These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Patrick E. Sewar is indicted for first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D felony, for allegedly subjecting another person under the age of 11 to sexual contact on June 24 in the Town of Darien.

Saul D. Standsblack is indicted for second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling on Bloomingdale Road in the Town of Alabama on Oct. 13 with the intent to commit a crime.

Michael B. Kropp is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, for allegedly operating a 1995 Ford on June 17 on Freeman Road and Ivison Road, Town of Byron, while intoxicated. In count two, he is further accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class D felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In count three, he is indicted for aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for operating a motor vehicle at the time of the incident while knowing or having reason to know that his driving license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn, and the defendant was driving while allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Batavia resident and avid chess player Kevin Larsen has had some free time on his hands lately, so he decided to start a chess club in Batavia.

This comes just as the game of chess seems to be making a comeback. According to a recent article in The New York Times, the game lags in popularity in spite of a record number of players worldwide -- possibly due to the absence of an appealing personality to represent it.

A promising candidate is 22-year-old Norwegian player Magnus Carlsen, who is the top-ranked chess player worldwide. Larsen has not followed Carlsen too closely, but he agrees that an appealing personality as the "face of chess" might, in part, be what the game needs.

"If people see someone young and cool playing chess," he said, "they might be more interested."

Furnished with United States Chess Federation regulation boards, clocks, and scorebooks, the "Batavia Community Chess Club" is for novices and chess buffs alike. 

"As long as people have fun with it, it's fine with me," Larsen said. "But I do hope to get people who are interested in coming every week and want to get better at chess by studying and competing."

He would like people to use clocks so that competitors have equal playing time, as well as scorebooks so they can keep track of their progress in the game and discover what they need to work on.

So far, 13 people have said they will come to the first meeting this Thursday from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.

Club meetings will take place every Thursday during that time frame. All ages are welcome, but young children should be accompanied by their parents.

Larsen said it will be easier if everyone who is interested comes at the same time, since otherwise people might have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for someone to play against. But people are welcome to walk in at any time between 6 and 8:30.

Because "Batavia Community Chess Club" is being run with the support of the library, it is open to the public at no cost. However, Larsen said he will accept any donations to pay for equipment upgrades, clocks, and funding for the NIOGA Library System so they can purchase more chess-related books.

Chess has been touted as a tool for helping people to sharpen their concentration, build patience and perseverance, develop critical and analytical thinking, and improve planning and management skills.

Larsen rejects the stereotype that you have to have a high IQ in order to do well at chess.

"It helps," he said, "but if you have a good teacher and are willing to study, you'll do fine. I've read scientific literature about people who had below-average IQs but were high-ranking chess players."

Right now, Larsen has only a couple of volunteers helping with the club. When he gets more, he would like to have people available to teach the game.

For more information and to contact Larsen, visit www.bataviachess.org.

Police have yet to identify the driver involved in a hit-and-run accident around 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 22 on Liberty Street near Ellicott Street.

A black Chevy Silverado struck two vehicles and fled the scene. Both struck vehicles sustained significant damage. No serious injuries were reported.

A witness described the suspect vehicle as an extended cab, possibly late 1990s or early 2000 with 4x4 written on the side. The truck would have sustained damage to its front and back. A partial plate of 14196 or 14197 with a letter A in it. The driver is described as a white male with dark blond hair and facial hair, approximately in his 30s. He is possibly 5'8" to 6' tall and about 200 pounds.

Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation can contact Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

Le Roy PD is trying to determine who stole a two-seat go-cart from inside the old Jell-O factory on North Street.

The go-cart was stolen some time during the last week of October, probably during nighttime hours.

Anybody with information to assist with the investigation are asked to contact Le Roy PD at (585) 345-6350.

The photo is a stock photo of a go-cart that is a similar make, model and color.

UPDATE. Press release from Le Roy PD:

The missing go-cart stolen from North Street in LeRoy has been identified as the go-cart found on October 10, 2013 by a golfer behind the LeRoy Country Club Golf Course. The go-cart is currently in the possession of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and arrangements are being made to return the go-cart to the owner.

The perpetrators of this crime are still outstanding.

Washington Post: Supreme Court declines case on making online retailers collect sales taxes

Since 1971, the Genesee Chorale has been making beautiful music for the people of WNY. That tradition continues this month with two holiday concerts.

First, the Chorale performs a show entitled "Hail the Star" starting at 7 p.m., Friday, at Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School, 9300 South St.

Two days later, on Sunday at 3 p.m., the group performs in Albion at the First Presbyterian Church.

The 70 or so people who comprise the chorale have been traveling weekly to Batavia from the seven area counties of WNY to prepare for these concerts.

"We come from a lot of rural communities," said chorale president Maureen Degolyer. "Coming from a rural community, like I am from Castile, you have to be willing to travel a distance to do any quality music, and that's what we do here."

The Chorale is dedicated, she said, to providing audiences with the highest quality performance they could possibly hear.

"Our expectations are high and we don't do anything that isn't quality because nobody could stand it," Degolyer said. "We aim for quality and it is wonderful stuff."

The concert is a blend of traditional and contemporary songs.

A few of the selections are: “Jesus Loves Me,” which has a jazz influence and will be feature Dan Jones on the alto saxophone; “What Strangers Are These,” featuring Fran Woodworth on flute and Mike Teeling on acoustic guitar; and, a unique arrangement of “Jingle Bells” as made popular by Barbra Streisand.

For more information and tickets, visit www.GeneseeChorale.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Top photo, conductor Ric Jones.

Fran Woodworth

Maureen Degolyer

Mike Teeling

Bob Holley

Jones conducting, Woodworth on flute.

The chorale's rehearsal at St. James Episcopal Church in the community room.

Volunteer fire departments do so much for our community. Thomas Dix and his mother, Mary, owners of Jay E. Potter Lumber Co. in Corfu and Le Roy, thought it was time the family business gave back.

Last week, they announced a program that provides discounts to volunteer firefighters and rebates for designated purchases to local fire departments.

"We're looking to help the local fire departments with funding and give people incentive to join and move up the ranks," Thomas Dix said. "The volunteers have a lot of time invested. These guys are required to go through hours and hours of training and they've got to devote a lot time to it and there's no pay for it."

Here's how the program works:

• Basic firefighter, 7-percent discount on all purchases and 2 percent of the purchase price goes back to your fire department (checks get cut quarterly)
• Firefighters who have completed interior training or EMS training get a 10-percent discount and 2 percent goes back to the fire department.
• Line officers (chiefs, captains, lieutenants) get free delivery on supplies for projects, 10-percent off and 2 percent goes back to the fire department.
• Non-volunteers don't get a discount, but they can join the program and designate a fire department to receive 2 percent of their purchase.

Dix said he isn't aware of any other locally owned business offering a similar program, but he's hoping others will pick up the idea and implement it themselves.

Potter Lumber Co. is located on Maple Avenue in Corfu and on Mill Street in Le Roy.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer with your local department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Dustin Michael Locicero, 29, of Gibson Street, Bergen, is charged with forgery 2nd. Locicero was arrested following an investigation into a complaint of a stolen check and its forged use at a location in the City of Batavia. Locicero was jailed without bail.

Thomas E. Newcomb, 42, of 27 E. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Newcomb is accused of striking a woman in the face with his hand during an argument.

Brandon David Gendron, 25, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to keep right. Gendron was stopped at 11:25 p.m. Fridayon Fotch Road, Stafford, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Stephen Joseph Peters, 18, of Wyoming Road, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Peters accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

David William Buchholtz, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Buchholtz is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Harry Lee Flatt, 68, of Fruit Avenue, Medina, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely.

Donald Anthony Irwin, 43, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Irwin was allegedly found in possession of a metal knuckle knife following a property damage accident at 9:12 p.m. Thursday in the Walmart parking lot.

Michael J. Wall, 39, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Wall was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident reported at 6:40 a.m., Nov. 23.

Christopher Brian King, 22, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of ordering food at the Denny's in Pembroke and leaving without paying for the food.

Dana Robert Devin Cipra, 21, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cipra was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:47 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Corfu, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Danielle M. Stevens, 37, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Stevens was arrested after a check of video surveillance footage indicated she allegedly stole two vacuums from Walmart.

Robert Allen Norway, 40, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with violation of a Family Court order. Norway was arrested on a warrant out of Family Court.

A private contractor is working on a water line on Center Street today. The line broke Saturday afternoon. The line runs into Center Street Smoke House and for most of the day, the city has been able to provide water to the restaurant. The restaurant is expected to be open for business this evening.

UPDATE: Water service was fully restored at 5:30 p.m.

DECK YOUR WALLS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH CUSTOM FRAMED CANVAS PRINTS AND FABRIC WALL GRAPHICS FROM VINYL STICKS!

Are You Looking for that Exceptional Gift for that “Hard to Shop For” Person? Let Vinyl Sticks Sign & Decal Company Help!

Don’t “Break the Bank” shopping online for removable wall graphics. Vinyl Sticks uses high quality fabric vinyl to create visually stunning wall graphics and art. Do you have a photo of your son or daughter making that big play at the game? Let us turn it into a one of a kind LIFESIZE wall graphic for their bedroom!

Need a gift for Grandma? How about a framed Custom Wall Canvas? This is the same high quality product you would receive from a professional photography studio; only ours is made in-house, right here in Batavia and it won’t leave your pockets empty. This holiday season, give a gift that your loved ones can cherish for years to come!

Call Adam or Joe at Vinyl Sticks today at 585-300-4307 and they will gladly provide you with an estimate and answer any questions you may have.

Please take a moment to check out the gallery at www.VinylSticks.com.

Since opening nearly a year ago, Vinyl Sticks has quickly become Batavia’s premier Sign and Decal Company. Vinyl Sticks uses a state-of-the-art wide-format printer and software to create stunning graphics, banners, vehicle graphics and much more. They have graphics that allow you to advertise on glass, while still being able to see out of the glass. These one-way window graphics make great gift ideas for business advertising and custom designs for the rear window of vehicles. 

Vinyl Sticks offers free estimates, free consultation, and of course design, production and installation services. Feel free to visit Vinyl Sticks, located at 23 Ganson Avenue in Batavia, NY. Off of Route 63, turn onto Evans Street; go past the Falleti Ice Arena, and at the stop sign go straight onto Ganson Avenue. Vinyl Sticks will be on your right.

Gift Certificates are available in any amount!

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and car is reported in front of the Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street. It is blocking traffic. Batavia fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.

An accident with minor injuries is reported at 352 Main Road in Pembroke. A tractor-trailer that was "bobtailing" allegedly sideswiped a car and the driver has facial lacerations from broken glass. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Also, Akron is called to provide a pumper, mutual aid.

CNN: Lady Bird and highway beautification

A two-car accident is reported at Summit and East Main streets, Batavia.

One person is reportedly injured.

Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:14 a.m.: The base of a traffic pole has been struck and damaged.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: Second ambulance requested to the scene for evaluation of a juvenile.

If you have an iPhone, you can now download The Batavian's mobile app from the app store. Click here for a link to the app. 

It's a very simple app: It's a feed of what is posted to the home page and we will send alerts of select stories we post to the home page. The cost is $1.99. At best, with fee, we hope to offset our costs in providing the app.

For the Droid version, click here.

You can get inked for charity from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Dec. 14, at High Voltage Tattoo and Piercing.

It's the third year the artists at High Voltage have donated their time to help raise money for worthy causes.

This year, the beneficiaries will be Don Carroll's Toys for Kids, Golisano Children’s Hospital and Crossroads House in Batavia.

You can choose from a select number (below) of tattoos for $30 each or receive a piercing for $15. All proceeds, along with all tips and purchases of aftercare products, will go to the three charities.

Last year, High Voltage raised more than $3,000 for the selected charities. Volunteers are sought to help with tasks around the shop during the event.

Pictured are the artists, Jeremy Fridman, Andrew London, Kenny McCarthy and owner Mark Farnara.

A water main break is reported on Center Street in front of the Center Street Smoke House Restaurant. "It's a geyser," says a dispatcher. Appropriate personnel are called to deal with the situation.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.: A responder says "it's no longer a geyser," but it's still leaking. A public works crew is on its way.

UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: A police officers says Center Street will be shut down between Main and School streets so the work crew can repair the ruptured line.

UPDATE: Notice from the city: "Water service on Center Street will be interrupted on Monday Dec. 2 in the morning to allow a contractor to make a repair on a private water service."

After leaving the accident scene in Stafford this morning, I stopped on Route 237 to take a picture of this line of trees along Britt Road.

Here's a great alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Shop locally.

There are any number of local businesses that help you meet your gift-giving needs -- even gift certificates from local restaurants can make a great stocking stuff, not to mention the great locally owned retail outlets in town.

When you shop local, more of your dollars stay locally to help boost the local economy and you're supporting businesses that do so much more than out-of-state-based chains to support local civic groups and schools.

On this page are ads for more than 130 local businesses. Check out what they have to offer. 

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles
Alabama Hotel
Alberty Drug Store
Alex's Place
Alli's Cones and Dogs
Baker's Frontier Kitchens
Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
Batavia Downs
Batavia Eats
Batavia Gold Rush
Batavia Tailors & Cleaners
Bill Fox and Son Construction & Remodeling
Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
Belhaven Kennels
Ben's Kitchens, Baths, & Appliances
Blue Pearl Yoga
Bohn's Restaurant
Bontrager's Real Estate
Bourbon & Burger Co.
Brighton Securities
B-Town Yellow Taxi
Bubba's Landscaping
Casa Del Taco
CB Beach Mortuary
Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
Center Street Smokehouse
Chesley's Auto
Clor's Meat Market, BBQ & Catering
The Color Salon
Continental School of Beauty
Council Opticians
Crazy Cheap Cars
D'Tangles
D&R Depot Restaurant
Dan's Tire
Daphne's Restaurant & Lounge
Darien Auto Parts
Deep Blue Pool & Spa
Derrick Monument Company
Detail Shop (Pellegrino's)
Empire Tractor
The Enchanted Florist
Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc.
Falleti Motors
Fastec Automotive
Ficarella's Pizzeria
Ficarella's Backflow Testing
Foxprowl Collectibles
Foxy Construction
Floral Fantasies
Frankly Design
Genesee County Emergency Services
Genesee Dental Group
Genesee Graphics
Genesee Orthopaedics
Gilmartin
Godfrey's Pond
Greens of LeRoy
Greg'ry's Bakery
H.E. Turner & Co.
Hair Studio 25
Hardcor Audio
Harrington's Produce
Haul-4-Less
High Voltage Tattoo
Hot Shots Caffe
Housing Council at Pathstone
Hot Heads
Humphrey's Electric & Security
Insource Urgent Care
I.R. Systems
The Insurance Center
J. Leonard McAndrew
Jagged Edges Salon
John's Service Station
Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors
Kelly's Mowing
Ken Barrett
KleenAll
Kreative Design Kitchen & Bath
L&L Transmission, Inc.
L.C. Mosman
Lamb Family Medicine
Lambert's Design Jewelers
Lathan Tree Service
LeRoy Counseling
Louis Andolora - Tax Advisor
Main St. Pizza Company
Making Memories of Travel
The Mane Attraction
The Manor House
Matteo & Mullen, CPA
Max Pies
Millennium Computer
Next Level Fitness
Oakfield Fitness
O'Lacy's Irish Pub
Oliver's Candies
Optique
Palm Island Indoor Waterpark
Pellegrino Auto Sales
Pembroke Family Medicine
Personalized By Santa
Picasso's Pizza
Precision Lawn Care
Pudgie's Lawn & Garden
R&D Outlet
RW Vapors
Sallome Heating & Cooling
Sammy Hill's
Santino's Pizza
Scooter's Restaurant (Le Roy)
S.C.O.P.E. of Genesee County
Select Collision
Settler's Restaurant
Sloat's Tire
Southside Deli
Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew
Spirits
Stan's Harley-Davidson
T.F. Brown's
The Finishing Line
Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel
Trash Away
Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
UB Neurosurgery
Upstate Chrysler Dodge Jeep
Valle Jewelers
Viking Valhalla/Rose Garden Bowl
Vinyl Sticks
West Main Wine & Spirits
Western Regional Off Track
William Kent, Inc.
WNY Fireplace Outlet
Woody's Deli
Yasses Construction
Yngodess Shop
YWCA
Zoom N Groom Dog Grooming

Seven Five people were injured, including two pedestrians, in a two-car crash at Oak and Richmond today.

With some Mercy EMS ambulances already tied up on other calls, ambulances from Le Roy and Darien were called to the scene and two Mercy Flight medics also assisted with the treatment of patients.

Five Three patients were taken to UMMC and two were transported to Strong.

All patients were in stable condition at the time of transport, said Officer Kevin DeFelice.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation though DeFelice said it appears one vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle on a left-hand turn.

Two of those injured were pedestrians, though DeFelice said it's unclear at this point whether they were on the crosswalk or sidewalk and whether they were struck by a vehicle or by debris.

DeFelice said a press release with more details will be issued this afternoon. This story will be updated with additional details as they become available.

UPDATE: Officials have issued a press release stating it was actually five people who were injured in the accident. Here's the press release:

Five people were injured in the accident at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue today. Three were taken to UMMC, Two were taken to Strong. Investigation reveals that a northbound black Acura being driven by the defendant was attempting to make a left turn onto Richmond Avenue from Oak Street. The defendant failed to yield the right of way to a southbound red GMC Jimmy. The vehicles collided sending the GMC Jimmy into 2 pedestrians that were standing on the sidewalk on the southwest corner of the intersection. The defendant was issued a UTT and released. Additional charges may be pending. Assisting at the scene were Batavia City Fire, Mercy EMS, Darien Fire and Leroy Ambulance.

The only person identified in the release was one of the drivers, Michael I. Sanders, 45, of 22 Columbia Ave., Apt. #1, Batavia. He was cited for alleged failure to yield right of way.

(Initial Report)