Elba beat Lyndonville 61-45 on Wednesday night in Boys Basketball.
Angel Penna scored 26 points.
Other Boys Basketball scores:
Photos by Debra Reilly.
Agents of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the man in the surveillance photo taken at Dick's Sporting Goods in Batavia.
Investigators seek to question the man in connection with thefts at the store.
He's also wanted for questioning in connection with similar thefts in the WNY area. He may be driving an older, gray, Toyota Tundra.
The State Police can be contacted at (585) 344-6200
Sacrifice and service of the men and women who served in the U.S. military to protect this nation were highlighted in a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at Pembroke High School.
The event honored the Village of Corfu, Town of Pembroke, and Pembroke High School as Purple Heart Communities, and honors were bestowed by members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in recognition of Pembroke's commitment to honoring veterans and the U.S. military.
These awards are the Order's way to ensure the sacrifices service members made are not forgotten, said Ron Krul, representing the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
"When people see that Purple Heart plaque displayed (at the school), it unites students and adults of all races, religions, ages, genders, national origins, and nationalities as one united people to keep our American freedoms safe," Krul said.
In accepting the award for the Village of Corfu, Mayor Thomas Sargent recognized community members who have honored veterans in the community over the years, including Richard Beale, who organized the Memorial Day Parade; Vinnie Schollard, who ensured Main Street was lined with flags; and Mr. Spring, who distributed poppies in the community.
"For them, and the rest of the veterans, I thank you, and I thank you for this honor," Sargent said.
Pembroke Town Supervisor Thomas Schneider recalled the Farewell Speech of President George Washington, whose likeness is on the medal, and who warned the people of the nation to avoid foreign entanglements. The Purple Heart, he said, is the high price we pay when we go to war.
"This type of recognition is important, so we recognize the sacrifices of all Purple Heart recipients and all people who served so that we understand the cost of the freedoms that we cherish so greatly in this nation," Schneider said. "I hope our leaders who vote to go into conflicts understand that cost on so many families and so many veterans and current active service members, because there is a true cost, and we can't forget that."
There are 13 former Pembroke students who have received the Purple Heart. They were each honored during the ceremony.
Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. John B. Long, who noted at the start of his speech, that he turned 96 two days prior. He is a World War II veteran, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the European Theater as part of the Big Red One (The legendary 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army).
The full speech by Dr. John B. Long:
Today, I'd rather be right here because this is America at its very best.
I want to direct all of my remarks to the young people that are here this afternoon, because they are the ones that are going to lead America and carry the torch that we're leaving with the leadership for this great country. I need the young people to understand, I remember so very clearly -- I was 18 years old, in high school. One day I came home -- this was back in 1944 -- my mother handed me a little card. It was my draft notice letting me know I had been inducted in the United States Army.
Shortly after that, I was on my way down to Cape Wheeler, Georgia, for intensive infantry training.
Along the way, of course, a lot of things happened. Fortunately, for whatever reason. God spared my life as he did with some of the rest of us that are here on the stage today. But we need to understand something: We paid a huge price for the freedoms we have today. Four hundred thousand of my fellow soldiers never returned back home. The fact of the matter is, because of that, we have what we have here today in America.
My remarks to the young people here today is this: you have the greatest opportunity of your lifetime. This is America. It is the greatest country in the world. We want you to know that you can be everything that you are able to be. You have all these great opportunities in this country. You can be doctors. You can be lawyers. You can be electricians, whatever it is, because of the freedoms that you have today, because of the service of all of us from World War II, and the wonderful Purple Heart recipients over here.
I want you to understand that you have freedom of speech, you have the freedom to assemble, you have the freedom to worship as you please -- all of these great freedoms are because of what we accomplished and what happened in World War II.
I just want these young people to remember today, when you leave school today, take something home worthwhile with you. Remember, that you can be all you can be, you have the opportunity to do that, and we here today want you to do that because you need to carry out the torch of leadership for the greatest country in the world that God has ever been able to create. Thank you so much. God bless all of you, and above all, God bless America.
The event also included a moment of silence to honor Pembroke teacher Kevin Steffan, who passed away unexpectedly this week.
Photos by Howard Owens. Top photo, Mayor Tom Sargent delivering his remarks. Inset photo, Dr. John B. Long.
During the playing of the National Anthem.
Russell Ward and Ron Krul, Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Supervisor Thomas Schneider with the certificate for the Town of Pembroke presented by Ward and Krul.
The plaque presented to Pembroke HS to display at the school.
Zach Hartz and Sam Pfeiffer honor Charles Arnold, a Pembroke graduate who received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam.
John Preisach, on the left, was friends with Purple Heart recipient Dennis Henry Hoffman, who graduated from Pembroke in 1940 and served with the U.S. Marines during WWII. Before he died, he gave Preisach his Purple Heart, and Herzog donated it today to the Veterans Outreach Club and Pembroke High School. Also pictured are Lily Senko, vice president of the Veterans Outreach Club, Amelia Geck, president, Arianna Hale, VP and secretary, Isla Czechowicz, treasurer.
The work of Batavia High School art students is on display on the second floor of GO ART! through Feb. 27.
The gallery, at 201 East Main St., Batavia, hosted a show opening on Wednesday evening.
Photos by Howard Owens.
William Thurley and Lyle Boundy, pictured with Chief Jeff Fluker on the left, by a vote of the membership, were selected as co-Firefighters of the Year for the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.
They received the award Saturday night at the Batavia Country Club during the department's annual installation and awards banquet.
During the evening's remarks, Steve Breckenridge, administrative president, noted the importance of the department to the community.
"The fire department is our community's largest service organization," Breckenridge said. "As we don't have any formalized groups like Kiwanis or Rotary. There's a 20 percent chance that sometime during the year, you're going to need some of these volunteers to come in and help you. Without their dedication and commitment, our community would suffer. My point is that we need more volunteers. We need to find more neighbors and enlist their assistance in keeping our community safe. We don't just need firefighters or EMT personnel. We need accountants. We need carpenters, metalworkers, anyone would be a huge benefit to our organization."
Chief Jeff Fluker, left, received the EMS Award.
Wayne Walker Douglas, in black, was honored for his life-long dedication to the department.
Walter Wenhold delivered the invocation and closing prayer.
Top responders in 2022 were Lyle Boundy, Carl Hyde, Vicki Wolak, Jeff Wolak, and Brian Britton (unable to attend, not pictured).
Jeff Wolak received the President's Award from Steve Breckenridge.
Jeff Fluker presented the Chief's Award to Vicki Wolak and Debbi Donnelly (unable to attend, not pictured).
Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger administer's the oath of office.
The Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.
A semi-truck has reportedly struck a utility pole on Court Street in Batavia.
No word on possible injuries, if any.
City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Traveling to Lyndonville on Tuesday, the Elba Lancers came away with a win, 68-55, in Girls Basketball.
Sydney Reilly scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Halie Scouten scored 15 points and 15 rebounds. Lydia Ross scored 10 points. Kennedy Augello scored six and had six assists.
The Lancers evened the team's season record at 10 and 10.
Girls Basketball on Tuesday:
Boys Basketball:
Photos by Kristin Smith
Arthur J. Brown, 46, of Britton Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, and tampering with evidence. Brown was reportedly the subject of a traffic stop on Jan. 31 by Officer Wesley Rissinger at an unspecified location in the City of Batavia. He allegedly fled on foot from his vehicle and attempted to hide a quantity of cocaine in a bush. Brown was arrested and arraigned in Centralized Court and ordered held in the Genesee County Jail. (Previously: Le Roy man in 'shots fired' case accepts plea deal)
Cassandra L. Elmore was arrested on warrants stemming from previous charges after she allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. She was arrested on Aug. 30 on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, obstructing governmental administration, aggravated unlicensed operation third, operating a motor vehicle without inspection, and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia. On Sept. 10, she was charged with obstructing governmental administration. Elmore was ordered held on $100,000 bail, $100,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond.
Cordero L. Royes, 35, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and burglary 2nd. Royes accused of violating a stay-away order of protection. Officer Stephen Quider reportedly found Royes in a residence he wasn't allowed to enter. Royes was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.
Jarrod K. Fotiathis, 28, no permanent residence, is charged with burglary 2nd, petit larceny and identity theft 2nd. Fotiathis is accused of entering another person's residence, stealing property and personal information and then using the personal information to defraud the victim. Fotiathis was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $2,000 bail, $5,000 bond.
Toni B. Crenshaw, 30, of Church Street, Lockport, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18% or greater, and failure to keep right. Crenshaw was stopped at an unspecified location in the City of Batavia on Feb. 4 by Officer John Gombos. Crenshaw was released on an appearance ticket.
Jonathan K. Banks, 30, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, tampering with physical evidence and obstructing governmental administration. During a traffic stop by Officer John Gombos on Jan. 31, Banks was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine. He allegedly attempted to flee on foot and fought with officers before being taken into custody. Banks was arraigned in Centralized Court and held in the Genesee County Jail.
Nikita N. Shook, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on three warrants out of City Court. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held until her next court appearance.
A 16-year-old girl from Albion is charged with harassment 2nd. The girl was allegedly involved in a fight with another juvenile on Cherry Street in Batavia on Jan. 24. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Salvatore M. Motisi, 68, of Woodland Avenue, Farmingdale, is charged with DWI. Motisi is accused of driving his car over an embankment on an undisclosed street in the City of Batavia on Feb. 1. He was arrested by Officer Wesley Rissinger and released on an appearance ticket.
Jenna L. Josephite, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Josephite is accused of being in a local residence without permission on Feb. 4. Josephite was issued an appearance ticket.
Aamir K. Holloway, 23, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Holloway was arrested on Feb. 6. No further details released. Holloway was issued an appearance ticket.
Zakara R Jackson, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by the BCC and additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Jackson is accused of failure to appear as ordered on a previous arrest. She was held in the Genesee County Jail pending arraignments.
A bicyclist has reportedly been struck at Oak Street and Main Street, Batavia.
Unknown injuries.
City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
A house fire is reported at 878 Gabby Road, Pembroke.
The initial call was for a chimney fire with smoke and flames showing.
Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire responded, and the fire is now reported as contained to the structure adjacent the chimney.
Second alarm can proceed non-emergency.
This evening's sunset, submitted by Chris Crocker.
Route 33, passing through Batavia, Stafford, Le Roy, and Bergen, is a favorite patrol corridor for local law enforcement. Traffic stops along the corridor frequently lead to arrests, such as DWI, narcotics, or stolen property, and once in a while, perhaps it might lead to officers uncovering potentially bigger crimes.
Deputies Kenneth Quackenbush and Nicholas Chamoun aren't quite sure what they uncovered when they stopped North Carolina resident Michael Alan Jones and a passenger from Rochester when the officers encountered his vehicle on March 19 in Le Roy, but the involvement of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) the evening of the arrest and the FBI eventually taking over the case suggests Jones wasn't just another guy with an illegal firearm.
Yes, the two deputies were just doing their job, but part of the job satisfaction of being a police officer is knowing that you might have made a difference, even if you don't know what may have changed because you did good police work.
"There's certainly a sense of satisfaction that we know that we're a part of something larger, though we probably won't ever know what that was," Quackenbush told The Batavian. "But at the end of the day, you know, we don't know why they were here. We don't know what they were doing. And based on their behavior, it was something not good. And so we were able to intervene in that and at least delay plans if nothing else."
What Quackenbush and Chamoun found in a car owned and operated by Jones was a Palmetto State Armory AR15 .223 caliber rifle and a 30-round magazine. That was enough for a SAFE Act-related arrest.
They also found, according to police documents, officer statements, and video from the scene, two brand new compound bows, tactical combat casualty care gear, casualty care manuals, handwritten copies of the Russian alphabet, right-wing extremist literature, assorted paramilitary gear, two-way radios, along with bolt cutters, a crowbar and gloves in a backpack.
"There was definitely a lot going on there that raised a lot more questions," Chamoun said. "None of those are in and of themselves a crime, but it kind of raised our questioning."
Even so, given the officers' training and experience, they weren't trying to uncover a terrorist plot during the traffic stop -- an agent of the JTTF would explore that while questioning Jones later back at the Sheriff's Office -- they were more focused on the potential for possession of stolen items, drugs, illegal firearms, or just what crime one of them might have committed that made them so nervous about talking with the deputies.
While 24-year-old Jones was accused of violating the SAFE Act, he was never prosecuted locally. Soon after his arrest, he was charged with a federal crime because he was a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty in federal court and is expected to be sentenced on May 16.
Reporter Jordan Green, of Raw Story, picked up on the arrest of Jones because of his interest in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington, D.C., which Green has reported, Jones participated in (at least in the march), and he has identified Jones as a member of the Proud Boys and Patriot Front.
Given the interest in Jones by federal authorities and his potential involvement in extremist political groups, and the fact he was arrested locally, The Batavian requested from the Sheriff's Office through the Freedom of Information Law the arrest and investigation-related documents as well as body-worn camera footage of all law enforcement interactions with Jones and his passenger.
Federal authorities also expressed a strong interest in the man who was with Jones, but Green told The Batavian he has yet to uncover any ties between that man and any extremist organizations. The Batavian in its own search did not find any connection. Because he is not facing any criminal charges at this time, The Batavian is withholding his name and blurred his likeness in the accompanying video.
That's weird, right?
At 4:36 p.m. on March 19, Quackenbush and Chamoun were on patrol on Clinton Street Road when they spotted a silver Nissan Sentra with no front license plate (required in New York) and no inspection sticker or registration sticker visible in the windshield.
Quackenbush turned around to follow the vehicle.
A Sheriff's patrol vehicle turning around apparently caught the attention of Jones, who turned onto a side road. The patrol followed. He made at least two more turns, and at least on one, he didn't use a turn signal.
With that, the deputies had probable cause for a traffic stop.
Jones pulled over on School Road, and the officers approached the vehicle, Quackenbush on the driver's side, and Chamoun on the passenger side.
Quackenbush asked where they were going. Jones told him they were going to Rochester, and Quackenbush wanted to know if that was the case, why Jones didn't stay on Route 33. Jones said he thought he was on the road to Rochester.
In the midst of the discussion about directions, Chamoun said, "You took three turns rather than just staying on the same road that you were on? See what I'm saying? It's a little weird, right?"
He then asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle so he could question him separately from Jones.
"So we do this a lot," Chamoun tells the passenger once they're standing in front of the patrol vehicle. "It's a little weird when we see a car see us and then decide to turn onto back roads, as beautiful as they are, and then divert back to the same road that they're on, you know what I'm saying?"
"I see how you can think that," the passenger said.
"Well, I mean, it usually results in felony drug arrest, guns, warrants, that kind of stuff. We do this all the time."
Chamoun then asks several questions -- who owns the car, how long have you known him, where had they been, where they were going.
They had apparently been to a residence on Harvester Avenue in Batavia to purchase a Chevrolet Express Van, which the passenger did purchase, and then it was towed to a Batavia repair shop for maintenance. At least, that's the passenger's story.
But some key information the passenger shared with Chamoun didn't match what Jones was saying.
The passenger said he and Jones had recently met and they met online. Jones said they had known each other for years. He couldn't say how long. But they met through "just random stuff," and through a mutual friend whom they hadn't seen in a long time.
"I will say this your guys' stories are completely different," Chamoun tells Jones. "Weird, right? .... Typically, when a motorist is in a vehicle with a passenger who they claim they've been friends with for years, they should have the same story. So you understand that it's weird, right?"
Jones said he didn't have the best memory.
Then the officers start questioning both men about the bow in the back seat. Neither claim ownership but said it wasn't stolen.
Then they wanted to know about the backpack in the front passenger seat with bolt cutters sticking out. Jones said it belonged to the passenger. The passenger, when asked if it's his bag, says, "I plead the fifth."
The dance for information continues, with Jones telling the officers repeatedly, "nothing against you guys," as he evades straightforward answers to yes or no questions, claiming he generally doesn't trust police officers. He tells them, "I'm sure you guys are great. You're just doing your job." But remains evasive. He dodges questions. When he is seemingly caught in a lie, he says he's nervous because he's not experienced in dealing with police officers.
Quackenbush tells Jones, "I've been pulled over by police before, and I wasn't nervous, and I didn't lie, right? So when someone's lying to me, that seems to me, 'okay, there's something that he's hiding that he doesn't want me to catch."
Is there a gun in the vehicle?
At first, he's willing to let the deputies search the backseat of his car. They inform him that since he is the owner and operator of the vehicle, he's responsible for its contents.
Eventually, Quackenbush asks directly if he can search the backpack. He pulls it out and finds not just the bolt cutters but a crowbar, flashlights, and gloves. He notes the items look like burglary tools. The questions zero in on whether anything in the car is stolen.
As Quackenbush looks at the contents visible on the front seat, the broken glove compartment opens, and Quackenbush spots a box of ammo.
"Is there a firearm in the car?"
"There shouldn't be," Jones says.
Chamoun goes back to the patrol car and reads the passenger -- who has already been detained and is handcuffed -- his rights.
The passenger says he understands his rights and he wants a lawyer.
Chamoun heads back to the passenger side of the vehicle, where Quackenbush is continuing to examine the contents of the backpack.
"He just lawyered up," Chamoun says.
From this point on, Jones is a lot less willing to let the deputies search his vehicle.
Chamoun questions the passenger again.
"Is that 762 yours?"
"I plead the fifth."
"Are you comfortable back here? Can I get you anything?
"I plead the fifth."
Chamoun then returns to Jones and Quackenbush, who are standing in the roadway next to the Sentra.
"He says the rifle in the vehicle is yours," Chamoun tells Jones.
"So there is a rifle," Quackenbush says.
Jones shakes his head no.
"He just told us there was," Quackenbush says. "What are we doing here?"
"He's scared," Jones says. "What do you want him to say?"
"What's the deal with a gun?" Quackenbush asks Jones. "Are you not supposed to own a gun? Is that what's up? Like, are you on felony probation? Have you been arrested for something that you're not supposed to own a firearm? Is that what this is all about? I mean, I'm just I'm done. I don't want to beat around the bush anymore."
Jones denies there's a gun in the vehicle.
"So you're saying that absolutely, no way, shape or form there is a gun in this vehicle?"
Jones shakes his head.
The deputies then turn their attention to the mismatched license plate and VIN number on the car. Quackenbush charges Jones with driving an unregistered vehicle on a highway. The deputies now have the authority to impound the vehicle, which requires that its contents be inventoried.
While going through the items in the trunk, Chamoun pulls out a brand new, never been fired, AR15.
At this point, the officers were not aware of the suspect's felony conviction in North Carolina on sex crime charges, so they couldn't arrest him for a violation of probation. But the weapon and its magazine violated the SAFE Act. Jones was charged with two counts of criminal possession of an assault weapon in the third degree.
In the patrol car, while in custody, Jones reportedly admitted to the felony charges in North Carolina, something that hadn't come up when dispatchers searched for any records on Jones during the traffic stop.
Friends in New York
The agent from the Joint Terrorism Task Force who questions Jones at Park Road really wants to know what Jones is doing in Western New York.
It can't be for the weather, the agent tells Jones.
"I really liked the snow so far," says Jones, who hadn't been in the Rochester area for even two weeks at that point, according to earlier statements to the deputies. "I got tired of the ice pretty, pretty fast. But it is nice. And, you know, I already have friends. I mean, you know, it's not like I moved into some random state."
The agent wants to know, if Jones is released, where he will stay. Jones doesn't know but assures the agent he has plenty of contacts in the area, and he has no doubt he can find a couch to sleep on. All he has to do is text a few people once he gets his phone back.
The agent asks if Jones there is a group in the area that he is a part of, or if he's linking up with a group while in the area.
"I would be more comfortable answering that after I talked to a lawyer," Jones says. "I can definitely say (long pause) I can definitely say (long pause) a lawyer would be good."
The agent presses Jones to tell him if there are any kinds of nefarious plots afoot. Rather than say he couldn't possibly know such a thing, denying any contact with terrorists, Jones says he would be willing to answer such questions but not under present circumstances. He is in cuffs, and he wants to speak with an attorney.
"I more than understand," Jones says. "I mean, I don't think anyone here wants anything like that to happen. No one wants people to get hurt. No one wants -- your counter-terror, right? ... no one here likes terror. I mean, I hate to say the obvious. It is objectively a bad, immoral thing, speaking as a Christian, personally. But again, it's not that I don't want to help you. But my situation right now is -- handcuffs. And I would like to, I guess, not sleep here. I want to help you. But I want to help you in a way that helps both of us."
Later, another agent asks, "You don't think there are any immediate concerns?"
"I don't think there's anything that's going to pop up the next day or two, before talking to a lawyer, that would actually give you cause for concern, at least not to my knowledge, mind you, in my very limited time here," Jones tells him.
The FBI, though a public information officer, declined a request for an interview citing the pending sentencing for Jones.
Good police work
Sheriff William Sheron is proud of his men. He chalks up the arrest to doing, well, exactly what they're trained to do (and both have received extra training through Sheriff's Office on exactly these kinds of traffic stops, called 'interdiction'). Both followed their training, he said, and their intuition, and doggedly tried to put the pieces together when clearly something was amiss.
In fact, the arrest played a role in both men receiving awards from the Sheriff's Office command staff two weeks ago at the department's annual awards luncheon.
Quackenbush was named Officer of the Year, and Chamoun received a meritorious service award. There were other actions by the deputies in 2022 that contributed to the awards, but the Jones arrest was cited as among the reason for the awards.
"It is good police work," Sheron said. "That's exactly what it is, you know, being inquisitive and acknowledging that when the hair stands up on the back of your head, and you're thinking something's not right here, probably something isn't."
Note About The Video: The Batavian received more than two hours of body-worn camera video. It's been edited down to 33 minutes. Most of the footage came from two deputies and duplicated events. We edited to produce a chronological narrative, leaving out parts where wind noise made it impossible to hear speakers. Sometimes we used the better-quality audio from one officer's camera with video from the other officer's camera. We also removed some information involving personal medical information about the suspect and discussion that was repetitive or revealed personal details about the passenger who wasn't arrested.
City School District employees, administrators, teachers, and staff, along with first responders from Batavia, participated in a Special Olympics fundraiser on Friday -- a polar plunge -- outside of John Kennedy Intermediate School.
The participants dashed -- in freezing weather -- under the spray of a fire truck's hose and got soaked.
The event raised $8,700 for Special Olympics.
Kelly Ligozio, senior development director for Special Olympics in Western New York, said the Buffalo polar plunge was last week and typically honors the school in Western New York that raised the most money for Special Olympics. But Ligozio said she told the director, who has been in the position for 23 years, that they had to wait for Batavia's event before naming a winner. The director wanted to maintain tradition, but Ligozio said the agency owed it to Batavia to wait because Batavia was the only school district to continue to hold the fundraising event during the pandemic.
So, they waited.
And Batavia won. Special Olympics will host an ice cream social at John Kennedy sometime this year and the school's colors will be part of the Polar Plunge sweatshirt next year.
"It's amazing," Ligozio said. "What's amazing about it is how they've broadened it to include all the schools in the district so all the different schools can participate."
Friday morning at Jackson Primary School, kindergartners Royal and Ryder presented Assemblyman Steve Hawley with Valentine's Day cards they and their classmates made for veterans.
Hawley then drove to the NYS Veterans Home to deliver the cards to veterans staying there. The event has become an annual tradition for Hawley.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C -Batavia) visited local police departments yesterday to celebrate National Pizza Day. Hawley sent pizzas to 11 police stations and was able to personally deliver five. The departments Hawley visited were very appreciative and took him on tours of their facilities and discussed recent events. Hawley was able to get the perspective of the officers on multiple political and social issues, including bail reform and public safety laws.
“Continuing a positive relationship with police departments around my district is extremely important to me. I want to be able to understand what we can do better in New York to keep them and the residents they protect safe,” said Hawley. “Far too often, we take their duties for granted, but our local police risk their lives for our safety. I want to show my appreciation for their hard work.”
Submitted photos.
Brittany Leann Hollaert, 26, of Saint Paul Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, unlawful fleeing a police officer, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, unsafe passing on left, speed not reasonable and prudent, and failure to obey a police officer. Deputy Mason Schultz attempted to stop a vehicle on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia at 1:22 a.m. on Feb. 3. As a result of the incident, Hollaert was arrested. Information on what was allegedly stolen was not released. Release status was not included in a press release.
Justin Swift, 43, of Gilbert St Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny 3rd. Swift was charged after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that Swift failed to report that he had earned wages through employment, resulting in him receiving $3,324 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to. Swift was arrested and arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on his own recognizance.'
David Michael Wahl, 57, of Scottsville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, no left-side mirror, unsecured license plate, and uninspected motor vehicle. Wahl was allegedly found in possession of narcotics following a traffic stop by Deputy Andrew Mullen on Feb. 6 at 9:08 p.m. on South Lake Road in Bergen. He was released on an appearance ticket.
James Dean Conway, 36, no residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th. Conway is accused of operating and possessing a stolen vehicle on Route 20 in the Town of Bethany on Feb. 6 at 1:34 p.m. He was apprehended by Deputy James Stack. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Emily Konfederath, an Alexander High School senior, and Emma Quintern, from Kendall, have been named to the cheer squad for the Ronald McDonald All-Star Game, to be played in Houston in March.
The cheerleaders won their spots on the team through their individual routines in a competition held in Attica.
The Ronald McDonald All-Star Game features top high school basketball talent from throughout the United States. Proceeds from the event benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides a home-away-from-home for families with children receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.
The Notre Dame Running with the Irish 5K Run/Walk is back for its second year and is set to take place on March 11.
The event will kick off with a Kids Fun Run for children under 11 years old at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K run/walk starting at 10 a.m. The course will start behind the school and take runners north on Richmond Avenue, around the VA facility, and up and down Redfield Parkway before returning to the school.
All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the athletic department at Notre Dame.
Participants in the Kids Fun Run can register for $10, with prizes being given to all participants. T-shirts for the kids can be purchased separately. The 5K registration fee is $25 and includes a cotton long-sleeved T-shirt with the race logo.
Awards will be given to the top overall male and female runners, as well as the first-place winners in the following age categories: 14-Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+. There will also be awards for the local school with the most registered runners, the business with the most registered runners, and the family with the most registered runners.
Registration for the Notre Dame Running with the Irish 5K Run/Walk can be found online at runsignup.com or on the ND website at www.ndhsbatavia.com.
The race is held in close proximity to St. Patrick's Day to celebrate Notre Dame's Irish pride. Last year's event had 125 participants, and the organizers are hoping to see even more runners this year.
(Based on press release).
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is celebrating its 175th anniversary from May 1 to May 7, marking the occasion with various events, activities, and service projects across the diocese, including events in Genesee County.
On Sunday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m., there will be a celebration mass at Ascension Parish, 19 Sumner St., Batavia.
The celebration also involves Our Lady of Mercy and St. Brigid (Le Roy), St. Padre Pio (Oakfield), Our Lady of Fatima (Elba), Mary Immaculate (E. Bethany), and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Darien Center.
The Diocese of Buffalo was founded in April 1847 and has been serving the people of Western New York for 175 years. The anniversary celebration is a recognition of the powerful legacy of faith and service that the diocese has established, and an opportunity for members of the diocese to deepen their own faith, share and witness that faith to others, and serve one another.
According to a statement from the diocese, "We are called to continue and pass on our heritage of faith and service to future generations." The 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo is a time for celebration and reflection, and an opportunity for members of the diocese to recommit themselves to the legacy of faith and service that has defined the diocese for 175 years."
(Based on a press release from The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.)
While Le Roy's Merritt Holly Jr. reached a significant career milestone, Le Roy couldn't quite get past Avon for a win.
The Knights lost 74-55.
Holly scored 16 points, giving him 456 points on the season.
Boys Basketball:
Photos by Jason Coniber.
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