Morning News Briefing

A home has been destroyed and a life lost in a weekend fire at 109 Evans Street in the city.
The fire was reported at around quarter after 7 Saturday morning and according to Fire Captain Robert Fix Smoke and flames were visible from the City of Batavia fire station just up the street.
Captain Fix said they knew one person was still trapped inside upon arrival.

The victim 41 year old John Sherman Sr. was reached through a second floor window and then rushed to UMMC where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
There were at least seven people in the single family home at the time of the fire some of which were visitors according to fire crews.
The cause of the fatal fire remains under investigation.

Investigation into a man falling from a moving vehicle lands a LeRoy woman in lock up.
57 year old Lorie Litolff of Craigie Street LeRoy was reportedly driving on Lake Street in LeRoy Saturday afternoon when a man who has yet to be named by authorities reportedly fell out of her black SUV as the vehicle was still moving.
The victim suffered serious injuries and was flown via Mercy Flight to the hospital.
According to investigators the man appeared to have exited the vehicle voluntarily as the two were involved in a verbal altercation.
Litolff was arrested and charged with various counts including a Felony count of Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury Accident and DWI.
She was committed in lieu of $10,000 bail to the Genesee County Jail and is expected back in LeRoy Town Court on April 2nd to answer to the charges.

Probation check ends in arrest for a city man.
Batavia Police have arrested 39 year old Joseph Kuzma of North Spruce Street following a Probation check of his residence that allegedly turned up 9 hypodermic instruments.
He was charged with Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument and remanded to jail in lieu of $2,500 bail.

State lawmakers and Governor Cuomo have hammered out a final state budget.
The plan includes a permanent property tax cap, increased school funding, criminal justice reform and a ban on single-use plastic bags.
The total cost of the fiscal plan is 175 billion dollars.
In a statement, Governor Cuomo praised lawmakers for working in the best interests of all New Yorkers.

A new smoke detector law goes into effect today across New York State.
Now, all new or replacement smoke detectors that are sold must be powered by a sealed and non-removable battery with a 10 year lifespan.
For safety purposes, it’s still suggested you check your smoke detectors at least twice a year.
For more information, contact the Division of Consumer Protection.