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Man serving time for molesting toddler admits to second sex abuse act

By Howard B. Owens

A man already serving a 15-year prison term for molesting a toddler admitted in county court today that he also molested another child under age 11 in March.

James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, could get three-and-a-half years tacked onto his current sentence after accepting a plea deal from the District Attorney's Office.

Little was escorted to court by state prison guards and appeared in court shackled and in a kelly green jumpsuit.

He entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse in the first degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Batavia PD first arrested Little earlier this year for molesting a 2-year-old. Only after he was sentenced on that first charge did the second molestation, which occurred prior to Little's first arrest, come to light. 

Fifty-three-year-old Beverly Hensel was accused in court documents of supplying Little which child porn starting in 2008. She's entered a guilty plea to possession of child sexual performance and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 9.

Batavia City Schools administration relocating Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Announcement:

Due to the pending sale of the Administration Building at 39 Washington Ave., the Batavia City School District Administration Offices will be relocated to Batavia High School, 260 State St., starting Friday, Nov. 9.

The offices will all be accessible through the State Street parking lot.

Superintendent/Personnel -- Room 48

Registration/Curriculum -- Room 40

Student Services -- Room 43

Buildings & Grounds -- Room 41

Business -- Room 45

Boardroom -- Room 49

All phone numbers and extensions will remain the same. Any questions, please call 343-2480, ext. 1000.

Law and Order: Elba man charged with incest

By Howard B. Owens

Roque Guillermo, 45, of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with incest in the third degree, a Class E felony. Guillermo is accused of having sexual relations with a member of his family Sunday evening. Guillermo was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $20,000 bail. The case was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto and Investigator Kris Kautz.

Paul Nawotka, 41, of Mead Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment, 2nd. Nawotka was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident Feb. 6. Nawotka was allegedly found in possession of a billy club. The case was investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson and Trooper Caton Baines.

Statement from Kathy Hochul on 2012 election

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from Kathy Hochul:

“Early this morning I called Chris Collins and congratulated him on being elected to Congress. I encouraged him to work across the aisle and offered to assist him in any way I can. I also volunteered to help him make a smooth transition in January to ensure our constituents are well served. Congress can do better, and the people of this country deserve better than what Washington has given them.”

Brooks Hawley picks up election victory; Russell-Ricci trails Russell

By Howard B. Owens

For the first time in his life, Brooks Hawley, son of a state assemblyman and grandson of a retired state assemblyman, ran for office, and he won a convincing victory.

Hawley, who was appointed to a council-at-large seat at the beginning of the year, was part of a three-way race for two seats on the Batavia City Council and, according to unofficial numbers, received 3,559 votes.

Jim Russell and Laura Russell-Ricci are only 40 votes apart with between 1,300 and 1,800 absentee ballots yet to count.

"I’m very honored that the residents of Batavia have chosen me to stay on city council," Hawley said. "I was appointed and now I’m reelected and I want to thank the Republican, Conservative and Independent parties, but mostly my beautiful wife for supporting me through the campaign."

For her part, Russell-Ricci was pleased to make such a strong showing in a city where Democrats are generally at a disadvantage.

"I love it that not everybody decided they had to vote party line, but that it was about the better candidate," Russell-Ricci said. "I’m proud to be a part of that, that even with a D after my name, I could still put up some good numbers."

Jim Russell left the GOP party at Terry Hills while only partial results were tabulated so wasn't available for comment tonight.

Earlier: Genesee County election results.

Photo: Waiting for permission to vote

By Howard B. Owens

Each election for the past several elections, Judge Robert C. Noonan has been the on-call judge to consider any cases of people who say they registered to vote but were turned away at their polling place.

Typically, these are people who moved but the revised registration didn't quite catch up with them.

Noonan said in 2000, a highly contested election, there were a few people who showed up for the 6 p.m. hearing time, but with the exception of one school board election, there have been no such appeals in the intervening elections.

Until tonight.

At least five people showed up to the elections office to make their case to Noonan.

Among them, Kevin LaRocco, who moved back to Le Roy two weeks ago from Orleans County. He said simply that he was just looking for a chance to vote and he hoped Noonan would give it to him.

Noonan said he reviews documents and most of the time, the matter can be resolved easily, but there is a provision to hold a short hearing if necessary.

Usually, however, that isn't necessary.

"We like people to vote," Noonan said. "I like people to vote."

Kiwanis serve up Election Night pancakes in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

It's Election Night, that means, at least in Stafford, pancakes for dinner.

The Le Roy-Stafford Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake dinner at the Stafford Fire Hall.

In the bottom picture are some of the volunteers (starting with the bottom left): Cassie Winspear, Tiffani Bragg, Charlene Schoenenberger, Mackenzie Lowe, Cassie Sprauge, Jenna DeFisher, Kytlyn Williams, Kimberly Clark, Jim Taillie, Laurie Taillie, Dave Goodwin, John Gremer, Betsy Gremer.

Photos: Chris Collins stops at Pok-A-Dot for Election Day lunch

By Howard B. Owens

Calling it an Election Day tradition, Chris Collins drove to Batavia today for lunch at the Pok-A-Dot. Collins had lunch at the Dot the day of the GOP primary when he beat David Bellavia.

The Pok-A-Dot, he said, is kind of like a lucky charm.

Collins had no other campaign stops to make today with the race now in the hands of the voters of the NY-27. 

While Collins said he feels good about his chances against incumbent Kathy Hochul, he is short of predicting victory, knowing it's likely to be a close vote.

Nursing home administrator hopes to cut cost, increase revenue by outsourcing billing

By Howard B. Owens

In an effort to both save the Genesee County Nursing home some money and maybe find some billing revenue it isn't currently getting, the Public Service Committee approved two contracts Monday to outsource some of the facility's billing.

Christine Schaller, nursing home administrator, presented the contract proposals to the legislators.

She said she was motivated to help the nursing home operate more efficiently so it can continue to serve the community.

The first contract is with Beth Platt & Associates for physician billing.

When nursing home residents see a physician, the doctor files an "encounter form" with the nursing home and staff must figure out which insurance company receives the claim and complete the proper paperwork. Different companies have different forms and different software.

Currently, the process costs the nursing home about $6 per claim. The billing service will charge $2 per claim.

"We would like to outsource this to a company that does this all of the time," Schaller said. "It will be faster and cheaper."

Schaller also said that physician billing for the Genesee County Nursing Home is about one-third the revenue of similarly sized operations.

"It should be more than it is," Schaller said. "I don't know why it is what it is."

It's possible there will be no new revenue found by outsourcing billing, but the contractor might find a reason billing is lower than expected and bring the figure up.

The second contract is for billing for rehab stays for nursing home patients.

The contract is for $48 an hour, or an estimated annual cost of $12,480, with MDS Consultant.

Again, between Medicaid, Medicare and the half dozen other insurance providers, billing can be complicated and it's possible the nursing home isn't receiving all the revenue it should for these stays.

Both contracts will also help the nursing home meet corporate compliance standards, which will go over well with state auditors when they visit.

"I can't guarantee this, but I think we're going to generate more revenue than the services are going to cost," Schaller said.

City fire announces hydrant flushing for Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Monsignor Kirby Apartments will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from approximately 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Homes and businesses in the general area Oak Street, Park Road and Noonan Drive will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

Main St. Pizza owner helping promote book of his idol, former pro wrestler 'Doctor X'

By Howard B. Owens

What a life Dick Beyer has led, from a standout in high school football and a football scholarship with Syracuse University, to a master's degree in education and a professional wrestling career that took him and his family all over the world.

One of Beyer's wrestling matches in Japan was televised worldwide and viewed by 70 million people.

"I didn't realize how many that was until somebody told me only 50 million people watch the Super Bowl," Beyer said.

One of Beyer's biggest fans was Vic Marchese, owner of Main St. Pizza Company in Downtown Batavia.

Growing up, Marchese loved professional wrestling.

"I especially liked any wrestler that wore a mask," Marchese said.

Vic became a big fan of Beyer's later career character, Doctor X. Marchese was a member of the Doctor X Fan Club and he said he still has his membership card at home.

"I just always liked Doctor X," Marchese said. "I just never knew he lived 20 miles down the road from me all my life."

Marchese and Beyer met in a local T-shirt shop several years ago and became fast friends.

If Beyer is driving past Batavia, he always stops in to see Vic, usually coming home from a football game in Syracuse.

"I just love his pizza," Beyer said.

Beyer, 82, is finally telling his life story in a new book, "Masked Decisions," and will be at Main St. Pizza from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, for a book signing. Marchese is offering a free pizza with a book purchase.

"It runs through my whole life, honestly," Beyer said. "I don't pull any punches. I don't say a lot about individual wrestlers, who was won this or who was better. I talk about the humor of the game and about being at the right place at the right time."

Beyer attended a vocational school in Buffalo, and after his fourth year had to go to a fifth year of high school for math, history and English. He was offered a football scholarship to Syracuse and while starting for the Orangemen he was recruited onto the wrestling team.

According to Beyer, his roommate at his fraternity house where he lived was the heavyweight on the wrestling team.

One evening, Beyer was at the house playing pinochle when the wrestingly team came back.

"I asked Howie, 'How'd Bill Sky do today?' " Beyer said.

"He blew out his knee."

"I said, 'Who's going to be the heavyweight?' "

"You," said Beyer with deep laugh.

Beyer is a big man, barrel chested, pug nosed, with beefy hands. His baritone voice is as big as his physique and the breadth of his career.

By his junior year in college, he was being recruited by professional wrestling promoter Ed Don George.

The former Eagle Scout started his pro career as Dick Beyer and wrestled mainly in Upstate New York, finishing out an eight-year Army Reserve commitment and working on the staff of the Syracuse football team, including their national championship year of 1959.

His first year as a pro, 1954-55, a wrestling magazine named him Rookie of the Year.

His travels through his early career took him through Chicago, Ohio, Tennessee and Hawaii.

Then in 1962 he got a call from Los Angeles promoter Jules Strongbow

Beyer made his way to Los Angeles where Strongbow told him the next night he would be wrestling in San Diego, wearing a mask, not as Dick Beyer but as "The Destroyer."

Reluctantly, Beyer did it. He said the moth-eaten mask wasn't very comfortable.

"I wrestled," Beyer said. "I came in. I pulled the mask off. I told the manager, I said, 'Artie, tell Strongbow that was the first and last match for 'The Destroyer.' "

Another wrestler convinced Beyer there was money in wearing a mask and loaned Beyer one of his masks, so Beyer gave it a try.

It fit better and was more comfortable. The mask was made from a lady's girdle, so the next day, Beyer and his wife, Wilma, went to Woolworth's and bought ladies' girdles and she turned them into masks for "The Destroyer."

A few years later, Beyer was offered a six-year wrestling contract in Japan, which he accepted.

He was big in Japan (and he learned to speak fluent Japanese). His matches were televised internationally, including the one that was viewed by 70 million people.

Beyer still conducts an annual wrestling camp in Japan.

In the mid-1980s, Beyer retired from professional wrestling. He became an elementary school teacher in Akron and coached high school football and swimming.

Marchese said it's been one of the thrills of his life meeting and getting to know Dick Beyer. They've become good friends.

He's invited Beyer to his wedding.

"How many people can say they had their idol at their wedding?" Marchese said.

Vet warns pet owners about the dangers of dogs eating rat poison

By Howard B. Owens

From Fran Woodworth, DVM:

Here at the State Street Animal Hospital we see poisonings in animals frequently. The most common is rat/mouse poison ingestion.

This week we had two potentially disastrous cases, and I wanted to get a warning out to all pet owners: BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING!

Rat poisons do not all have the same toxic ingredient. They can cause bleeding, or brain swelling, or irreversible kidney failure, or seizures, or anemia. THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE A DIRECT ANTIDOTE ARE THOSE THAT CAUSE BLEEDING!

The two dogs we saw this week both ate yummy green bricks (the most common packaging of most of the rat poisons) containing BROMETHALIN, the poison that causes cerebral edema, or brain swelling.

Luckily the owners saw them eat it, called us immediately, and were able to make the dogs vomit up just about all the material using hydrogen peroxide under our direction.

We then saw them in the hospital and gave them medication to bind up any remaining poison in their GI tracts. These steps saved the dogs' lives.

Our recommendation:

  • It is safer to use traps rather than poison.
  • If you feel you must use poison, be sure the POISONING information says the antidote is Vitamin K.
  • Better than all the above, consider visiting our wonderful animal shelter, and adopting one of the cats that need homes. They are more effective than poisons or traps, and are great company besides!

Paying it forward: residents donate truckload of items for Sandy relief

By Howard B. Owens

What started as a conversation among friends turned into a community-wide charitable effort to provide aid to people in Staten Island, who were struck last week by Superstorm Sandy.

Sarah Norton and Laura Luft started out with a simple posting on Facebook seeking a few donations after an Elba native and Staten Island resident let them know people in his neighborhood needed help.

The response was immediate and so they scheduled a drop-off time for Sunday at the Elba Fire Department Rec Hall.

The community was encouraged to bring food, water, toiletries and clothing between 4 and 6 p.m., but donations started piling up at one o'clock and by 3:30 the cars were streaming in.

Community members donated 21 pallets of supplies, and that count doesn't include clothing, bedding and coats.

Volunteer firefighters helped. Boy Scouts helped. Cub Scouts helped. And just about any community member with a little time to spare helped with the sorting and stacking of donations.

"We're absolutely blown away," Norton said. "I never thought we would see this magnitude of things coming and people coming to help. It’s just amazing. This is not the vision we originally had. It’s wonderful it turned out to be this, but we’re just blown away."

Norton and Luft said people coming to the rec hall weren't just Elba residents, but people from all over Genesee County.

A local trucking company has volunteered to deliver the donations to New York City.

The donation and volunteer effort is important, Norton said, because some day, Genesee County might need similar assistance.

"This is paying it forward," Norton said. "If you pay it forward hopefully people will come together and help you when you’re need."

Law and Order: Batavia man faces multiple charges following alleged pursuit with law enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

Todd Eric Weaver, 43, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, and attempted assault, 2nd. Weaver was allegedly involved with a police pursuit at 5:45 a.m., Friday, when he allegedly used his car to strike a Medina PD cruiser on Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, causing damage to the cruiser. Weaver is also accused of striking a mailbox on Skye Road. He was also issued citations for alleged failure to keep right, driving left of pavement markings and moving from lane unsafely. The reported pursuit of Weaver began in Orleans County and ended on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. Following his release from ECMC, Weaver was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Todd Eric Weaver, 43, of 8510 Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, criminal mischief, 4th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, reckless driving, unlicensed operation, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, improper right-hand turn, open container, speeding and 11 counts of failure to stop for a stop sign. After receiving notification of a vehicle involved in a pursuit with Medina PD earlier in the morning, Officer Thad Mart observed a vehicle matching the description of the earlier pursuit. Mart attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the City of Batavia. The vehicle did not stop and led Mart and responding Batavia PD units on a pursuit. Weaver allegedly drove his vehicle over a lawn on East Avenue causing damage to the lawn. Weaver allegedly drove his vehicle to Clinton Street Road and proceeded north on Clinton Street Road, out of the city and into the Town of Stafford. Sheriff's deputies joined the pursuit. Weaver's vehicle reportedly managed to avoid spikes placed in the road in an attempt to end the pursuit. Weaver's vehicle stopped on Clinton Street Road when it ran out of gas. A .22-caliber rifle was allegedly found in the vehicle. Weaver is reportedly barred from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction. Weaver was jailed without bail. Additional charges are pending from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD and Medina PD.

Dawn Marie Gagliano, 33, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, open container and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 7th. Gagliano was charged following a one-vehicle accident at 1:52 a.m., Saturday, on County Line Road, Darien. The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Philip M. Robinson, 22, Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Robinson's 2006 Pontiac was located at 2:21 a.m., Sunday, unoccupied with its lights on. Robinson was reportedly located a short distance from the vehicle by Sgt. Greg Walker. Upon investigation, Walker determined Robinson had allegedly been operating the vehicle while intoxicated.

Michael Thomas Coffey, 43, of Heritage Estates, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Coffey is accused of consuming food at the Yellow Goose in Elba and then leaving with out paying for the food.

Matthew K. Surdyke, 26, of Greeley Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unregistered motor vehicle and uninspected motor vehicle. Surdyke's vehicle was stopped by Deputy Brian Thompson at 5 p.m., Thursday, on Buffalo Road, Bergen, for a passenger allegedly not wearing a seat belt. Surdyke was allegedly found in possession of suboxone.

Lena M. Evans, 25, of 34 Maple St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General merchandise valued at $8.64.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 36, of 5049 E. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Horseman is accused of stealing $91.98 in merchandise from Plaza Spirits in Eastown Plaza at 3:42 p.m., Friday. Horseman was located by Officer Eric Dibble on Sunday.

Gregory Seppe, 54, no permanent address, is charged with appearance in public under influence of narcotics or drug other than alcohol. Seppe allegedly had three police contacts in less than four hours early Sunday morning where he appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.

Otis E. Hardy, 54, of Pensacola, Fla., is charged with forcible touching and criminal trespass. Hardy was arrested by State Police at 11:10 a.m., Saturday, at 8204 Park Road, Batavia. Hardy was held in jail. No other details released.

Driver who hit tree said he was trying to avoid a deer

By Howard B. Owens

A driver said he swerved to try and avoid a deer in the roadway, causing his car to strike a tree on Lewiston Road, in Oakfield, at 10:47 p.m., Sunday.

Rodney L. McKenzie, 48, of Lewston Road, Basom, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS with minor injuries.

McKenzie was westbound on Lewiston near Bliss Road, driving a 2010 Toyota sedan, when he said he spotted a deer in the roadway.

There were no passengers in his vehicle and no other cars were involved.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl, who issued McKenzie a citation for allegedly not wearing a seat belt.

Driver says she fell asleep prior to accident on Creek Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver says she fell asleep at the wheel Saturday afternoon leading to a one-car rollover accident on Creek Road near Putnam Road.

Linda M. Drumstra, 59, of Brookville Road, Alexander, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight with non-life-threatening injuries.

Drumstra was driving a 2009 Toyota SUV northbound on Creek Road when her vehicle went off the roadway, struck two trees and overturned, coming to rest on the driver's side.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker, who issued a citation to Drumstra for allegedly moving from lane unsafely.

(Initial Report)

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