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Chris Kaboingo, 28, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th. Kaboingo was arrested following a property damage accident at 7:29 p.m. May 25 on Alexander Road, Alexander. He was allegedly found in possession of amphetamine pills. He was arraigned July 11 and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also charged was Darazian Willie Paul Williams, 24, of West Main Street, Batavia. Williams was also cited for alleged failure to keep right.

Alexander Albert Chandler, 25, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate plate lamp. Chandler was stopped at 9:50 p.m. Friday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Michael Lute.

Riley Kristine Davis, 20, of Gilbert Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. Davis is accused of shoplifting from a business on Veterans Memorial Drive at 12:11 p.m. on July 10. Davis allegedly stole jewelry. 

Nasir Chalee Nathan, 21, of Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Nathan was allegedly found in possession marijuana while in a parking lot off Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 12:43 p.m. on July 10 by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jessica Ann Shiltz, 33, Claybed Road, Filmore, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. At 12:27 a.m., July 13, Deputy Ryan DeLong observed a vehicle stopped at the side of the road on Colby Road, Darien. Upon investigation, Shiltz was found to be allegedly driving drunk. She was jailed on $250 bail.

Jay'von D Spivey, 18, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and resisting arrest. Spivey is accused of stealing a bicycle. He allegedly pulled away and resisted when police attempted to place him in custody. He was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Gregory Seppe, 59, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, burglary, 2nd, and conspiracy, 4th. Gregory Seppe was arrested with Brandon Seppe, 33, when the two men were allegedly found leaving the area of a reported burglary. Both were held without bail.

Olivia J. Paganin, 28, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and motor vehicle with lights that do not meet standards. Paganin was stopped at 1:15 a.m., July 1, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Sheryl A. Jeffery, 58, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Jeffery allegedly struck a registered nurse while being treated at UMMC.

    Jason Giuliani

A 38-year-old Batavia man is being accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on three separate occasions.

Jason M. Giuliani, of Oak Street, was arrested at the Genesee County Jail, where he is being held on unrelated charged.

Giuliani is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges are Class B felonies.

Bail was set for Giuliani on these charges at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

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A 73-year-old man in Bethany was asaulted tonight in his home by an intruder and is being transported to UMMC by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. 

The intruder awoke the man and struck him several times with an unknown object. He also sprayed him with an unknown substance. 

The suspect was not on scene when deputies arrived and law enforcement has no description at this time. 

The initial 9-1-1 call was just before 9 p.m.

A caller reported seeing kids playing on train tracks near Wortendyke Road, Batavia, including lying on the tracks while a train was coming. 

Deputies are dispatched. 

CSX is now holding a train to give deputies a chance to search the area. 

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A person in law enforcement informs dispatch about a graduation party in the area and kids from the party going up to the tracks.

The water level on the Tonawanda Creek, as measured by the station behind the Genesee County Courthouse, peaked at just under 10 feet at about 8 p.m. and started to recede by 9 p.m., according to measurements captured by the USGS.

A flood alert remains in effect until Saturday morning.

A 23-year-old Le Roy man was charged with DWI after a report last night that a car he was driving went off the roadway on Kenney Road, into a swamp and struck a tree.

Kodey Richard Mills, of Myrtle Street, is also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and driving without insurance.

The accident was reported at 10:02 p.m.

Mills was released on an appearance ticket.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Stack.

The path to a Sheriff's road patrol often passes through the Genesee County Jail for career-minded folks interested in law enforcement, and Darrell Klein thought that would be the path he would take when he signed on as a corrections officer 24-and-a-half years ago.

It didn't take him long, though, to figure out the jail was where he could do the most good.

"I liked the people," Klein said. "I liked the challenge, the feeling that I was doing something that mattered. People misunderstand what inmates are all about. They think they are bad people. They're not. There are a lot of good people here who made bad choices. It's nice to be able to help them when I can."

He said he will be look back at several memories where he feels he made a difference in people's lives. 

"Those are good feelings," he said.

Today was Klein's last day on the job.

"It's time to pass the torch to somebody else," he said.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Vans Warped Tour Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Thursday:

A 16-year-old, of Lake Avenue Lancaster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Thomas A. Soares, 31, of Smoral Road, Camillus, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Zackery K. Johnston, 21, of Kingsley Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering the fenced in pit area of the venue without permission.

Brittany L. Dumsar, 24, of Anytrell Drive, Webster, is charged with criminal trespass, 3r,d and harassment, 2nd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and then spitting in a Live Nation employee's face.

Joseph N. McCarthy, 23 of North Road, Freedom, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

At 9 a.m., the water level of the Tonawanda Creek, measured behind the courthouse, was 8.5 feet and rising, according to the National Weather Service.

Flood stage is 9 feet.

The creek is expected to crest at 9.4 feet this afternoon.

Impacted areas include Kibbe Park, Law Street and Walnut Street.  

Also, expect flooding in the rural areas of Alexander and the Alabama Swamps.

The City of Batavia is warning of flooding along the Tonawanda Creek in the areas of Law Street, Walnut Street and Kibbe Park.

The Tonawanda is expected to crest at 9.7 feet, which is above flood stage levels.

Residents in the affected areas are asked to keep vigilant and take precautions to minimize property loss.

Sometimes good people do bad things, Judge Micheal Mohun told Bill Thomas before sentencing him to three years in state prison for menacing a police officer.

With the nearly 14 months already served in county jail, and time off for good time, Thomas should be back home with his family in a little over a year.

Family is a big part of the Thomas story, something Mohun noted during his sentencing remarks.

"You're a lucky fella," Mohun said. "Every time you've come to court, your family has been here. Your family has been very supportive. I see you are one of 10 kids, the second youngest. Your mother died in May while you were in jail. I'm sure that was very hard on you.  It gives me great encouragement that your family is with you and has backed you throughout your court appearances and your trial and now they're here with you today. That is a real testament to the Thomas family.

Then he added, "you're also lucky to be alive."

On the morning of March 16, 2016, Officer Pete Flanigan responded to a home on State Street to investigate a report of a disturbance. Bill's brother Rand answered the door and Flanigan saw Thomas, he testified at trial, with a knife in his hand. He said Thomas came at him with the knife and he thought he would have to shoot Thomas, but Rand, in trying to flee the residence, got in between the officer and his brother.

At a trial last month, Thomas was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon and menacing a police officer.

The mandatory minimum sentence for menacing a police officer is two years in prison, with a maximum of eight. 

Mohun also sentenced Thomas to one to three years on the weapons conviction, to run concurrently to the menacing charge. Thomas will also have a year and a half parole to serve when he's released.

Thomas has a prior criminal record, but nothing in the past 20 years and never had a prior arrest for any kind of violence.

He had been living with his mother, caring for her, prior to his arrest.

While Thomas, 57, was represented at the jury trial by the Public Defender's Office, retained counsel Maurice Verillo appeared for the defendant today. He argued for a minimum amount of time in prison and asked that his client's time in prison be at a facility close to Batavia so his family could easily visit him.

Mohun said he has no control over where the Department of Corrections sends Thomas, but he did attach the request to his file, so it is with him when he is processed, and all of the letters of support from friends and family the court received.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, who usually has something to say when asked what his sentencing recommendations are by a judge, made no statement in court today.

About a dozen members of his family were in court. After Mohun adjourned the case, they all stood. Deputies allowed Thomas to turn and say goodbye to his family.  Family members told him they supported him and loved him.

Jacklyn Ganzhorn Johnnie Watson
Edward White

Three people have been arrested, all on Class B felony charges, following an investigation by the GC Local Drug Enforcement Task Force in the City of Batavia.

Jacklyn M. Ganzhorn, 30, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree -- heroin/fentanyl; and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (same drug).

Ganzhorn was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Batavia Police while they were investigating an unrelated matter.

She was jailed on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

Uniformed officers of the Batavia Police Department assisted Task Force members with the investigation.

Johnnie M. Watson, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with three counts criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree -- "crack" cocaine; and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (same drug).

Watson was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputies.

Watson is currently on parole.

He was jailed on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

Uniformed officers of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office assisted Task Force members with the investigation.

Edward J. "Jordan" White, 21, of Michigan Street, Lockport, is charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree -- "crack" cocaine; and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (same drug).

White was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies.

White, who is also currently on parole, was jailed on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. 

Uniformed officers of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office assisted Task Force members with the investigation. The Task Force is comprised officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET officers, and the Le Roy Village Police Department.

It's been years of effort and expense for Bill Farmer, but nearly a decade after he acquired the Creekside Inn, after a fire destroyed most of the building, the tavern that is part of so many local memories, is once again welcoming customers.

The 200-year-old building has been completely refurbished from top to bottom and is gorgeous. Farmer has hired a top-notch staff and the Creekside is set to become a local favorite, but a regional dining destination.  

Tavern dining on the second floor and the patio bar are open. The third-floor fine dining won't open for a few weeks yet.

This weekend, during Oatka Fest, the Creekside is not accepting reservations. It is first-come, first-served.

Flooding is reported on Cedar Street and on Route 20 in Alexander.

UPDATE 10:46 a.m.: All available manpower to Bethany Fire Hall for at least two cellar pump details.

UPDATE 10:53 a.m. (By Billie): Le Roy firefighters are called to their hall for cellar pump detail. Route 5 under the railroad overpass in Le Roy is flooded. Le Roy Village highway department is notified. Flooding is reaching the second lane of the roadway at Route 19 and Hilltop.

UPDATE 11:12 a.m.: Photo added. A city worker said the flood waters under the train overpass on Cedar Street was higher before I got there. Even in the time between taking this picture and walking back to my car, the waters completely drained away. However, because of the potential for more heavy rain and more flooding, city workers put up barriers just to encourage people to slow down. City crews will continue to monitor the situation. Flooding is reported in Le Roy at Wolcott and Munson.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: There's a report of Warner Road in Le Roy being washed out.

UPDATE 11:32 a.m.: A black SUV is stuck at the "Route 238 viaduct." Help is on the way.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: An occupied car is stuck on Attica Street under a bridge in Alexander. Alexander Fire Department is responding along with a deputy.

UPDATE 11:49 a.m.: The car on Attica Road is out of the water and its female driver safe.

UPDATE 12:18 p.m.: A power line is down, lying in standing water on Bartoff Road in Stafford.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Western New York and it will be in effect until 1:45 p.m.

 

At 9:46 a.m., Doppler Radar detected thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the region. 

Kimberly Brodsky, 25, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 4th. Brodsky is accused of filing a falsified application for assistance with the Department of Social Services in May 2016. Brodsky allegedly received $2,423 in benefits as a result of the falsified application.

Susan Jordon, 54, of State Street, Batavia, was charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd. Jordan is accused of submitting falsified applications to the Department of Social Services in August 2016 and in February (2017). As result, Jordan allegedly received $3,105 in benefits. 

Catherine Spink, 52, Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with 10 counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny, 3rd. Spink is accused of submitting various forms of falsified documentation to the Department of Social Services between March of 2015 and March of 2017, which resulted in Spink receiving $3,756 in benefits.

Arne H. Zipkin, 69, of Woodcrest Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Zipkin is accused of shoplifting from Dick's Sporting Goods. Zipkin allegedly stole $97.99 in merchandise.

Grand Jury Report:

Jason C. Lehnortt is indicted on a count of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, and speeding. Lehnortt is accused of driving drunk May 3. He was allegedly drunk while driving his 2006 Subaru on the Thruway over the posted speed limit through Stafford while on a suspended license. He is alleged to have had a prior DWI conviction in January 2008, making the DWI a felony charge with three prior suspensions or revocations still in effect.

A hit-and-run accident with injuries is reported in the area of 1499 Sumner Road, near the Employee Road entrance to Darien Lake, Darien.

Darien fire and ambulance dispatched.

A house at 120 Bank St., Batavia is reportedly charged with smoke with an audible alarm going off.

A neighbor called in the possible structure fire. 

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 10:39 p.m.: Firefighters report the odor of smoke, an audible alarm and are trying to force entry.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: Unattended food on the stove. Firefighters are searching the residence.

UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: An ambulance requested to the scene non-emergency to evaluate a person who was found in the residence.

A 40-year-old Batavia resident kept Batavia PD at bay for more than an hour this afternoon while he remained locked in his apartment at 4 Miller Ave. following a report of a domestic incident.

Gordon D. Sprague eventually surrendered and was jailed without bail on charges of harassment, 2nd, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th.

The incident began at 2:48 p.m. with a call to 9-1-1 about a physical domestic on Miller Avenue. As police responded, officers received an update that the male subject was continuing to physically attack the female victim.

Upon arrival, the subject reportedly went into the apartment on Miller Avenue and locked the doors.

Sheriff's Deputies provided backup, including the department's K-9 unit, and a police negotiator attempted to communicate with the suspect.

Sprague, behind locked doors, would not respond to either the negotiator or family members.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said at the scene that officers did not believe Sprague was armed or presented a threat, but the street was shut down in "overabundance of caution."

Eventually, Sprague agreed to exit the apartment and he was taken into custody.

He was allegedly found in possession of an illegal switchblade knife. Because of a prior criminal conviction, the weapon's charge was elevated to a felony.

Photo by Julia Ferrini.