Crews are on scene now of a water main break at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue, Village of Le Roy.

There is no ETA available for when repairs will be completed.

Terry M. Roth, 40, and Michelle Hamill, 48, both of Batavia, are charged with third-degree grand larceny. Roth is also charged with second-degree forgery. Hamill is accused of stealing a credit card from the wallet of an elderly victim who was under her care as a healthcare aide in the victim's residence. The victim is presently under 24-hour care. Roth, accompanied by Hamill, allegedly made $23,000 in unauthorized purchases in Genesee, Erie and Monroe counties. These alleged purchases were documented through surveillance video at the stores, according to State Police. Roth was jailed on $25,000 bail. Hamill was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Kyle Robert Ratulowski, 19, of Elenore Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ratulowski is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Nicole Marie Capretto, 32, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Capretto is accused of stealing $100 from the cash register of the Pembroke Arrow Mart along with a 12-pack of Bud Light beer.

Alissa Marie Eastridge, 18, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Eastridge is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Ryan James Sundown, 35, of Meadville Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, criminal obstruction of breathing, endangering the welfare of a child, and resisting arrest. Sundown allegedly choked the victim, threw her phone to prevent her from calling for emergency assistance and attempted to leave the scene in his truck, striking another vehicle with his son in the backseat. Sundown was allegedly intoxicated.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on Wilkinson Road near the railroad tracks.

Unknown injuries.

The caller reports she was unable to get close enough to check on occupants. She said headlights were on and then shut off.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:16 p.m.: Minor if any injuries. "She's out. She's out walking around," reports a chief on scene.

One person has just been taken into custody on Walnut Street after a search by multiple police officers for a group of subjects that were first spotted running across the footbridge connecting Walnut with West Main.

The names of two of the individuals were used by officers and we believe they are warrant suspects, though that is not confirmed.

The subjects apparently tried to hide when they believed they were spotted by a police officer.

There is a search continuing for at least one other individual.

Press release:

This year’s National Geographic Society Geography Bees for grades seven and eight, and grades four through six were held earlier this month at the Byron-Bergen Junior High and Elementary schools. All of the participants qualified after earning high scores on written tests taken in December.

At the Junior High, the top student performers were — Grade eight: Caitlin Ashton, Siomara Caballero, Alex Dean, Kyle Foeller, Sara Fraser, Coltin Henry, Connor Kaminski, Cambria Kinkelaar, Garrett Swinter, Justice Towne, Hannah VanSkiver, Abby Vurraro, and Grant Williams. Grade seven: Nick Baubie, Ricky Denson, Josh Fleming, Colby Leggo, John Mercovich, Isaiah Merrell, Zechariah Merrell, Andrew Parnapy, Deacon Smith, and Josh Swapceinski.

The very smartest Bees on this side of the globe were students Ricky Denson and Alex Dean, who competed in the event’s Championship Round. Denson was able to answer all three final questions correctly and was declared the Junior High School Geography Bee Champion. He was awarded a $25 Amazon.com gift card. As the runner-up, Dean received a $15 Amazon.com gift card.

The next step for Denson will be a written test. If his score is one of the 100 highest in the state, he will be invited to take part in the New York State Bee. State winners compete in the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C., hosted by Alex Trebek from the “Jeopardy” TV show.

At the Elementary School, there were also many outstanding competitors: Jared Barnum, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Caris Carlson, Braedyn Chambry, Sadie Cook, Evan Cuba, Gianni Ferrara, Emily Henry, Frank Hersom, Grace Huhn, Brooke Jarkiewicz, Ryan Muscarella, Stephanie Onderdonk, Madelynn Pimm, Elizabeth Piper, Carter Prinzi, Elli Schelemanow, Grace Shepard, Ella VanValkenburg, Alexandra Vurraro, Dawson Young, Corden Zimmerman, and Nicholas Zwerka.

The new 2016 Champion Corden Zimmerman, a sixth-grader, will also be taking a written exam in hopes of qualifying for the state competition. Fifth-grader Cameron Carlson was the runner-up.

District teachers and counselors also played a part in the success of the events. At the Elementary School: Judges Craig Schroth, Erin Varley, and Liz Findlay; moderator Rick Merritt; and Bee Coordinator Ken Rogoyski. At the Jr. High School: Judges Rob Kaercher, Matt Walther, and Bryan Kavanaugh; moderator Debbie Slocum; organizer Ken Gropp; and Interim Dean of Students Aaron Clark.

Top photo: Elementary School Geogrpahy Bee Champion Corden Zimmerman.

Byron-Bergen Junior High School participants in the National Geographic Society Geography Bee for grades seven and eight.

Junior High Geography Bee Champion Ricky Denson, Mr. Gropp, and runner-up Alex Dean.

Contestants from grades four through six in the 2016 National Geographic Society Geography Bee at Byron-Bergen Elementary School.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after introducing legislation to rename the currently unnamed post office located at 15 Rochester St., Bergen, New York in honor of Bergen resident Barry Miller. If passed, the legislation would rename the post office the “Barry G. Miller Post Office.”

“Barry Miller was beloved by all who were lucky enough to meet him,” Congressman Collins said. “In order to honor his passion for his community and his commitment to helping others, I am glad to introduce legislation renaming the post office in Bergen after Mr. Miller.”

“Barry enjoyed nothing more than serving his community and he dedicated his life to helping the people of Bergen,” stated Tracy and Loretta Miller, Barry’s parents. “This is a fitting tribute to his service, and we look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Collins to make this a reality.”

Barry Miller was a lifelong Bergen resident, graduating from Byron-Bergen High School in 1983 and serving as a member of the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years, including 10 as assistant EMS Chief, before he was tragically killed in the line of duty. In addition to working at the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department, Barry was the Genesee County Coroner, a member of the Bergen Town Board, and owner of Miller's Millworks in Bergen and the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks.

Josiah C. Yantz, 16, of North Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree rape. Yantz is accused of non-consensual sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on two separate occasions. Yantz was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Gregory P. Hamm-Johnson, 25, of Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with felony driving while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, uninspected motor vehicle, broken windshield and no driver headlamp. Hamm-Johnson was stopped at 4:12 p.m. Jan. 15 on Water Street, Village of Attica, by Officers James Prusak Jr. and Brian Marsceill. Hamm-Johnson was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Tonya Houseknecht, 33, of East Yates Center Road, Lyndonville, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Houseknecht allegedly sold a quantity of lisedexamfetamine dimesylate to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on two separate occasions. 

Christina M. Sakran, 32, of Kenilworth Terrace, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, ticket. Sakran was turned over to Batavia PD by the Orleans County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $300 police bail.

Gregory S. Yark, 51, no permanent address, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, charge. Yark was released on his own recognizance. He also faces charges of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Michael P. Murphy, 31, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine on an overnight parking ticket. Murphy posted cash bail and was released.

Jeffrey M. Anauo, 28, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, three counts of driving drunk with a child in the car, aggravated unlicensed operation and following too closely. Anauo was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 8:05 p.m. Sunday on Walnut Street, Batavia. Anauo was jailed without bail. The accident was investigated by officers Christopher Lindsay and Stephen Cronmiller.

Darryl Robinson, 52, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Robinson allegedly punched another person.

Eric M. Smith, 30, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and petit larceny. Smith was arrested on a pair of warrants. Smith was jailed on an unspecified bail.

Jessica Lauren Ford, 24, of Perry Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, a felony. During a traffic stop, Ford was allegedly found with a person in the car she was barred from contact with by court order. She was jailed on $5,000 bail.

The owner of a former vapor shop in Batavia was sentenced in Federal Court yesterday to two years probation and six months home detention for selling counterfeit goods at his store.

Scott Scaccia, 34, of Rochester, owned A Plus Vapes & Deals on Ellicott Street until it was raided by federal authorities in April.

Investigators found that Scaccia was selling counterfeit tobacco vaporizers that were manufactured and distributed from China. Authorities said Scaccia obtained the merchandise from his brother in California and through a Chinese Web site.

Authorities seized 90 counterfeit vaporizers.

Photo: File photo.

Press release:

At a Special Meeting of the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) early January, President Ray Chaya thanked fellow Board Member Gregg Torrey for serving eight years as a director of the City’s economic development agency. The BDC instituted term limits during Torrey’s tenure. He has represented City business development efforts since June 2007 and served many years as an officer of the organization.

The BDC also elected three new members:

· Mary Valle, second generation Valle Jewelers business owner, active Vibrant Batavia volunteer and former Business Improvement District director;

· Steve Pies, fourth generation Max Pies Furniture business owner and past Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board president;

· Pier Cipollone, former City Councilman and past BDC Board president.

Fellow Board members include Ray Chaya, Susie Boyce, Peter Casey, Kathy Ferrara, Jay Sackett, Barb Shine and ex-officio member, City Manager Jason Molino. The Board meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in City Hall.

The VA Medical Center in Batavia is hosting a public meeting tonight to share information and solicit feedback on the planned veterans cemetery in Pembroke.

The meeting is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Building #4.

Speakers will include Joshua M. de Leon, National Cemetery Administration, Glenn Madderom, Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetary Development and Improvement Service, and Mark Tillotson, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management.

Officials will provide an update on the project and seek feedback on the master plan and design process.

The proposed 132-acre parcel will serve the burial needs of more than 96,000 veterans and eligible dependents for at least 70 years. The initial phase of construction will develop about 70 acres and provide for 10 years worth of interments.

The VA purchased the property at 1232 Indian Falls Road for $625,000 in May 2014.

A car vs. tractor-trailer (or maybe a tow truck) accident is reported in the area of 200 S. Swan St., Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Unknown injuries.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: An SUV hit a parked tow truck. The vehicle's passenger side was peeled open bow to stern like a sardine can, but there were no injuries. The accident is under investigation and it's yet to be determined if there will be any charges. What caused the vehicle to hit the truck, whether the driver didn't see it, or the driver swerved for some reason, is unknown at this time.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center and 1366 Technologies have developed an online intake form for local companies interested in pursuing potential supply chain/operational opportunities. The 1366 Technologies solar wafer manufacturing facility will be constructed in the town of Alabama and is scheduled to open in 2017.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent and skill in the Genesee County area. We’re excited to begin the process of identifying those companies across the region that will contribute to the success of our project and our operations in Alabama,” said Brian Eller, COO, 1366 Technologies.

The form can be accessed atwww.1366tech.com or www.wnystamp.com.

“The exciting thing about economic development is not only the direct jobs created by companies like 1366 Technologies, but the indirect jobs that are created through supply chain opportunities,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde.

informANALYTICS, an economic development software tool, calculated that approximately 1,600 indirect jobs will be created. The overall economic impact of the direct, indirect and induced jobs is expected to be in the range of $1.5 billion.

One of the ways in which 1366 Technologies will conduct outreach to the supply chain network is through the marketing and business networking assistance of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) and Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), both of which played a key role in attracting the company.

“Because of the highly skilled and talented workforce in the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions, 1366 Technologies is not going to have any problems finding the right partners to make their operations in New York State a tremendous success,” said Mark S. Peterson, president and CEO of GRE.

“The launch of the 1366 Technologies intake form provides great opportunities for Western New York companies and their employees to capitalize on this exciting high tech industry,” said BNE President and CEO Thomas A. Kucharski. “It also reinforces the longer term value of our economic development efforts by reminding us that 1366 Technologies’ economic impact extends well beyond their initial investment and job creation. That benefit will continue to grow with the success of this great company in our region.”

Press release:

Four students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center recently competed in the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA) Ron Smith Memorial AutoTech Competition. This event was held on Jan. 16 at Erie Community College.

Santiago Deluna, from Batavia CS, and Tyler Weaver, from Pavilion CS, both juniors, competed in the tire rodeo. This timed event tested the students’ speed and accuracy as they demonstrated their expertise on the Hunter TC3700 tire changer. Both students were required to take an exam about tire theory. This team placed second. Tyler took first place for the highest test score and won a Best Buy gift card.

Seniors Dylan Binnert, from Caledonia-Mumford CS, and Dan Cone, from Pavilion CS, participated in a three-part competition. The first section of the competition was comprised of workstations that included front-end alignment, wheel balance, brake systems, electrical repair, precision measurement, and noise and vibration diagnosis. The second phase of the competition included debugging a 2016 Ford F150 Truck. The competition concluded with a mock employment interview.

Dylan and Dan, the senior team, earned first place and will advance to the national competition in New York City at the end of March. This trip is an all expenses paid trip funded by the Niagara Frontier Automotive Dealer Association. Dunn Tire, LLC, sponsored the competition.

All four young men are students in the Auto Technology Program at the Batavia CTE. Bob Yates is the instructor.

Photo: Scott Bieler, president of West Herr Ford; Dylan Binnert; Dan Cone; and Bob Yates, celebrate the team’s first-place win in the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA) Ron Smith Memorial AutoTech Competition.

Batavia PD is seeking the pubic's assistance in locating Aleesha D. Johnson, 15, of Batavia, who is a missing teen and possible runaway.

She was last seen in the City of Batavia on Jan. 7.

She may be in Batavia or Rochester.

She has communicated with others via an untraceable phone number stating she is in Rochester. 

Batavia warns that anybody who knowingly impedes the return of a missing child is committing a crime. 

Batavia PD has been sharing information with Rochester PD.

Aleesha is 5'5" and 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She is African-American.

Anybody with information are asked to call Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

UPDATE: Aleesha was located in Rochester and is safe.

Press release:

GCC students and faculty accomplish great things throughout the year. In an effort to recognize the great work and bright minds that the College has to offer, the Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee invites the entire college community to the first Scholars' Symposium – a celebration of inquiry and scholarship – on Tuesday, March 29.

Students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, some from afar, will be sharing and demonstrating scholarly achievements in all disciplines through presentations, poster exhibits and performances.

"The Scholars Symposium is the opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage the collective brain power of Genesee Community College for all to enjoy and to appreciate," said JoNelle Toriseva, director of GCC's English, Communications and Media Arts, who is organizing the first-ever event.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit proposals to present their original work at the Scholars Symposium to the CURCA committee. The Scholar' Symposium Web site provides complete details along with an online submission opportunity. Go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/.

Areas of presentation include the following 12 different options:

• Research - 15 minute oral presentation; 30 minute oral presentation

• Research Poster - Presenters prepare a 2-3 minute talk about their topic to share with interested parties. Presenters must stand/sit near poster for 60 minute session.

• Panel Discussion - 30 or 60 minutes

• Presentation of Experiential Education, Internships, Field Work, Travel - 15 minute descriptive oral presentation includes Q&A; or a poster/portfolio presentation

• Reading of Creative Work - 15 minute reading of poetry, prose, fiction or hybrid work

• Work in Progress Reading of Creative Work - 5 minute reading

• Studio/Visual Art - 15 minute oral presentation or poster

• Theatrical Performance

• Music Composition - 20 minute performance

• Dance Choreography - 20 minute performance

• Film Production/Theatrical Script - 20 minute performance

• PechaKucha - 7 minute oral presentation (20 PowerPoint slides for 20 seconds each)

All students must have a faculty or staff mentor, but sponsors are not required to co-present. All abstracts describing students' scholarly and/or creative projects must be submitted by Feb. 1. The Committee will review submissions Feb. 1 – March 7 and the schedule of presentations will be released on March 8.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Columbia University professor, and historian Eric Foner, Ph.D, will deliver the event's keynote address. Regarded as the leading contemporary historian of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, Foner is the recipient of many awards for history writing, and has written more than 20 books on the topic, including his newest "Gateway to Freedom, The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad."

This premiere Scholarship Symposium at GCC, which is to be held annually, is sponsored, in part, by a President's Innovation Award (PIA) which provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of the College, stimulate student and community pride, or help establish pilot programs and initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact.

"We are excited that this initiative touches on all parts of the PIA program, and we believe the Scholar's Symposium will become a dynamic, sought-after and vibrant component to the College's annual academic activities," Toriseva said.

For specific information about the Scholars' Symposium contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. Her e-mail address is: jrtoriseva@genesee.edu, and her telephone: 585-343-0055, ext. 6627.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) celebrates planks of the Women’s Equality Agenda that became law on Tuesday.

“I am honored to announce that historic measures to protect New York’s women from things like domestic violence and workplace discrimination have become law today,” Hawley said in a statement released yesterday. “My colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference worked tirelessly to ensure that these individual bills came to the floor for a vote. While members of the Assembly Majority used this issue as campaign rhetoric, we continued our unwavering support and never lost sight of the importance to our state’s women. I am proud to be part of this memorable day and will continue to lead the fight on women’s rights.”

Press release:

With the deadline to file federal taxes quickly approaching, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has announced a series of workshops coming to his district that will help constituents learn how to electronically file their taxes. The workshops will take place in Batavia and Corfu at the public library. 

“Filing taxes electronically saves residents time and money and also yields a considerably quicker refund,” Hawley said. “Furthermore, the error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than for paper returns and your refund can be directly deposited right into your bank account. I am excited to announce these upcoming workshops that run from January 25 to April 12 and encourage all of my constituents to attend to learn how to prepare and file your taxes for free.”

Ninety-two percent of New Yorkers file their taxes electronically and if your combined income for 2015 did not exceed $62,000, you can e-file for no charge. To learn more about e-filing, please visit www.tax.ny.gov.

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia (19 Ross St.):

2 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays

Jan. 25

Feb. 1

Feb. 8

Feb. 22

Feb. 29

March 7

March 14

March 21

March 28

April 4

April 11

12 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays

Jan. 27

Feb. 3

Feb. 10

Feb. 17

Feb. 24

March 2

March 9

March 16

March 23

March 30

April 6

April 13

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays

Jan. 30

Feb. 6

Feb. 13

Feb. 20

Feb. 27

March 5

March 12

March 19

April 2

April 9

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Corfu Free Library (7 Maple Ave., Corfu):

2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays

Jan. 26

Feb. 2

Feb. 9

Feb. 16

Feb. 23

March 1

March 8

March 15

March 22

March 29

April 5

April 12

A possible commerical building fire is reported at 12 Center St. The smell of smoke is said to be in the building and smoke is reportedly visible in the office. City fire is responding. The location is an accounting office next to Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: A responder on scene says its possibly a wood-burning stove; no fire found. Continuing to investigate. 

After the injury to point guard Maddy McCully that put her out for the season, Batavia's Head Coach Marty Hein said the Lady Blue Devils would be a team in search of a new identity.

That thought was back on Hein's mind last night after Batavia narrowly escaped with its 13th win, 58-55, over Irondequoit.

Batavia surrendered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, allowing Irondequoit to put 25 points on the scoreboard and with less than a minute left, pulling within a point of the lead.

"(McCulley was) the floor general at any given point in time," Hein said. Ryann (Stefaniak) and Tiara (Filbert) are doing a super job, but when the chips seem to be falling a bit, there was always, 'OK, Maddy, you run the point now.' That was freeing up Tiara to do whatever. She doesn't have to bring the ball up. Now, it's kind of that little identity crisis of, OK, when things start going south, who is going to be that step-up person to take that role. We played a good 24 minutes of basketball, and then the last eight..."

Filbert scored 18. Taylor Stefaniak added 16, including dropping three buckets from behind the arc. Ryann scored 14 and Sam Cecere had seven.

For Irondequoit, Megan Dano scored 16, Kylee Kanealey, 12, and Quinn Melidona, 13.

To purchase prints, click here.

Last night, our database crashed. All of the posts from yesterday were lost.

Thankfully, Google has saved copies (called a cache) and I should be able to restore everything. I'm starting that work now. I'll time stamp everything to yesterday's time of publication, so this post will remain at the top of the page through that process.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Yesterday's posts are restored, but I couldn't get to comments, so the few comments left yesterday are lost. Sorry. Also, there was a non-injury rollover accident in Oakfield around 3 a.m. We weren't able to post about it because the site was down at that time.