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A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on the decision of Amazon to axe their HQ in New York City:

“Talk about making ‘Open for Business’ a punchline – the governor and New York City politicians have failed to close the deal with Amazon but there is hope for Mr. Bezos: Western New York is truly open for business and we would gladly accept Amazon’s Headquarters to be located at our STAMP site.

“I have already been in contact with the Orleans County IDA and Economic Development Center in Genesee County to make this a reality and I’m confident our 57 local colleges and universities educating more than 300,000 students could easily accommodate their labor needs.”

The Batavia Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the burglaries which occurred over the weekend of Jan. 4^th.

The 17-year-old was arrested on Feb. 13 on a Grand Jury indictment warrant for four counts of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony.

The suspect was put in Genesee County Jail on $15,000 bail pending a bail review.

During the weekend of Jan. 4^th– 7^th, the Batavia Police Department investigated nine burglaries, which includes attempted burglaries, to local businesses. The areas where the burglaries took place are Ellicott Street and Jackson Street, Harvester Avenue, Swan Street, Center Street, Apollo Drive and Liberty Street.

The suspects broke windows or kicked in doors to gain entry at most of the businesses. Items were taken at some of the businesses but not all. The suspects stole a white 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel pickup truck from one of the businesses, but it has since been recovered.

Evidence was located at the scenes which appeared to indicate the burglaries were committed by the same suspects. Parolee Christopher T. Sprague had been previously arrested in connection with the burglaries.

No additional arrests are expected at this time.

Anyone with information in reference to the case may contact Detective Eric Hill at 585-345-6373 or the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or online here.

Harmony J. Alexander, 22, black female, 5’2” 120 lbs., Brown/Black hair, brown eyes. Last known address, Lark Street, Rochester.

Arrest warrant for alleged grand larceny 4^th (felony) PL 155.30-1 and conspiracy 5^th PL 105.05-1 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court. Date of warrant: 1/25/19.

Duty E. Caswell, 27, white male, 6’3” 160 lbs., blond hair, blue eyes. Last known address, Cary Avenue, Oakfield.

Bench warrant for alleged aggravated DWI/DWI VTL 1192-2aa/1192-3 (misdemeanor) Oakfield Town Court. Date of warrant: 12/5/17

Arrest warrant for alleged bail jumping 3^rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Oakfield Town Court. Date of warrant:  1/26/18

Bench warrant for alleged violation of probation (misdemeanor) Pembroke Town Court. Date of warrant: 12/14/17

Erica M. Raphael, 34, white female, 5’3” 115 lbs., brown hair, blue eyes. Last known address, Pratt Road, Batavia.

Bench warrant for alleged petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court. Date of warrant: 9/24/18

Arrest warrant for alleged bail jumping 3^rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court. Date of warrant: 10/29/18

Benjamin J. Skubis, 24, white male, 5’11” 140 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes. Last known address, Colby Road, Darien.

Bench warrant for alleged DWI VTL 1192-2/1192-3 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court. Date of warrant:  6/13/18

Arrest warrant for alleged bail jumping 3^rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court. Date of warrant: 2/5/19

Lorrie J. Shanley, 48, white female, 5’6” 230 lbs., blond hair, brown eyes. Last known address: Chili Avenue, Churchville.

Bench warrant for alleged aggravated unlicensed operation 2^nd VTL 511-2a4 (misdemeanor) Stafford Town Court. Date of warrant: 1/10/19

Arrest warrant for alleged bail jumping 3^rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Stafford Town Court. Date of warrant: 1/29/19

Tanisha L. Mack, 39, black female, 5’3” 110 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes. Last known address: Eastman Avenue, Rochester.

Bench warrant for alleged aggravated unlicensed operation 3^rd VTL 511-1a (misdemeanor) Pembroke Town Court. Date of warrant: 5/11/18

Arrest warrant for alleged bail jumping 3^rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Pembroke Town Court. Date of warrant: 6/13/18

If you are able to assist the Sheriff's Office in locating these people, the Sheriff's Office asks that you do not approach these people and that you call (585) 343-5000 with information that may assist in locating the suspects.

Submitted photo and press release:

Karl Steffenilla, a Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center student enrolled in the Building Trades Program, was recently awarded a $500 School-to-Work scholarship from the Electrical Association, a Rochester-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the electrical trades. Karl is a senior from Pavilion Central schools.

Rich Monroe, Batavia CTE Center Building Trades instructor, described Karl as "an extremely dedicated and dependable student who is detail-orientated and eager to learn." 

After graduation, Karl's plans include applying to IBEW Local 86, the local Electricians' Union.

"I'm honored to receive this scholarship," Karl said. 

In photo, from left, are: Rich Monroe, Karl Steffenilla, Jon Sanfratello, executive principal, and Catherine Bennett, assistant principal.

About the CTE Center

The Batavia Morris Career and Technical Education Center, located in Batavia, is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York state.

Press release:

ELBA – The Elba Central School Board of Education is seeking Elba residents interested in filling a seat vacated by the resignation of Board Member Candy Bezon. This appointment would fill the vacancy until June 30.  

Bezon served on the board for five years and resigned to take a position within the District. By law, school board members may not be employees of the District.

The Board of Education will have three seats on the May ballot; two will be for a five-year term with the third for a four-year term.

Any qualified voter of the Elba District who is interested in serving on the Board of Education is asked to contact Donna Harris, district clerk at (585) 757-9967, ext. 1033, by March 1^st.

Press release:

Trevon R. Slaughter, 20, of Affinity Lane, Rochester, is charged with: two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. Slaughter was arrested on Saturday evening, Feb. 9, after a six-month investigation into the possession, transportation and sale of crack cocaine in and around the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Slaughter sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force on two separate occasions. He was arraigned in Genesee County Court and put in Genesee County Jail with bail set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. The task force is comprised of police officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police Department and the Le Roy Village Police Department. The task force members were assisted by the GC District Attorney's Office.

Edwin S. Coleman, 52, of Wilson Street, Rochester, is charged with: two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. Coleman was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 12, after a six-month investigation into the possession, transportation and sale of crack cocaine in and around Genesee County. It is alleged that Coleman sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force on two separate occasions. He was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. The task force is comprised of police officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police Department and the Le Roy Village Police Department. The task force members were assisted by the GC District Attorney's Office.

Nicholas Edmond Kabalan, 21, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Bethany, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or more; unlawful possession of marijuana; speed not reasonable and prudent; and drinking and possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. On Feb. 13 at 11:05 p.m. Sheriff's deputies responded to a property damage accident on Route 98 in the Town of Elba and Kabalan was subsequently arrested on these charges. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Elba Town Court on March 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.

An attorney for residents of Presidential Acres in Le Roy said today following a hearing in Genesee County Supreme Court that her clients are proceeding with an appeal of a ruling against their attempt to overturn a Town of Darien judge's dismissal of their effort to enforce a Zoning Board of Appeals decision.

The residents, with Steve Barbeau as lead plaintiff, believe that Pete McQuillen should use a driveway on Robbins Road, and not on Fillmore Street, to access an auxiliary structure and residence on his property at 9313 Robbins Road, Le Roy.

They believe a ZBA decision requires McQuillen and any visitors to his property to use the Robbins Road driveway.

In January, Justice Emilio Colaiacovo dismissed an Article 78 motion by Barbeau and co-petitioners to overturn a decision by Darien Town Justice Michelle Krzemien dismissing a criminal complaint against McQuillen that was based on the ZBA decision for allegedly violating Village of Le Roy code.

In that ruling, Colaiacovo used harsh language to criticize the actions of the petitioners and also said Krzemien was within her authority to dismiss the criminal charges "in the interest of justice." 

He ordered a hearing, scheduled for this morning, on repayment of attorneys fees for the Town of Darien stemming from the Article 78 petition challenging her decision and right to make the decision.

At the hearing this morning, attorney David M. DiMatteo, representing the Town of Darien, said the town and judge were waiving a claim on reimbursement of attorney fees.

After court, DiMatteo explained that the fees expended so far were covered by insurance but if the town were involved in the ongoing appeal, the town could incur expenses that would not be covered by insurance. 

"It's not really our fight," he said.

Amy Kendall, representing Barbeau and the other plaintiffs, confirmed for Colaiacovo that the petitioners' appeal excludes Krzemien and lets stand his ruling that Krzemien acted within her authority as a town justice.

After court Kendall said the appeal is an attempt to enforce the ZBA decision and is focused on those topics of the Article 78 proceeding.

Pete McQuillen and Judith McQuillen were in court this morning as observers.

Previously: Latest court ruling doesn't look like end of long-running neighborhood dispute in Le Roy

The Batavia High Lady Blue Devils locked up the No. 1 seed for the Section 5 Girls Basketball Tournament in fine fashion Wednesday night, riding the 1-2 scoring punch of senior shooting guard Ryann Stefaniak and sophomore point guard Mackenzie Reigle to a 69-34 victory over visiting Pittsford Sutherland in Monroe County Division 4 action.

The win caps an exceptional regular season for Batavia, which takes a 17-2 record – 8-0 in league play – into the Class B1 sectionals.

Coach Marty Hein’s team will receive a first-round bye due to its lofty standing, and will open with a home game, likely against Livonia or Greece Olympia, on Feb. 22.

Playing in front of an enthusiastic “Senior Night” crowd (which saw the Batavia High varsity boys defeat Greece Olympia in the first game of a double-header), Batavia jumped out to a 22-8 first-quarter lead behind Reigle’s 13 points.

Batavia went cold in the second quarter, scoring just two points in the first 4 ½ minutes, and saw its lead cut to 24-17 before a pair of free throws and a layup by senior center Meghan Houseknecht (on a nifty assist from Reigle) made it 28-17.

Reigle then scored two baskets in the final minute to give the Lady Devils a 32-18 halftime edge.

Stefaniak got the hot hand in the third quarter, scoring nine of her game-high 23 points, while sophomore guard Bryn Wormley chipped in with five points, including a corner three-pointer, to expand the lead to 52-30 after three periods. Wormley finished with eight points.

The Lady Devils shut out the Lady Knights from the field in the fourth quarter, limiting the visitors to just four free throws, to win going away.

Senior guard Jenae Colkey made her only field goal attempt of the game in the final quarter (she added three steals and three rebounds) while the 6-foot center Houseknecht completed the scoring with a three-pointer from the top of the key.

Stefaniak and Reigle were outstanding on both ends of the floor, with Stefaniak shooting 10-for-16 from the field with six steals and four rebounds, and Reigle making eight of her 15 shots with three steals and three assists.

Batavia, unofficially, was 28-for-54 from the field and 10-for-18 from the foul line.

Senior forward Aneliese Brandt led Pittsford with 15 points and sophomore guard Maley Garcia added eight. Pittsford, in dropping its ninth straight, enters the Class A sectional tournament with a 6-14 record.

While acknowledging an outstanding regular season, Hein said he is perplexed by the team’s lack of intensity at times.

“There are still too many highs and lows,” he said. “We’re playing good basketball, but there are parts of games when we take time off.”

He said the team can’t afford to let up in the sectionals.

“The girls have to understand that they need to play with a sense of urgency,” he said, noting that the squad will scrimmage against other schools a couple times before the 22^nd.

There is a winter weather advisory in effect until 1 a.m. and weather radar indicates a winter storm is going to continue to pass right over Genesee Count for a while yet.

Lake effect snow of 1 to 3 inches is expected.

I just drove from Bergen to Batavia on Route 33, rarely going faster than 15 mph, often in zero-visibility circumstances. Roads are covered in snow and snow drifts are developing on some roadways.

There have been a number of minor accidents reported this evening.

Press release:

Due to inclement weather, all classes today -- Wednesday, Feb. 13 -- are cancelled at Blue Pearl Yoga. 

Classes will resume and the studio will reopen on Thursday, Feb. 14.

A two-vehicle collision with injuries is reported on Read Road in Pembroke, north of Genesee Street. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

The Elba Central School Drama Club presents Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" this week with performances on Friday and Saturday.

Performers, in a cast of 45 people, include Lindsay Augello as Belle, Garrett Sinemus as Beast and Young Prince, Devyn Reigle as Gaston, Carolyn Sybertz as Lumiere, Herman Sinemus as Cogsworth, Lucy LoBello as Mrs. Potts, and Elliott Walsh as Chip. Steve Hawley is the narrator.

Performances are in the Elba Central School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. The school is located at 57 S. Main St., Elba.

Presale tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $8 for adults, available at Roxy's Music Store and the ECSD Office.

All tickets are $10 at the door.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced they will be putting on their very own Woodstock Tribute with “BATAVIASTOCK,” taking place on Saturday, July 20th. The show will consist of five tribute bands of artists who played at the original Woodstock Festival and will be headlined by Melanie, who actually performed at Woodstock in 1969.

Other performers include: Green River Revival – A Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute, Abraxas – a Santana and Sly & the Family Stone Tribute, The Who Show – a Who Tribute, and Piece of My Heart – a Janis Joplin Tribute.

Concert Headliner Melanie hails from Queens and was one of only three women who performed solo at Woodstock in the summer of '69, playing on the first day of the festival. Known for her hits "Brand New Key," "Ruby Tuesday," "What Have They Done to My Song Ma," and "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," she continues to perform across the country. She will be joined by her daughter, Layla.

Tickets will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14th. Individual pre-ale tickets will be $10 for General Admission while VIP tickets will again be just $15. Concertgoers will be able to purchase tickets in the Premium Section directly in front of the stage for $20. Tickets can also be purchased at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby.

“With the original Woodstock festival celebrating its 50th anniversary, we were inspired to put on an event that showcases tribute acts from that iconic concert,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming. “We are so pleased to welcome Melanie, who performed at the original Woodstock, to our stage as well.”

Hotel room/ticket packages will be available. Purchase of a hotel room on the night of a concert using the code BS720 includes two VIP tickets to the show while supplies last. Each concert ticket is also redeemable once at Player’s Club in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines. The concert is held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaConcerts.com under the BataviaStock event.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at North Byron Road and Transit Road, Elba.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Byron's ambulance also requested to the scene.

Press release:

Ricky Palermo’s tireless efforts to raise money for spinal cord research will be recognized when he receives the prestigious Major Donald Holleder Award at the 70th annual Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions Children’s Charities Dinner, Wednesday, April 3, at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The award is named after Holleder, a former Aquinas Institute and U.S. Military Academy football star who was killed in a Vietnam War battle while attempting to rescue several wounded members of his battalion. It is presented annually to an individual who exhibits the character, courage and achievement displayed by Holleder.

Palermo, a former three-sport most valuable player at Byron-Bergen High School, was paralyzed in an automobile accident in 1981. Since 1997, he and his foundation have held an annual golf tournament and auction that has raised more than $1.4 million. The funds have been contributed to The Miami Project, a pioneering spinal injury research organization, as well as to local organizations, such the Batavia YMCA bike program for people with neurological challenges.

Palermo will be honored at the dinner, which features 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs as the Coca-Cola Sports Personality of the Year and other award winners.

Tickets for the dinner are $135, with a table of 10 available for a discounted price of $1,250.  To reserve tickets or packages, call 585-340-1460. Credit cards or money orders are accepted as payment. 

The club gratefully acknowledges its corporate sponsors: Coca-Cola of Northern New England, ConServe, the Democrat and Chronicle, ESL Federal Credit Union, the Rochester Red Wings, and the Rochester NY Sports Commission.  

Photo: File photo, Ricky Palermo with his cousin John Curtiss.

A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for Genesee County tonight and a wind advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. through 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says winds will be from the west at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 57 mph, making driving difficult and possibly resulting in minor property damage. Homeowners should secure personal property.

Mixed precipitation is forecast with additional snow and sleet accumulations of an inch or less. Expect snow and/or ice covered, slippery roads and reduced visibility.

In response to a request for information on the lack of a snow fence and plow times on Route 98 the day of a double fatal accident in Elba, the state Department of Transportation issued a statement today that didn't address either issue.

A spokesman did not respond, after several hours, to The Batavian's request for information on those specific issues.

Here's the DOT's official statement about the crash Feb. 2 that took the lives of mother and son, Teresa M. Norton, 53, and Thomas M. Norton, 22, both of Albion:

This was a tragic incident. DOT’s primary focus is highway safety, which includes snow and ice preparation and response. We maintain thousands of miles on highways statewide and follow snow and ice guidelines to address severe winter weather in Upstate New York. DOT’s maintenance crews were working diligently throughout that weekend in Genesee County, engaged in snow and ice operations on state highways.

The accident occurred within days of significant snowfall when the wind was blowing at about 30 mph through the county. There were significant snow drives across patches of Route 98 that afternoon, including one where Teresa Norton's 2008 Suzuki slide sideways through heavy snow and was hit broadside by a pickup truck.  

Both mother and son were pronounced dead at the scene.

Scott J. Hinze, 52, a registered sex offender who lives on West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with failure to report a change of address within 10 days -- a felony, and falsifying business records in the first degree, also a felony. On Feb. 11 at about 11:20 p.m. Hinze was arrested after an investigation. He allegedly failed to register his address change as a sex offender within 10 days to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Sex Offender Registry. Hinze also allegedly falsified a sex offender address change document at the Genesee County Jail in the City of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court and is due there March 4. On the charge of falsifying a business record document at the jail, he was issued an appearance ticket for March 5 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik B. Andre.

Aaron L. Heale, 37, of 25 N. Lake Ave., Bergen, was arrested on Feb. 11 by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with one count of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, a Class A misdemeanor. The charge comes after a complaint on Feb. 5 from a local car wash that Heale was allegedly slumped over at the wheel of his car in the wash bay. When the Le Roy police found Heale, who is on parole, he was allegedly slumped over at the wheel and awoken by the officers. During the investigation it was alleged that Heale unlawfully possessed the hypodermic syringe inside the vehicle. Heale, who is currently in Genesee County Jail on an alleged parole violation, was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Le Roy Town Court on March 14.

Jeffery J. Williams, 25, of 25 Ravine Ave., Rochester, was arrested on Feb. 10 by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with two counts of petit larceny and three counts of attempted petit larceny. The charges are based from an investigation which started on Nov. 11 when it was reported that numerous vehicles in the Bacon/Pleasant Street area were entered and items allegedly stolen. During the investigation, it was determined that Williams was visiting a person in Le Roy when he allegedly entered at least five different vehicles during the early morning hours, stealing items from two of the vehicles and ransacking three others looking for items to steal. Williams was issued an appearance ticket to be in Le Roy Town Court on March 5.