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Dashawn Butler

The Batavia resident suspected of being involved in a shots-fired incident Sept. 27 on State Street has been released from jail, free on his own recognizance.

Dashawn Butler was released following an appearance in City Court because the District Attorney's Office was unable to complete a preliminary hearing within the required six days of Butler's arrest.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said the people were not ready to proceed with a hearing because a key witness would not be available in time.

Butler still faces charges of reckless endangerment, 1st, a Class D felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony, and second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor.

State law required Butler's release because he wasn't going to receive a hearing within six days. 

Friedman said his office will continue to press those charges against Butler.

This morning, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Saturday night into Sunday morning, but left this weekend's flood watch in effect.

There is a chance of freezing rain, which would create slick driving conditions, though weather conditions are unstable enough that the precipitation could turn to rain or snow.

"There still remains uncertainty with respect to the surface temperatures Saturday night," the weather service said. "A degree or two warmer or colder will greatly vary the impacts of this event."

Heavy rain combined with snow melt and ice-clogged drains could lead to flooding Saturday and Sunday.

If the weather is cold enough Saturday night, ice accumulations of a half inch are possible.

Winds will be from 20 to 30 mph.

A pedestrian has reportedly been struck by a vehicle at low speed in the parking lot of Enterprise Rent-a-Car on West Main Street, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

The patient is complaining of a hip injury. Mercy's ambulance is responding non-emergency.

UPDATE: The victim was taken to UMMC.

Ralph Peterson, Corfu's elected mayor, dropped off a doctor's note at the village office Thursday that said he shouldn't perform his duties until April.

While Peterson never formally requested a medical leave of absence, he dropped off a similar note at the village office in August and stopped showing up to the office or meetings.

Prior to providing the village with the note, Peterson was reportedly hospitalized with stress-related symptoms.

Peterson has been the focal point of controversy in the village since taking office at the beginning of the year. Trustees have accused Peterson of obstructing attempts to recover missing court funds, of with holding information pertinent to legal actions involving the village, of using his office to retaliate against political opponents, of abusing the powers of his office and of harassing village employees.

There was no other communication from Peterson with the new doctor's note, which is signed by a physician from Pembroke Family Medicine and dated Dec. 19.

The previous doctor's note gave him clearance to resume his elected duties at the beginning of January.

His term ends at the close of 2014.

Photos and information submitted by John Summers.

Genesee Community College held a graduation ceremony Thursday night for its students who successfully completed a two-year registered nursing program.

Top photo, Kathy Palumbo, director of Nursing at GCC, addresses the graduates and audience.

Christy Summers receives her RN pin from Shana Flow and and Patricia Kendall-Cargill.

Graduates Meghan Domm, Angeline Coast, Brandon Richards, Christy Summers, and Jessa Woodley.

The Batavia Area Jaycees, breaking with tradition, are not awarding houses this year for Christmas light displays.

Here's their press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees hit the City of Batavia streets on December 19^th to look at all the holiday lights set up for the season.

They believe the following streets are worth a drive: Meadowcrest Drive; Grandview Terrace; Eugene Street and Naramore Drive.

These seven streets have houses worth viewing: Bogue Avenue, Redfield Parkway, Edgewood Drive, Roosevelt Avenue, Otis Avenue, East Avenue and Elm Street.

While out and about be sure to drive down Woodrow Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Valle Drive, Chestnut Street, Jackson Street, Williams Avenue, Buell Street, Cedar Street, Clinton Street and Vine.

The Jaycees want to wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.

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Batavia's Girl Scouts and Brownies sang Christmas carols this evening for residents of the Genesee County Nursing Home.

The Holland Land Office Museum welcomed three new board members at its annual meeting dinner meeting tonight and honored longtime museum supporter Helen Batchellor.

Batchellor, on the right, became involved with HLOM 50 years ago and stepped down from her board seat this year after 30 years on the board.

New board members are, Robert Ettinger, left, Aaron Blake and Donna Mruczek.

The dinner was held at GO ART!

New employment data shows Genesee County adding 200 jobs from November 2012 compared to November 2013.

The 22,300 non-farm jobs in the county is 100 fewer than October's jobs number, according to data released today the NYS Department of Labor.

Wyoming County also gained 200 jobs year-over-year, climbing to 13,500. Data for neither Livingston nor Orleans counties were included in the report.

Warm weather and heavy rain could lead to flooding this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

A flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.

A warm front is lifting into the lower Great Lakes tomorrow and is expected to stall there over the weekend.

This will result in period of heavy rain across WNY.

Storm drains may remain blocked my snow, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas. There could also be flooding along creeks and streams.

Robert J. Barnes, 24, of 5 Raymond Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Barnes is accused of punching a refrigerator during an argument reported at 1:09 p.m. on Wednesday. Barnes was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Eric D. Mancuso, 19, of 20 Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with scheme to defraud, 1st, and falsifying business records, 1st. Mancuso was arrested in early December following an investigation into an alleged larceny at Main St. Pizza Company on East Main Street, Batavia. No further details released.

Beverly E. Gorecki, 76, of Warren Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gorecki is accused of stealing $13.36 in bulk candy from Tops on Saturday.

Justin V. Easterbrook, 31, of 13284 Gray Road, Barre, is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault, 2nd. Easterbrook was arrested following an alleged disturbance reported at 12:58 a.m. Saturday at Billy Goat's.

Christina S. Baudanza, 37, of 4036 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with disobeying a court mandate. Baudanza was arrested while at Sport of Kings on a warrant issued in City Court.

Christopher R. Waite, 24, of 3540 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with front yard parking. The alleged incident was reported at 11:48 p.m. Dec. 9 at 10 W. Main St., Batavia. No further details released.

Steven A. Gilliatt, 18, of 17 Thorpe St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Gilliatt is accused of damaging the property of a person residing on Ellicott Street. The alleged incident was reported at 8 p.m.

Jared E. Avery, 27, of 24 Central Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Avery allegedly stole food from Tops at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 5.

Rebecca A. Edwards, 20, of 45 Central Ave., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and motor vehicle lights that don't meet standards. Edwards was stopped at 12:11 a.m. Dec. 6 on West Main Street by Officer Jason Ivison.

Dorsie McGill Jr., of 48 Buell St., upper, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. McGill is accused of putting another person in a choke hold during an alleged incident reported at 12:06 a.m. Nov. 28 on Bank Street.

Gerald E. Nicholson, 47, of 107 Harvester Ave., Batavia, is charged with disobeying court mandate. No further details released.

Richard James Burdick, 35, of Coward Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Burdick was charged after he allegedly returned an $18 Christmas tree to Walmart he had not purchased from the store.

Kristen Antwan Miller, 32, of Linda Drive, Hinsdale, N.H., was arrested on bench warrants out of Town of Batavia Court for grand larceny, 4th ,and falsifying business records, 1st. Miller allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance Sept. 29. He was arrested in New Hampshire on Nov. 20. He was charged as a fugitive from justice and released from custody on a promise to appear in Batavia on Nov. 22. Miller allegedly did not appear on that date. He did appear Dec. 10 and was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Andrew Lucas Kosiorek, 41, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to a charge of failure to pay fine/restitution. Kosiorek was in jail on an unrelated matter and was arrested on the warrant. He was also arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine on a DWI charge. Kosiorek remains in custody.

Heather Louise Cooper, 37, no stated address, was arrested on a warrant for petit larceny. The warrant was issued in Orleans County and she was turned over to the Orleans County Sheriff's Office.

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The final score was as lopsided as the size differential between Notre Dame and Lyndonville in an early season basketball match on the home court of the Fighting Irish on Wednesday night.

The Irish notched the team's third win of the season 90-51.

While Notre Dame has some clear offensive firepower, the ability to grab rebounds at both ends of the court created more scoring opportunities.

"I thought the Lyndonville kids played hard," said ND's Head Coach Mike Rapone. "They got some good play off their guards, but they're undersized underneath and they had trouble with us off the boards."

The Tigers put only two 6'0" players on the court through all 32 minutes of play while the Irish could call on Jarrod Wall at 6'2", Josh Johnson at 6'1", Alec Covel at 6'2", Alex Domkowski at 6'3", Tim McCulley at 6'3" and Charlie Herbert at 6'5".

In some ways, Herbert was the story of the game.

Called upon to start at center after Caleb Nellis sprained his ankle in practice yesterday, Herbert, who never played basketball at all before this year, left Rapone wondering what could be if the school's star wide receiver listened to his peers begging him last year to fullfill their hoops dreams.

"I think had he played last year he'd really be a force this year because he gets better every day," Rapone said. "I think by the end of the season, he's going to be pretty solid."

Herbert, whose past athletic prowess was confined to the gridiron showed a strong sense of how to muscle opponents under the glass for points and rebounds.

With 10 rebounds, only he and McCulley (13) reached double digits. Herbert, with eight points, missed a double-double by one field goal.

McCulley also had 23 points and with three more assists would have had a triple-double.

Guard Josh Johnson was second on the team in scoring with 18, and had eight rebounds, but only two assists.

Covel and Domkowski each added eight points.

Lyndonville scored 18 points in the first half, but most of that came before more than a couple of minutes had passed in the second period as ND's full-court press cut off passing lanes, forced mistakes and eventually wore down the Tigers.

Even ND's bench, taking over much of the duties about half-way through the second period, kept the pressure on Lyndonville.

While Rapone put his starters back in the game to start the third period, he stopped using the press (because it was the right thing to do, he said), and the Tigers went on a little scoring run and got enough looks through the half to notch 31 points.

Pat Hinkson (15) and Evan Milleville (11) led the Tigers in scoring.

Even so, the play of the second team was impressive. They stayed calmed, stuck to the game plan and stayed aggressive through the final minute of play.

"They work us hard in practice every day," Rapone said. "What I like about them is they play basketball when they come in. They don't just see who can get a shot off first. They run our offense. They run our defense. They do what they're supposed to do. I'm really proud of them."

Ironically, perhaps, among the leaders on the second team was the shortest player to handle a ball Wednesday, 5'6" junior Dylan Fix. 

Fix was in control with a ball in his hands, making few mistakes, staying confident and calm and demonstrating an unmistakeable fearlessness. He shot laser-sharp passes between defenders, fought for rebounds against bigger players and fired three-pointers with every open look, even though it was an off night for his shooting stroke.

"He plays hard," Rapone said. "He knows they game. He shoots the ball very well. He didn't have one of his better shooting nights tonight, but normally he shoots the ball very well. The only thing that's ever held him back is he's a little undersized. He grew a little bit during this year and hopefully he grows a little more next year. He's definitely comes in and makes things happen."

Top photo: McCulley; bottom photo, Fix.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

There's an upside to dropping corn prices -- higher profits for dairy farmers, which is a good thing in Genesee County, but if prices fall much further the impact on corn growers could be substantial.

Today, corn is selling for $4.25 a bushel, which is still high enough for a profit, said Craig Yunker, CEO of CY Farms in Elba. The cost of growing corn, he said, is at least $4 a bushel and as low as $3.50 for more efficient operations, so any further drop in price could put a squeeze on corn growers.

That could be a bigger problem in the Midwest, where corn is often grown on a much larger scale and without the crop diversity common locally.

"I think we could see a range of corn prices from $3.50 to $5.50," Yunker said. "Much depends on the demand in China and depending on the production around the world. At $4.25 we're right in the middle of that range."

The big beneficiaries of lower corn prices are dairy farmers, Yunker noted, and with dairy being a big part of the local ag economy, the current corn price is a big help to some local farmers.

Jeff Post, at Post Farms in Oakfield, agreed lower corn prices help local dairymen.

"A significant amount of our milk checks goes for purchasing feed, so when the corn prices are really high, we're definitely not as profitable," Post said. "We're fortunate that we grow a lot of our own corn, so we haven't had such a steep swing (in profits), but not every dairy farm can grow its own corn. Farms that rely on buying a lot of corn grain, it definitely has a bigger impact."

It would help, Post said, if soybeans would drop in price (soy being the key source of protein for dairy cows).

"From what I'm seeing, it's not trending down," Post said.

Corn has been in a bit of a bubble the past two years, trading for a period at more than $6 a bushel. What's happening now is likely a predictable market correction.

"We're coming back to normal," Yunker said. "The last two years have really been abnormal."

The big fear in the Midwest, where corn is king, is that farm land prices could see a big drop in value, threatening some farmers with insolvency.

It could mean the kind of farmland price bubble experienced by farmers in the 1980s, according to media reports.

Yunker doesn't see that kind of collapse coming, however.

"Farmers were much more leveraged (in the 1980s)," Yunker said. "When prices started to fall, there were no buyers for farmland because everybody was leveraged and couldn't buy. Now farmers are more balanced. There will be buyers because there are farmers who are healthy."

Locally, corn prices will have a minimal impact on farmland prices.

Post noted the same land in Genesee County that might grow corn can just as easily grow other produce.

Yunker, whose farm is diversified in what it grows every season, said he and his managers won't decide on the coming season's crops and how many acres of corn to plant until February. That will give him a lot of time to study what's happening in the international markets.

The big factors, Yunker said, are what happens in China and how the corn growing season does in South America and how much the Ukraine produces.

But the biggest factor is how much demand for corn there is out of China. That demand is effected both by how much meat the Chinese eat and how widely disease spreads through China's chicken farms.

If Chinese demand for corn drops, so will prices.

Recently, China rejected some shipments of corn, reportedly because of an assertion that the corn was genetically modified in a way not approved by China. Yunker doesn't think that's the real reason.

"I think it's because the prices went lower," Yunker said. "They're finding a reason to kick the load now. It's always a problem when prices go lower. People find a reason not to accept what they purchased."

If prices drop below $4 the impact on local farmers could become more severe because the cost of production is relatively fixed. It's a price local farmers will be watching closely over the winter.

"A lot depends on the demand in China and it depends on the production around the rest of the world," Yunker said.

T.F. Brown's and the Lions Club of Batavia will host their annual community Christmas dinner Dec. 25.

The dinner is free to all.

There are two seatings available, noon and 1 p.m. 

An RSVP is requested by Dec. 20. If planning to attend, please call (585) 345-1000 and let Maud know how many people are coming, for which seating, and the gender, ages and first names of children.

Children will receive a present from Santa.

T.F. Brown's is located at 214 E. Main St., Batavia.

Pictured are: Tony Scalia, Joe Teresi and Michael Tomaszewski from the Lions Club and T.F. Brown's owner Rick Mancuso.

Duane Lewis Garlow, 29, of 110 Woodcroft Drive, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unreasonable speed in a curve and unsafe lane change. Garlow was charged following a motor-vehicle accident at 12:33 a.m., on Perry Road, Le Roy. Garlow's vehicle reportedly struck a stop sign and utility pole after failing to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Emma Jean Brinkman, 58, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Brinkman is accused of shoplifting from Walmart and stealing $43.23 in merchandise.

Eva Gristina Hernandez, 23, of Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of shoplifting from Kmart and stealing $41.58 merchandise.

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