Daniel Cody Rosicka, 17, of 9292 Robbins Road, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and criminal mischief. Rosicka is accused of stealing several diamond rings from a family member and damaging the property of another. Rosicka was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Christopher Anthony Burek, 19, of Broadway Road, Alden, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Burek was allegedly observed pushing a female guest at a party at 1:52 a.m., Friday.

Nicholas M. Worrells, 24, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Worrells is accused of choking his girlfriend during an argument, causing obstruction of breathing and blood flow. Worrells was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Winter is setting in, but local photographer Marlene Morris still found some signs of life in her own backyard yesterday and sent in these pictures to share with us.

Several individuals are reportedly on Thorpe Street, Batavia, fighting.

Batavia PD just arrived on scene.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: Police are looking for a couple of named individuals.

After an opening Christmas carol, BID director Don Burkel was given the nod and he flipped the switch, officially lighting Downtown Batavia's Christmas tree. More than 100 people gathered around the tree then joined in singing several more carols to help kick off downtown's Christmas celebration, "Taste of the Holidays."

With the support of WBTA, city firefighters and assorted volunteers, the Salvation Army was able to collect hundreds of toys today for needy children in our community. Today's drop off point was at Ken Barrett's auto dealership. Gift givers can continue to drop off toys at Barrett's all week. WBTA's Dan Fischer said that this year many more girls toys came in than boys toys and so more toys for boys are still needed.

Dorothy M. Baker received the 28th annual Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County from the UMMC Foundation during a luncheon at Terry Hills on Friday afternoon.

Baker was recognized for her many years of volunteer work, including at the Jerome Center gift shop and kiosk, the tourism information booth, Office of the Aging, Veterans Administration and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Baker logged 1,750 volunteer hours in 2010.

The first-ever Taste of the Holidays event in Downtown Batavia kicks off this evening.

Here's the schedule of events for this weekend:

Friday, Dec. 2 (5:30-9 p.m.)

• Lighting of the Christmas tree (5:30 p.m.)
• Sample tastings by area restaurants and caterers (6-9p.m.)
• Entertainment: The OHMS Band (6-9 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 3 (11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

• Holiday activities for kids and families
• Divine Dance Group (11-11:20 a.m.)
• Entertainment: Kevin & Bart (12-3 p.m.)
• McMahon Irish School of Dance (1-1:20 p.m.)
• Horse & Wagon Rides Around Downtown (12-3 p.m.)

Also, this weekend, Le Roy has its Winterfest. For more information, click here.

Kansas City lost 13-9 last week, but in giving up only 13 points the Chiefs gave up the fewest points among the 10 teams to choose from in last week's contest (two other teams gave up only 13 points, but were not among the selections, and one team gave up only 6 points, but wasn't a selection choice).

Only one contest entrant picked Kansas City and that was Corinne Marie. Corrinne wins two paninis and fried dough. Corrinne has one week to claim her prize.

This week the Genesee County Grand Jury issued the following indictments.

Mitchell J. Irish is accused of assault, 2nd, a class D felony, for allegedly recklessly causing serious physical injury to another person on June 9 by means of a deadly weapon and dangerous instrument, a motor vehicle.

In count two, he is accused of vehicular assault, 2nd, a class E felony, for allegedly operating a 1998 Chevrolet in an intoxicated condition on June 9 in the Town of Darien, thereby causing serious physical injury to another person.

In count three, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class E felony.

Christian J. Johnson is accused of driving a 2002 Cadillac while intoxicated, a class E felony, on July 23 on Pearl Street in the City of Batavia.

In count two, Johnson is accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a class E felony, for allegedly having a .18 BAC.

In count three, he is accused of allegedly operating the same vehicle without an interlock, a misdemeanor, although he was court-ordered to have an ignition interlock device on it.

A Darien man wanted on a felony assault charge was taken into custody in Darien on Thursday morning and jailed without bail.

Wyatt Becker was arraigned in front of Judge Robert Noonan following his arrest and charged with violation of probation, vehicular assault, 2nd, and felony DWI.

The charges stem from a serious injury accident in Alexander in August.

Becker was in Alexander court a few weeks later where he was arraigned and told he would be going to jail on $5,000. Becker reportedly asked to go to the bathroom and then allegedly walked out of court.

He then missed a court appearance in November and Noonan issued a second warrant for his arrest.

Press release:

On behalf of city hall, the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) has distributed a request for proposals to attract developer interest in the former Carr’s warehouse building located on Jackson Square in Batavia. The city has asked for proposals to convert an historic 1880 warehouse into a productive mixed-use, office, commercial or residential building.

“This 6,000-square-foot historic conversion project, considered small to some, could have a real impact in downtown Batavia,” said Jason Molino, city manager. The city acquired the property in 2010 through a delinquent tax foreclosure process.

Consultants have recently indicated a lack of Class A office space availability, a void in certain retail sectors and a gap in modern housing stock for professionals. Each of these uses would be permitted for this project under the city’s C3 zoning law.

Inciting revitalization efforts through public and private partnerships has become the norm for the City of Batavia.

Neighboring to the warehouse, other public-private efforts have resulted in the redeveloped Center Street Smokehouse restaurant and the 19-25 Jackson Street mixed-use redevelopment by the Valle family to house their jewelry store. Habitat for Humanity also acquired a distressed residential property though a unique public-private arrangement with the city.

On a grand scale, the Mancuso Business Development Group wrapped up its multimillion dollar Masse Gateway redevelopment project to improve the product mix, accessibility and infrastructure to the century-old 30-acre industrial site. The city had secured a $1,500,000 RESTORE NY Communities grant that was redistributed to the developer upon satisfactory completion of the project.

“Substantial renovations to more than 100,000 square feet of flex-industrial space would not have been possible without the city’s support,” said Tom Mancuso, president, Mancuso Business Development Group.

Earlier this year, the city submitted a NY Main Street grant request that is expected to leverage a $275,000 private investment to improve 30 downtown commercial and residential properties. And just last month the city applied for a $100,000 grant through the consolidated funding application process to foster job creation at the new Save-A-Lot store prepping to open after considerable renovations to a longtime vacant building. Both of these projects anticipate award announcements this month.

The City of Batavia serves as the regional economic center for Genesee County situated between Buffalo and Rochester at Thruway exit 48. Four State Routes (5, 33, 63 and 98) traverse the city and provide easy access for both consumers and workers. Daily traffic counts top 40,000 vehicles and more than 3,000 people are employed within walking distance of the featured redevelopment site. To request a proposal package, contact the Batavia Development Corporation at 585-345-6380 or jpacatte@BataviaDevelopmentCorp.org.

A Corfu resident, William Smith, is among 10 people arrested statewide following an investigation into allegedly illegal gun sales at gun shows throughout the state.

Among the shows investigators visited during the investigation was one in Alexander on June 19.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman initiated the sting operation to look for people willing to sell guns without the required background check.

According to officials, investigators explicity stated they needed a gun but could not pass a background check.

From the press release:

"The illegal sale of guns at gun shows endangers the public by giving felons, terrorists and the dangerously mentally ill an open and anonymous marketplace to buy guns without a background check. Our investigators found a blatant disregard for the law where sellers made the conscious decision to sell deadly weapons to individuals who admitted they would not pass a background check," said Attorney General Schneiderman.

"Operation Background Bust not only exposed major flaws in the gun show laws but also proved how ‘off the books’ operations jeopardize public safety by making it easy for guns to fall into the wrong hands. In addition to filing criminal charges against the sellers, and demanding that the gun show operators cease and desist from engaging in illegal practices, my office plans to work with the legislature to hold gun show operators liable when guns are sold at their gun shows without the required background check."

Click here for the full press release from the AG's office.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for five weeks of yoga, five classes for $30.

Bourbon & Burger Co., 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest burger joint offers more than two dozen different types of tasty hamburgers. Our menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and an extensive beer list, plus a full bar. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Delavan's, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Greg'ry's Bakery, NEW TODAY! 13 North Lake Road, Bergen, NY: The bakery offers a variety of the finest cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes, breads, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and so much more. Each treat is made the same as it has been for decades and baked right here. Come in and sample some for yourself! We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Rancho Viejo, 12 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Traditional Mexican cuisine, from tacos and burritos to pollo norteno, Rancho Viejo brings a bit of "south of the border" to Batavia's restaurant scene. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Salsa & Curry, 13 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: An authentic Mexican restaurant, offering all of your favorite dishes from enchiladas and burritos to tacos and fajitas, as well as daily Indian food specials. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

T.F. Brown's, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never purchased Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Joshua Jones, 20, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Jones is accused of his truck hitting a vacuum pump at a car wash on Pearl Street and then driving off. Jones turned himself in to Batavia PD after seeing a picture of his truck on The Batavian. Officer James DeFreze said Jones contacted him a very short time after the picture was posted and said he didn't know he had struck anything. "He was very cooperative," DeFreze said.

Michael David Pacer, 24, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Pacer was arrested at 2:31 a.m., Thursday, by Deputy John Weis following an investigation into a report of a car parked on Sweetland Road, Stafford.

Mark and Tammy Schmidt figured they needed a little time to hone their coffee making and smooth mixing skills before dealing with a big crowd of customers.

The six weeks they took honing their craft paid off Wednesday when hundreds of people showed up at the Richmond Memorial Library for the grand opening of Best Sellers Cafe.

The coffee shop is the result of a survey of library patrons who made a little coffee shop their number one request.

The Schmidts were able to open their new business after winning the request for proposal process and then working with the library to carve out an appropriate place among the stacks.

"My wife has wanted to run a coffee shop since before Angel's Café was in town many, many years ago, and when this came along she tought we better jump on it," Mark Schmidt said.

With an a cappella choir singing in the background, a crush of customers at the counter and blenders whirring nearby, Schmidt explained that the library's 600 daily patrols provide a good, solid business base, he and Tammy will be looking for ways to attract people to the library, and Best Sellers, who might not otherwise stop in the library.