pending following a blood analysis, according to the accident report filed by Deputy Brock Cummings.

James J. Moscicki, 39, of Geise Road, Attica, was reportedly driving a 1991 Ford sedan when the car struck a 2005 Pontiac sedan on Alexander Road. The Pontiac was driven by Laqueasha M. Taylor, 26, of Bank Street, Batavia.

After being struck, Taylor's vehicle began to spin, heading in a northwest direction and came to a rest on the west side of the road facing south.  Moscicki's vehicle continued traveling northwest and struck a fire hydrant. It then came to rest on the west shoulder facing north.

Both Moscicki and Taylor were transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC for evaluation of complaints of pain in their arms and shoulders.

Athena M. Short, 28, a passenger in Moscicki's vehicle, was not injured.

Illustration: Accident report drawing of the accident scene.

Above, part-time Batavia City Court Judge Durin Rogers, left, and Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.

Submitted photo and press release:

New York State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer has given an enthusiastic boost to Judge Durin Rogers in his effort to succeed retiring Judge Robert Balbick as Batavia’s next full-time City Court Judge.

Senator Ranzenhofer has represented Batavia and Genesee County since 2008 and has been a practicing lawyer for more than 35 years.

“This coming November 5th you have an opportunity to elect a Batavia City Court Judge with proven judicial experience, integrity, judicial temperament and commitment to the community," Ranzenhofer said. "It is for these reasons that I proudly support Hon. Durin B. Rogers in his effort to become your next full-time Batavia City Court Judge.

"I have known Judge Rogers for many years now as an attorney and colleague practicing law throughout the GLOW region and most recently as (part-time) judge of the Batavia City Court…He is well respected on and off the bench and I have had the opportunity to appear in front of Judge Rogers on the bench and opposite him as deputy county attorney for Genesee County. I found Judge Rogers’ approach in both capacities to be professional, knowledgeable, reasonable and fair.”

Senator Ranzenhofer also stressed Rogers’ community service, saying: “In addition to his service as a public attorney, he has served the legal community and its members as a past president of the Genesee County Bar Association bringing the 'People’s Law Series,'…to provide low cost legal education and seminars to the residents of Genesee County.

"...Judge Rogers has and will continue to be a fair judge and listen to all sides before making well-reasoned decisions…Please join me in supporting Judge Durin B. Rogers as your next full-time Batavia City Court judge."

Responding to the Ranzenhofer endorsement, Rogers said: “I truly appreciate Senator Ranzenhofer’s comments and his support. Over the past many years, the Batavia City Court has become a well-respected part of our system of justice.

"I have worked with Judge Balbick over the past four years and we are always considering ways to improve the court’s ability to meet Batavia’s evolving needs. I am committed to carrying on those efforts in the years to come if elected as Batavia’s next full-time judge.”

Michele R. Williams is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, which is a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 24 in the Town of Darien that Williams drove a 2013 Chevrolet on Route 77 while having a BAC of .08 percent or more and while a child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count two, Williams is accused of aggravated DWI with a child as passenger, a Class E felony, also on May 24. In counts three and four, Williams is accused of the same crimes, respectively, for having a second child age 15 or less in the vehicle. In counts five and six, Williams is accused of the same crimes, respectively, for having a third child age 15 or less in the vehicle. In counts seven and eight, Williams is accused of the same crimes, respectively, for having a fourth child age 15 or less in the vehicle​. In counts nine and 10, Williams is accused of the same crimes, respectively, for having a fifth child age 15 or less in the vehicle​. In count 11, Williams is accused of following another vehicle too closely, a vehicle and traffic violation, without having due regard for the speed to the vehicle, the traffic or the condition of the roadway.

Taraleen T. Tundo is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 1 in the Town of Stafford that Tundo drove a 2004 Ford on Route 5 while her ability to do so was impaired by the conbined influence of drugs and while a child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count two, Tundo is accused of driving left of pavement markings the same day, a vehicle and traffic violation. In count three, she is accused of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that Tundo knowingly possessed gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, vials, capsules or other material suitable for packaging individual quantities or narcotic drugs.

Brian K. Dyer is indicted for the crime of first-degree assault, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that on July 5 in the City of Batavia that Dyer intended to, and did, cause serious physical injury to another person by means of a dangerous instrument -- a concrete statue. In count two, Dyer is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, for possessing a dangerous instrument -- a concrete statue -- with the intent to use it unlawfully against another person.

Patrick J. Gonzales is indicted for the crime of third-degress burglary, a Class D felony. On March 16, 2017, Gonzales allegedly knowingly entered a building on Lake Street in the Town of Le Roy with the intent to commit a crime. In count two, he is accused of third-degree grand larceny, also a Class D felony, for allegedly stealing property with a value in excess of $3,000 -- a safe and personal property valued at about $3,702.50 in U.S. currency.

Sybil D. Davis is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 3 in the Town of Le Roy that Davis drove a 2001 Dodge on Route 19 while her license was suspended or revoked by authorities and while she was under the influence of a drug or alcohol. In count two, she is accused of driving that day while her ability was impaired by the combined influence of drugs or alcohol, as a misdemeanor. In count three, Davis is accused of reckless driving, as a misdemeanor, for driving that day in a manner that unreasonably interfered with the free and proper use of the roadway or unreasonably endangered users of the roadway. In count three, Davis is accused of reckless driving for crossing the center line and driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle in the Town of Pavilion and/or Le Roy that was operating lawfully; the affected vehicle had to engage in evasive manuevers in order to avoid a collision. In count four, Davis is accused of reckless driving for crossing the center line and driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle in the Town of Le Roy that was operating lawfully; the affected vehicle had to engage in evasive manuevers in order to avoid a collision. In count five, Davis is accused of reckless driving for crossing the center line and driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle in the Village of Le Roy that was operating lawfully; the affected vehicle had to engage in evasive manuevers in order to avoid a collision. In count six, Davis is accused of attempted escape in the third degree, a Class B misdemeanor, for allegedly attempting to escape from custody on April 3 in the Town of Le Roy.

Joseph L. Ruise is indicted for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on June 21 in the City of Batavia that Ruise knowingly possessed cocaine with the intent to sell it. In count two, Ruise is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. In count two, he is accused of knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds or mixtures containing the narcotic drug cocaine and these had an aggragate weight of one-eighth ounce or more. In count three, Ruise is indicted for the crime of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that on the same day, Ruise knowlingly possessed gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, vials, capsules or other material suitable for packaging individual quantities of narcotic drugs.

Christopher A. Ridgeway is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on June 27 in the City of Batavia that Ridgeway knowingly and unlawfully possessed cocaine with the intent to sell it. In count two, he is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that on the same day, Ridgeway knowingly and unlawfully possessed alprazolam.

Nathan Falsone, 35, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Falsone was arrested at 11:11 a.m. on Oct. 9 p.m. on Maple Street in Batavia after he allegedly contacted a protected party of an order of protection. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of unspecified bail. He is due back in city court on Oct. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Garrett Lloyd Strickland, 27, of Beach Drive, Medina, is charged with trespass and second-degree harassment. At 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 14, Strickland was arrested on Church Street in Pembroke. He allegedly continued to contact the victim several times after being advised to cease all contact with the victim. Garrett was also allegedly found on the victim's property after being told he was no longer allowed on the property. Garrett was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to be in Pembroke Town Court on Oct. 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Tessa L. Engel, 21, of Wade Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; refusal to submit to a roadside breath test; unreasonable speed at special hazards; and moving from lane unsafely. Engel was arrested at 12:12 a.m. on Oct. 12 on East Main Street in Batavia after a personal injury accident. She was issued computer-generated tickets and was released to family members. Engel is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, ssisted by Officer Peter Post.

Lemar J. Leach, 34, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated and DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more. Leach was arrested at 3:31 a.m. on East Main Street in Batavia after an unspecified incident at McDonald's restaurant. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Megan Elaine Ranlett, 28, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with: second-degree forgery, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree; and petit larceny. Ranlett was arrested, no date or time specified, after allegedly filing false information April 12 on an application for Social Service benefits, which she subsequently received based on that information. She is due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.64, down a penny since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.89. The New York State average is $2.70 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.

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

• Batavia -- $2.68 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.67 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.69 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.70 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.58 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.66 (down 2 cents since last week)

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased by $1.15 to settle at $54.70. Crude prices increased after more tensions in the Middle East that could lead to a disruption in global crude supply.

Crude prices also increased based on reports that OPEC and its partners could deepen production cuts next year in an effort to reduce supply, which would lead to higher oil prices. This was not reflected in pump prices, which are down slightly over the past week.

Submitted photo and press release:

Submitted photo and press release:

Last month, the Le Roy Women of the Moose held a pig roast to raise money for new winter outer wear and accessories for Le Roy Wolcott Street School students in need.

Winter coats, hoodies, boots, gloves, hats and socks were purchased.

School counselors and the school nurse identify those with the greatest need. 

Events like these are a success due to the generosity of our community and our volunteers.

A pig roast is a big undertaking, but Dave Ehrhart Jr. and his crew, along with the WOTM, do a great job. Thank you Le Roy! It takes a village!

Photo, from left: Jamie Clark, assistant principal at Wolcott School, and Merritt Holley, superintendent of the Le Roy Central School District, along with Women of the Moose Laurie Cooper, Martha Bailey, Cathy Campbell and Judy Mills.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Point Breeze Yacht Club held its Annual Members Meeting and Election of Officers on Saturday Oct. 12^th in the Clubhouse at Godfrey’s Pond in Bergen.

During the business meeting upcoming events were discussed and an election of officers was held. The existing slate of officers was reelected to another term.

After the meeting, the members enjoyed a great fall dinner catered by Center Street Smokehouse.

The membership was treated to a beautiful walking tour of the grounds and a visit with the different species of wild pheasants, waterfowl, swans, quail, partridge and peacocks.

Anyone interested in becoming a member may contact the Commodore at commodore@pbycny.com

Photo, from left: Rear Commodore Emrys March, Commodore Bob Bialkowski, Treasurer Madeline Bialkowski, Port Captain William Elliott, Secretary Marietta Schuth, and Vice Commodore Erik Roth.