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Shannon Marie Denison, 34, of Colony Run, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Denison is accused of shoplifting from an undisclosed location on Veterans Memorial Drive.

Nicholas Christian Doell, 27, of Lippold Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Doell allegedly violated a stay away order of protection at 3:20 p.m. Sunday.

James Courtney Presley, 35, of Frances Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, no tail lamps, and driver's view obstructed. Presley was stopped at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday. He was jailed on $250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Kenneth D. Barnhardt, 51, of Mt. Morris, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Barnhardt was stopped at 3:52 p.m. Saturday on Route 33 in Stafford by State Police.

Carl T. Amesbury, 25, of East Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. Amesbury is accused of shoplifting from a location in the Town of Batavia. He was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Should Congress bring back earmarks?

NPR Planet Money: The Case for Earmarks

Terry Hills hosted its annual bridal show today with 23 vendors and more than 200 attendees.

Among the honorees at South Byron Volunteer Fire Department's annual dinner on Saturday night was Gerald Bateman, who was recognized for 65 years of service to the department. State Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley were on hand to honor Bateman's service to the community.

The 2018 firematic officers are: Scott Blossom, chief; Brian Hickey, deputy chief; Jim McKenzie, assistant chief; Chase Cone, captain; Andy Konieczny, 1st lieutenant; Matt Dougherty, 2nd lieutenant; Nicole Bold, engineer; Reggie Macdonald, fire police captain; Elizabeth Blossom, fire police sergeant; Steve Sharp, fire police corporal.

Administrative officers: Dean Bates, president; Reggie Macdonald, VP; Elizabeth Blossom, secretary; Alfred Klycek, treasurer; Bob Fite, membership chair; Al Secash, bell jar chair; Allison McKenzie, sunshine chair; Rev. Harold Coller, fire chaplain.

Auxiliary officers: Theresa Hammer, president; Beth Wilson, VP; Melody Stone, secretary; Michelle Yasses, treasurer; Irene Fite, sunshine chair; Theresa Hammer, party chair; Mariellen Blossom, chaplain.

Chief Scott Blossom presented Andy Konieczny with Firefighter of the Year and Most Training Hours awards.

President Dean Bates presented Theresa Hammer with the Member of the Year award.

Corfu Volunteer Fire Department held it's annual awards and installation dinner on Saturday night.

Bernie Fix, top photo, received the Firefighter of the Year Award from Chief Brian Schollard.

The firematic officers for 2018 are: Brian Schollard, chief; Greg Lang, deputy chief; Brian McMartin, 2nd assistant chief; Dean Eck, senior captain; captains Ben Trapani, Mitch Bates, and Dan Smith; Dan Smith; fire police captian, Matt Lenard; fire police lieutenant; lieutenants, Glenn Eck, Steve Rodland, and Tyler Lang; Dean Eck, safety officer.

Executive officers are: Steve Rodland, president; Tyler Lang, VP; Paula Trapani, secretary; Jen Eck, treasurer; Allan Starkweather, sargeant at arms; Brad Lang, chaplain; and trustees, Bernie Fix, Justin Rodland, and Ed Fauth.

EMTs, Kristen Gaik, LoriAnn Santini, Karen Lang and Cathy Skeet. 

Corfu Fire District officers: Bruce Fauth, chairman; Jim Mallory, deputy chairman; Jenny McMartin-Eck, commssioner; Jim Hale, commissioner; Paula Trapani, secretary; and Michelle Sformo, treasurer. 

Paula Trapani received the Service Person of the Year Award from President Steve Rodland.

Linda Tucker was honored for 45 years of service.

Kristen Gaik put in more than 300 hours of training.

Ed Fauth was recognized for responding to the most calls.

Bruce Fauth was recognized for his effort to help the department secure a federal grant.

Nicholas Conley, Earl Roth, and Charlie O’Geen, Elba's 2018 Hall of Fame inductees, were introduced during halftime at the Elba vs. Byron-Bergen basketball game Friday night.

The trio will be inducted tonight during a dinner at Batavia Downs.

Following the introduction, some of Elba's basketball alumni played a four-minute basketball game.

In the boys game, the Lancers beat the Bees 50-42.

For Elba, Colton Dillon scored 22 points, hitting four three-pointers, and Jonathan Boyce scored 14.

For Byron-Bergen, Cameron Shank scored 13. Joshua Hohn and Lucas Stucchio scored seven apiece.

Artist and musician Chris Humel was featured in an opening art show reception at Independent Living of the Genesee Region at 113 Main St., Batavia, on Friday night.

Titled "8 X 10," the show features the work of Humel, who uses intensely hued acrylics, to depict postage stamps and other mail-related themes. Twenty years ago, he co-founded the still-active band BC Psychos. 

"I am a person with disabilities," Humel said. "I am 55 years old. I have been battling schizophrenia and related depressing problems for most of my life. My work is about breaking out of isolation and 'going postal' in a good way, by making contact with artists, writers and through the Post Office."

This is the third show in the series of the ARTiculations Ability Exhibition sponsored by ILGR and the University Heights Arts Association. The goal is to help artists with disabilities reach a wider audience. The association has a program to place art on the walls of local businesses and nonprofits.

Together they are looking to reach more artists with disabilities and feature them in art shows. ILGR serves Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties.

"This gives them a venue for their art in the community," said Rae Frank, director of ILGR.

The partnership with University Heights helps integrate artists with disabilities into the wider artists' community, said Mary Ouimette-Kinney, cofounder of the association.

"It doesn't matter if somebody is in a wheelchair or has PTSD, we just want to make sure that people who are interested in art and would like for their art to be seen to put their art on walls," Ouimette-Kinney said.

Mary Kate, of Buffalo, with a postcard she made at last night's show. Humel has created a handmade postcard program for people to share with each other through the postal mail.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer requesting that his pay be withheld during the lapse in appropriations beginning on Jan. 20 at midnight until an appropriations agreement has taken place.

"In light of the reckless actions by Senate Democrats last night that shut down the government, I have requested my pay be withheld until we come to a solution. Last night, Senator Schumer decided to play political games instead of providing millions of children with health care and paying our troops. I am disgusted with the Schumer Shutdown and will not accept any paycheck until the brave men and women of our military can get theirs."

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported at Route 5 and Asbury Road, Le Roy.

One of the vehicles is a plow truck and the driver of the truck is out and walking around.

Le Roy PD on scene. Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 10:44 a.m.: Le Roy chief reports Le Roy fire can go back in service. The ambulance can come in non-emergency.

Genesee County is receiving a $25,580 grant from the state for local law enforcement agencies to upgrade their video interrogation equipment.

This is the third time in the past decade the state has awarded such a grant to the County.

The money is awarded to the District Attorney's Office and will be distributed to the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, and Corfu PD.

The money will allow those agencies to replace worn out or outdated equipment.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said there is a protocol for when agencies record interrogations. The equipment is used in the case of serious felony offenses.

Genesee County received the largest grant in what the Governor's Office considers the Finger Lakes Region. Rochester PD received $24,283; Albion PD, $6,854; and Wyoming County, $5,282.

The Governor's Office announced a total of $650,000 in grants to help 28 local law enforcement agencies in 23 counties across the state.

Press release:

During the last six seasons, the Pembroke High School Girls’ Basketball Team has focused on winning — not just league games, but the battle against breast cancer. It’s a cause that is personal to the team and their school district because of the number of faculty and community members who have been affected by the disease. Yet according to Senior Captain, Olivia Kohorst, this year’s fundraiser (7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25th vs. Oakfield-Alabama) is particularly important as it marks the final season she will be able to play in the event.

“I was only in sixth grade when the first varsity team came up with the idea to host the first Shooting For A Cure! game in support of Toni Funke’s battle with breast cancer,” said senior Olivia Kohorst.

The team spent that inaugural season seeking support from the community and local businesses in hopes of funding research efforts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) in honor of Mrs. Funke.

“I remember being on the PYA team at the time with my friends. A lot of us went to that first game and I remember wearing pink and that the gym was really crowded! As a young kid, to see our community come together the way they did in support of Mrs. Funke made a lasting impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of that, part of something bigger than just me playing basketball with my friends,” Kohorst said.

“This fundraiser means more to our team every season. It gives us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and it gives us greater purpose not only as student-athletes but as people. Cancer affects us all, my family included, and to be a part of a team that supports those fighting means more to me than I can express in words.

“Being a part of Shooting For A Cure! has affected me in such a positive way. Playing in this game was the highlight of each season I played basketball at Pembroke and I look forward to still being involved after I graduate.”

While the Pembroke Girls Basketball team started the Shooting For A Cure! tradition, there is one standout supporter of the event that truly makes the game special and successful year after year. Wesley Cliff, a senior at Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School, has gone above and beyond in seeking donations to support the team’s fundraising efforts this season.

Moreover, Wesley has been crucial in the implementation of this fundraiser throughout his high school career, helping in any way he can.

“His passion to help the community and all those impacted by cancer is inspiring to our entire team,” Kohorst said. “Wesley’s involvement with the Shooting For A Cure! mission started off as a behind-the-scenes role when he entered high school; however this being his senior year, he wanted to become more involved.

"He saw this as a great opportunity to give back to our school and our community. We truly value all he has done over the years to share our mission.

Wesley has recently secured donation amounts of $1,762.80 from Summit Lubricants of Batavia as well as $500 from DuPont of Buffalo, in addition to several other monetary and product donations from local area businesses.

In addition to these generous donations, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) will again be donating an astounding $2,500 to RPCI in support of Shooting For A Cure! this season.

“Roswell Park has done incredible things for our membership," said Western Region NYSCOPBA Vice President Joe Miano. "It has helped so many of our members and their families battling cancer. We wanted to give back to Roswell Park as well as support the incredible efforts of the Pembroke Girls Basketball team.”

As a former Pembroke graduate and current resident, Miano is a firm believer in this cause.

“This group of young women, with the support of the Pembroke School District, continues to do great things for the community beyond the basketball court. It’s truly inspiring and we wanted to take this opportunity to reinforce their efforts,” Miano said.

Miano, accompanied by a few additional members, will take part in a check presentation with the team to be held prior to the varsity game.

At this time direct online donations are now being accepted in support of Shooting For A Cure! through this site: http://give.roswellpark.org/goto/ShootingForACurePGBB.

The team hopes Shooting For A Cure! will continue its tradition of topping the previous years’ fundraising total.

“All of the money raised that evening goes directly to support cancer research at Roswell Park,” sophomore Mackenna Johnson said. “Playing basketball for Pembroke is not just about trying to win games, it’s about giving back to the community and showing our support for those in need.

“My oldest sister Breanna and her teammates started Shooting For A Cure! back in 2011 in support of Mrs. Funke, and what they started has become one of the largest Team Roswell fundraising events. Last season, we raised over $20,000 in one night, it was amazing! Our community is so supportive and we truly can’t thank all of the volunteers and donors enough for all that they do to support this game."

Roswell Park has officially sanctioned Shooting For A Cure! as a Team Cure fundraiser and as a valuable example of the way that young people can make a difference.

“We continue to be impressed by the Pembroke Girls’ Basketball Team each and every season," said Alex Hoaglund, Team Roswell special events coordinator. "They push themselves, not only on the court, but off the court as well, going above and beyond for the benefit of others.

"It’s inspirational to have a group of teens who are so passionate about raising funds for cancer research at Roswell Park. These girls continue to demonstrate an incredible amount of compassion. This team is special and their community is remarkable.

"Although the players may change each season, Shooting For A Cure! has remained constant, with the girls leading the charge for six consecutive seasons. To think that they’ve has raised over $60,000 in six seasons with this game is a testament to the benevolence of the entire Pembroke community as well as this special team.”

Elba improved to 10-1 on the season with a decisive victory over Byron-Bergen in girls basketball by a score of 48-18.

The loss drops the Lady Bees to 7-4 and ends a seven-game winning streak.

Emily Reynolds scored 14 points for Elba. Leah Bezon added 13 and Brynn Walczak scored eight, with two three-pointers.

For B-B, Dana VanValkenburg scored six points.

Dealing with conflict in the era of hyper-disagreement was the subject of a symposium Thursday night at the YWCA.

Professor Barry Gan, director of the Center for Nonviolence at St. Bonaventure University, opened the discussion talking about some of his own experiences in working out conflicts in his life and then handed out a brochure listing steps to dealing with conflict.

The steps start with "Calm Down," which includes distracting yourself (count backward from 10, for example), relaxing, talking to yourself, and if all else fails, leave.

If you don't leave, try to reach an agreement to work it out. As the other person, "If I listen to you, will you listen to me?"

Gan promotes active listening, which includes paraphrasing the other person's concerns and asking if you are stating their position correctly.

If the disagreement is over something that needs a solution, agree to terms for a concrete solution.

Also participating in the panel were Rev. Roula Alkhouri, left in the photo, above, City Council President Eugene Jankowski and representing a gun-rights position in a later discussion, and Gary Pudup (not pictured), Upstate coordinator of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.

Event coordinators were Alkhouri, Rev. James Morasco, Morganville United Church of Christ, and Joanne Beck, Batavia YWCA.

An opening reception was held at GO Art! last night for a show by artist Sean Madden.

Madden's work is recognized throughout Western New York. He is a teacher at Byron-Bergen High School.

Madden's early influences were Ernst Fuchs and Salvador Dali. He as also influenced by the psychedelic-era work of Robert Crumb, Robert Williams, and S. Clay Wilson.

In the paintings on display, Madden mixes well-executed realism with surrealism and his wild imagination and love of color.

The show runs through March 2.

  Quamane Santiago     Jaequele Tomlin

An ad posted to Craigslist of a car for sale in Batavia was really just a scam to rob potential buyers, police alleged, and two local men have been arrested and charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree.

In custody are Jaequele M. Tomlin, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, and Quamane J. Santiago, 19, of Main Road, Stafford. 

They were arrested on Sumner Street in Batavia following an investigation by Batavia PD and the Local Drug Task Force.

When they were taken into custody, both reportedly possessed replica firearms.

The alleged scam came to light after concerned citizens alerted police to the post and the suspicious behavior of the sellers.

Tomlin and Santiago were arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Tomlin was also arrested on a warrant for criminal mischief and assault. 

Additional charges are pending for both suspects.

Police ask that anybody who responded to a suspicious vehicle for sale ad in the City of Batavia to contact Det. Sgt. Kevin Czora at (585) 345-6311.

"The public should be aware of these types of scams, and report any suspicious activity to their local authorities," Police said in a statement. "When making transactions of these types, it is encouraged that you meet in a very public location, including local police departments."

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to maintain current funding for federal operations and prevent a government shutdown through Feb. 16. In addition to continuing government funding, the bill includes language to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.

"Today, House Republicans voted to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, yet again providing certainty to millions of low-income children. The bill also includes short-term funding to keep the government open and make sure our nation’s military has the resources they need to keep us safe.

"I am confident that we will come to a solution on a long-term funding bill while taking care of the DACA situation, but as negotiations continue I hope that Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats stop playing politics with the health of our nation’s children and vote to keep the government up and running."

As the County wraps up expenses related to the sale of the Genesee County Nursing Home, officials expect to have about $17 million available for funds dedicated to infrastructure, including roads and bridges.

"That's what we said we would do with the money and that's what we're doing," said Marianne Clattenburg, chair of the Ways and Means Committee at yesterday's meeting.

It looks like the proceeds of the $15.2 million sale of the nursing home to Premier Healthcare Management LLC is $10,033,000.

The county is also collecting $7 million in unpaid intergovernmental transfers (federal reimbursement for medical expenses for nursing home patients). This money will also be set aside for infrastructure.

There is still some wrangling with insurance companies, said Treasure Scott German, over money the companies think they are owned and money the county think it is due. There may be additional minor expenses to close out, but those payments will be handled through the general fund.

In other words, the budget line for the nursing home in the county's expense ledger is now officially closed.

Of 46 suspected or convicted criminal foreign nationals arrested this past week by Immigration Customs Enforcement in Western New York, seven were arrested in Genesee County, according to an ICE spokesman.

No details were released on the seven arrested locally. They were apprehended in Batavia, Elba, Byron and Bergen.

ICE provided examples of some of the people arrested without providing names or details on the locations of the arrests, such as: 

• A 39-year-old Mexican male with convictions for two counts of illegal entry, driving while intoxicated, and a protection order for domestic violence. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 23-year-old Guyanese male with convictions for driving while ability impaired and harassment, following his arrest for menacing with a weapon. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 53-year-old United Kingdom male with convictions for two separate convictions for felony grand larceny. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 49-year-old Vietnamese male with convictions for theft, burglary, abuse, and menacing, following his arrest for menacing with a weapon, child endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

The arrests were made over a five-day period as part of an operation targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and other immigration violators.

ICE said half of those picked up had prior criminal convictions. Of the 23 who were counted among the non-criminal violators, four were fugitives and six illegally re-entered the country after being deported.

Criminal convictions of those arrested included: felony grand larceny, firearms possession, drug possession, child endangerment, abuse, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and forgery.

“Operations like this one demonstrate ICE’s continued focus on the arrest of dangerous criminal aliens as well as those who enter the United States illegally,” said Thomas Feeley, field office director for ERO Buffalo in a statement. “Illegal aliens will not find safe harbor in New York.”

In the press release, ICE states:

Some of the individuals arrested during this week’s enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country. Individuals who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country.

ICE stated that during the operation, which ended Jan. 12, officers may have encountered additional suspects who may be in the United States without proper documentation. Those persons were evaluated on a case by case basis and, where appropriate, arrested by ICE.