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Two local students receive awards from St. Michael's College

By Billie Owens

The following local high school students were awarded the 2013 Saint Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience:

Alex Kolberg, of Batavia, a student at Notre Dame High School.

Grace Mortellaro, of Elba, a student at Notre Dame High School.

The award recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in volunteer service and academic achievement. Saint Michael's, located in Burlington, Vt., one of America's top 10 college towns, was founded on the belief that serving others is part of its Catholic tradition, and through the award seeks to honor those who demonstrate the true spirit of volunteerism.

Award recipients, named at schools throughout the country, are high school juniors who are inductees of the National Honor Society or an equivalent school-sponsored honors organization. They must demonstrate a commitment to service activities in high school or community organizations, taking leadership roles in these activities.

Winners were presented the book "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" (HarperCollins 2000) by Loung Ung, a 1993 Saint Michael's College graduate who has become a widely acclaimed author. In "First They Killed My Father," Ung gives a powerful autobiographical account, from a child's perspective, of surviving captivity during the genocidal Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.

About Saint Michael's:

At Saint Michael's College www.smcvt.edu students are challenged to do their best, find their niche, take on opportunities to grow, and immerse themselves in academic pursuits. Intellectual rigor, compassion, teamwork, caring-these characterize a Saint Michael's experience. A residential Catholic college, Saint Michael's is steeped in the social justice spirit of its founding priests, the Edmundites. Saint Michael's is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top 10 college towns.

Two-foot snake in back yard of home on Rose Road

By Howard B. Owens

Animal control has been dispatched to a home on Rose Road, Batavia, for a two-foot snake spotted in the back yard.

UPDATE 10:45 a.m.: The call has been turned over to the DEC. The animal control officer is back in service.

Law and Order: Deputy allegedly assaulted while trying to arrest man on marijuana charge

By Howard B. Owens

Dave Wayne Case, 55, of Prole Road Extension, Bergen, is charged with assault, 2nd, injury to a police officer, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana. Following a traffic stop at 1:41 a.m., by Deputy Joseph Corona on West Main Street Road, Batavia, Case allegedly assaulted the deputy in an attempt to avoid arrest on a charge of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Denise Niccole Clamon, 32, of Main Street, Clarence, is charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, failure to use turn signal. Clamon was stopped at 1:41 a.m. on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Rosemary R. Waters, 27, of 17 Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Waters is accused of contacting a person she was barred from contacting by court order.

Merrick D. Hampleton, 23, of Batavia, is charged with 13 counts of petit larceny and one count of scheme to defraud. Hampleton was taken into custody by State Police at Walmart in connection with an alleged incident reported at 10:54 a.m., Monday. No further details released.

Free scam prevention workshop Monday afternoon

By Billie Owens

Lifespan and the Older Adult Ministry Team at Batavia First United Methodist Church are sponsoring a Scam Prevention Presentation from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

It will take place at the church, located at 8221 Lewiston Road.

Attendees of this free event can learn more about:

Event Date and Time
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Teen victim of man who took her to Tennessee says she caused damage to her and her family

By Howard B. Owens

The teenage victim of Timothy Logsdon said in County Court this morning that she still has nightmares because of the 29-year-old man. She wakes up with shakes, she said. She has trouble trusting people now, she said.

She described a situation where she was emotionally confused and manipulated by Logsdon's "mind games" into dropping out of school and traveling with him to Tennessee. 

She said she didn't really accept at first that she was a victim, but in January she came to the realization that "what everybody else said was true."

"What he did to my family was destructive," she said. "He wasn't thinking of anybody but himself."

Logsdon, sentenced yesterday to four years in federal prison for transporting an individual across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity, was sentenced in County Court today under the terms of a prior plea deal. Logsdon received a four-year prison term to be counted concurrently with his term in federal prison.

While Logsdon has already spent 10 months in federal lock-up while his case went through the federal legal process, he won't receive any credit for time served with the state because he was technically released on his own recognizance locally.

After being sentenced by Judge Robert C. Noonan, Logsdon signed orders of protection barring him from any contact for eight years with his victim and with his wife, though Noonan did allow one last visit for his wife after court to discuss with Logsdon an issue with one of their children.

While District Attorney Lawrence Friedman asked for the maximum sentence available under terms of the plea agreement, Public Defender Gary Horton didn't really argue for a shorter sentence. He did try to explain Logsdon's actions and that his client accepts responsibility for his actions.

"He has a history of serving his country and as a result of that service suffers from PTSD and suspected traumatic brain injury," Horton said. "I know he regrets his actions. I know he has trouble coping himself, with trying to understand what happened and what he did."

Logsdon has no prior criminal history.  He will now be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

When it was his turn to speak, Logsdon said he didn't have much to add to what his attorney already said except that he apologized to his victim, to her family and to his own family.

"I don't know what else to say, I guess, except that I just hope that someday I can come back to my family, if at all possible," Logsdon said.

Law and Order: Recent arrests in the City of Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Timothy A. Hall, 26, of 5463 Ford Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and driving with registration suspended. Hall was stopped at 2:16 a.m. Sunday on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Daniel F. Orlando, 31, of 555 E. Main St., #119, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Orlando was charged following a police investigation. No further details released.

Richard S. Baker, 43, of 555 E. Main St., #213, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Baker allegedly threatened another person at 10:45 a.m., Monday.

Photos: Buffalo Bills players at City Slickers

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, Buffalo Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone put his team through a long and physical practice. It was the first day of scrimmages. By the time it was over, players were tired and running late, but still, several did show up as planned to City Slickers for the taping of Sports Cube TV.

Above former #1 draft pick Marcell Dareus during his interview.

Also joining the party were Aaron Williams, Migel Bradham, Zebrie Sanders, Marcus Dowtin, Crezdon Butler, Jamie Blatnick, Kortnei Brown and Dominque Ellis.

Dareus with promoter Tim Walton.

DJ Macy Paradise

Sports Cube host Muki.

To purchase prints, click here.

3rd Annual Prayer Conference

By Tracy Byrnes

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE...Batavia Assembly of God Church is hosting its 3rd Annual Prayer Conference Friday, Sept. 13th, 6:00pm to 9:00pm (registration is from 6pm - 7pm) and Saturday, Sept. 14th, 8:00am to 4pm. The theme for the conference is "Presence, Prayer, and the Power of God". The keynote speaker will be Dick LaFountain. Dick is an accomplished  speaker and a published author of the book, "Time Alone With God". His passion is to motivate a renewed love for prayer and the presence of God in our churches. Workshops will also be available.

Event Date and Time
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Museum and library reps make case for continued county funding

By Howard B. Owens

It's important to fund both history and reading, members of the County Legislature were told today during a meeting of the Public Service Committee.

Representatives of local libraries as well as the Holland Land Office Museum presented annual reviews that both contained requests to keep county funding for these programs at current levels.

"County support is very important to use in order for us to provide the level of service we do to our guests and to our community," said HLOM Executive Director Jeff Donahue. "We are doing what we can (to increase revenue) though our programs such as Wonderland of Trees and the summer program, but this only brings in a small portion (of our budget)."

Laura Cerri Pastecki, from the Haxon Library in Oakfield, said libraries still play an important role in the community. Seniors on fixed incomes still depend on borrowing books and many come into learn how to use computers, and people who can't afford computers depend on the library for online research and creating resumes.

"You might think the library is a thing of the past with technology these days, but just the opposite is true," Pastecki said. "There's more information out there and more entertainment out there and people use the libraries for information and entertainment."

Debbie Rider, a trustee with the Richmond Memorial Library, said there is typically a 30- to 45-minute wait to use a computer there and that many middle school children use the library as a place to do homework after school.

"There's such a huge number of children who come from school to the library directly," Rider said. "It allows the library to reach a population it might not normally reach and a chance for the children to access resources they might not otherwise get."

Donahue gave a detailed report on HLOM actives, which includes school and group tours, visits to local schools and leading history tours in the local area.

"Our history just isn't in one building," Donahue said. "It's our entire area."

In the past year, 3,000 people have visited the muesum and more than 400 artifacts were added to the collection.

Upcoming events include the 12th Annual Wonderland of Trees, the Batavia Antique Show and Sale, a bus trip to the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo and a lecture series of women's rights in the 19th and 19th centuries.  

In December, the museum will host a traveling exhibition, "Lincoln, the Constitution and the Civil War."

No budget numbers were discussed and legislators offered no comments on what they might support, or not.

Photos: Gabriella's Lemonade Stand on Sumner, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Five-year-old Gabriella has begun her budding business career, selling "lemonade" on Sumner Street, Batavia.

Well, it's not really lemonade. It's ice tea, but that's the sign her mom made for her, she explained.

After I took the picture above, she proudly showed me the money she's made today (below).

Batavia man sentenced for taking minor across state line to have sex

By Billie Owens

Press release:

BUFFALO -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Timothy Logsdon, 29, of Batavia, who was convicted on April 13 of transporting an individual in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity was sentenced to 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O'Donnell, who handled the case, stated that defendant was convicted of this offense as a result of his attempting to transport a minor from Western New York to Tennessee for purposes of engaging in illegal sexual activity with the minor.

The investigation began in September, 2012, when the parents of a 16-year-old girl reported her missing to the Genesee County Sheriff's Department, and later indicated to the FBI that she might be with the defendant.

Pursuant to a Court Order, law enforcement officers traced the defendant's cellular telephone to a specific vicinity. Later that same day, the defendant was discovered by the Kentucky State Police in Bowling Green, Ky., along with the victim.

The defendant admitted to law enforcement officers that he was in the process of transporting the victim to the state of Tennessee where the two planned to live together and carry on a relationship. The defendant was placed under arrest and remains in custody.

"This is an example of the success that alert parents and hardworking police can accomplish," said U.S. Attorney Hochul.

The arrest is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Richard M. Frankel, Acting Special Agent in Charge and the Genesee County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Gary Maha.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov <http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov>.

Car vs. motorcycle accident in the roundabout

By Billie Owens

A car vs. motorcycle accident is reported in the roundabout at Oak and South Main streets in the city. Unknown injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. The Oak Street extension at West Main is closed to traffic.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: A 43-year-old male is being transported to UMMC. The motorcyclist is said to have been bumped by a car.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m. (by Howard): Rider was transported for evaluation. Relatively little damage to bike or car.

Three Muckdogs picked for NYPL all star game

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The 2013 New York-Penn League All-Star roster will include three players from Batavia. They will send infielders Avery Romero and Felix Munoz and pitcher Ryan Newell to the game to be held Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Dodd Stadium, home of the Connecticut Tigers.

Avery Romero

Romero, a 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft, has played in 44 games for the Muckdogs this year and has been among the league leaders in hitting all season. Romero currently ranks third in the league in hitting, with a .340 batting average, third in hits with 54 and fourth in on-base percentage at .408.

Felix Munoz was an undrafted free agent signing in 2008 and has started 43 games at first base for the Muckdogs this season. He is currently batting .295 with 26 runs scored, 13 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBIs. Munoz has also showed great plate discipline this year, as his 23 walks rank third in the league.  

A 7th round pick out of Shorter University in the 2012 draft, Newell is 4-2 in nine games started for the Muckdogs. The right-hander’s ERA of 2.09 ranks him 6th in the league and his 48 strikeouts ranks 4th in the league. Opposing batters are hitting just .229 against Newell so far this season.

Batavia currently holds the 4th-place spot in the Pinckney Division with a record of 23-22 but sit only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. The Muckdogs sent five players to the 2008 All-Star game, three in 2009, five in 2010, six in 2011, and five in 2012.

Law and Order: Darien Lake patron reportedly didn't like the cost of his Dip'in Dots

By Howard B. Owens

Anthony Gene Stone, 24, of Delmar Road, Greece, is charged with disorderly conduct. Stone reportedly didn't like the price of his Dip'in Dots while visiting Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort at 6:28 p.m. Saturday. While arguing with the Dip'in Dots attendant, Stone allegedly picked up the cash registered and slammed it back down.

Nathan W. Larson

Nathan W. Larson, 23, of 24 South St., Le Roy, is charged with attempted rape, 1st, and two counts of criminal sexual act, 1st. Larson is accused of attempting to engage in sexual intercourse with a person by force while at a residence in the Village of Le Roy on Saturday. During the incident, Larson allegedly engaged in other sexual conduct against the victim both by force and while the victim was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. Larson was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Jennifer Lyn Stack, 27, of 46 S. Main St., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stack allegedly stole $105 cash that was stowed in a vehicle.

Adam R. Mcleod, 27, of 37 Austin St., Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal obstruction of breaking or blood circulation. Mcleod was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at a residence on Elm Street in Batavia at 2 a.m. Saturday.

Steven A. Acevedo, 23, of 238 Ellicott St., upper front, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, menacing, 3rd, coercion, intimidation to instill fear of injury and criminal mischief. Acevedo was allegedly involved in a domestic incident Wednesday at his residence. Acevedo was ordered held without bail.

Kenneth J. Schmoke, 57, of 132 State St., #2, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Schmoke is accused of possessing prescription medications and drug paraphernalia.

Patricia A. Dulmage, 18, of 20 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief.  Dulmage is accused of damaging property of another family member during a domestic incident.

Richard C. Hutchinson, 43, of 3 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hutchinson is accused of shoplifting from Tops.

Nicholas Ian Iacubucci, 24, of Trabold Road, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct. Iacubbucci was allegedly obstructing traffic on Route 77 in front of Darien Lake Theme Park at 10:59 p.m., Tuesday. Iacubucci was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

Sean Nevan Lindquist, 50, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a controlled substance not in original container.  Lindquist was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Patrick Reeves into a one-car accident on Martin Road, Alabama, at 10:19 p.m. Saturday. Lindquist allegedly drove his vehicle too fast around a curve, lost control, and the vehicle went into a ditch.

Cody J. Sundown, 23, of Skye Road, Alabama, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without an interlock device, criminal mischief, 4th, no seat belt, loud exhaust and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Sundown was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into a report of criminal mischief on Skye Road at 4:41 a.m., Saturday. Sundown allegedly drove over a mailbox on Skye Road.

Donald Wayne Sczepanski, 50, of Alleghany Road, Darien Center, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe passing and unsafe tire. Sczepanski was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Patrick Reeves into a motor-vehicle accident at 9:19 p.m. Friday on Route 238, Alexander. Sczepanski reportedly lost control of his vehicle while allegedly attempting to pass another vehicle. His car wound up in a ditch.

Timothy Lee Shuknecht, 23, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st. Shuknecht allegedly provided alcohol to a person under age 21.

Larry Charles Bayles, 52, of East Wautoma Beech Road, Hilton, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes, speeding, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of marijuana. Bayles was stopped at 4:10 p.m. July 28 on West Sweden Road, Bergen, by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Jared L. Long, 43, of Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Long was stopped at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on Prole Road, Stafford, by State Police.

The Orleans County Sheriff's Office reports that 19 people, including people from Genesee County, were cited Sunday morning for possession or consumption of alcohol under age 21 following a complaint of a loud party on New Guinea Road, west of Upper Holley Road. Deputies found several cars, a camper, several tents and a large bonfire. There were some 60 to 70 people at the party, most of them consuming alcohol, according to the press release. The property owner, who was not present, was notified and he declined to press trespassing charges.

Mother seeks help in finding her missing son

By Howard B. Owens

A 15-year-old resident of Attica with close ties to Batavia is missing and his mother is seeking the public's help in locating him.

She believes her son has run away. He left home about 1 a.m.

Timothy A. Vail Jr., is required to take medication daily and his mother doesn't believe he has his medication with him.

Timothy is 5' 4", 145 pounds with very short dirty-blond hair and greenish/hazel eyes, very black eyebrows and his lower lip is pierced. He was last seen riding a white bike wearing gray shorts and red tank top and carrying a gray and black backpack.

He is known to sometimes hide in the woods near Kibbe Park and near the Rite Aid at Clinton and Main.

Lesly Vail Trebian says she can be reached (585) 708-5005 by text at (585) 409-6148.

A missing person report was filed with Attica PD.

Photo is from a year ago when he previously went missing.

DEC will rescue baby possums after mother killed by car on Stegman Road

By Howard B. Owens

A mother possum was hit by a car this morning on Stegman Road, Town of Batavia, and when Deputy Chris Parker found the the dead mother by the side of the road, he also found four baby possums still clinging to it.

Parker said the babies are days old, if that.

Dispatchers contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation and the DEC is sending a "rehabilitator" from Oakfield to pick up the babies.

Batavia man arrested following report of burglary in progress in State Street Road area

By Howard B. Owens

A suspected burglar was allegedly caught in the act Saturday after a man was seen entering the home of an off-duty police officer in the Town of Batavia.

When the man was ordered to surrender, he allegedly fled from troopers and headed toward a cornfield on State Street Road.

He was subsequently captured by troopers and deputies on scene without further incident. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly carring items taken from the residence and stolen credit cards from a residence in the City of Batavia.

Charged with second-degree burglary is Aaron W. Clark, 24, of Clinton Street, Batavia.

Clark is currently on parole for robbery, 2nd. He was also charged with parole violation, criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and obstructing governmental administration.

Investigators believe Clark approached other homes in the area and if a resident answered the door, he left or claimed to need gas for his vehicle so he could get back to Rochester.

It's possible other homes in the area were burglarized. Any person with further information that may assist in the investigation can contact State Police at (585) 344-6200.

Photos: Foot patrol on Maple Street

By Howard B. Owens

Det. Todd Crossett, working patrol today, takes a shot with a basketball while on foot patrol this evening on Maple Street.

Batavia PD officers have been doing a few neighborhood foot patrols this summer.

With Crossett are Jzon Richardson, left, and Santiago Deluna.

Sports show taping at City Slickers on Monday with up to 30 Buffalo Bills players attending

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Monday night, City Slickers will be the place to be. Several Buffalo Bills players will be in Batavia at the restaurant for a live filming for Sports Q Television, a Buffalo-based company. The event which starts at 9:30 p.m. will feature two DJs, and up to 30 Buffalo Bills players that will be arriving shortly after in a limousine, courtesy of Mancuso Limousine (sponsor). The filming will take place on the stage and will be open to the public to enjoy and watch, and will be followed up with an after party.

The names of the players can't be released because of contractual arrangments.

"There will be even more guys coming out. Some of them we can't announce until they show up, others we are just waiting on confirmation," said event coordinator Tim Walton. "We have invited the whole team, so anyone can show."

City Slickers is no stranger to hosting the Buffalo Bills. Walton has recently put on events that included Buffalo Bills players Stevie Johnson, Aaron Williams, Kelvin Sheppard, TJ Heath and Crezdon Butler. The Bills will be traveling from St. John Fisher College, where they have been staying for training camp. They have Tuesday off due to the PGA Tour.

This event is 18+ with proper ID and will run from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear Buffalo Bills gear and to come out for dinner before.

The restaurant, which is not usually open on Mondays will be opening at 4 p.m. and offering a full dinner menu. 

For more info you can visit the event at Facebook.com/CitySlickersBar   (https://www.facebook.com/events/185226108319418/)

Sponsored Post: High Voltage Tattoo has added an additional tattoo booth and another artist

By Lisa Ace

High Voltage Tattoo has added an additional tattoo booth and another artist.

In response to increasing business, we at High Voltage Tattoo and Piercing have added another tattoo booth and hired another artist. For most of 2013 all of the tattoo artists at the shop have been booked in advance with appointments, so we have rarely been able to accommodate walk-ins. Hopefully with an additional new workspace and another tattoo artist, we will be able to get more walk-ins into a chair.

Jeremy is the latest artist to join the High Voltage crew. Jeremy tattooed in Buffalo for six years and has recently moved to Batavia. We now have five people working full time to better meet the needs of our customers.

High Voltage Tattoo is Genesee County's longest established tattoo and piercing shop. We blend old-school values with modern safety standards. Our tattoo artists create custom artwork, coverups or they can bring your own sketches to life. Our studio is a sanctuary of creative self-expression and we uphold a zero-attitude policy. Each client is treated with integrity and respect.

We are open 7 days a week, so stop in for a new tattoo or piercing or call (585) 201-1127 to book an appointment. Visit us online: http://www.hvolttattoo.com/

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