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Photo by Sherry Walsh.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today voted for the 2018 Farm Bill that will strengthen and grow the Western New York dairy economy.

In recent years, the dairy industry has faced significant challenges, including an overall decline in milk consumption due to unfair trade practices with nations like Canada. Provisions in the Farm Bill make commonsense reforms to safety net programs put in place to help farmers during a downturn.

Collins has been a staunch advocate for expanding the current H-2A visa program that has not met the need of dairy farmers to find a legal, experienced workforce. Provisions to address issues with visas were not included, although Collins was assured by House Leadership that a separate bill to solve these problems will be considered in July.

“Our nation’s dairy farmers are struggling and we have to do everything we can to keep this industry alive in Western New York,” Collins said. “I’ve met with local farmers who have told me on numerous occasions that the Margin Protection Program was simply not working and was based on flawed logic.

"The reforms passed in today’s bill are going to help these farmers better utilize this program as we continue to make reforms that will boost this industry.”

This legislation would provide greater coverage to dairy farmers through the Margin Protection Program (MPP) and will allow a farmer to participate in both the livestock and dairy protection programs. Additionally, the program will be relabeled the Dairy Risk Management Program (DRMP).

The newly created DRMP eliminates the current 25-percent minimum coverage level and allows producers to elect levels in 5-percent increments. It will also add higher coverage levels of $8.50 and $9 per CWT, a provision Collins advocated for in a 2017 letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (TX-11).

The legislation will also require the United States Department of Agriculture to study the accuracy of milk and feed costs used to determine the margin. This was implemented in response to the large number of farmers that were unable to utilize the program because of ineffective calculations.

Collins added: “Since I have gotten elected to Congress, our region’s agriculture industry has been a main priority and I’m committed to continuing to do what is best for our farmers. While we still have work to do to turn this industry around, I’m pleased with the reforms we passed today.”

For more information on H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, click here.

Teachers and aides at John Kennedy School yesterday made signs and gave students a celebratory send-off for the summer on the last day of school.

 

Press release:

The Muckdogs (2-4) dropped the third game in the series against West Virginia (2-4) on Wednesday night. The first two innings went as fast as the blink of an eye with neither team collecting a hit. In the third inning, however, that would change for the Black Bears.

West Virginia scored three runs in the third inning. The Black Bears loaded the bases in the top of the third with two outs, then Edison Lantigua ripped a two-run single to right field. Lantigua took a big turn at first base, and the ‘dogs tried to pick him off on it.

In doing so, the throw to first was wide and therefore scored the third run. After that bases-clearing single by Lantigua, it would take until the fifth inning for another run to cross the plate.

West Virginia manufactured a run in the fifth by bunting Michael De La Cruz to second. Afterward, he tagged up on a fly ball to right that almost got him thrown out by Jerar Encarnacion. Lantigua then ripped another single to the right side that scored De La Cruz and gave Lantigua his third RBI of the game.

The Batavia bats were held to minimal output through the first six innings, then the Muckdogs scored three in the seventh inning. Two runners found their way on by way of a walk (Sean Reynolds) and a single (JD Osborne). Then, in an attempt to break a skid that was 1-21, Gerardo Nunez made it a one-run game by sending a three-run shot over the left field wall to make the score 4-3.

Ryan McKay came in relief in the seventh inning and was excellent, striking out five in only three innings of work. He gave Batavia a chance at the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. A leadoff single from JD Osborne brought on Matt Brooks to pinch-run.

Unfortunately for Batavia, Harrison White hit a fielder’s choice to second that got Brooks out. After that, the early hero Gerardo Nunez grounded into a 6-3 double play to end the game.

Williamsport comes to Batavia for a three-game series from Thursday to Saturday, then Batavia travels to State College to play the Spikes for three games.

This afternoon, The Batavian contacted the office of Congressman Chris Collins and asked for a statement on the current controversy over reports of children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Statement from Rep. Chris Collins:

“Last night, House Republicans had a very productive meeting with President Trump. I am pleased to hear he signed an executive order and is supportive of also fixing this crisis legislatively by closing the loopholes in our immigration laws and significantly increasing our border security.

It is very sad to see children without their parents at our borders, and as a compassionate country we are taking action to keep families together while making sure we won’t be faced with a similar crisis in the future.”

As technology changes, as society changes, the workload for individual assistant district attorneys in Genesee County continues to grow, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman told members of the County Legislature on Monday during the Public Service Committee meeting.

Friedman was joined by First Assistant DA Melissa Cianfrini to make the case for adding a new ADA position to their staff in 2019.

In 21 years as DA, Friedman said he's never asked for additional DA staff, but it's starting to become impossible for ADAs to juggle town courts, county court, case preparation, and specialty courts.

"Assistant district attorneys have been coming to me and saying there is too much going on and I acknowledge there is," Friedman said. "We’ve held off as long as we can but we need help."

On the technology front, evidence to review now includes police body-worn cameras, video surveillance -- not just from the city but from private homeowners and business owners, recorded inmate calls from the jail, and recorded stationhouse felony-case interviews.

That substantially increases the amount of time an ADA works on many cases.

"The thing is, it's time-consuming," Friedman said, speaking specifically about body-worn camera video. "We have to review all that video. When we’re lucky it can be a matter of minutes, but it’s not unusual to have literally hours of video because the police officers are doing their job and they’re running the cameras."

All the video related to a particular incident may include the hours that an officer is just working on his paperwork but every minute must be reviewed.

"The thing is, we can’t take the chance," Friedman said. "We’re turning this over to the defense. We need to know what’s on there. It’s a huge time drain."

Even the most seemingly mundane video minutes though can turn out to be valuable, Cianfrini said.

"We’ve saved statements because the police didn’t recognize, maybe, that was a statement that should have been noticed or it was a statement that was not made because of questioning, so reviewing body-worn cameras are fruitful and something that we can’t just skip doing," Cianfrini said.

Both Friedman and Cianfrini noted they are not complaining about new avenues for evidence, just noting how they change the nature of the job.

"All of these technological advances are positive things overall but they’re very time consuming," Friedman said.

The caseload for ADAs is also no longer limited to just town and county courts, what Friedman and Cianfrini referred to as justice courts. Many cases are now often referred to specialty courts, such as drug court, veterans court, mental health court, family court, and integrated domestic violence court.

Cases referred to those courts often last longer and involve more dedicated time.

For example, a specialty court case might include regular meetings with the ADA, defense, the judge, counselors, and others to discuss progress on each individual case and how the court should proceed that the defendant's next appearance. 

The time spent on specialty courts also means there are fewer ADAs available to cover a town court when another ADA is tied up on a felony trial in County Court.

"It's getting to point where don’t have enough bodies to cover the courts we have," Cianfrini said "If I’m trying a felony case, we have a hard time finding the bodies to cover form me in my other courts while I’m trying a felony case in County Court and vise versa for everybody in the office."

The way laws and crime both have changed also takes up more time for ADAs.

Take DWI for example -- stricter punishments, whether it's losing a license through a criminal proceeding for life or getting a five-year suspension through the DMV on a DWI conviction, encourage more defendants to take cases to trial rather than settle for a plea agreement.

“So we’re having a lot more DWI trials, across the board, misdemeanors and felonies," Cianfrini said.

Even shoplifting ain't what it used to be. Crime rings make shoplifting cases, usually at the big-box stores on Veterans Memorial Drive, are more complex and more time-consuming.

“It’s not just the shoplifters who go in and swipe a mascara or a T-shirt," Cianfrini said. "These are organized shoplifting rings that come in and take thousands of dollars at one time. They have complex teams that they use to try and avoid detection. I just had a trial plead out today where three people stole over $3,000 worth of merchandise. They stole 12 Sonic Care toothbrushes and a ton of Nike apparel because that has a high retail value in the pawnshops and in the black market."

There's also been a lot of turnover the past three years in both the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD. Friedman stressed all the new officers are outstanding individuals but they still, like anybody in a new, complex job, have things to learn. That means more time working with officers in the field for ADAs, such as Cianfrini.

"I get more calls because they want to do the right thing," Cianfrini said. "Those calls now take longer. Calls that were under five minutes now take longer. Sometimes I have to get up and do research in the middle of the night make sure they're accurate in what they’re telling me and that I’m getting them the best advice because it’s their first time dealing with a situation."

One of Friedman's ADAs is retiring at the end of the summer, which means replacing an experienced attorney with a new attorney who will also take time to train. He's warned the candidates that being an ADA isn't just a 9-to-5, weekends-free type of job.

"We were just explaining to a job candidate on Saturday, during an interview, you are expected to be in the office or in court between regular business hours, 8:30 to 5," Friedman said. "Then you’re going to be in justice courts in the evening, and you’re on call 24-7. That’s what these jobs are.  Nobody in our office only works 37.5 hours a week. Not even close."

Students at John Kennedy Intermediate School, members of the BHS Class of 2026, were congratulated by teachers and administrators on Tuesday as they ended the school year prepare to move up to middle school.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Dead & Company Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Tuesday:

Mark L. Olson, 48, of Kansas Street, San Diego, was arrested for sale of hazardous inhalants after allegedly selling balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Olson was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Joshua A. Thompson, 23, of Jackson Street, Woodbury, N.J., was arrested for sale of hazardous inhalants after allegedly selling balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Thompson was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Michael D. Kopyscianski, 33, of Woodycrest Avenue, Bronx, was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, after allegedly found to be in possession of heroin. Kopyscianski was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Roger J. Furman, 54, of Shaker Hill Road, Enfield, was arrested for criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Roger was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Alicia M Trace-Stephenson, 42, of Concession 5, West Tiny Township, Ontario, Canada, arrested for criminal trespass,3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Alicia was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $150 bail.

Charles A. Restivo, 46, of Otto Park Place, Lockport, arrested for trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Matthew T. Gillespy, 30, of Essex Street, New York City, arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly engaging in a fight in the parking lot.

The Batavia Development Corp. Board of Directors agreed this morning to hire Rachael Tabelski as the new economic development director, replacing Julie Pacatte, who left a couple of months ago to pursue a new job opportunity.

Tabelski is a Batavia resident and has been marketing and communications director for the Genesee Economic Development Center for more than seven years.

Board President Pierluigi Cipollone, who served on the search committee, praised Tabelski as clearly the most qualified among a field of five candidates, that included two from Buffalo, one from Texas, and a native New Yorker from the Finger Lakes region who currently works in Massachusetts.

"She came to the interview very well prepared," Cipollone said. 

He said she had a spreadsheet of all BDC's projects, worked side-by-side with Pacatte on preparing the city's successful bid for the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative project, and clearly understands economic development.

The job offer to Tabelski, with a salary of $67,000 annually, which is $2,000 more than the BDC paid Pacatte, was approved unanimously.

"It's a no-brainer," said Board Member Steve Pies. "She is well versed in our projects and she is passionate about it.

The fact that Tabelski has been working with Pacatte on city projects as part of her job with GCEDC makes her a perfect fit for the job.

"There will be no hiccup," Valle said. "She is knowledgeable about everything. She has a great vision and goals, and she's fantastic."

Tabelski is married to City Council Member Adam Tabelski. Cipollone said the only conflict of interest will be for Adam Tabelski will be on votes related to his wife's compensation. He will need to recuse himself on those issues when they came before the council.

In the discussion, board members questioned whether the compensation was appropriate. Cipollone said that based on his research the salary range in similar-sized cities in the region is $70,000 to $90,000, so the BDC is on the low-end of the scale, he said.  

That prompted Steve Casey to ask if, notwithstanding her ties to the community, a low salary might encourage her to move on to another job sooner rather than later. Cipollone noted the BDC has limited funds to work with and anything paid in salary would mean less available for projects.

Rachael Tabelski will start her new job July 6.

Photo submitted by Kayla McIntire.

Press release:

The Muckdogs dropped the middle game of a three-game set against West Virginia on Tuesday night by a score of 7-6. Batavia had a chance to either tie or win the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Humberto Mejia got his first start of the season with the Muckdogs on Tuesday. In his career, none of his starts with Batavia had gone longer than 3.1 innings. On Tuesday, he was able to get two outs in the fifth before he ran into trouble. Mejia ran into a slight hiccup when he gave up a solo home run to Johan Herrera to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

They would tack on three more in the third inning as well. Daniel Amaral would reach on an error, (one of nine combined in the ballgame) and would steal second to get into scoring position. Three straight RBI hits from Edison Lantigua (double), Lucas Mangieri (single), and Herrera (double) put West Virginia up 4-0 after three.

Batavia, in total, went 3-18 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 12 runners on base. The Muckdogs wouldn’t score their first run until the fifth. Back-to-back singles to lead off the fifth inning from Igor Baez and Gerardo Nunez, who logged his first hit of the season on the play, and both would come around to score on the play.

A Ricardo Cespedes sac fly would score Baez, and an RBI triple from Jerar Encarnacion would bring in Nunez. On that triple, Encarnacion advanced his hit streak to five games. He’s had a hit in every game for Batavia this season. Ricardo Cespedes would do the same with a one-out single in the seventh.

The Black Bears scored one run in each of the seventh and eighth innings of the game to go in front 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth for Batavia. Demetrius Sims led off the inning with a walk. Cespedes would get on base with the fifth error of the night by the Black Bears’ defense. Encarnacion bounced into a fielder’s choice that sent Sims to third but would cut down Cespedes at second.

Batavia had runners on the corners with one out. Sean Reynolds came into pinch-hit but would go down on strikes looking. Albert Guaimaro then reached on a throwing error that sent Sims home to make it a three-run game. Runners then stood on first and second with two outs.

Denis Karas hit a clutch two-out single that would plate two runs, making the Muckdogs’ deficit just one. Baez drew a walk to load the bases up again, with the tying run standing on third, and the winning run at second. Gerardo Nunez came up with two outs, but on a 0-2 pitch in the dirt, a controversial third-strike call was made on an appeal by base umpire Jae-Young Kim to end the Batavia rally.

The final game of the series comes on Wednesday night at 7:05. The Muckdogs will send LHP Logan Boyd to the bump for the rubber match. West Virginia has not announced their starter yet. Batavia then welcomes the Williamsport Crosscutters to town for a three-game series.

The 2018 edition of the Batavia Muckdogs are looking like a team that can score runs in bunches after scoring eight runs or more in three of their first four games, including nine runs last night against West Virginia for a 9-6 victory in a soggy home opener.

The offensive onslaught was anchored by left fielder Michael Donadio, a native New Yorker, who was 2-4, including a fifth-inning homer (top photo) and three RBIs.

On a rainy Monday, which meant the game was delayed for more than an hour, the opening night crowd was smaller than expected at 835.

Still, NYPL President Ben Hayes was in good spirits before the game and said he's happy with the progress the local franchise, now league-owned, is making.

"I think things are going really well," Hayes said. "We focused on the getting the field in shape for the season, getting the lights changed out. We did some things in the clubhouses to get them ready. Talk to Mike (Jacobs), the manager, and he’s really happy with what he’s walked into."

Before the game, Wayne Fuller and Bill Dougherty were honored with a moment of silence. Memorial signs have been placed on the fence in right center and left center honoring their contributions to Batavia baseball.

Fuller was the longtime voice of the Muckdogs.

"His smooth tenor provided the soundtrack for so many summers of our lives here at Dwyer Stadium," said PA announcer Paul Spiotta. 

Dougherty was a historian of Batavia baseball: "A champion of our team and this community and a romantic defender of the underdog."

Starter R.J. Peach, from San Diego, got the win, going five innings and giving up seven hits and three runs.

Chad Martin pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

Jerar Encarnacion, from Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, was 2-4 and is currently the team's leading hitter with a .471 average.

Ricardo Cespedes, from the Bronx, also had two hits.

The Muckdogs are now 2-2 on the season and face 0-4 West Virginia again at 7:05 p.m., the second game of a six-game homestand, which includes three against  Williamsport.

First baseman Sean Reynolds bumps fists with two fans before the game.

Manager Mike Jacobs, middle.

Catcher J.D. Osborne runs onto the field prior to National Anthem with a young Yankee, one of Batavia's youth ball players.

Pitcher R.J. Peace

Jerar Encarnacion scores in the first inning.

West Virginia second baseman Melvin Jimenez with an errant throw in the third inning (which nearly hit the photographer).

Ricardo Cespedes

Denis Karas

Gerardo Nunez and Ricardo Cespedes collide chasing a pop-up in the seventh inning.

Press release:

As consumer interest in solar energy continues to grow, National Grid is now offering its Upstate New York electricity customers a convenient online tool to use in researching and purchasing solar energy systems for their homes and businesses. The portal is called New York Solar Marketplace and is part of National Grid’s commitment to the future of the energy landscape and to ensuring a quality customer experience for going solar.

Through the marketplace, National Grid offers customers a simple process to research and purchase photovoltaic equipment. Customers are able to comparison-shop solar opportunities and receive competitive quotes from prescreened installers. Eligibility extends to both existing structures and new construction.

“National Grid is committed to advancing clean energy options for our customers, and we expect the solar marketplace will help customers evaluate those options and make informed buying decisions,” said John Bruckner, president of National Grid in New York.

To deliver the New York Solar Marketplace program National Grid is collaborating with EnergySage, the nation’s leading online marketplace for solar.

“Our mission is to make solar more accessible and affordable for Americans through choice and transparency,” said Vikram Aggarwal, founder and CEO of EnergySage. “We’re thrilled to be working with an innovative company like National Grid to empower their customers as they consider going solar, while also helping local solar installers grow their business.”

Customers can access National Grid’s New York Solar Marketplace through https://www.energysage.com/ngny/ . The company provides a wealth of energy saving information, including solar, at: https://www.nationalgridus.com/Upstate-NY-Home/Ways-to-Save/.

The New York Solar Marketplace helps customers save time and money when evaluating solar. By accessing the Solar Marketplace, consumers can:

  Learn about solar energy and determine if your roof is suitable;

  Discover how to save thousands on your installation with incentives;

  Get multiple quotes from prescreened solar installers in your area in a standardized, easy-to-compare format.

Participating installers must: have at least three years of experience installing rooftop solar systems; be licensed and insured for solar installation; must be certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP); have a demonstrated reputation for excellent customer service and quality solar installations; and sell and install only high quality solar equipment.

The New York Solar Marketplace is one of many programs offered by National Grid to help customers manage their energy usage, and promote reduction clean alternatives in support of both company and New York State energy goals.

National Grid was the first electric utility in the nation to collaborate with a solar marketplace to offer customers simplicity, transparency and choice when shopping for solar when it launched its Rhode Island Solarwise program in 2016. In the first few weeks of the program customer interest has been high with more than 1,500 participants, including 10 customers who have chosen a solar installer to install nearly 100 kilowatts of solar capacity.

A driver involved in a two-car accident that injured four people, including himself, on Thursday, said that he made a sharp turn because he was traveling too fast when his GPS told him to make a turn.

According to the accident report prepared by Deputy Eric Andre, the driver failed to keep right as he made the turn where Byron Road turns northeast at Fotch Road causing the 2014 Buick sedan he was driving to cross into the opposite traffic lane. The driver's side front end of the Buick struck the passenger side front end of a Chevy Suburban.

Joshua Alamokelley, 18, of Raymond Drive, Brockport, was cited for failure to keep right, speeding, and failure to signal a turn. 

The accident was reported 6:42 p.m.

Alamokelley suffered minor injuries and was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital. His three passengers were also transported to Strong: Rebecca Kerstetter, 19, Kenneth D. Thuman, 22, and Sabrina Sample, 19.

The driver of the other vehicle, Paul Burch, 38, of Townline Road, Byron, was not injured.

The Buick Alamokelly was driving was registered to a resident of Hamlin.

Photos submitted by Timothy Motyka.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Clinton Street Road and Seven Springs Road, Batavia.

One person may have a minor head injury.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service. The accident is in Stafford's district. Stafford fire dispatched. The location is updated to 5301 Clinton Street Road.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Patient transported to UMMC.

Jayson M. Connolly, 43, of Le Roy, has been charged with grand larceny, 4th, identity theft, 2nd, unlawful possession of personal identification, 3rd, and a parole violation. Connolly was arrested by State Police in Warsaw following an investigation into the theft and use of a stolen credit card. He allegedly completed three transactions at three different locations with a total value of $987. He was ordered held in the Wyoming County Jail and is scheduled for a felony hearing in Wyoming County tomorrow.

Jeffery Thomas Dutton, 27, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Dutton is accused of trespassing on property on Macomber Road, Oakfield.

Mindy Lee Stanley, 39, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd; DWAI combined influence of drugs and alcohol; and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Stanley was stopped at 7:23 p.m. Saturday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Steven Michael Carpino, 56, of Thompson Trail Drive, Dexter, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Carpino is accused of smashing another person's phone with a hammer during an argument at 9 p.m. Saturday on Conlon Road, Le Roy, and then taking that person's vehicle without permission.

Brett J. Beverly, 35, of Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. Beverly was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 2:20 p.m. June 12 in the Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Tajman A. Ball, 19, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ball was stopped at 8:29 p.m. Wednesday at Route 33 and Route 237 by State Police.

Darik R. Orbaker, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday in the Town of Batavia. He was ordered held in jail. No further details released.

Press release:

With outrage continuing to grow across the country regarding the treatment of children at the border, it is troubling that Representative Chris Collins remains silent. His opponent for the November 6th election, Nate McMurray, has been outspoken on this issue, demanding a response from Representative Collins for weeks.

McMurray states “On this, and so many issues, Christopher is silent and out of sight. To not have an opinion on a matter of such national debate, when even the First Lady has spoken, is negligent.”

McMurray continued, “This is also a local issue. Whether we care to admit it or not, local farms have used foreign works for years. Christopher has been in office during a period of population collapse in NY27. To help out local agricultural businesses he should have been in the forefront of immigration reform, not waiting for someone else to lead. Instead, he’s done what he always does -- blame the other side and scapegoat the weakest among us.”

McMurray pledges to protect our borders as a U.S. Representative but says he will do it with dignity and goodness.

“I’ll do it in a way that makes us safe, but keeps us proud.”

NOTE: Yesterday, The Batavian published Collins visits Stein Farms to talk about what he's doing for the dairy industry, which discusses, among other things, the congressman's efforts to support immigration reform.

Local dairy farmer Dale Stein said, "What he has done has forced votes on immigration. He's working with other Republicans and working bipartisan with Democrats. Now he's forced votes on immigration so that we can maybe get immigration settled and fix for farmers and everybody else. It's been left in limbo for too long. Congressman Collins, working with others, including the Democrats, is pushing to get this settled. I support him 100 percent on that."

A Darien Center woman has been accused of spearheading a fundraising effort in Attica with the goal of raising money for a toddler bitten by a dog and then keeping the money for herself.

Attica PD is asking the public's assistance in determining how much money was raised so that restitution to the boy can be ordered by a court.

Heather M. Rheinheimer, of Alleghany Road, Darien Center, is charged with scheme to defraud, 2nd, and petit larceny.

According to Attica Police Chief Dean Hendershott, Rheinheimer was employed at Meisner's Deli in Attica when she learned that 8-month-old Maverick Brumsted-Shaw, of Varysburg, had been attacked by a dog, so she started at "Tough Like Mav" fundraiser at the deli. 

The fund drive, Hendershot said, was billed as an attempt to help with medical expenses from the April 1 incident. She was selling candy bars and other candy to customers under the pretense of raising money for Maverick.

Deli owner Nicholas Campanella supported the effort, including providing financial support.

Once the fund drive was over, Rheinheimer moved on to another job.

Then a member of Maverick's family came into the deli and Campanella expressed his support for Maverick, wished him well, and said he hoped the donated funds were helpful.

Campanella was told the family had not received the funds.

At that point, Campanella contacted Attica PD, which opened an investigation.

Hendershott said the police can still use the public's assistance. He's asking anybody who donated money or bought candy with the intention the money go to Maverick's medical expenses to contact him at (585) 591-0881.

The information will help a court, he said, determine how much restitution Rheinheimer must pay. All restitution funds will go to Maverick's family, he said.