Afternoon News Brief

A state appeals court has denied an appeal by a Batavia man convicted of sexually assaulting a child. 42-year-old Dale Young Jr. was arrested in 2018 and convicted in 2019 of three counts of third-degree criminal sexual act against a child under 17. He was convicted after a jury trial but was acquitted of the most serious charges against him, first-degree criminal sexual act and was sentenced to three years in state prison. Young appealed the conviction, claiming that the court should have barred testimony from the prosecution’s expert witness. He also claimed to have lacked effective counsel; however, the appeals court rejected each of Young’s claims. Young is set for release from prison later this year.

 

22-year-old Tarrence Williams of Porter Avenue, Batavia, was arrested today on a Genesee County Court Indictment Warrant. He is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a Class B felony, and two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, also a Class B felony. His arrest concluded an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force into the transportation, sale, and possession of ‘crack’ cocaine in and around the City of Batavia. Williams was arraigned in Genesee County Court and was released on his own recognizance.

 

This morning, Batavia City Police responded to a Jackson Street residence for a report of a possible gunshot fired in the area but were unable to confirm that it actually happened. Sergeant Daniel Coffey noted that, even though police have thus far been unable to substantiate it, the investigation continues. No one was injured or has been taken into custody.

 

Western New York drivers are now paying more than ever to fill up their vehicles as gas prices have soared to new record highs. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel in is now $4.95. That’s up 20 cents in the past week, 53 cents in the past month and is $1.91 higher than this time last year. The state average is now $5.00 a gallon while nationally it’s $4.97. In Batavia, the average price per gallon is $4.90, up one cent from yesterday and 18 cents from a week ago today.

 

A traffic alert to call your attention to: If you’ll be driving on Columbia, Seneca and Miller Avenues in Batavia tomorrow between 7am and 3pm, you should expect traffic delays. All motorists please be aware that Columbia Avenue, Seneca Avenue, and Miller Avenue will experience traffic delays on Friday, June 10th from 7AM to 3PM for cold milling operations. While work is being performed in this area, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence or property but should plan accordingly for delays. All residents and businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during construction. This is weather dependent work; if work is postponed it shall progress the next workday. Please contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 Option 1 if there are any questions.

 

The owner of a local martial arts studio is in trouble with the law after being accused of disturbing crimes. Monroe County deputies say 50-year-old Jae Lim of Master Lim’s Taekwondo on Brockport-Spencerport Road in Brockport allegedly touched a 12-year-old in a sexual manner on more than one occasion last month. Lim was arraigned on sexual abuse and child endangerment charges and sent to the Monroe County Jail. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

 

 

The man who brutally attacked a Rochester police officer has found out the punishment for his actions. Yesterday, a judge ordered Keith Williams to spend at least the next 40 years behind bars for assaulting Officer Denny Wright at a home on Peck Street back in October 2019. Wright suffered multiple stab wounds to his body and face and lost sight in both eyes. Wright spoke during yesterday’s sentencing, saying that while Williams took his vision, he won’t take another thing from him or his family.

 

 

A reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in connection with a recent homicide in Buffalo. Crime Stoppers Western New York says up to $7500 will go to the person who helps police solve the murder of Maurice Green who was killed on Marine Drive back on April 24th. Anyone who has information on the case can call 716-867-6161. Tips can also be submitted by downloading the Crime Stoppers app.

 

 

The latest data from state health officials shows fewer people in our region are testing positive for COVID-19. The 7-day average infection rate is currently just under 5.9%. At this time last week, the infection rate was 7.9%. Even though the number of new coronavirus cases is falling, people are still being urged to take the proper precautions to protect themselves and others from getting sick such as being vaccinated against the illness and wearing a mask while indoors.

 

Officials with Tops Friendly Markets say they’re hoping to reopen the company’s Jefferson Avenue location in Buffalo by the end of July. The store was the scene of a mass shooting back on May 14th that left 10 people dead and three others injured. The man who allegedly carried out the shooting, Payton Gendron, was arrested and is facing more than two-dozen charges. The attack has been called a racially-motivated hate crime.

 

 

Congressman Chris Jacobs was one of five Republicans to break party ranks and vote with Democrats in approving the “Protecting Our Kids Act,” intended to strengthen gun laws. The legislation, however, is expected to face a tough road in the Senate. The House voted 223-204 to pass the package of gun control legislation. Other measures include establishing new federal offenses for gun trafficking and for selling large-capacity magazines, and allow local governments to compensate individuals who surrender such magazines through a buyback program. In addition, there would be a new tax incentive for retail sales of safe storage devices and criminal penalties for breaking new requirements regulating firearm storage on residential premises. Jacobs has faced strong opposition since stating his support for the gun control measures Republican pushback for his stance, decided against running for election to a newly drawn 23rd Congressional District after many party leaders withdrew their endorsements.

 

 

The State University of New York schools are updating policies when it comes to a person’s chosen name and pronoun they wish to use. According to officials, the move is being made ensure that transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary students’ identities are fully reflected and represented. SUNY students will now be able to select ‘X’ when asked to provide gender by the college. The chosen names are going to appear on college diplomas, campus profiles and more.

 

Country music superstar Garth Brooks has announced a new on-sale date for tickets ahead of his upcoming concert at Highmark Stadium. Brooks says seats for his performance in Orchard Park on July 23rd will be available starting Friday, June 17th at 10am. Tickets were originally supposed to be available last month, but Brooks postponed the sale in the aftermath of the Tops supermarket shooting. There will be an 8-ticket limit on purchases.