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Senior point guard Ryann Stefaniak, playing in the final home game of her stellar career at Batavia High School, came out shooting tonight and she didn’t stop until she scored 35 points – including eight three-point baskets – in her Lady Devils’ 78-43 victory over Livonia in a Section 5 Class B1 girls’ basketball second-round contest.

“I knew it was my last home game and I came out with so much energy,” Stefaniak said. “I worked with my shooting coach, Billy Truitt, before the game and I felt like I was going to be on.”

She certainly was “on” – scoring nine points in the first quarter with a pair of three-pointers and exploding for 14 points in the second quarter as top-seeded Batavia turned an 18-12 advantage into a 44-22 halftime lead.

Stefaniak had four three-point baskets in the closing three minutes of the half to help Batavia, now 18-2, blow the game open. She added two more three-pointers in the third quarter as the Lady Devils maintained their 22-point cushion.

Sophomore point guard Mackenzie Reigle put forth another fine all-around effort, scoring 13 points on a variety of drives and spin moves while coming up with six steals. Sophomore guard Bryn Wormley sank a trio of three-point shots and finished with 10 points.

Junior forward Emma Krolczyk added seven points and senior guard Jenae Colkey had four. Senior center Meghan Houseknecht and sophomore guard Tess Barone scored two apiece.

For eighth-seeded Livonia, 13-8, junior forward Sydney Lockwood tallied 21 points – eight in the final quarter as the teams traded baskets. Junior forward Vanessa Galbraith had nine and junior guard Sara Shellenbarger added seven.

Batavia Coach Marty Hein stated that he was impressed with his team’s offensive prowess, but said his defense need to tighten things up.

“The defense wasn’t as sound as I wanted it to be,” he said. “We allowed too many open shots and drives, especially against number 12 (Lockwood). And we had three girls in foul trouble (Krolczyk, Reigle and Stefaniak).”

Still, top-seeded Batavia moves on to the next round where it will face No. 4 Palmyra-Macedon in the second game of a doubleheader Monday night at Caledonia-Mumford.

Pal-Mac, 15-5, defeated visiting Notre Dame of Batavia, 50-43, tonight.

The first game of Monday’s twin bill has No. 2 Midlakes facing No. 3 Greece Odyssey, with a 6 p.m. starting time.

The BHS vs. Pal-Mac game is expected to tip off around 7:45.

Submitted photos and press release:

Last year, Homeland Security Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recorded 28,000 seizures of counterfeit goods valued at $1.4 billion. One raid alone in Laredo, Texas, brought in 181,000 items valued at $42.9 million. The serious issue of counterfeit merchandise hits much closer to home, however, with ongoing investigations and detective work occurring each year at the New Era Field in Orchard Park throughout the Buffalo Bills season.

John K. Payne, senior detective with the Orchard Park Police Department will share his vast experience and knowledge about counterfeiting NFL products and other merchandise on Wednesday, March 6, at 1 p.m. in room T102 as part of Genesee Community College's Fashion Business Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Counterfeiting is a form of theft and seriously impacts businesses, the economy, and our society. The International Chamber of Commerce estimates nearly $500 billion in lost economic activity in one year alone as illegal competitors steal brands and products from legitimate companies who hold genuine trademarks and patents.

Many companies have invested years of research and millions of dollars in product development, typically they employ U.S. citizens, and also support local communities. Stealing revenue from these companies through counterfeiting their products not only affects their bottom line, but also significantly hurts their ability to innovate and invest back in the company and community.

This crime can also pose a serious health risk with products in the food and pharmaceutical industry. 

Detective Payne began his efforts to curtail counterfeit merchandising at football games nearly ten years ago when the Buffalo Bills alerted local law enforcement that numerous vendors were selling illegal items outside the stadium. NFL officials worked closed with the Orchard Park Police Department to train key members of the force to identify legitimate products against the counterfeit.

Detective Payne assembled a task force which included the assistance of federal agencies. In the past few years, numerous arrests have been made including a major supplier, and thousands of dollars of counterfeit merchandise has been seized and destroyed. 

With more than 25 years in law enforcement, including 20 years with the OPPD, Detective Payne has a broad base of experience in criminal justice. He has been a SWAT Team member, sniper, observer, major crimes and fire investigator, as well as an instructor with the Erie County Police Academy. He earned both a master's degree in Police Administration and Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College.

"This is the first time the Fashion Business Lecture Series has covered the topic of counterfeit merchandising, and we are honored to have Detective Payne share his expertise to our campus and community," said Laura Taylor, instructor of Fashion Business.

"This is not only an important subject to my fashion business students, but GCC's criminal justice and business students will also gain a vast amount of information from his lecture."

Below, Orchard Park Police Department Senior Detective John K. Payne and some counterfeit NFL merchandise.

Press release:

Kayleigh Marie Perez, 29, of Cone Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. She was arrested on Feb. 21 for two crimes. In the first incident, she allegedly stole a debit card from Walmart at 7:49 p.m.. on Jan. 13 and used it at several locations. Perez was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia Town Court on March 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Mathew Clor. In the second incident, she allegedly stole a credit card from a resident who lives on Main Street in Oakfield. She was also released on an appearance ticket for that and is due in Oakfield Town Court on March 11. The Oakfield case was handled by Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Minuto.

Jeremy Ryan Eaton, 41, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is a registered Level 2 sex offender who is on parole and is accused of failure to register a change with authorities as specified in NYS Correction Law 168-F, Section 4 (Must register within 10 days any change of residence, employment, Internet account access provider, enrollment or attendance at any institution of higher education.) Eaton was being held in GC jail on a parole violation at the time of his arrest on Feb. 4. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court, he was put back in jail with no bail. He is due in city court again at 11 a.m. on March 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill.

Christian Dean Boyce, 55, of Watson Road, Elba, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; unlicensed driver; operating a motor vehicle out of class; and unregistered motor vehicle. At about 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 9, Boyce was arrested following a traffic stop on North Byron Road in Elba. It is alleged that the defendant had an arrest warrant and a bench warrant out of Town of Elba Court and that he was operating a tractor-trailer without a license. Boyce was recognized by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, who initiated the traffic stop. Boyce was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and put in jail in lieu of $500 cash bail. He was due in Town of Elba Court on Feb. 20 to answer the charges. Deputy McClellan was assisted in the case by Deputy Christopher Erion.

Jill M. Turner, 36, of Burke Drive, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. It is alleged that she allowed her dog to run at large onto her neighbor's property on Burke Drive at 5:19  p.m. on Feb. 17. Turner is issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 5. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer James Sheflin.

Brittany L. Dumsar  age 25, W/F, 5’ 4” 110 lbs.

Brown Hair, Green eyes

LKA Anytrell Drive Webster, NY

 

Bench warrant for Criminal Trespass 3^rd PL 140.10-1 (Misdemeanor and Trespass PL 140.05 (Violation) Darien Town Court DOW 6/18/18

 

Tricia E. Delucia age 40, W/F, 4’ 10” 90 lbs.

Brown Hair, Brown eyes

LKA Handy Street Rochester, NY

 

Bench warrant for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th PL 220.03 (Misdemeanor)  Batavia Town Court DOW 12/20/18

Tatiana C. Lugo age 24, W/F, 5’7” 182 lbs.

Black hair, Brown eyes

LKA Mechanic Street

Byron, NY

 

Arrest warrant for Harassment 2^nd PL 240.26-1 (Violation) Batavia Town Court DOW 9/19/18

 

Uriah I. C. Smoke age 34, American Indian, male 5’6” 180 lbs.

Black hair, Brown eyes

LKA Bloomingdale Road Alabama, NY

 

Bench Warrant for Criminal Mischief 4^th PL 145.00-1 (Misdemeanor) and Reckless Endangerment 2^nd PL 120.20-1 (Misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court  DOW 5/15/12

Nicole R. Elmore age 30, W/F, 5’4” 115 lbs.

Brown hair, Hazel eyes

LKA Clifford Avenue Rochester, NY

 

Bench Warrant for Grand Larceny 4^th  PL 155.30-1(Felony) and Conspiracy 6^th  PL 105.00 (Misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 2/14/19

Matthew P. Snyder age 29, W/M, 5’8” 215 lbs.

Brown hair, Blue eyes

LKA West Avenue

Attica, NY

 

Arrest Warrant for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3^rd VTL 511-1a (Misdemeanor) Byron Town Court DOW 9/8/17

County officials are ready to move ahead with plans for a new Genesee County Jail, which begins with hiring an architectural firm to help plan and design it and hiring a general contractor to oversee its construction. The new jail could be located on land already owned by the county next to County Building #2 on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

The County Legislature is expected to pass two resolutions next week to move the plan forward. One will authorize spending $2.5 million from the county's building and infrastructure fund, and the other will authorize a contract with SMRT Architects and Engineers PC, of Latham.

Approval of the resolutions was recommended this week by both the Public Service Committee on Tuesday (photo above with Asst. County Manager Matt Landers and Sheriff William Sheron seated at the conference table) and the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

Landers told the Ways and Means Committee that the county has yet to establish the actual cost of the new jail. That will be determined by the review and consulting process with SMRT Architects, who will also assist in hiring a construction manager, who will also assist in estimating the cost.

Once a cost is established, the county can seek bond financing, and once the bond is approved, the $2.5 million from the reserve fund will be reimbursed to that fund.

If, after site review, SMRT does find the site next to County Building #2 suitable for a jail, the county's planning costs could be substantially reduced because there will be no need for a site-selection process.

SMRT was one of four finalists firms reviewed by a jail committee comprised of county officials from multiple departments. Two finalists were interviewed and those two were asked to submit final prices, then the committee conducted reference checks.

SMRT was selected by the committee on a 7-3 vote with one abstention, Landers said.

The county is establishing a page on its website that will provide the public with all of the information available on the new jail as the process progresses, Landers said. 

Landers expects more information on costs and a construction timeline to emerge within six months.

Wind gusts up to 75 mph are expected in a storm that will pass through the area Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued a high-wind warning for 7 a.m. Sunday though 10 a.m. Monday.

Steady winds of 35 to 45 mph from the west are expected.

Strong wind gusts could bring down trees and power lines and widespread power outages are possible. Power may be out in some areas for several days.

Shallow rooted pine trees may be particularly vulnerable.

Property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding.

Travel by high profile vehicles will be very difficult and empty tractor trailers may be in danger of blowing off roadways.

Homehowners should secure loose objects.

      Richard Hanes

At an evidence hearing today in the murder case proceedings against Richard D. Hanes, his defense attorney argued that Judge Charles Zambito should not allow his client's mobile phone and its content to be presented to a jury if the case goes to trial.

Hanes, 36, is accused of beating to death Raymond Morgan on July 24 at 111 Liberty St. Batavia.

According to court testimony today by Det. Thad Mart, Hanes showed up at the Batavia PD headquarters and presented himself to police for questioning without being summoned there. At the time, he wasn't a suspect and police had yet to obtain DNA, fingerprints or palm prints that linked him to the case.

The interview with Hanes was videotaped and that evidence was also submitted to the court today (though not played in court).

Mart said on the stand that Hanes does not confess to the murder during the interview nor did he implicate himself while at the police station.

It was during the interview at Batavia PD that parole officers who supervised Hanes showed up and the officers took his mobile phone, apparently, in connection with an alleged parole violation. The parole officers then turned the phone over to a Batavia PD patrol officer.

Defense attorney Fred Rarick argued that if the phone was linked to an actual parole violation, parole officers would have kept it as evidence in that case and would not have turned it over to a police officer.

Rarick argued that the police didn't have probable cause to seize the phone and that parole taking the phone and giving it to police is an attempt to circumvent the need for a warrant.

"There is no probable cause because we don't know why he was arrested on a parole violation," Rarick said. "If there was something on his phone relative to his parole, they would have retained possession of that phone."

District Attorney Lawrenece Friedman said there is no evidence that parole and police communicated about the phone prior to the police obtaining it, that there is no evidence of any agreement for the officers to work togther to obtain the phone.

"It's all very speculative," Friedman said. He added later, "It really doesn't matter why a parole officer took the phone because they were not acting as an agent for the police."

He compared it to a private citizen obtaining the phone, walking out with it and then deciding to hand it over to police.

Outside of court Friedman said he couldn't discuss the significance of the phone to the case.

There is reportedly DNA evidence that links Hanes to the crime scene and investigators have said they believe the murder was premeditated.

Zambito said he will reserve his decision on the admissibility of the phone until a later date. Hanes is scheduled for another court appearance at 2:45 p.m., March 13.

In photo above, Ashley McCormack embarks on "bossing" an Action Trackchair.

Ashley McCormack is a spirited 18-year-old who lives in Darien and has been confined to a wheelchair since she was 10.

When she was little she used to go fishing with her dad on Hamlin Beach along the shores of Lake Ontario. They would also hike trails in Letchworth State Park and go camping.

Life as she knew it and her outdoor adventures were cruelly curtailed by the onslaught of ataxia-telangiectasia syndrome or Louis-Bar syndrome. She was diagnosed with it at age 8 and by 10 she unable to walk on her own.

The progressive neurological disease also makes it hard for her to talk and do a lot of other things. Doctors told her she wouldn't live long, but she's still here, still "wanting to live her life" and enjoy it, too.

Winters are especially difficult because when ice or mud or snow gets on the wheels of her regular motorized wheelchair, it's easy for her to get stuck.

So her mother, Susan Pfalzer, says Ashley's routine is very limited: going from the house to the car -- then to the store or church or the doctor or wherever -- and back again. House-to-car-to-building and back again.

Her little pal, a mixed terrier named "Shyla" often accompanies the self-professed animal lover, who volunteers at two local shelters.

Enter Cheryl Medina, a longtime friend of the family who found out about an amazing -- and expensive -- piece of equipment: the Action Trackchair. To learn more about it, click here.

"Cheryl sent me information about it and it seemed really neat but I didn't think too much about it," Pfalzer said. "But Cheryl is a go-getter and she arranged to have Ashley get a demo of the chair for a day."

The all-terrain wheelchair is highly customizable. Insurance won't cover the cost of it and it retails for more than $11,000. The one that Ashley got to try out goes for $16,300.

The joy Ashley experienced at being able to get around was unreal. She could go visit her Nana down the road, get some fresh air, pay her respects at the family's pet cemetery in the back yard, tool around.

Timid of using it at first, by the day's end she was tackling mounds of snow and showing that Trackchair who was boss.

"Ashley is such a good, sweet girl and she's like any 18-year-old -- she wants to be out and doing things," Medina said. "She's so funny and full of life."

To help her with this noble mobile dream, Medina and Ashley's mother and her Nana, Annette Pfalzer, will hold a benefit at Darien Fire Hall from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. It is located at 10537 Alleghany Road, Darien Center.

There will be plenty of food and music.

Tickets are $10 presale or $15 at the door.

Organizers, friends and family are seeking cash donations, checks, gift certificates, gift baskets and auction items.

Cash donations and checks can be made out to:   Ashley's Action Trackchair. Send them to:  Susan Pfalzer, 1792 Sumner Road, Darien, NY 14040.

Group donations are encouraged.

For corporations and organizations, there is an EIN number available for your donations.

For presale tickets, donations or other information about this benefit, call: Cheryl Medina at (716) 863-0388; or (Nana) Annette Pfalzer at 547-9342; or (Mom) Sue Pfalzer at (585) 300-9508.

There is also a GoFundMe account set up. Visit here.

Photos courtesy of Sue Pfalzer.

Ashley and her doggie "Shyla" with her regular motorized wheelchair.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is calling for all (54) state prisons to remain open and operating today amid a subtle announcement by the governor late Friday to close three unspecified New York prisons.

The plan was buried in a release of Gov. Cuomo’s 30-Day Amendments as changes to his Executive Budget proposal.

“Closing any state prisons would have dire consequences for public safety and the brave correctional officers who work with our incarcerated population,” Hawley said. “By consolidating the prison population, we run the risk of double bunking inmates and exacerbating the high number of violent attacks against corrections officers we have seen in recent years.

"This is not about a declining prison population, this is about the governor scrambling to save money to cover up his $2.3 billion budget shortfall – a terrible solution for an even worse self-inflicted problem.”

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced they will be putting on their second annual Bourbon and Whiskey Fest on Saturday, June 8^th. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. as the event will coincide with the Belmont Stakes Triple Crown race.

A commemorative glass will also be available for the first 100 persons to arrive. 

Former Buffalo Football Player and Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas will be in attendance. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Thurman Thomas Family Foundation.

Tickets are $40 and include $15 Free Play, a T-shirt, a custom cocktail from Black Button Distillery and Four Roses Bourbon and sampling from more than 20 different brands of bourbon and whiskey. Complementary Grazing Stations will be on hand as well.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, February 22^nd, at 10 a.m. on Bataviaconcerts.com and at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Tickets for Designated Drivers are just $25 and include everything listed above except the cocktails and sampling. All attendees MUST be 21 years of age or older.

“We’re excited to hold our Bourbon Fest again and to donate a portion of the proceeds to Thurman Thomas’ Family Foundation,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming.

“Our guests really enjoyed sampling all kinds of different bourbons and whiskeys, so much so that we’ve added many of them to the new Gatsby Bar. We look forward to another great event.”

Betting windows with live mutuels tellers will be open so attendees may bet on the day’s races. The track apron will be open where guests can purchase cigars or visit area food trucks that will be on hand for the event.

From the City of Batavia Police Department.

The missing adult reported by the Batavia Police Department, Jessica Deridder, was located in Greece. Jessica was located unharmed and is OK. The missing person alert has been rescinded.

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank everyone for their assistance.

The Blue Devils squad was on a mission in the first half to control the game over visiting Palmyra-Macedon of the first round of class B1 sectionals last evening at Batavia High School.

Opening minutes were led 10-5 by senior Mason McFollins and junior Jake Humes. Tanner Thompson for Pal-Mac scored five. Blue Devils led 23-10 after the first quarter.

Second half Pal-Mac could not stop the Devils' rush as Camden White added six points. Blue Devils' Joseph Martinucci, Andrew Francis, McFollins and Luke Grammatico also contributed points to dominate the half 44-18.

Batavia then opened the floodgates rolling through the next eight minutes as Cayden White and McFollins added another 16 points combined along with points from Francis and Tyler Hale.

In the final minutes of the third quarter, both teams pulled their starters, Batavia led 69-27.

Senior Tyivon Ayala scored nine points in the fourth to close out the quarter as Batavia wins the game 87-41 and will travel to play this Saturday at #2 Newark Reds, 2 p.m. tip off.

Top photo is Batavia's Zach Gilebarto defending Pal-Mac's Paul Goodness.

To view or purchase photos click here.

The City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 33 Clifton Ave., Batavia, a little after 3 a.m., Thursday. 

Residents evacuated the single-family home prior to the fire department's arrival. Smoke was reported inside the residence.

City fire requested a second alarm and declared a working structure fire.

Crews from Alexander's Fast Team and Elba fire responded while the Town of Batavia was on standby in their hall.

According to Chief Napolitano with the City of Batavia Fire Department, a working fire was discovered in the basement.

"There was a mother and daughter along with a granddaughter in the house," Napolitano said.

"They received assistance from the Salvation Army, and the home is deemed uninhabitable at this time because of the damage in the basement to the furnace and the hot water tank and associated plumbing and electrical with those units."

One resident walked down the driveway holding a dog. According to City fire, several cats were still inside.

The fire was under control in about 30 minutes.

Chief Napolitano says the fire is currently under investigation and the cause has yet to be determined.

A proposal to reduce funding from the state for towns and villages, known as AIM (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) could wind up as just another cost burden for Genesee County, County Manager Jay Gsell told the Ways and Means Committee at its meeting Wednesday.

If the funding cut goes through, the County could make up the $230,000 in difference for towns and villages from its own revenue.

Gsell said the governor’s office is being somewhat disingenuous about how cuts are being presented to municipalities.

What the state says it will do and what it actually does will be two different things, Gsell suggested.

The governor’s office is proposing a new sales tax on products sold digitally, an e-commerce tax, and that new revenue stream -- the theory goes -- will allow counties to share a portion of sales tax with municipalities.

Genesee County is one of the few counties in the state that currently shares sales tax but the proposal by the governor would mandate an obligation, perhaps above current revenue sharing, and force the rest of the counties to start sharing sales tax.

But there’s no guarantee New York will be successful in instituting an e-commerce tax – something state officials have sought for years, and it would certainly be difficult, Gsell said, to institute before the state’s new fiscal year starts April 1.

That could leave the counties, including Genesee County, with another unfunded mandate.

Under the governor's budget proposal, only municipalities that use a lower percentage of AIM for their annual budget would have funding cut. If that holds, neither the Village of Le Roy nor the City of Batavia, which receives more than $1 million in AIM funding, would have that funding cut.

The Legislature will be asked to vote on a resolution opposing the proposed cut to AIM.

Darnel J. Tillmon is indicted for the crime of assault on a police officer, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 2 in the Town of Le Roy that Tillmon acted with intent to prevent a police officer -- a New York State trooper -- from performing a lawful duty and his actions caused serious physical injury to the officer. In count two, Tillmon is accused of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony, by acting intentionally to prevent the officer from performing a lawful duty and his actions caused physical injury to the officer. In count three, Tillmon is again accused of second-degree assault for allegedly recklessly causing serious physical injury to the trooper by means of a deadly weapon or instrument, in this case a motorcycle. In count four, the defendant is accused of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly recklessly causing physical injury to another person -- the trooper. In count five, the defendant is again accused of third-degree assault for acting with criminal negligence, causing physical injury to the trooper by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument -- the motorcycle. In count six, Tillmon is accused of reckless endangerment in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly recklessly engaging in conduct which created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. In count seven, Tillmon is accused of the crime of unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count seven that Tillmon knew he had been directed to stop his motor vehicle by a uniformed police officer or a marked police vehicle by the activation of either lights or lights and sirens, and he attempted to flee by engaging in reckless driving. In count eight, Tillmon is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent an officer from arresting himself or another person. In count nine, Tillmon is accused of the crime of third-degree escape, a Class A misdemeanor, for escaping from custody. In count 10, Tillmon is accused of failing to comply with the lawful order of a police officer or flagperson. It is alleged in count 10 that the defendant drove a 2006 Kawasaki and failed or refused to comply with the lawful order or direction of a police officer or flagperson duly empowered to regulate traffic. In count 11, Tillmon is accused of the offense of improper passing for operating the Kawasaki and overtaking or passing another vehicle on the right shoulder of the NYS Thruway. In count 12, Tillmon is accused of moving from lane unsafely, a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law, by riding the Kawasaki on a roadway divided into clearly marked lanes and failing to drive within a single lane and moving from a lane without regard to doing so safely. In count 13, Tillmon is accused of unsafe starting, a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law, by moving the Kawasaki, which had been stopped, standing or parked, without first determining if movement could be made with reasonable safety. In count 14, Tillmon is accused of failing to use signal lamps, contrary to Vehicle and Traffic Law, by riding the Kawasaki and changing lanes or entering an exit ramp of the Thruway without using signals by hand and arm, or signal lamps. In count 15, Tillmon is accused of speeding for operating the Kawasaki that summer day at a speed greater than was reasonable and prudent under the conditions and without regard to the actual and potential hazards at that time. In count 16, Tillmon is accused of speeding for operating the Kawasaki at 135 mph in a 65-mph zone. In count 17, Tillmon is accused of reckless driving, a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law, for operating the Kawasaki on I-90 in a manner which unreasonably interfered with the free and proper use of a public highway or unreasonably endangered users of a public highway.

Erica R. Leach is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 24 in the Town of Darien that Leach knowingly and unlawfully possessed a controlled substance: cocaine with a weight of 500 milligrams or more.

Latashia M. Sanchez is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on Oct. 18 in the Town of Stafford that Sanchez drove a 2011 Chevrolet on Main Road -- Route 5 -- while intoxicated. In count two, she is accused of DWI, per se, as a misdemeanor, for having a BAC or .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, Sanchez is accused of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count three that Sanchez knew or had reason to know that her driving license was suspended and that she was driving without a license while intoxicated. In count four, she is accused of driving her vehicle in excess of 55 mph. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, the defendant is accused of having been charged with DWI, per se, in Town of Le Roy Court on July 31. The prosecution of that crime forms the basis for the suspension referred to in count three. As a result of the prosecution, her license was suspended at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 and was therefore in effect at 5:19 p.m. Oct. 18, when she allegedly violated the laws resulting in the current indictment.

Jeffery C. Rogers is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 25 he drove a 2011 Chevrolet with Tennessee plates on West Main Street in the City of Batavia while intoxicated. In count two, Rogers is accused of aggravated  DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time. In count three, Rogers is accused of exceeding the maximum established speed limit. In Special Information filed by the First Assistant District Attorney of Genesee County, the defendant is accused of having been convicted of driving under the influence, as a misdemeanor, on April 13, 2015, in General Sessions Court, Knox County, Tenn. That conviction was within 10 years previous to the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office today announced $23.6 million in funding for 31 airports across the state, including $656,000 for a new aircraft hangar at the Genesee County Airport.

Other airports in the region to receive funding: 

• $559,000 to construct a deicing containment System and emergency equipment at the Penn Yan-Yates County Airport;
• $499,000 to deploy a new start-of-the-art garage parking guidance system at the Greater Rochester International Airport;
• $369,000 to renovate an aircraft hangar at the Dansville Municipal Airport in Livingston County;
• $336,000 for the installation of a new Jet-A fuel tank and associated equipment at the Williamson-Sodus Airport in Wayne County;
• $204,000 to construct an aircraft fuel storage and dispensing system at the Pine Hill Airport in Orleans County;

Press release:

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is excited to announce a NEW 4-H Cooking Workshop Series!

The first series will be learning how to cook Breakfast Foods and will be four weeks long.

4-H Breakfast Foods Cooking Series Dates:

• Saturday, March 2^nd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Saturday, March 9^th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16^th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Saturday, March 23^rd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The series is open to youth ages 9 and up. Youths need to enroll in the 4-H program to participate. All classes will be held at the Cooperative Extension building located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia, NY. 

Space is limited! To register please contact Brandie at the 4-H Office for more information. Call 585-343-3040 or email genesee4h@cornell.edu