An American Legion grave marker, presumably bronze, has been reported stolen from the burial place of a veteran in the Machpelah Cemetery, 77 North St., Le Roy.

Le Roy PD responding to investigate.

Previously: Thieves steal hundreds of bronze markers from the graves of veterans in Byron-Bergen area

Sponsored Post: Donated to the Holland Land Office Museum by The Batavian.

Reason Magazine: Ted Cruz is pushing the Expatriate Terrorist Act, which would allow the president to strip Americans of their citizenship

Injuries are reported after a car hit a tree in the area of 954 Main Road, Pembroke.

Only one vehicle is involved in the accident.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched, with one engine requested from Corfu.

Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: National grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE: Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at the shelter during hours today from 1-3 and tomorrow from 11-1.

The 11th annual Fur Ball will be held this Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Days Inn in Batavia. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and there will be lots of food, surprises and auctions.

This year's theme is "Shelter Pets are Pawsitively Purrfect."

Tickets are $25. ($50 if purchased the day of the event). Children 12 and under are $15. A table for 10 is $225.

Proceeds benefit the Volunteers for Animals Spay and Neuter Program.

Make checks out to:  Volunteers for Animals - Spay/Neuter Program.

The Days Inn is located at 200 Oak St.

To contact Volunteers for Animals:

info@vol4animals.org

www.vol4animals.org

(585) 813-3839

P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY 14021

While the final sessions of the summer outdoor training classes are in the books, Tori Ganino, Batavia resident and owner of Calling All Dogs, is now holding classes in an indoor space during the colder months. With the fickle weather of WNY, Ganino decided a space for working with the dogs indoors was needed to continue holding group classes.

“It’s very difficult to find someone willing to rent a space when dogs are involved,” Ganino said.

While the dog days of summer more or less missed its stop in WNY, Ganino was able to secure a space at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia.

“We were not only looking for a space for the classes, we’d like to hold doggy daycare there as well,” Ganino said.

The Harvester Avenue space is large enough to accommodate group obedience classes and specialty classes. These will be for dogs that are aggressive (reactionary) and fearful. Additionally, doggy daycare was up and running during the week in mid-September with one hour play groups with owners on the weekends. Calling All Dogs specializes in working with fearful and aggressive or reactionary dogs. 

“The course is free for dogs who are in rescue programs, from fosters and shelters,” Ganino said. “We have Open Arms Rescue of WNY regularly attend our classes.”

Open Arms Rescue of WNY pulls dogs out of shelters that are adoptable, but may be euthanized because the shelter just doesn’t have the room. Foster parents or volunteers with animal shelters such as the Genesee County Animal Shelter are also among those who attend the course.

While it's free for the above referenced, only two spots per session are held open for those kinds of dogs. Classes are kept small, six to eight dogs maximum. That way, according to Ganino, it gives more one-on-one focus. 

Classes go over basic obedience, problem behaviors, such as: "come" when called, loose leash walking and "leave it -- this command teaches a dog not to pick up items that they shouldn’t. Ganino also includes exercises toward the Certified Good Dog certificate - a document vouching that one’s dog is not an aggressive or fearful animal.

Private lessons for all obedience concerns, especially fear and aggression issues, are always available. The owner of Calling All Dogs is also looking into starting small group classes -- two to three dogs -- in addition to the private lessons.

“This gives a dog exposure to community settings,” Ganino said.

Free lessons -- whether private lessons or group classes -- are offered to agencies to get dogs ready for adoption. Dogs that know basic obedience are more adoptable, according to Ganino.

The Batavia resident is currently working with a dog that has a bite history. The animal may not be adoptable right now, but it is with a foster family that won’t put it down. Additionally, Calling All Dogs works with animals whose owners are court ordered to show proof that the dog’s disposition has improved; dogs with fear issues to get them use to people, excitable dogs -- to break the habit of jumping up on people in their excitement, and so on.

“With fear and aggression training,” Ganino said. “The training isn’t so society will accept them, it’s for the dogs to get exited about things, that this thing or that thing is okay. The dog goes from being scared where it feels like it’s going to shake or bite, to ‘oh hey, this is okay, this is something to get excited about.'

“The training is also good for owners to understand what the dog is saying through body language. Dogs are always communicating, owners just may not understand what they’re (dogs) are trying to say.”

Ganino is certified by CPDT-KA which certifies proficiency in dog-training knowledge by passing an exam of both written and hands-on work. She is also certified by the Animal Behavior College -- an online and hands-on course in animal behavior. Ganino previously worked with a trainer in Rochester as well as volunteers at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, where she works with dogs.

Part of her training methods rule out old-school equipment such as choke or pinch collars. She relies on techniques that will not hurt the dog physically or mentally.

Group classes are set up to where dogs are sectioned off with barriers and then slowly the barriers are taken down. The end of the classes are off leash play-time.

“If anyone has any questions, call or text anytime,” Ganino said. “I don’t charge. We also do treadmill training. When the weather is too cold or too hot for the dog, we train them to walk on a treadmill, this way, they still get their exercise.”

For all services, reservations must be made to ensure there aren't too many dogs.

Calling All Dogs will still be offering private lessons either at the Harvester Avenue location or in dog owner's home. 

The seven-week outdoor training course will be available again during the warmer months of 2015, "possibly around the latter part of May." The first week is an orientation with the owner or handler to give them an overview of what will be taught during the course. with the remaining classes to be held with owner/handler and dog. While the seven-week course focuses on multiple issues, there is a one hour intensive session of just one type of obedience such as loose leash walking. Group classes are held on Sundays at Batavia Tractor Supply.

For further information check out Calling All Dogs Facebook page, their Web site, by e-mail trainer@CallingAllDogsNY.com; or via phone at 585-455-5387.

Samuel Christopher Dilcher, 31, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with assault, 3rd. Dilcher is accused of punching a patron in the face at the Stumblin Inn in Elba causing the person to require medical attention, including several stitches. Dilcher was issued an appearance ticket.

Justin David Moscato, 21, of Riddle Road, Lockport, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and uninspected motor vehicle. Moscato was arrested following a citizen complaint of a person staggering around a vehicle at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday at a location on Hopkins Road, Pembroke.

A gently rolling buckwheat field, splashes of red-orange in the hardwoods and a sky filled with blue-gray clouds -- October in Genesee County.

Downstream from the Powers Road bridge, a mirror image on a placid stretch of Tonawanda Creek. 

Dim light inside a woodlot and blue sky beyond really set off this maple's foliage.

A hint of early morning mist on Bowen Creek.

One of the many things I enjoy in autumn is seeing red maple leaves against a deep blue sky.

Hardly more than a trickle on this day, the Little Tonawanda nonetheless flows onward to its confluence with the mainstream Tonawanda.....

Further downstream fallen maple leaves blanket the shore while others are caught in a shallow riffle.

Just my opinion, but.....the spectacular hues of these crimson oak leaves underscore the brilliance of the autumn of 2014!!!

George Will: Use term limits to tame Congress

An oversized load being hauled by a tractor-trailer has taken down electric lines at Route 77 and Bloomingdale Road. Alabama fire and law enforcement are responding.

A one-car accident, believed to be with minor injuries, is reported at Slusser and Stegman roads. East Pembroke fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: The vehicle hit a guard rail. The location is actually Stegman Road, says dispatch.

The Grand Jury of Genesee County has indicted Robert R. Hertz for the crime of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on May 16 Hertz knowlingly entered or remained unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime there. In count two, he is accused of third-degree burglary for the same actions on May 25. In count three, he is accused of the crime of grand larceny, 4th, a Class E felony, for allegedly stealing property at Target in the Town of Batavia having a value exceeding $1,000: several digital cameras, Mircosoft Office for Mac software, Macrosoft Office 8.1 software, JBL wireless speakers, and Bose headphones.

Council person-at-large Eugene Jankowski Jr. was investigating a complaint of illegal dumping on the Jackson Street bridge late this morning when he noticed a black pickup truck at the end of the closed bridge.

The former City of Batavia Police lieutenant says he called the license plate number in to dispatchers who said the vehicle was reported stolen from a West Main Road residence in Stafford late yesterday morning.

State Police were called to the scene on Jackson Street bridge and they are investigating the incident.

Batavia Police are investigating an incident at Lambert Park, located on Verona Avenue, that occurred sometime this past Sunday or Monday.

Police received a complaint of vandalism at the park late Monday afternoon.

Playground equipment was damaged using large rocks and racist remarks were found scrawled in the mulch.

Officer Jason Ivison says the markings in the mulch appear to be fresh and he believes the vandals were in the park sometime Sunday evening or Monday during the day.

The Department of Public Works will repair the damaged playground equipment.

Anyone with any information can contact the Batavia Police tipline at 345-6370 or at 345-6350.

Benjamin J. Bullard, 27, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th. Bullard is accused of cashing forged checks at Five Star Bank. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Sarah E. Hughes, 22, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Hughes is accused of threatening another person who was walking down Walnut Street at 2:40 p.m. Monday.

Katherine Schaeffer Thomas, 41, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unnecessary noise. Thomas is accused of playing music loud enough to disturb her neighbors at 12:12 a.m. Friday.

Kimberly M. Douglas, 32, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with public appearance under the influence of drugs and endangering the welfare of a child. Douglas was allegedly under the influence of suboxone while with her children at a public place at 5:22 a.m. Saturday.

Samuel F. Russo, 33, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Russo turned himself in following an alleged domestic incident at 2:31 a.m. Saturday.

A former Le Roy resident has been charged with four counts of burglary and one count of grand larceny for allegedly stealing calves from local farms.

Janet M. Knauss, 49, of Caledonia, is accused of stealing 16 calves during four separate burglaries in July.

The calves were valued at $3,164.

Investigators contend that Knauss stole the calves and raised the calves and other livestock at a location in the Town of Stafford.  

Four calves were reportedly recovered at that location and returned to the owner. The other calves were allegedly sold at auction and not recovered.

Following her arrest and arraignment, Knauss was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Conducting the investigation were Investigator Timothy Weis and deputies Brad Mazur, Howard Carlson, John Duyssen and Chad Minuto.

New York Times: Tonight's debate.

After a year on probation that a prosecutor described as "stellar," a former Corfu court clerk who admitted to stealing more than $10,000 in court funds has another year of good behavior and substance abuse rehab to complete before her criminal record is wiped clean.

A year ago, Brandi Watts entered a guilty plea to one of the 64 counts on a grand jury indictment -- first-degree tampering with public records -- and was placed on interim probation with the understanding that if she made restitution, got help with substance abuse, and stayed out of trouble, she could have the felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor.

Then, if she did well for another year -- the year coming up -- she could have that charge dismissed under what's known as a conditional discharge.

"Everything we've heard from the probation department indicates a stellar probation report, so we came back today and she was given the benefit of the bargain that she negotiated back last October," said Eric Schiener, an assistant district attorney in Wyoming County, who was filling in for Donald O'Geen, the special prosecutor in the case.

Schiener spoke with reporters following a short hearing in County Court, where neither Watts nor her attorneys made a statement. One of her three attorneys told reporters the legal team had no comment on the case.

Watts should have completed a rehab program through Horizon, Noonan said, but through no fault of Watts, she never got into the program and is now slated to complete a program with GCASA. As a requirement of her conditional discharge, Watts must successfully complete the GCASA program. She must also refrain from using illegal or unauthorized drugs and not break the law.

She's already made restitution. 

The theft of court funds came to light in a state comptroller's audit and was a significant event in more than 24 months of turmoil in Village of Corfu government, which eventually led to the resignation of Mayor Ralph Peterson.

Watts is the daughter of Robert Alexander, who was a village judge while Watts was court clerk. Alexander was charged with official misconduct and coercion. Those charged were dropped as part of the plea agreement with Watts, and Alexander had to resign as Town of Pembroke justice (he was already out of office in Corfu).

Noonan said Watts appeared to be on the right course, but told her, "I certainly hope you have learned your lesson from this event. You took a responsible job and totally abrogated your responsibility in that job, lost that job and created a lot of havoc in a lot of people's lives."

From the special prosecutor's point of view, Schiener said the disposition of the case is an appropriate outcome:

"It was a negotiated plea bargain agreement. Given the facts of the case, the facts and circumstances of the crime, the goals of the criminal justice system were all met here. Someone who obviously had a substance problem that may have been the primary factor in her commission of crime, she's addressed it. She did well on probation for a year, so she's receiving the benefit of that bargain."

The way Jim Neider sees it, stealing markers from the graves of men and women who served their country through military service is "as low as you can go."

Neider was reacting to news that more than 400 bronze markers -- perhaps many more -- have been stolen from the graves in at least a half-dozen cemeteries in the Byron-Bergen area.

The case is being investigated by both the State Police and the Sheriff's Office.

The markers are placed by families and veterans service organizations and, in many cases, were pushed into the turf beside the headstone of a veteran decades ago.

The markers are designed as flag holders and include a bronze medallion designating a veterans group, such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. The medallion typically weighs about a pound and the current replacement value is $32 each.

"They're very expensive," said Nieder, a local veterans leader. "I do discourage people now from getting them because they do have a tendency to walk."

Nieder said since the 1990s, veterans and families have been more likely to buy aluminum markers, which have no scrap metal value to speak of, or less commonly, plastic.

Whoever is involved in the theft of the markers is facing a charge of grand larceny, said Trooper Victor Morales, public information officer for Troop A.

Nieder pointed out that there is a law now on the books that covers both the sale and purchase of markers used on the graves of veterans. Section 450-A of the state's general business law says "it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to engage in the buying or selling of metal cemetery markers and flag holders bearing the insignia of any veterans' organization placed upon the graves of veterans."

Each violation of the law is punishable by a $500 fine or 15 days in jail or both.

Morales said the State Police are investigating the left of markers in four cemeteries in the Byron-Bergen area. More than 400 markers were stolen from these cemeteries. The Sheriff's Office is investigating thefts from other cemeteries, but Morales didn't know how many other cemeteries or how many additional markers were stolen from those locations.

We've been unable to contact the investigator with the Sheriff's Office handling the case.

The disappearance of the flag holders was discovered over the weekend. It's unknown when they might have been taken.

When asked for his reaction to the thefts, Neider said his first thought wouldn't be publishable. He said this isn't like stealing something from somebody's front lawn. The thieves are going into graveyards and stealing from those who unselfishly served and are dead and buried and unable to defend themselves. 

"It's the ultimate slap in the face to these veterans and their families," Neider said. "They earned these markers by their service. It's akin to the problem in Batavia earlier this summer of people going in and desecrating headstones. It's almost beyond that because these markers are earned by these veterans, and it's a cemetary for crying out loud. ... It's pretty low. As low as you can go."

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of these items, or, who may have information on the larcenies is asked to contact the State Police in Batavia at (585) 344-6200 or the Genesee County Sheriff's Office (585) 343-5000.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: We just spoke with Tom Williams, with the American Legion in Bergen. He said local Legion leaders are trying to figure out what to do. It would cost $16,000 to replace all of the markers. 

"That's a lot of money," Williams said. "You know how hard that is to come by."

He doesn't have a count on how many total markers were stolen. There's still an inventory taking place of all the graveyards in the Byron-Bergen region.

Among the more than 400 known to be stolen was the one that marked his father's grave, said Williams, who served in the Seabees from 1963 to 1966.

He doesn't think much of the perpetrators who lifted the markers of America's heroes.

"Those are people who made sure we were kept free," Williams said. "They did their job. They left their homes, their families. I did that, the same as my dad. It's just the idea that whoever did this is a real son of a bitch. It just bothers me. Why would they come here? Why would they do that? There are people who are nuts. They don't understand. They have no clue."

Photo: For the purpose of illustration, a picture of a marker in a local cemetery. If you see these, made of bronze, and they're not in a cemetery, contact local law enforcement.