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Area wildlife photographers were shocked and saddened Friday to find a dead snowy owl Friday afternoon atop a utility pole near the Genesee County Airport.

The DEC confirmed today that it was notified of a dead snowy owl that had been banded at that location.

National Grid, after being contacted by the DEC on Friday, assisted in recovering the animal from atop the utility pole (see video below).

Local photographer Jim Burns (who freelances for The Batavian) is a wildlife photographer and a frequent visitor to the airport, which attracts both numerous snowy owls and photographers. He said such deaths as this animal's are not uncommon. The owls fall victim to electrocution (the possible cause in this case), being hit by cars and poisoning. 

Poisoning is perhaps the most preventable cause of death of snowy owls. The owls feast on rodents and if the rodents were poisoned before becoming an owl's meal, the owl is poisoned as well.

"That's the main message to get out there," Burns said. "People should put out traps instead of poison."

Though still rare, the birds have been showing up in WNY in recent years, probably, because their northern hunting grounds are becoming crowded. It's generally the younger birds who migrate south. Burns estimated the deceased owl was no more than 2 years old.

The birds are banded by Operation SNOWstorm, which tracks snowy owls to assist in their preservation.  

The Department of Environmental Conservation asks that if you find a dead banded bird, report it on the website www.reportband.gov.

Photo by Margy Meath.Video by Oded Kalir.

Jason Bell sent us this picture of a bald eagle he spotted in Pembroke yesterday.

       Jaequele Tomlin

Jaequele M. Tomlin, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Tomlin was charged as part of the ongoing investigation into a Craigslist scam. Tomlin was allegedly in possession of a blunt-force weapon with the intent to use it against another person. The weapon was not used against any person, according to police. Tomlin, already held on prior charges, was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on this charge on a bail of $10,000 or bond of $20,000.

Ryan Nicholas Bartholomew, 23, of Adams Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Bartholomew is accused of causing $471.57 in damage to an isolation cell door in the Genesee County Jail by kicking it.

Stephanie Marie Wentworth, 32, of Augusta Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure appear. Wentworth was arraigned and held on bail.

Olivia Alisa Ellis, 19, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ellis was charged stemming from an incident reported Jan. 3.

A 16-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with menacing, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. The youth was allegedly involved in a fight on Jan. 21 at an unidentified location in Batavia. He allegedly threatened another person with a knife.

Rajea Shaiek Thomas, 29, of Sutorius Drive, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant. Thomas turned himself in after learning of the warrant. No further details released.

Matthew J. Bean, 50, of Countryside Lane, Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, refusal to take a breath test, and driving left of pavement markings. Bean was stopped at 5:09 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Robert Henning.

Kirk Anthony Breemes, 29, of Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, harassment, 2nd, and criminal mischief. Breemes allegedly violated an order of protection and fought with another person and also damaged walls and doors during the altercation.

Xavier Malik Hand, 21, of Garibaldi Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Hand allegedly left voicemail messages on another person's phone in violation of a court order.

Richard H. Wahl Jr., 51, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and no seat belt. Wahl was stopped at 8:42 p.m. Jan. 21 on West Main Street, Corfu, by Officer Richard Retzlaff.

Louis Warren, 64, of West Broad Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and speeding. Warran was stopped at 2:14 p.m., Jan. 19, on Alleghany Road, Village of Corfu, by Officer Jacob Gauthier.

Daniel L. Schmiegel, 32, of Basom, is charged with menacing, 3rd, unlawful imprisonment, coercion, grand larceny, 4th, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and harassment, 2nd. Schmiegel was arrested by State Police following a reported incident at 7:58 p.m., Saturday. He was ordered held on bail. No further details released.

Matthew C. Strobele, 39, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, driving a vehicle without an inspection sticker, failure to keep right, driving left of pavement marking and speeding. Strobele was stopped at 10:55 p.m. Friday by State Police in the Town of Ridgeway.

Amanda E. Dalrymple, 27, of Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Dalrymple is accused of stealing at a location in the Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Jessica L. Stranc, 21, of Darien, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Stranc was stopped by State Police at 12:17 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Darien.

Firefighter Kevin McCrary was named Firefighter of the Year for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department by Chief Tim Hogle at the department's annual dinner on Saturday night.

McCrary was honored for his work ethic and dedication to the department, Hogle said.

Hogle said the department responded 419 calls in 2017. Tom Wood, first assistant chief, was the top responder for the year, responding to 303 calls.

During March and April, the department responded to 75 calls during power outages in the Village of Le Roy. All of the volunteers who responded to those calls were honored with the Chief's Award.

They are: Thomas Wood, Christina Marrinaccio, Dave Ehrhart Sr., Joe Orlando, Jerry Diskin, Anthony DeFelice, Rick Bater, Bill Wood, Kenneth Davis, Craig Johnson, Dale Ehrhart, John Johnson, Brandon Connolly, Michael Green, Burt Manley, John Hurd, Terry Kanaley, Stephany McVicker, Wendy Johnson, Josh Pfendler, Melisa Suriidge, Jeff Freeman, David Ehrhart Jr., Jared Chick, Scott Newman, Kevin McCrary, Justin Connolly, Elijah Flansburg, Pete Loftus, Mike Miller, Leeanne Miller, Christie Main-Miller, Donna Kanaley, Laurie Bater, Kathy Wood, Elise Lauricella.

A Special Commendation went to DEC Officer Fay Fuerch, Le Roy Police Officer Greg Kellogg, and Firefighter Rob Radley. Fuerch, Kellogg and Radley were first on scene for a cardiac arrest in Le Roy at the Save-A-Lot. The responders provided first aid and attempted to save the woman's life. Their efforts helped keep the woman alive long enough for her only remaining son to arrive home and say goodbye to his mother.

The firematic officer for 2018 are Tim Hogle, chief, Tom Wood, first assistant chief, Craig Johnson, 2nd assistant chief, Mike Green, captain, Christina Marinaccio, captain, and Anthony DeFelice, lieutenant.

Photos by Rob Radley.

An equipment fire, with smoke and flames showing, is reported at the McDonald's in Le Roy, 57 Main St.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Caledonia's ladder truck was dispatched. A chief on scene says it can stage in quarters.

UPDATE 11:16 a.m.: Fire is out. Caledonia can go back in service. Health Department and code enforcement requested to the scene.

To open a public meeting hosted by Ward 4 and Ward 5 city council members Al McGinnis (left) and Kathy Briggs (right), World War II veteran Ken Dehm was honored with a plaque. Presenting the plaque, above, is Legislator Gary Maha, and joining in the presentation, Councilman Bob Bialkowski.

Dehm served in the Atlantic Theater in the Navy aboard a seaplane tender. The seaplanes hunted German U-boats.

Following the presentation, the floor was open to the dozen or so Ward 4 and Ward 5 residents who turned out for the meeting and they asked questions of McGinnis, Briggs, Bialkowski, Maha, and Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.

John Roach ran the meeting and made a few comments himself along the way. Capt. Bob Fix, City fire, also made a short presentation on fire safety and burn pits in the city.

The first topic raised was the anticipated methadone clinic at GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Inc.)

Heubusch addressed the issue and as the city's top cop said he has no concerns about the clinic and said he believes it will benefit opiate addicts living in our community.

He said such clinics are proven to reduce crime in communities where they are established and that currently any person going through methadone treatment must travel to Rochester or Buffalo for their maintenance dosage.

The new clinic will allow them to get help closer home and make treatment available to more local addicts. The new clinic will not mean addicts will travel here from outside Genesee, Wyoming or Orleans counties because all of the other surrounding counties have clinics.

"Historically speaking, this is a known and proven program that has been around since the 1970s that will help people addicted to opiates," Heubusch said. "I can’t speak in detail about the scientific accuracy of that. All  I can tell you is it works. It’s been proven to work."

The next issue raised was the possibility of restoring and saving the stone pillars at the entrance to Redfield Parkway.  

Redfield resident Jim Owen is an advocate for the project and argued the pillars are of aesthetic and historic significance to the entire community. Other residents at the meeting disagreed and said they didn't want tax dollars spent on the project.

The City Council has authorized a $4,000 study by an engineering firm to find out what is needed to save the pillars. 

"It's a complicated issue and we can't go any further without more information and cost estimates," McGinnis said.

Former Legislator Ed Dejaneiro asked if any of the $17 million the county will have in the bank from the sale of the County Nursing Home will go to infrastructure needs in the City of Batavia.

Legislator John Deleo, who had taken a seat in the audience a few minutes earlier, was invited at that point to take a seat at the front table.

He said the Legislature will triage the county's infrastructure needs and prioritize how the $17 million will be spent. That could include city projects if they rise to the top of the priority list.

Maha raised the issue of the South Lyon Street Bridge and read a letter he had received from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens about replacement of the bridge.

The abutments for the bridge were built in 1950 and the current bridge was installed on top of those abutments in 1982. It's the abutments that are deteriorating.  Hens said the bridge is safe. The county has been applying for federal funds to replace the bridge for several years. The cost is an estimated $3 million.

Complications with bridge replacement include the fact that the south abutment is actually under South Main Street. There is also an area that was likely a burial ground during the War of 1812 for victims of either a cholera or typhoid epidemic. Hens said he didn't think any bodies will be found, but archeological work will be required.

The new bridge will likely need to be two lanes, which will mean purchasing at least one house (perhaps through eminent domain) on the north side of the Tonawanda Creek.

An audience member advocated for going to a strong mayor form of government. Bialkowski said right now the city must abide by the city charter, which mandates a city manager, so the Council will seek to hire a new city manager.

If residents would rather have a mayor, Bialkowski said, it will take a petition drive and a charter committee made up of local residents.

“That's up to you the citizens to decide," Bialkowski said. "It’s not up to us.”

Another topic was the proposed apartment complex on East Main Street with one resident complaining there are too many apartments in Batavia.

Roach jumped in on that one and noted that when the project was going through the planning process, nobody showed up to oppose it.

He delivered a long statement about the need to get involved, otherwise, you may not get what you want out of the city.

"If you don’t show up then I would say shut up," Roach said. "Be there. Show up. Speak up. Say something. A half year later doesn’t count."

Chief Shawn Heubusch

Councilman Al McGinnis standing and Councilwoman Kathy Briggs seated.

Councilman Bob Bialkowski

Ed Dejaneiro and Kathy Owen

Dave Chase is the new general manager of the Batavia Muckdogs and the way Chase sees it, it's a sign of the New York Penn League's commitment to Batavia that a veteran baseball man with his level of experience has been hired to be the team's general manager for 2018.

This season running the Muckdogs will be the 41st in baseball for Chase. His career includes stints with six minor league baseball teams, work in a baseball broadcast booth, a term as commissioner of the Prospect League, 14 years as director of the Minor League Baseball Museum, and 17 years as publisher of Baseball America.

"I've done just about everything in baseball," Chase said. "I've taken on teams that were just starting out and those going through internal changes, so when I heard the New York Penn League was taking over the franchise in Batavia, I reached out to Ben Hayes (president of the NYPL) in early December and told him if he needed somebody to come and unlock the gates every couple of days, I'd be happy to do that."

Chase said he's been hired to do more than just unlock the gates. When asked about the NYPL's commitment to Batavia, he noted the team could have been moved this season or the league could have hired an inexperienced manager to come and unlock the gates on game days.

"My marching orders from Ben Hayes is to make sure we present a solid fan experience and a solid experience for the Marlins players," Chase said. "That could have happened in other places. That could have happened in other places in 2018. But Batavia is where the NYPL wants to be."

Chase steps in to run a team that has had the executioner's ax hanging over it for more than a decade, with every mid-June opening game bringing fans to the ballpark wondering if this could be the final year for professional baseball in Batavia.

In a short conversation, Chase didn't talk like a man coming in to be a caretaker for a final season in Batavia. Though neither did he pretend he could speak for Hayes and the league's directors.

"My primary focus is to take care of the Miami Marlins players and make sure they have a quality experience in Batavia," Chase said. "It's also my job to re-establish the team in the mind of the fans."

For the past 10 season the Rochester Red Wings have operated the Muckdogs but in October, the league declined a request by the Red Wings and the Genesee Genesee County Baseball Club to continue that arrangement.

In December, the Club announced it transfered control of the franchise to the league. If the team is ever sold, 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the Red Wings (which gained a 5-percent share of the sale price during its 10 years of operation of the team), with the league getting 10 percent, and the Club will receive the remainder of the proceeds. The Club retains ownership of the team name and logos.

Chase hasn't visited Batavia yet -- he arrives Sunday and will hold a press conference Monday -- and asked if this was a turnaround effort, he said it was partly that but also partly like running a startup business.

He said it is his understanding that "there's not much left in Batavia."

He noted that there are apparently needs at the ballpark to be addressed, citing specifically the playing field and clubhouses. 

He said the team's loyal fans can expect him to work to deliver a quality ballpark experience.

"I met my wife in Durham (N.C.), so I understand the power of the ballpark," Chase said. "Baseball is not like any other sport. It's all about community. It's about bringing the community together. There are not many cities in the country like Batavia and the team has been there for a very long time, since 1939. We want to make sure the Batavia fans understand this is their team. We want to honor that tradition."

Investigator Pete Welker, a longtime member of the Local Drug Task Force, was named Officer of the Year by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office during an awards ceremony and luncheon today.

Senior Corrections Officer Kevin D. Wolff received the Distinguished Service Award.

Press release:

Officer of the Year Award – Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker
Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker has distinguished himself in the performance of service to the citizens of Genesee County during 2017. His professional skill and devotion to duty has been epitomized in his unfailing dedication to detect and arrest those responsible for drug dealing; his ability to cooperatively work with other agencies, particularly the City of Batavia Police Department; his fundamental orientation to public service and his willingness to teach others.

Investigator Welker’s efforts have made a significant contribution to the overall success of the Genesee County Drug Task Force which, in 2017, has had its most successful year in terms of defendants arrested. During this year, Investigator Welker’s daily performance has been a major contribution to the effectiveness, success and esteem of the Sheriff’s Office.

Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker has reflected great credit upon himself and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and most deserves to be named Officer of the Year.

Distinguished Service Award – Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff
Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff has distinguished himself as a member of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Senior Correction Officer Wolff has been a positive force within the jail division. He has taken the lead in training new officers and monitoring the JTO program for the last four years. He has been instrumental in working with New York State Commission of Corrections staff during cycle evaluations and, thereby, helping to obtain and maintain good reviews and good rapport with them.

Kevin has, for the past three years, been working with the New York State Police within their Field Intelligence Officer Program and has provided excellent information both to them and to the department through that venue. Senior Correction Officer Wolff has also recently taken the lead in working with auditors from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association in accomplishing Accreditation of the Jail Division later this coming year.

Senior Correction Officer Wolff’s knowledge and attention to detail have proven to be a great asset to the Department, and through his work, he has distinguished himself and brought great credit upon himself and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Ryan Young received a Commendation.

Among the dispatchers receiving commendations were Communications Coordinator Russell L. Lang Sr., Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael T. Sheflin, Emergency Services Dispatcher Nathan L. Fix, and Services Dispatcher Andrew Merkel.

Meritorious Service awards went to deputies Eric Meyer, Kevin Forsyth, Michael Lute, Ryan DeLong.

Meritorious service awards were given to several dispatchers Jason Holman, Steve Robinson, Jenna Bauer and Kelly Smith.

Members of the Local Drug Task Force were honored for their work in 2017, which set a record for arrests. Present were Emily McNamara, from Le Roy PD, Investigator Pete Welker and Sgt. Brad Mazur.

Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff, center, with his family, Jail Superintendent William Zipfel, Sheriff William Sheron, and Undersheriff Gregory Walker.

Pete Welker with his family and Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster, Sheriff William Sheron, and Undersheriff Gregory Walker.

Longevity awards were given to:

• Correction Officer Michael A. Cox, 10 years
• Animal Control Officer Agnes S. Jaroszewski, 15 years
• Program Coordinator Catherine T. Uhly, 15 years
• Correction Officer Michael F. Lindsley, 15 years
• Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Robert H. Tripp, 15 years
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Beth A. Hynes, 15 years
• Correction Officer Kelly P. Creegan, 15 years
• Investigator Christopher A. Parker, 20 years
• Deputy Sheriff Matthew R. Butler, 20 years
• Deputy Sheriff Lonnie A. Nati, 25 years
• Deputy Sheriff Dana J. Richardson, 25 years
• Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, 25 years
• Undersheriff Gregory H. Walker, 30 years
• Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel, 35 years
• Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr., 40 years

Certificates of Appreciation:

• Batavia Police Detective James M. DeFreze
• Le Roy Patrolman Emily J. McNamara
• Batavia Patrolman Jason A. Davis
• Batavia Patrolman Frank J. Klimjack
• Batavia Patrolman Christopher J. Lindsay
• Genesee County Assistant District Attorney Kevin T. Finnell

Commendations:

• Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. Krzemien
• Correction Officer Justin M. Gugel
• Correction Officer Jason M. Buck
• Deputy Sheriff James D. Stack
• Deputy Sheriff Ryan W. Young
• Deputy Sheriff Jeremy M. McClellan
• Deputy Sheriff Mathew J. Clor
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Stephen R. Smelski
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Zackery W. Czudak
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Samantha L. Conibear
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Andrew Z. Mullen
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Frank A. Riccobono
• Dog Control Officer Ann Marie Brade
• Deputy Sheriff Dana J. Richardson
• Deputy Sheriff Matthew R. Butler
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Andrew K. Merkel
• Sergeant Bradley D. Mazur
• Deputy Sheriff Howard O. Wilson
• Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael T. Sheflin
• Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher John W. Spencer
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Nathan L. Fix
• Correction Officer Vincent S. Maurer
• Investigator James M. Diehl
• Investigator Andrew B. Hale
• Sergeant Eric K. Seppala
• Communications Coordinator Russell L. Lang

Meritorious Awards:

• Deputy Sheriff Eric J. Meyer
• Deputy Sheriff Michael J. Lute
• Deputy Sheriff Kevin P. Forsyth
• Deputy Sheriff Ryan M. DeLong
• Investigator Chad J. Minuto
• Case Manager Nicole M. Easton
• Financial Clerk-Typist Tracy L. Ranney
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Kelly E. Smith
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Beth A. Hynes
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Jenna L. Bauer
• Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Jason W. Holman
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Peggy D. Richardson
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Steven L. Robinson
• Principal Financial Clerk Margaret A. Sheelar
• Sr. Correction Officer Robert W. Mattice
• Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Robert H. Tripp

When Toni Funke was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, the Pembroke High School girls basketball team, coached by her husband Ron Funke, was inspired to try and raise money to help fight cancer.

Shooting for a Cure! has been an annual event since and each year it gets bigger and bigger.

This year was no exception with the event raising a record $26,000, bringing the total raised since over the past six years to $87,000.

The team traveled to Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo today to deliver the donations.

In the game, Oakfield-Alabama beat Pembroke 51-31.

Top photo: Serene Calderon presents Toni Funke with a rose, a halftime ceremony held each year where team members present flowers to community members who have battled cancer or are currently in treatment.

Alexander Central School hosted a Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday night sponsored by Alexander United Teachers.

Meghan Ripstein said the organization was looking for a way to give back to the community and she hoped families and vendors would find something at the fair that they could get involved in or find something missing from their lives.

She said the response was beyond expectations.

"We have a great turnout," she said. "We have so many incredible vendors here and so many people have given so much. I’m very impressed and overwhelmed by the support that we’ve gotten."

More than 25 years ago, artist Michael Price started on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the great painters of the Renaissance, starting with how they used stones and crystals -- called pigments -- to create the colors they brush onto canvas.

In the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries there were no tubes of paint.

As Price suggests, painters were the better for it.

No tube of paint can match the luster of ultramarine derived from lapis lazuli, nor the luminance of gray created by grinding stones into the powder and mixing the powder with oil, Price said during a lecture Thursday afternoon in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at Genesee Community College.

Through the middle of next month, a collection paintings by Price, in a show called "The Chromatic Nude," display what Price has done using Renaissance techniques applied to more contemporary subjects.

Price's work isn't just a matter of using pigment-based paint for his work. He's also studied the geometry of Renaissance arts and applies the Golden Rectangle and Golden Proportions to his own work.

He's written a two-volume book, as well, on these subjects, called "Renaissance Mysteries."

Price, a resident of New York City, is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, England, and he attended the London Central School of Art and Design and Stoke-on-Trent College of Art. He has exhibited worldwide, including solo shows in the Post Gallery in Houston, Texas, Galerie Poller in Frankfurt, Germany, and David Findlay Galleries in New York City.

The YouTube video below covers the same material as Price presented in his lecture at GCC.

Chromatic Improvisation #9: Echo Discovers Her Echo

Chromatic Improvisation #7: Remembrance of Things Past

This is an example of pigments and tools that would have been used by a Renaissance artist -- or more precisely, the apprentice of the artist -- to make paints. From the website of Michael Price.

Brandi Ann Watts, 37, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, inadequate stop lamp, and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle. Watts was stopped at 2:42 p.m. Sunday on Washington Avenue, Batavia, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Timothy Jon Montesano, 30, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, muffler violation, and failure to stop for stop sign. Montesano was stopped at 10:28 p.m. Thursday on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Matthew Ian Thomas Diers, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court.

David P. Grossman Sr., 34, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. He was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Brad Lee Ohlson, 40, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Ohlson allegedly drove to Genesee County probation on a revoked license.

Kirk Anthony Breemes, 29, of Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Breemes allegedly shook a woman causing fear in violation of a court order.

An accident involving a tractor-trailer is reported in Pavilion at Route 63 and Route 20  

Intitially there was a report of a head injury and Mercy Flight was put on ground standby. A first responder reported only minor injuries.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

State troopers have a new tool in their aviation toolbox, Capt. Scott Reichel told members of the media assembled at the Batavia Barracks today, where a new program to deploy 18 drones across New York State was announced.

The first two drones were purchased as a pilot project by the State Police. The next 16 were purchased by the Trooper Foundation and donated to the State Police.

Reichel said the program will be evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness, which could determine whether to expand the program or purchase higher-end drones with more capabilities.

The DJI model being deployed, with all accessories, costs about $7,000 each.

"We picked this model because it's a good, proven platform, good airworthiness, pretty good capability to operate in cold weather, and they're used in cinematography and photography, so they have a good camera system," Reichel said.

They will be used in search and rescue missions and criminal investigations. They will also be tested in accident reconstruction, though that requires the purchase of additional technology, but Reichel said the drones could potentially help get accident scenes clear sooner by speeding up the investigation process.

"One reason we picked this drone is cost," Reichel said. "One of the things we wanted to be able to do was deploy these across the state. It doesn’t do any good for the State Police to have one drone to service the entire state of New York. We were able to acquire 18 of these and we’ll be able to put two in each troop."

There is technology available that could help with locating marijuana grow operations, an operation now handled by state police helicopter pilots, but State Police have not yet purchased cameras with that capability. Nor do the cameras have thermal imaging technology.

"The intention is not really to use these for marijuana eradication at this point," Reichel said. "This is more for support of police operations as they're evolving, more a response-type tool."

The goal is to have four to six troopers in each troop, excluding Troop T, which will be covered by the other troops for drone operations, certified to operate the drones.

To be eligible for considerate, a trooper must first become Part 107 certified by the FAA on his or her own time. If accepted into the program, the trooper will go through another 32 hours of training.

There are policies and procedures troopers must learn and obey. All of the same rules that apply now to searches and privacy will apply to drone pilots, Reichel said.

"As always, we safeguard people’s privacy," Reichel said. "That’s the way the State Police operates. We’ve established a privacy policy that governs our use of the drones. We discussed it with the New York Civil Liberties Union. The drone is not intended to circumvent any legal process that we already comply with, so it’s just another tool in the toolbox."

Zone Sgt. Corey Harmon

     Marlek Holmes

Unless sexual predator Marlek Holmes violates the deal he made today, we shouldn't see him in Genesee County for a long time.

Holmes, who missed the start of a trial date earlier this week after corrections officers wouldn't transport him from Auburn to Batavia, agreed today to drop all his appeals in exchange for consecutive five-year prison terms on his assault convictions and the potential dismissal of his indictments on charges of 2016 of failure to register a change of address as a sex offender.

We also learned today why prison officials wouldn't transport Holmes from Auburn to Batavia until Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. In preparation for his transport, he was placed in a chair that is also a metal detector. It's capable of detecting a metal object inside a human body up to six inches deep. If such an object is detected, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said, the inmate is placed in solitary confinement and monitored to see what, if anything, comes out.

"Today they would have run him through that process again, and obviously the fact that he was here meant that he cleared the test," Friedman said. "But that's why he wasn't here for the trial because they are they are not able to transport somebody until they resolve the situation because obviously, it could be could be drugs, could be a weapon, could be a key, and they can't, for safety, they just absolutely cannot transport the person."

With Holmes cleared for transport today, Judge Charles Zambito scheduled a hearing on whether Holmes qualifies as a persistent violent felony offender, which, if Zambito made that finding, Holmes could have faced longer consecutive prison sentences on his assault convictions.

Before the start of the hearing, Fred Rarick, attorney for Holmes, asked to approach the bench. He informed Zambito his client was ready to accept a deal previously offered by Friedman.

After the hearing, Friedman talked about the need to secure a long sentence for Holmes.

"He has an unbelievably extensive criminal history involving a lot of serious crimes and that's why we took this all very seriously," Friedman said. "That's why he's now serving 25 years."

Finalizing the details of the agreement was a long process for Zambito to wade through -- the legal language and process and paperwork -- but Holmes, who a week ago used foul language in court, was in seeming good spirits and smiled and nodded a few times as he spoke quietly with his attorney.

In the 20-year period from 1995 to 2015, Holmes, now 43, spent most of his adult life -- 15 years -- in state prison. His 1995 conviction was for criminal possession of stolen property, 4th. Then in 2001, he was convicted of sexual abuse. In 2011, he was accused of sending sexually explicit photos to a girl.

Back in Batavia in 2015, he was soon charged with failure to register a change of address as a sex offender. He was charged again in 2016.

In 2016, he was also charged with sexual abuse, a charge that eventually led to a guilty plea (he was facing a possible life sentence) and a 15-year prison term.

In 2017, he was tried on two counts of assault in the second degree for assaults of fellow inmates in the Genesee County Jail and on criminal mischief for damaging jail property. A jury convicted Holmes on all counts.

It was those convictions that prompted the need for a hearing on his persistent violent felony offender status.

Friedman agreed that Holmes is one of the most hardened criminals he's prosecuted during his career.

"I would say, yes," Friedman said. "Not only because of the number of crimes he has been convicted of and the number of state prison sentences he has served, but also because of the nature of some of these crimes, the sex offenses."

Today, Holmes stipulated that he would drop his pending appeal on his sexual abuse conviction and not appeal his assault conviction or sentence. Legally, he can still proceed with appeals, but if he does, Friedman will be able to bring him back to court and start again on a trial on the failure-to-register charges.

Holmes also stipulated that he is second violent felony offender.

The agreement could also mean the dismissal of a pending misdemeanor indictment on a count of criminal contempt.

Near the end of the proceedings, as Zambito proceeded with the standard language that Holmes has 30 days to file a notice of appeal, Rarick was clear with his client and the court that if he files a notice of appeal, or anybody does it on his behalf, the deal falls apart and Holmes will be back in court facing the pending indictments on failure to register and criminal contempt.

With a total of 25 years in prison terms, Holmes could be eligible for parole after 2038. When he is paroled, either in 2038 or later, he will be on parole for 10 years.