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Up to five inches of snow expected overnight

By Howard B. Owens

A winter weather advisory is in effect for 12 hours, from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. with three to five inches of snow expected in Genesee County, according to the National Weather Service

Residents can also expect very cold air to hit the region Thursday night through Friday night with wind chills dropping below zero.

Graphic: Accuweather

Law and Order: Hutchins Street teen charged with second-degree rape

By Billie Owens

Adrian R. Laird, 18, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree rape. Laird's arrest stems from an alleged incident on Hutchins Street in Batavia at 8 p.m. on Jan. 10. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 10 and is to return there at 9 a.m. on Feb. 13. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Gregory Seppe (inset photo, left), 61, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree burglary. He was arrested at 11:39 a.m. on Feb. 8 in the 100 block of State Street by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post after he allegedly pushed his way into a local residence while attempting to sell drugs. Seppe allegedly refused to leave after being asked to do so multiple times by the tenants. Seppe was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 13. Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider assisted in the case.

Alexis V. Finnin, 31, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested after an investigation of an incident on East Main Street in Batavia at 8:38 p.m. on Sept. 14. It is alleged that at that time she was intoxicated/impaired to the point of not being able to adequately supervise a 5-year-old child, thereby subjecting the child to risk of physical, mental and moral harm. She was released on an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.

Tanya Lee Captain, 32, of Darien, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI -- first offense; criminal mischief -- intentionally damaging property; and failure to stop at a stop sign. She was arrested at 11:57 p.m. Feb. 11 in Alexander after an incident was investigated that occurred on Pike Road in the Town of Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Alexander Town Court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Heberlein, assisted by Deputy John Baiocco.

Michelle L. Sahr, 52, of North Main Street, Albion, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court after she was located by Albion PD on an unrelated matter. She was processed at Batavia PD and released on an appearance ticket for Feb. 13 in city court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Debra Lynn Mattoon, 40, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, was arrested and charged with petit larceny at 4 p.m. Feb. 7. It is alleged that she stole merchandise from Tops Friendly Market in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Hawley scoffs at committee that blocked bill to enact 90-day residency requirement to get NY welfare benefits

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today scoffed at politicians on the Social Services Committee, many of whom are from New York City, who voted unanimously to block Hawley's bipartisan legislation (A.2251) that would institute a 90-day residence requirement before someone is eligible for welfare benefits in New York.

Republicans voted unanimously to report the bill to the floor for a full vote before the house.

“New York’s bloated welfare system has driven our state into fiscal ruin, causing a multi-billion dollar deficit that will likely fall on the middle class," Hawley said. "It is policies like these that perpetuate our reputation as the cradle to the grave capital of the nation, and attracts more visitors looking for a handout.

“In perilous fiscal times like these when we should be passing bills to root out fraud, waste and abuse in our social service system so that we can afford to help those who have fallen into unfortunate circumstances, instead of expanding an already wasteful system."

Oakfield man accused of fleeing police through Batavia, Oakfield, and Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

An Oakfield man is accused of fleeing from police after a deputy attempted a traffic stop for an alleged expired registration early yesterday morning in the Town of Batavia.

Jonathan F. Suggs, 37, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, faces multiple charges in three towns after leading police on a chase through Batavia, Oakfield, and Alabama, where Suggs eventually stopped, according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

The suspect was released on an appearance ticket.

Deputy James Stack attempted to stop a 2016 Jeep Cherokee at 1:30 a.m. yesterday. Suggs was later identified as the driver. Once he stopped, he was taken into custody without further incident.

He is charged with: unlawfully fleeing a police officer; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; failure to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle; speeding; and other vehicle and traffic violations.

He is scheduled to appear in: Town of Batavia Court at 1 p.m., March 12; Oakfield Town Court at 6 p.m., March 2; Alabama Town Court at 6 p.m., March 11.

American Warrior Festival at T.F. Brown's on Saturday, free, live music

By Billie Owens

The American Warrior Festival -- a free show to celebrate our troops, veterans and American way of Life -- will be held at T.F. Brown's Restaurant in Batavia this Saturday (Feb. 15), starting at 4 p.m. and going until 1 a.m.

T.F. Brown's is teaming up with Strength in Numbers Entertainment for this special event with several live bands, including:

  • Lonesome Road
  • Tetness
  • Zackstreet Boys
  • Vette
  • Zynaptic Gap
  • Axton Landing
  • The Remediators
  • Joel Russlett
  • Old School

Sponsors are: The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant; Oliver's Candies; OrCon Industries Corp.; WMW Welding's Most Wanted; Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew; and The Firing Pin.

T.F. Brown's is located at 214 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

McMurray attacks Trump budget that cuts Social Security and Medicare

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Nate McMurray, the Democrat running to replace disgraced felon Chris Collins, today blasted the newly proposed budget and vowed to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare from Washington’s financial mismanagement. The budget would explode the federal deficit and hurt seniors, while protecting massive tax cuts for the wealthy. 

“This is a bad budget, plain and simple," McMurray said. "I’ve been in business my whole life, and if I proposed a budget this poorly thought out, I’d get fired immediately. It will steal from seniors on a fixed income, give money away to the rich, and explode the deficit that our grandchildren’s children, as it already stands, will be paying for."

“Unlike my opponent, I didn’t grow up rich and I know how these programs provide a vital lifeline for working families here. But it’s clearer now than it’s ever been -- Trump lied when he said he’d protect Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. It’s all right there in the budget.

"The harsh reality is, people will die if there are cuts to these programs. Our local hospitals will close. The people of NY-27, and the media, need to ask Chris Jacobs why he supports these cuts that will hurt our elderly and devastate our communities.”

Chris Jacobs issues statement on decision by Rob Ortt to drop out of NY-27 primary

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

“I want to thank Rob for his hard work and dedication to the Party and the people of Western New York. It has been an honor serving alongside him in the New York State Senate and he has always conducted himself with the highest degree of professionalism and has always been a true fighter for the needs of his constituents. I have no doubt he will continue to serve the people of Western New York with steadfast dedication and honor.”

Trio of Notre Dame students met with lawmakers in Albany last week about tobacco control

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GOW) and Reality Check youth champions from Notre Dame High School were at the New York Capitol on Feb. 4, talking with lawmakers about the success of the state’s Tobacco Control Program.

Notre Dame freshman Morgan Wahl, junior Benjamin Streeter, and senior Maddie Payton joined a pair of Reality Check peers from Warsaw High School in the Albany rally, Shelby Pietron and Katie Pietron. Brittany Bozzer, Reality Check coordinator at TF-GOW attended, too.

They focused their messaging on lowering the average smoking rate to 12.8 percent and about the unmet needs in tobacco control efforts, particularly among youth and certain communities. They met with Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and Assemblyman David DiPietro.

During legislative meetings, the youth stressed that cigarette smoking among high school youth statewide declined 82 percent between 2000 and 2018, but e-cigarette use by high schoolers continues to rise, now at 27 percent. In contrast, only 3.8 percent of adult New Yorkers use e-cigarettes. Additionally, nearly 40 percent 12th-graders use e-cigarettes statewide.

Research shows that youth who use e-cigarettes are four times more likely to start smoking conventional cigarettes than their peers who do not vape.

“Successfully reducing the average adult smoking rate to 12.8 percent in New York State is a significant achievement, but new and emerging nicotine products—like e-cigarettes—could reverse the substantial gains we’ve made in reducing smoking,” Bozzer said.

“We know that marketing attracts youth to e-cigarettes, and flavors are what gets them to try them. Nicotine is what keeps them addicted.”

Higher smoking rates among certain communities

New Yorkers with low education, low income and reporting frequent mental distress smoke at higher rates than the state average.

“Although the average smoking rate is down, cigarette smoking rates among certain communities are considerably higher than average," Bozzer said. "For example, throughout New York State, 25.5 percent of adults reporting frequent mental distress smoke cigarettes, as do 20 percent of those with less than a high school education and nearly 20 percent of those with an annual household income of less than $25,000.

“Income, education, and mental health status shouldn’t determine smoking rates, but they do, and our program has a local and statewide program in place to further tobacco-free norms."

While at the Capitol, the Notre Dame youth talked with lawmakers about work being done in their communities and provided an interactive display in The Well of the Legislative Office Building, revealing the true facts behind Big Tobacco’s misleading marketing.

More Facts: The Costs of Tobacco Use in New York State

  • Annual health care costs directly caused by smoking in the state are $10.39 billion;
  • This expense results in a tax burden of $1,410 for each household every year;
  • There are 28,200 deaths in New York State each year due to smoking, and thousands who are living with illnesses related to tobacco use;
  • The CDC recommends a $203 million annual investment in New York State’s Tobacco Control Program; the state’s investment is $39 million.

Reality Check New York empowers youth to become leaders in their community 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. Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties (TF-GOW) program managed by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The NYS Tobacco Control Program is made up of a network of statewide contractors who work on Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities, which includes Community Engagement and Reality Check, the Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York, the NYS Smokers’ Quitline and Surveillance and Research.

Their efforts are leading the way toward a tobacco-free society. For more information, visit:

Photo: Back row (from left) Maddie Payton, Benjamin Streeter, as well as Notre Dame freshman Morgan Wahl (kneeling in front) took in the grandeur of the New York State Senate Chambers on their recent trip to educate lawmakers at the NYS Capitol. Earlier that day, they talked with Assemblyman David DiPietro, right, about tobacco control work being done in their communities and revealed the true facts behind Big Tobacco’s misleading marketing. Also pictured (middle row, from left) are Warsaw High School students Shelby Pietron, Katie Pietron, and Brittany Bozzer, Reality Check coordinator at TF-GOW.

County to hold public info session on jail construction project Feb. 19 at Old Courthouse

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County will hold a Public Information Session regarding the Jail Construction Project at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Old County Courthouse Chambers, 7 Main St., Batavia.

The purpose of the informational session is to update the public on the process taken by the County in the design of the proposed new County Jail and where we are in the project time line.

The County invites citizen questions and inquiries on the jail design process, and looks to provide County justification and rationale for the steps taken to date and planned into the future. We welcome any and all citizen views regarding any aspect of the project’s scope, purpose and implementation.

The County will provide project information including, but not limited to, project timeline, bed need analysis, jail site and projected costs. County staff along with SMRT, the County’s architect and engineer consultants will be on hand to answer questions and receive feedback.

The session will last until approximately 8 p.m. and the public is encouraged to drop by at any time to speak with County and SMRT representatives.

The County has also created a page on its website dedicated to the jail project that we encourage citizens to check on over time for updates on the progress of the jail construction project, the site is here.

Reminder: Last chance to take Sen. Ranzenhofer's 2020 Legislative Questionnaire

By Billie Owens

From State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, 61st District:

As the 2020 Legislative Session continues, Legislators are discussing several major policy changes. It is extremely important for me to hear directly from residents about issues facing New York State.  

This year’s community survey includes topics such as criminal justice reforms, strengthening vaccination requirements, making New York more affordable and the current $6.1 billion budget deficit.

Many of these topics are being actively debated and time is running out for you to share your opinions about these matters before they come to the floor for a vote.

Please take a moment to share your opinions with me.

Click here to take my 2020 Legislative Questionnaire

Governor's slashing of VLT funds puts City in an unenviable position

By Mike Pettinella

Batavia City Council Member Robert Bialkowski took a swipe at the state governor Monday night as he voted “yes” to setting a public hearing on Feb. 24 to override the property tax cap.

“I’d like to thank Governor Cuomo and his cronies for doing this to us,” Bialkowski said, referring to a proposed state budget that includes revenue generated by video lottery terminals at Batavia Downs Gaming – money that has always gone to municipalities, such as the City of Batavia, that host VLT gaming.

City leaders are scrambling to come up with ways to plug the gap caused by the potential loss of more than $440,000. A recommendation from City Manager to cut expenses and raise taxes in the 2020-21 budget (see Monday’s stories in The Batavian) currently is on the table.

Discussion during last night’s Special Conference Meeting centered on Moore’s recommendation and the governor’s action that, according to City Council President Eugene Jankowski, came as a surprise.

“Three years ago, we started using it (VLT money). “We were going to use it to offset taxes again this year and it got pulled from us without any advance warning,” Jankowski said.

He said that he hoped that pressure from state senators and assembly members would be able to change the governor’s mind about the VLT funds, but if not, thought the city would be in a better position to budget properly in 2021-22.

Moore said the loss of the VLT money is “fairly substantial” and credited the City’s department heads with delivering ways to cut expenses.

He warned against using unallocated cash tied to the workers’ compensation fund.

“We’ve got to be careful with that,” he said. “There’s a strong determination on my part … I needed to listen to them (staff) and to the data. We can not use those funds. They need to be there in case of claims, which could be $100,00, $200,000 or $500,000 in a single shot, and they come unexpected.”

Jankowski emphasized that Monday’s vote was just to schedule the public hearing – not to override the tax cap at this juncture.

He also made it a point to explain that the City was holding back on hiring an employee to handle additional paperwork caused by the state’s bail reform and discovery law changes and an additional school resource officer.

“We have no choice other than to take it out of reserves … and that is not a good idea,” he said.

On another front, Council members heard from Richard Unlauf, a city resident, who sought approval from the board to construct a skate park in the City and “hopefully within a City park.”

Umlauf said he has been in touch with the Tony Hawk Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, which offer grants – one for $250,000 (a matching dollar-for-dollar grant) and another for ecological studies in the amount of $50,000.

“It’s a project that is close to me as I am one of the kids that benefitted from the previous park,” Umlauf said. “It kept me free and clear (of trouble).”

Umlauf volunteered to head a committee to look into such a project, adding that several residents have reached out to him to express their interest.

In response, Council Member Paul Viele asked about the liability to the City. Jankowski called for more information and Kathleen Briggs wanted to know more about the grant possibilities.

Moore said a skate park brings a number of different factors into play as far as insurance is concerned and was backed by City Attorney George Van Nest, who said that a skate park could add “different layers” to the insurability process.

“You need to make sure there is ample insurance and analyze the risk and cost associated with taking that on,” he said.

Council Member Rose Mary Christian suggested that Umlauf continue with his efforts and report back to Council next month.

On another matter, Moore reported that a committee formed to look into the deer overpopulation problem in the City has met twice and is looking at eight different areas or zones.

“They are looking at which ones to tackle first … to get the best bang for the buck – or probably the doe at this point,” he said, pun intended.

Chris Jacobs releases statement on announcement of special election in NY-27

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

“Governor Cuomo has done everything in his power to give the Democrats an advantage in this special election, but Chris Jacobs has won tough races before. We are confident that on April 28th, Western New Yorkers will choose Chris Jacobs, a conservative who will support President Trump’s agenda, end sanctuary cities and stop the socialist government takeover of healthcare that will bankrupt Medicare for seniors over Nate McMurray, who wants to impose a socialist agenda, supports Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All scheme, opposes the border wall and supports amnesty.”

City Council schedules public hearings on budget, water rates, overriding tax cap for Feb. 24

By Mike Pettinella

The Batavia City Council tonight voted to schedule three public hearings for 7 p.m. Feb. 24 dealing with the 2020-21 budget ordinance, including a resolution introducing a local law to override the state’s property tax cap.

The tax cap has become an issue in light of the possibility that the municipality could lose more than $440,000 in Video Lottery Terminal money from Batavia Downs Gaming as proposed in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tentative state budget.

City leaders are considering a 7.5 percent property tax increase (much greater that the 0.97 percent increase that was part of City Manager Martin Moore's original budget) along with spending cuts to close a projected $700,000 gap.

If adopted, the tax rate would go from $8.92 to $9.60 per thousand assessed valuation.

The other public hearings are on the budget itself – a $17.8 million general fund spending plan – and to establish new water rates (3.5 percent increase), meter fees (66 cents per quarter increase) and capital improvement fees.

Watch for more details on the discussion over the VLT and tax cap issues on Tuesday.

In other action, Council passed the following resolutions:

-- Adoption of the Genesee County 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan to serve as the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, a measure that would permit the City to receive federal pre-disaster mitigation funds.

-- Acceptance of a $25,481 STOP-DWI grant from Genesee County to be utilized throughout the year and a $22,500 with LaBella Associates of Rochester to facilitate the acceptance of a $300,000 New York Main Street grant as a match for private investments to undertake proposed building improvements within the Batavia Business Improvement District.

-- Sale of a 12- by 50-foot parcel of property next to Eli Fish Brewery Co. in Jackson Square for the company to expand their offerings to include outdoor dining. The sale price was $840.

-- Appointments of Lois Gerace to the Board of Assessment Review, and Council members Rose Mary Christian and Paul Viele as marriage officers to have the authority to perform wedding ceremonies.

Photo: City Council President Eugene Jankowski reads a proclamation commending retired Assistant Police Chief Todd Crossett for his 21 years of "dedicated service" and for being a "positive role model." Crossett said it always was his dream to be able to serve in law enforcement in his hometown, stating that it was an "honor and a pleasure" to be a part of the Batavia City Police Department. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Chimney fire reported on Sand Hill Road

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation at 7748 Sand Hill Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments.

The location is between Hopkins and Shanks roads.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: Alabama command is holding the assignment to units now on the road.

Potential loss of VLT money could lead to City overriding property tax cap

By Mike Pettinella

Faced with the possibility of losing out on more than $400,000 annually from Video Lottery Terminal revenue generated by Batavia Downs Gaming, the Batavia City Council has called a Special Conference Meeting at 7 tonight to consider an additional property tax increase in its 2020-21 budget.

A memo dated Feb. 5, 2020 from City Manager Martin Moore to City Council undoubtedly will trigger strong debate among Council members during their meeting at City Hall.

The regular Business Meeting that includes the setting of public hearings on Feb. 24 for the budget ordinance as well as water rates, meter fees and capital improvement fees is scheduled after the Conference Meeting.

Moore’s memo suggests that Council needs to “come up with a combination of $700,000 in cost savings and revenues to pass a sustainable budget” by reducing expenses by $350,000 and increasing the property tax levy by $350,000 from the currently proposed levels.

Doing this would require an override of the state-imposed property tax cap, which also is subject to a public hearing (that would be slated for Feb. 24).

Moore’s original proposed budget lists a tax rate increase of 0.97 percent (below the property tax cap) -- $8.92 per thousand of assessed valuation last fiscal year to $9.01 per thousand.

The revised proposal would raise the tax rate to $9.60 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value – a jump of 7.5 percent.

Originally, Moore recommended, along with the 0.97 tax levy increase, the following:

-- Using $259,100 in General unassigned funds;
-- Using $225,000 in Water unassigned funds:
-- Transferring $257,400 in unassigned funds from workers’ compensation into the General fund;
-- Reducing funding requests by $500,000 (vehicles, new positions to cover bail and discovery law requirements, capital project and equipment reserves, travel costs, etc.).

With Gov. Cuomo’s proposed budget calling for the elimination of VLT money to municipalities, the outlook has changed dramatically, Moore contends.

Moore’s memo states that after an extensive review of past City budgets, his original recommendation for the use of $257,540 unallocated cash from workers’ comp is “unsustainable.”

Toward that end, he writes that his new proposal of balancing the $700,000 burden equally between expenses and revenues “retains our ability to accomplish the following”:

-- Maintain a high credit rating and keeping the tax rate below $10;
-- Cover unexpected budget cost overruns and emergency purchases;
-- Maintain room in the budget to provide for a school resource officer, salary and benefits for all employees, and increases in repeated criminal offense due to bail reform;
-- Cover insurance-related deductibles and potential claims;
-- Assign fund to capital, retirement and/or insurance reserves;
-- Maintain lower levels of “fiscal stress” by maintaining the total General fund balance and assigned and unassigned General fund balances as a percent of gross expenditures, the cash position of the combined funds, and reducing the likelihood of operating deficits.

McMurray releases statement on governor officially calling special election for NY-27

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Nate McMurray, the Democratic candidate in NY-27, has issued the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo calling for a Special Election today. 

“After months of uncertainty, Western New Yorkers will finally get representation in Congress," McMurray said. " It is clear that our base is fired up and ready to send a message to Washington: The people of NY-27 aren’t simply going to fall in line behind a single party while Washington robs us of our Social Security and healthcare.

"We are going to remind them that we’re not sheep -- we are farmers, veterans, and hardworking taxpayers and we deserve real representation from someone who will stand up for our working families. I’m not going to Washington for any Party or political insiders, I’m going for the people of Western New York."

Law and Order: Corfu man arrested after domestic incident

By Billie Owens

Alexander Edward Seegar, 30, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. He was arrested at 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 6 following the investigation of a domestic incident that occured at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. It is alleged that Seegar acted in a manner likely to be injurious to a child under age 17 and that he prevented a person from being able to leave the incident by restraining tham. Seegar was arraigned in Village of Corfu Court and released. He is due back there on March 2. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Thomas J. Wolcott, 35, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with second-degree harassment and obstruction. He was arrested after a disturbance at 7:10 a.m. Feb. 5 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and arraigned in Batavia City Court. He was then released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

Anthony Wade Travis, 56, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle without the owner's consent, and grand larceny in the third degree -- a Class D felony. He was arrested and arraigned in Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 7 for allegedly using a vehicle without permission at 7:07 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the 9300 block of South Street Road in Le Roy. Travis is due to return to Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

John Patrick Cummings, 39, Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; failure to use designated lane; failure to keep right (on a two-lane road); and failure to stop at a stop sign. Cummings was arrested at 1:37 a.m. on Feb. 5 on Ross Street in Batavia. Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis noticed a vehicle that was driving erratically and she stopped it. After an investigation, Cummings was arrested on the charges. He was issued multiple tickets and is due to be arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 19. McGinnis was assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Jacob M. Paige, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Paige was arrested after allegedly being found in the presence of a protected party at 8:11 a.m. on Feb. 4 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Photo: Eagle on Lockport Road

By Howard B. Owens

Roxanne Noeth took this picture of an eagle in the area of Lockport Road, Oakfield.

Gas prices continue to tumble

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.43, down 4 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.28. The New York State average is $2.63 – down 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.47. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

  • Batavia -- $2.62 (down 1 cent since last week)
  • Buffalo -- $2.57 (down 1cent since last week)
  • Ithaca -- $2.64 (down 2 cents since last week)
  • Rochester -- $2.59 (down 3 cents since last week)
  • Rome -- $2.63 (down 1 cent since last week)
  • Syracuse -- $2.50 (down 4 cents since last week)
  • Watertown -- $2.64 (down 3 cents since last week)

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.43 per gallon, which is 4 cents less than last week, 16 cents less than a month ago, and 16 cents more than a year ago. Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that a high level of gasoline stocks and low demand continue to put downward pressure on pump prices across the country.

From GasBuddy:

"The nation's gas prices continue to fall to fresh lows as coronavirus fears continue to put a choke hold on oil prices, leading to the fourth straight weekly decline in the national average," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "All but a handful of states saw their averages decline over the last seven days, leading to plenty of smiling faces, but especially in the 21 states where at least one station is offering gasoline under $2 per gallon.

"It's impressive that in those 21 states, a total of over 10,000 stations are offering such low prices. With continued worries of economic slowdown due to the spread of coronavirus, I don't think the impact to oil is done yet, and for now, motorists are poised to see another week of falling gas prices."

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