Opiates, whether in the form of prescription drugs or heroin, are an increasing problem in Genesee County, according to local law enforcement officials, and the desire of addicts to score is behind a lot of the property crime in the community, they say.

Sgt. Steve Mullen, of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, confirmed in a conversation this morning that while the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has been a growing problem for a couple of years now, the use of heroin locally is something that is relatively new.

"In the last year, we've seen more heroin than ever," Mullen said. "We didn't see much heroin for years, but in the past year or 18 months we've seen a dramatic increase in heroin in the community."

Several property crime arrests recently seem tied to addicts trying to come up with the money to buy heroin, Mullen said.

"Whether it be an increase in burglaries out east, or all the car larcenies around Christmas, or petit larcenies, the majority of that is related to the abuse of drugs," Mullen said. "It allows them to continue to purchase their drug of choice."

And sometimes, the drug of choice is a substance that is legal with a prescription and potentially safe if taken as prescribed.

This includes hydrocodone and oxycontin, but Mullen said there has been an increase recently in abuse of Opana (oxymorphone).

While some addicts get hooked on these drugs because they're seeking a new high, prescription drugs have proven addictive for educated professionals who might first use them as they're legally intended (for reducing pain from a physical injury, for example).

People obtain the the drugs in a variety of ways, from stealing them (or trying to) from pharmacies, to taking them from a relative (either alive or recently diseased), or buying them from dealers.

There have also been medical professionals who write fraudulent prescriptions.

Some people figure out the system and go from doctor-to-doctor, county-by-county, getting multiple prescriptions written for bogus pain complaints.

"It's important for people to understand that just because pain pills are prescriptions, they're still opiate-based," Mullen said. "Just because it comes from a doctor doesn’t mean it doesn't carry the same addictive characteristics that heroin does and that it can't be abused or misused."

Press release:

Are you an older adult who has trouble getting in and out of your home? The Genesee County Office for the Aging wants to remind Genesee County residents, age 60 and over that handyman services are available.

The handyman can repair or install stair railings, repair entry steps, add exterior grab bars for stability, install motion sensor lighting for entryways as well as other services. While the handyman can do many jobs, priority is given to those that promote personal safety.

“The handyman can do those small jobs that make a big difference in the life of an older adult," said Courtney Iburi, specialist for Aging Services. "Especially during the winter months, it is a good idea to look at one’s entryway to make it as safe as possible.

"Sometimes just the addition of a grab bar to hang onto while opening the door can prevent a fall.”

The Handyman Program is made possible by the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging. Contact the local Office for the Aging for more information at 343-1611.

Diana Beechler, the 24-year-old woman who lost part of her leg in a farm accident in Elba on Dec. 7, is back home and doing well, according to her sister, Elizabeth Austin.

"She's doing great," Austin said.

Beechler still has medical and rehabilitation expenses to cover, however, so friends and family have organized a fundraiser for 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Oakfield Fire Hall.

A Clor's chicken BBQ is being offered for $8.50 with tickets on sale now until Jan. 13 (no tickets will be sold at the door). There is also a 50/50 raffle planned along with raffle baskets.

The event will include a live DJ.

People who aren't interested in the BBQ are still welcome to attend the event, Austin said.

"A great big heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone for all there support, donations and well wishes," Austin said.

Arrangement for ticket purchases can be made by calling Diana at 297-5995 or Beth at 813-5531.

In the early morning Friday, a 2005 CASE excavator was stolen from Holland High Lift on East Road, Bethany, and the Sheriff's Office is looking for information to help recover the excavator and identify the suspects.

A person or persons were seen loading the excavator onto a dual axle trailer being pulled by an extended cab pickup truck at 1 a.m., Friday.

The CASE is described as yellow and black with an extendable digging arm/backhoe with an 18-inch bucket. It has a small dozer-style blade and rubber dozer-style treads. The model number is CSX36B.

Holland High Lift is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) who stole the excavator.

People with information that may assist in the investigation can contact the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

An investigation into dealing crack cocaine in Batavia has led to the arrest of six people, including two people who were arrested on similar charges in October.

Sgt. Steve Mullen, head of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, said it didn't take long for Thomas L. "Blaze" Hill, 22, of Exchange Street, Rochester, and Jade Cierra Wims, 19, of Menlo Place, Rochester, to allegedly start dealing again once they were out of police custody (October's story).

"It's the pros and cons of living in a small community," Mullen said. "This is one of the pros, if you get busted once and start doing it again, it doesn't take long for the word to get out."

The six people -- four are accused of dealing crack -- were taken into custody Friday night and early Saturday morning after a search warrant was executed on a vehicle stopped on Manhattan Avenue and at an apartment at 174 Ross St., Upper.

The Ross Street residence appeared to be the base of operation for the alleged crack cocaine sales, Mullen said.

Task Force members stopped a car reportedly driven by Doris L. Mayls, 59, of Ross Street, and Mayls was allegedly found operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs and driving on a suspended license.

A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a quantity of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

A passenger in the vehicle, Ricky A. Marsceill, 47, of Ross Street, was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

There was also a warrant for Marsceill's arrest out of the State of Florida for alleged violation of probation.

Task Force members with the assistance of Sheriff's deputies and Batavia PD entered the Ross Street residence and allegedly found Hill and Wims along with Marcus M. "Bling" Allen, 21, of Ferndale Crescent, Rochester, and Richard J. Kubis, 31, of Ross Street, Batavia, in possession of nearly an ounce of crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,500.

Investigators also allegedly found a quantity of marijuana.

Charges:

• Hill is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Allen is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Wims is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Kubis is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Mayls is charged with criminal nuisance, 1st, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.
• Marsceill was arrested as an alleged fugitive from justice based on the Florida warrant.

All six were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail.

Marsceill was arrested in Batavia twice in 2010, once for alleged DWI, and in December 2010, Marsceill allegedly tried to flee when Det. Pat Corona attempted to arrested him on a warrant out of Florida.

In September 2010, Kubis was charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly giving cigarettes to minors.

The status of the previous cases, including those against Thomas and Wims, are not available at this time.

Press release:

Agape Counseling Associates, a nonprofit, faith-based Christian counseling agency with three locations in the Rochester area, now has an office in Batavia. Agape, founded 34 years ago, has served the counseling needs of nearly 30,000 individuals both in the greater Rochester area as well as via distance counseling. (It also has offices in Penfield, Greece and North Chili.)

The Batavia office is located at the South Campus Ministry Center of Northgate Free Methodist Church at 350 Bank St. The highly trained, accredited and NYS licensed therapists at Agape will provide marriage, family and adolescent and individual counseling around a variety of topics.

Agape’s fee schedule is on a sliding scale based on income.

“Agape offers a non-denominational Christian perspective to those in need,” said Board Member Nate Varland. “Our counseling team creates a safe environment where individuals are not judged and where tried and proven methods of psychological healing are used to help each client find spiritual, emotional and psychological healing.”

Executive Director Gretchen DiFante says she's thrilled that Northgate offered Agape space and she looks forward to serving the entire Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming communities.

“I have spent the past two months speaking with physicians, pastors, educators and counselors from all over the GLOW region, and the need for (more) expert and trusted marriage and family counseling is echoed all over the region," DiFante said.

"We see a particularly growing need with those suffering from depression and anxiety and with teen pressures as well as a continuous escalation in the need for marriage counseling.”

To schedule an appointment or to find out more information, call the main office at Agape in Penfield at 385-6030 or visit the website at www.agaperoc.org.

Press release:

Local volunteer firefighters have the opportunity to continue their education at Genesee Community College thanks to the Fireman's Association of the State of New York's (FASNY) new Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP).

To address the vital need for volunteers, FASNY has developed HELP as an incentive for people to serve in New York's volunteer fire services. This program will provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers allowing them to attain up to 80 credit hours from their closest New York State chartered community college.

Volunteer firefighters interested in the FASNY Higher Education Learning Plan are urged to go online to www.fasny.com and click on information involving the Tuition Reimbursement Program. The deadline for the spring semester is February 1.

Under the FASNY HELP tuition reimbursement program, student-volunteers will be eligible to have up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining defined grades and fulfilling defined service requirements as a member in good standing in one of New York's volunteer fire companies. There is no restriction on the type of academic course(s) the FASNY HELP student-volunteer can pursue.

"Volunteer firefighters do a great service to our communities," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC director of Admissions. "We're happy to help these dedicated men and women achieve their dreams of acquiring higher education."

In addition to the HELP program from FASNY, local volunteer firefighters are also eligible for the Benjamin Franklin Scholarship from the GCC Foundation. Any individual who has served as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency responder in the GLOW region for at least a year is eligible to apply, as are spouses, children, and grandchildren of volunteer responders.

The scholarship program is named for Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the United States and the founder of America's first volunteer firefighting company. Further information and scholarship applications can be found at www.genesee.edu/financial/scholarships.

I got a little held up in picking a winner for Week 17 of the Main St. Pizza Company NFL Challenge -- had a little technical challenge and needed to get some help from the company that runs the contest for us.

Plus, it's just been a heck of a busy week.

So, here's the winner: Joseph Duganier.

Joseph wins: One large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize.

Oakland, in a losing effort to the San Diego Chargers (yay!), had the most offensive yards of the 10 teams contestants had to choose from and Joseph, who picked Oakland, was the random pick to win the contest.

The Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter announced today the results of their 2011 Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign.

A total of 225 cats and dogs got a real forever home thanks to the generosity and compassion of those who wanted their true friendship.

Nonetheless, the numbers fell short of the goals set for the adoption of adult animals. The adoption of puppies and kittens exceeded goals, which is, of course, fabulous. Here's the breakdown of goals vs. actual adoptions:

• Dogs: 80 / 62
• Puppies: 10 / 15
• Cats: 50 / 29
• Kittens: 90 / 119

The volunteers say "Thanks to everyone who came out to adopt, help spread the word and stopped in with donations. We greatly appreciate the community's support."

There are more adorable and beloved companions to be found at the shelter. Thus, no need to wait until the 2012 holidays to bring one home. Come on down!

Volunteers For Animals
P.O. Box 1621
Batavia, NY  14021
www.vol4animals.org

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main St. Road
Batavia, NY  14020
(585)c343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday through Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m. (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday -- 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday -- 11 to 1 p.m.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of 1987 Chick Road in Darien.

A caller to dispatch reports "it's bad."

Vehicle is reportedly smoking and the caller is concerned about getting near it. There are people in the vehicle.

Darien fire and ambulance and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Deputy arriving on scene says "it looked like it rolled."

It may have hit a building.

Mercy Flight on ground standby. One person out of vehicle and walking but not responding appropriately.

UPDATE 6:56 p.m.: Only one occupant, and the person is out of the vehicle. The vehicle is not on fire.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: Mercy Flight still on ground standby. One Mercy response cancelled, another continuing.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: Mercy Flight dispatched to a landing zone on Griswold Road, Darien.

UPDATE 7:06 p.m.: Ten minute ETA for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: Updated ETA of five or six minutes for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: Darien fire is clearing the scene.

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An electrical wire is reportedly down across the roadway in the area of 26 Church St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: It's not electric. It's cable. A firefighter is clearing the road.

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Engine 14 is out of service.

The 1989 Pierce Pumper was decommissioned last month and needs to be replaced, according to City of Batavia Fire Chief Jim Maxwell.

Maxwell prepared a memo for the city council to consider with options for replacing the pumper and explaining that the 23-year-old engine has proven increasingly unreliable.

"The unit since my arrival has been undependable when placed into service and has broken down during operations at two significant incidents," Maxwell wrote. "As we neared the end of 2011, it became evident that Engine 14 was not going to last until we took delivery of a new engine."

The city has been preparing for the retirement of Engine 14 and over the past four years has been able to set aside fire equipment reserves of $360,000.

The council will be asked Monday to decide whether to buy a new engine, buy a demonstration unit or buy a used piece of equipment.

City staff is recommending the city try to buy a demonstration unit.

Maxwell, in his memo, presented the pros and cons of each option.

For example, a new unit would be much more expensive, but could be outfitted exactly to city specifications and would come with a warranty.

With a used unit, you never know if you're buying somebody else's problems. There's no warranty. It would have a short life expectancy and would be outfitted to another department's specifications, but would be the least expensive option.

The demo unit is the middle ground -- less expensive than new, might need some equipment changes, but would still be under warranty and would likely be in service longer than used equipment.

When Engine 14 was inspected by Churchville Fire Equipment, inspectors found 51 deficiencies with the truck. Most of them could be fixed at a cost of $15,000 but the engine would still not meet National Fire Protection Association standards.

Until a replacement engine is purchase, the city is using a loaner from the City of Rochester Fire Department.

The department has two other trucks -- Ladder 15 and Engine 12, which go out on almost all city calls. Engine 14 was used for multiple-alarm fires, or when one of the other engines was being repaired or going through preventive maintenance, or when the city's Fast Team was called to the scene of a fire elsewhere in Genesee County.

A man accused of violating probation in Taxes and captured in Batavia On Tuesday appeared in Genesee County Court Friday morning and waived his right to extradition proceedings.

Terry W. Strickland, 30, of 110 Lake Park, Waxahachie, Texas, is allegedly wanted in Dallas County for a probation violation stemming from a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. Strickland could have insisted the governor of Texas produce a warrant for his arrest and challenge any evidence of the charges' validity.

Tuesday, Batavia police officers responded to a report of a domestic incident at a residence on Dewey Avenue and, after identifying Strickland, discovered the warrant.

There is just one day left in our contest:

You know there are local businesses that you just love -- tell us about them on Shop Batavia and you could win a $100 gift certificate from one of your favorite businesses.

Dan Jones: Bypassing The Electoral College in Favor of a National Popular Vote System Benefits Our Communities

The girls of the Pembroke High School basketball team were dressed in all pink uniforms Thursday night in front of a capacity crowd in their home gym.

The big turn out and the pink uniforms were part of a fundraiser called "Shooting for a Cure" to support breast cancer research

Proceeds are being donated to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

The Walt Disney Company donated a family 4-pack of 3-day tickets to their Disney Orlando Parks (value of $1,000) as the grand prize drawing. The winner was selected at half-time of Thursday's game, but we don't yet have the name of the winner.

Bottom picture, Bryan Wittman, global VP of Special Events for Disney, team captain Randi Dellapenta, April McMillion and Buster Bison, mascot of the Buffalo Bisons.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

To purchase printed copies of the photos from this event, click here.

A 46-year-old man released from the Ontario County jail on bail was arrested by Le Roy Police on Thursday and accused of stealing a purse Dec. 20 and using the credit cards at locations in Le Roy, Batavia and Rochester.

Charged with criminal possession, 4th, a Class E felony, is Richard A. Cooke, of 327 E. Main St., Waterloo.

Cooke has two prior felony convictions, according to Le Roy Police, and had recently posted bail in Ontario County following indictments on multiple charges unrelated to the Le Roy case.

Cooke allegedly stole a purse Dec. 20 from a business on Lake Street.

With the help of surveillance video and the assistance of the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center, Avon Police and the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and the Waterlook PD, Cook was identified as the suspect.

Further charges in Genesee County may be pending.

Following arraignment in Le Roy, Cooke was jailed without bail.

This video was produced by Ted Johnson, of Pavilion.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that plans are under way to provide Urgent Care Services at the Jerome Center in Batavia.

“This continues United Memorial’s efforts to increase access to necessary health care services to residents of Genesee County,” said Mark Schoell, president and CEO.

United Memorial currently operates an Urgent Care Center on Tountas Avenue in Le Roy which opened in July 2010. Visits to United Memorial’s Urgent Care Center in Le Roy have grown from an estimated 3,500 to more than 6,000 annually. Analyzing patient demographics based on zip codes indicate that a great deal of that growth is from the Batavia area.

Urgent Care services are a cost effective and convenient way for patients to receive quality medical care when their primary care physician is unavailable and they do not want to spend time waiting in an emergency room to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury or illness. Co-payments for urgent care are typically less than emergency room co-pays.

UMMC’s Urgent Care Center in Batavia, like the center in Le Roy, will be well equipped to treat a variety of ailments, including: sprains and fractures; cuts and lacerations; animal and insect bites and stings; cold and influenza symptoms; ear infections; pneumonia; bronchitis; urinary tract infections; asthma; sore throats/strep and mono; and influenza vaccines.

Urgent Care at the Jerome Center will be supported by United Memorial’s state-of-the-art medical imaging services, the most advanced in Genesee County. The Jerome Center is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Batavia at 16 Bank St. It offers handicap accessibility, convenient parking, a gift shop and refreshment kiosk.

An opening date will be announced soon and is expected to occur in early spring.

Press release:

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's priorities for the State University of New York are good news for SUNY's 64 campuses and for New York State taxpayers, Genesee Community College President James M. Sunser said today.

Gov. Cuomo, in his 2012 legislative address delivered yesterday at Daemen College in Amherst, called the state university system a "precious New York asset" and a "great equalizer for the middle class." The governor said that his new SUNY2020 plan will spur economic development and job creation. SUNY2020 will provide seed money for innovation and economic development initiatives.

President Sunser noted that the governor's plans will further support SUNY's role in spurring business and job growth across the state.

"Our state university system provides a net positive return to New York State residents," Sunser said. "SUNY graduates provide the backbone of many of our critical and emerging industries, and pay state and local taxes far in excess of the investment that taxpayers make in their education.

"Also, SUNY campuses across the state work directly with business organizations, bringing training and knowledge resources that help business leaders build productivity, profit and jobs."

Sunser noted that last year an independent research firm found that Genesee Community College alone has an economic impact of $126 million on the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region.

Sunser said that last year, The BEST Center, Genesee's highly acclaimed business training division, helped more than 650 business organizations.

"We at Genesee Community College, and the other 63 SUNY campuses, are a driving force for economic stability and growth," he said. "Gov. Cuomo recognizes the critical role that SUNY plays in our statewide economy."