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Attica woman who tried to bite nurse at UMMC pleads guilty and sentenced in same day

By Howard B. Owens

An Attica woman who was arrested for attempting to bite an emergency room nurse and punching her several times in the stomach will spend at least a year-and-a-half in State Prison after pleading guilty this morning to attempted assault in the second degree.

In an unusual twist, she was also sentenced today.

Kerri L. Forsberg, 43, of Alexander Road, Attica, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, has medical issues that meant she couldn't be housed in any of the county jails Genesee County uses to hold female inmates. In those circumstances, the state will hold an unsentenced inmate, and at no cost to the county, said District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The difficulty, however, is that Forsberg was held in Bedford, and Genesee County deputies were required to take her back and forth between the prison and her court appearances.

So some of her appearances were actually waived, including her plea-cutoff. She was planning to take her case to trial, Friedman explained, but when she changed her mind and decided to take the plea offer, arrangements were made for Forsberg to enter her plea and be sentenced on the same day.

Friedman said the Probation Department was "great" for their handling of the expedited pre-sentence investigation. Investigators obtained the case file this morning, combined it with Forsberg's PSI from a previous case in Wyoming County, and were able to meet the deadline of 4 p.m. for the completed report.

Forsberg is eligible for release in one-and-a-half years, but could serve up to three years. She was sentenced as a second felony offender.

She was arrested in early July for attempting to bite a UMMC nurse and punching her in the stomach.

Driver in fatal Bethany crash enters guilty plea to vehicular manslaughter

By Howard B. Owens
   Hannah Dibble

The driver in an accident in Bethany in February that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Genesee Community College student entered a guilty plea in County Court this morning to one count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter and DWI with a plea deal that caps her sentence to six months in county jail and five years on probation.

Hannah C. Dibble, 22, of Corfu, will also lose her driver's license and any vehicle that she might drive will be required to have an interlock ignition device.

After going through a series of alcohol-rehabilitation treatments, Dibble was scheduled to appear in court this morning with her attorney Benjamin Bonarigo on a hearing for motions to suppress some evidence in the case, but when the case was called, ADA Will Zickl told Noonan a plea deal had been reached in the case.

Dibble was at the wheel of a 1997 Chevrolet Geo on Feb. 21 when it crossed Route 20 at Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, and was struck by a semi-truck.

There were four passengers in her car at the time, including Alyson D. Krzanak, 18, of Corfu, who died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Suffering serious physical injuries in the collision Feb. 21 were James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20.

Bonarigo informed the court that Dibble remains in in-patient treatment and will enter a halfway house shortly after the first of the year.

The terms of the sentence are known as "shock probation," giving a defendant a taste of jail and five years of rules to follow and monitoring after release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

After the case was adjourned, Judge Robert C. Noonan told Dibble, "I'm happy to see the recent report (on her progress), especially after the stumble you took early on, so keep on the right track."

Three young men accused in assault enter guilty pleas

By Howard B. Owens

Three men accused of assaulting another person April 29 on Holland Avenue entered guilty pleas in County Court this morning, though they did not admit to the actual crime.

Under an Alford plea, the defendants pled guilty because they believe a jury would likely convict them based on available evidence, but did not admit to the facts leading to the charge. 

The young men, Terrance M. SchrammTerrence D. Johnson, and Leonard A. Johnson III entered guilty pleas to second-degree assault under terms that would cap their sentences of six months in jail and five years probation, a term known as "shock probation," which is intended to give defendants a taste of confinement and monitored terms of behavior following release.

The victim in the case suffered an orbital fracture and lost of range of motion in one shoulder, said District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

Witnesses said they saw four or five young men beating and kicking the victim.

The victim identified the defendants as three of the people who attacked him, but the other possible attackers have not been identified.

Previously: Grand Jury: Three men indicted for first-degree gang assault

Car in the trees off the Thruway in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A car has gone off the roadway and into the trees on the westbound side of the Thruway, in the area of mile marker 400.5.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:59 a.m.: The driver has called dispatch and said she is not hurt.

Crash with unknown injuries reported at Route 63 and Mayne Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

An accident with unknown injuries is reported on Route 63 at Mayne Road. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to respond along with Mercy medics. The call came through OnStar, the vehicle's emergency alerting system; no other calls received or other information available.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: Law enforcement at the scene reports being unable to locate the vehicle.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Medics are told to stage in the area of Little Canada Road while law enforcement combs the area for the purported accident victim.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: OnStar received an accident notifcation, but could not provide dispatch with a vehicle description or other information. Since the vehicle has not been found, Bethany and Stafford and the other responders are back in service.

Wives of Batavia police officers show their support

By Howard B. Owens

Stacy Bolles, wife of Officer Eric Bolles, shared this picture of a group of wives of Batavia police officers showing their support of their husbands' work.

"We want everyone to know that we stand behind our husbands and support them in their duty to protect and serve, even though sometimes it means sacrificing our time with them," Stacy said. "Families of police miss having them at the holidays so they can protect other families. We share a sisterhood being police wives and we all care for and support each other."

Two-car accident reported at West Main and Thomas, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident is reported at West Main and Thomas Avenue, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

There are believed to be minor injuries.

UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: City PD on scene, reporting no injuries.

Driver extricated after accident on Route 98 this afternoon

By Howard B. Owens

A driver was trapped in his car after it went off the road in the area of 9186 Alexander Road, Batavia, just before 3 p.m.

Town of Batavia firefighters worked for an hour to extricate the driver, who was both trapped in the vehicle and trapped by limbs from a tree. He suffered only bumps and bruises and was transported to UMMC. 

The vehicle struck a mailbox and a blue spruce tree.

Info and photo provided by Mike Pullinzi.

One-car crash with injuries reported on Main Road, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident with injuries is reported at 1428 Main Road in Corfu. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are requested to the scene for mutual aid to East Pembroke.

Car on its side in yard of house on Byron Road

By Howard B. Owens

A green SUV is on its side in the front yard of a residence at 7862 Byron Road, Stafford. 

Nobody is in or around the vehicle, according to a deputy who was on scene soon after the accident was reported. 

The vehicle is registered to a 26-year-old Batavia resident. 

Stafford fire responding. 

Law and Order: Batavia woman charged with two felonies, one misdemeanor after DSS investigation

By Billie Owens

Sarah Wilson, 31, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor following a joint investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. Wilson is charged with one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, one count of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, both of which are felonies, one count of petit larceny. The investigation started after a Social Welfare Examiner at Genesee County Social Services noticed several inconsistencies in a medical statement Wilson had submitted to the department, which Wilson claimed had been completed by a local doctor. The investigation that followed revealed the medical statement allegedly had not been completed or signed by the doctor. Wilson was arrested by Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Graff and jailed on $1,000 bail. She is scheduled to reappear in Batavia Town Court at 2 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Lee A. Baxter, 31, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, third-degree assault, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Baxter was arrested at 2:40 p.m. on Nov. 19 following a reported on a domestic incident which had allegedly become physical. Batavia police patrols arrived and allegedly observed a physical altercation between "Baxter and another female." Baxter was put in Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Cody A. Bush, 29, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class C felony. It is alleged that he sold a quantity of suboxone, which is a controlled substance, in and around the City of Batavia and the Town of Elba  to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. The DA's Office assisted in the investigation. The defendant was already in GC Jail on related charges when he was arrested Monday by Sheriff's deputies and arraigned in City Court on one count and then transferred to Elba Town Court where he was arraigned on the other count. He was taken back to jail.

Patrick Antonio Griffin, 46, of Saint Petersburg, Fla., is charged with: first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more, first offense; driving while intoxicated, first offense; unlawful possession of marijuana; operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver; and having non-transparent window tint. Griffin was arrested at 1:09 p.m. on Nov. 14 on Ledge Road in Alabama. He was put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

William David Conner, 64, of Harris Road, Le Roy, was arrested at 6:31 p.m. on Nov. 14 on Linwood Road in Le Roy and charged with: driving while ability impaired by alcohol, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle while on a public highway, failure to dim headlights, and having inadequate tail lamps. He is to reappear in Le Roy Town Court on Dec. 21. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

Michael William Godden, 38, of Edgemere Drive, Rochester, was arrested Nov. 18 at 11 p.m. after being stopped on Route 490 in West Bergen. He is charged with driving while intoxicated, first offense, refusal to take a breath test, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

A 17-year-old male who resides in Batavia is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested Nov. 18 after allegedly breaking a window at his mother's residence and then proceeding to yell at her and call her names, in violation of an order of protection which had been issued on Oct. 29 and was valid until 10/29/16. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Frank F. Sposato III, 21, of Irwin Place, Huntington, was arrested today at 1:49 p.m. and charged with speeding and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was arrested following a traffic stop at 20 W. Main St. in Batavia and put in jail in lieu of $250 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels.

Kevin R. Larsen, 38, of Hall Street, Batavia, was arrested on Nov. 16 on a bench warrant, which was issued following an incident that occurred on Nov. 5 on Swan Street. He was put in jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Eric Hill.

Photos: Firefighters hand out winter coats at Jackson School

By Howard B. Owens

City of Batavia firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, made their annual trip to Jackson School this afternoon to hand out winter coats to students who needed them.

The children received brand new, 100-percent American-made winter coats. The donations are part of a national effort sponsored by the not-for-profit Operation Warm.

Thousands expected to attend Batavia's first comic and collectables convention at the Clarion

By Howard B. Owens

The Clarion Hotel in Batavia will be filled this weekend with superheroes, space aliens, monsters and robots, all gathering to partake in Foxprowl-Con, the first local comic and collectables convention.

Bill Hume, owner of Foxprowl Collectables on Ellicott Street, is the lead organizer of the event, which he said could draw from 2,000 to 4,000 guests from all over the region.

The convention will feature more than 100 vendors and several celebrities from the world of comics and sci-fi/horror entertainment, including Mark Dodson, from Star Wars and Gremlins, Kevin Duhaney and Jeff Parazzo, from Power Rangers, Adam Minarovich from the Walking Dead, Steve Cardenas, from Power Rangers, and Tyler Green and Rashaad Santiago, from FaceOff, among others.

These photos are from this afternoon while vendors were setting up. The convention opens this evening and continues Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit foxprowl-con.com.

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