Monday News Brief

FROM THE GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF: 35-year-old Brian Tracy of Stafford has been arrested. He’s charged with criminal contempt, criminal mischief, harassment with physical contact and endangering the welfare of a child. It’s alleged that Tracy got out of his car during a custody exchange and struck the hand of an individual, causing her phone to break in front of their two daughters. Tracy was transported to Genesee County Jail and held pending his CAP Court arraignment. ALSO: 30-year-old Skylair Blumer, and 35-year-old Alex Stockschlaeder, both of Attica, were arrested and charged with conspiracy and grand larceny. It’s alleged that both stole $4500 from the victims after agreeing to do work for them. Stockschlaeder and Blumer were held at the Genesee County Jail pending a CAP Court arraignment. ALSO: 53-year-old Steven Barraco of Batavia has been charged with harassment. He was arrested following investigation into an incident during which it’s alleged Barraco intentionally shoved the throat of an individual. He was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held pending a CAP Court arraignment.  ALSO: 49-year-old Jason Babbitt of Pavilion was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment. It’s alleged that late in July, Babbitt contacted the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center by phone numerous times late, even after being instructed to stop. Babbitt was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled for Batavia City Court on August 29th.

CITY OF BATAVIA POLICE BLOTTER:

 

1. On 8/4/2023, Joel D Prouty (age 37) of Batavia, was arrested for Strangulation 2nd and Assault 3rd. It’s alleged that Prouty struck the victim in the face and strangled her, during a disturbance. When Police arrived on scene, Prouty jumped out of a second story window and fled on foot. Police were unable to locate him that day. On 8/4, Patrols were called back to the same address, for another disturbance between Prouty and the same victim. When Officers attempted to take him into custody, Prouty allegedly fought with them. He was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and held without bail.

 

 

2. On 8/3/2023, Richard A Demmer (age 30) of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant, from Batavia City Court. Demmer was initially arrested on 5/29/2023, after he allegedly attempted to rob the 7-Eleven, on East Main St. A warrant was issued on 7/12/2023, after Demmer allegedly failed to appear for a court appearance. He was arrested on that warrant on 7/13/2023. Another warrant was issued on 7/27/2023, after he again allegedly failed to appear in court. Demmer was located by Batavia Police on 8/3 and arrested. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, and $40,000 partially secured bond.

 

3. On 7/29/2023, Crystal A Mounts (age 46) of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant, from Batavia City Court. Mounts was initially arrested on 4/9/2022, after allegedly stealing property from a local church. A warrant was issued on 4/29/2022, after she allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arrested on that warrant on 5/14/2022. Another warrant was issued on 9/19/2022, after she again failed to appear in court. She was arrested on that warrant on 7/29/2023. She was arraigned in CAP Court and is due to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date.

4. On 7/30/2023, Lance D Beals (age 53) of Batavia, was arrested for Criminal Mischief 4th and Criminal Tampering 3rd. Beals was arrested after an investigation into an incident on East Main St, where he allegedly caused damaged to an apartment building. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 8/14/2023.

5. On 8/9/2023, Kavyia A Spencer (age 24) of Batavia, was arrested for Petit Larceny. Spencer was arrested after an investigation into an employee theft from Kwik Fill on Jackson St. It’s alleged that she stole merchandise from the store, on two separate occasions. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 8/22/2023.

6. On 8/9/2023, Patricia M Anderson (age 38) of Batavia, was arrested on an arrest warrant from Batavia City Court. Anderson was initially arrested on 4/9/2023, after allegedly stealing merchandise from 7-Eleven on East Main St. A warrant was issued after Anderson allegedly failed to appear in court. Anderson was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court at a later date.

7. On 8/8/2023, Edmund J Sobresky (age 54) of Batavia, was arrested for DWAI Drugs. Sobresky’s arrest is the result of a traffic stop on 4/11/2023, where he was found to have been operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 8/16/2023.

8. On 8/6/2023, Patricia A McCarthy (age 29) of Batavia, was arrested for Harassment 2nd and Public Lewdness. McCarthy was arrested after Police responded to Dellinger Ave, for the report of two people fighting. It’s alleged that McCarthy engaged in a fight with another person. During the fight, McCarthy became disrobed. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 8/15/2023.

 

As reported by John Vazquez this morning: You didn’t win the Mega Millions jackpot, but New York State can claim a win. Mega Millions did not have a winner for over 30 drawings, growing the jackpot to its largest ever, $1.602 billion, won on Aug. 8. The state’s Gaming Commission says New Yorkers spent around $168 million on tickets during that run, generating nearly $60 million for K-12 public schools across the state. Retailers combined earned just over $10 million in commissions from selling tickets.

 

Another negotiating session has been set for this week between nurses and officials with Rochester Regional Health. Both sides will have discussions on Thursday as they look to hammer out a new labor agreement. Tentative deals have already been reached on issues such as dress code and employee classification. Nurses recently went on a two-day strike, but temporary workers were brought in so patient care wasn’t affected.

 

Another week, another increase in gas prices; according to Triple A today, the average national cost for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.85. The statewide average price is $3.92. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.86; that’s up 3 cents from a week ago; 26 cents from a month ago; but 54 cents cheaper than it was a year ago today.

 

The start of classes is a few weeks away, and the state Division of Consumer Protection is offering ways to help parents avoid back to school shopping scams. It’s recommended people protect their identities when shopping online by making sure purchases are made using a secure Internet connection. Also, beware of fake websites and ads, especially ones that appear to be offering large discounts on items. And, use a credit card if possible to buy things since they offer the most protection against fraud.

 

The American Red Cross has rolled out its latest initiative as it tries to boost blood donations. Anyone who decides to donate through the rest of this month will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Summer is usually the time of year where donations drop, which makes it harder for people who need blood to receive it. The next blood drive in Batavia is Friday, September 1 at the Social Services Building, 5130 E ast Main Street Road from 9:00am until 3:00pm. To schedule an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org.

 

Erie County is putting a halt on the arrival of additional migrants following two arrests. Last week, 22-year-old asylum seeker Kindu Jeancy was charged for allegedly trying to sexually abuse a woman at the Best Western in Cheektowaga. An asylum seeker from Venezuela was also recently arrested for allegedly raping a woman at another hotel in the area. County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the National Guard will now be sent to hotels that host migrants.

 

The Buffalo Bills say there were no major traffic or parking issues reported before or after the team’s preseason game over the weekend. There are concerns about limited parking and some travel delays due to the construction of a new stadium near Highmark Stadium, which is where the team plays its home games. The Bills won’t be playing again in Orchard Park until the second week of the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders. It is recommended people try and arrive early to that game if possible. (13WHAM photo)

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

The family of Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann is exploring legal action for the way investigators allegedly left their New York home. The attorney representing Heuermann’s two children says the home is in shambles after the police search, adding that’s why the family spends so much time outside. Heuermann is facing three murder charges in connection to the death of young sex workers.

 

A revolver from Elvis Presley’s firearms collection is going up for auction. The Rock Island Auction Company will auction the late King of Rock n’ Roll’s Smith & Wesson Model 53 revolver on August 26th. The special order Russell Smith-signed “master engraved” revolver, originally manufactured in 1974, is inlaid with gold and silver. The auction house expects the pistol to fetch $60,000 to $90,000.

 

The Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios met at the bargaining table Friday. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers presented a counterproposal to the W-G-A, but details of the counter were not disclosed. Both sides have recessed their talks for now. In a message to its members, the W-G-A said they would evaluate the offer and return with a response next week.

 

 

Today is Monday, August 14th, the 226th day of the year.

 

August 14 in history…

…In 1935, the Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

 

 

 

 

…In 1945, former President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered to the Allies. The surrender signaled the end to fighting in World War Two.

 

 

 

…In 1953, David Mullany, Sr. invented the wiffle ball for his 13-year-old son.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1962, The Dick Van Dyke Show director John Rich filmed a new opening for the show’s second season – you guessed it, the scene in which ‘Rob’ stumbles over the ottoman and falls flat on his back. Actually, Dick and company also filmed an alternate version of the scene; one in which ‘Rob’ doesn’t fall, but instead sidesteps the ottoman. I guess this makes today’s anniversary a double-header.

 

 

…In 1985, Michael Jackson won a bid over Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney to secure the ATV Music Publishing catalog, and was described by industry experts as one of the largest music acquisitions ever by an individual. At $47.5 million Jackson gained the rights to 40,000 song copyrights, including compositions by: Little Richard, the Pointer Sisters, Pat Benatar, the Pretenders, and nearly all the songs written by the Beatles. McCartney had been negotiating with Yoko Ono, who had decided to withdraw her side of the deal because of “astrological” reasons. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the detailed story of how this transaction effected what had previously been a friendly relationship between McCartney and Jackson.

 

 

…In 1997, Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to death for the 1995 bombing of Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The blast killed 168 people.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1999, tickets for the Backstreet Boys North American tour sold out in just one day, generating an estimated $30 million.

 

 

 

MORE ABOUT HOW THE SALE OF THE BEATLE’S MUSIC CATALOG IMPACTED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAUL AND MICHAEL:

Music brought Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson together, and it also tore them apart. They recorded several duets in the ’80s, among them the chart-topping “Say Say Say,” but then saw a blossoming friendship fractured when Jackson – in what was arguably one of the shrewdest business moves ever made – outbid McCartney for the publishing rights to Beatles catalog in 1985.
They originally met in the ’70s after McCartney wrote a song called “Girlfriend” specifically for Jackson. The track was initially released as part of Wings’ 1978 album London Town, and then on Jackson’s 1979 project Off The Wall. Paul McCartney subsequently appeared on “The Girl is Mine” from Jackson’s Thriller in 1982, and Michael Jackson in turn was part of two tracks from McCartney’s Pipes of Peace in 1983, “The Man” and “Say Say Say.”

At some point during this period, McCartney was said to have discussed a newfound interest in music publishing. (McCartney’s most memorable purchase to that point was the back catalog of Buddy Holly.) Jackson was apparently fascinated by this money-making opportunity, and asked attorney John Branca to inquire about other investments.
“Paul and I had both learned the hard way about business,” Jackson wrote in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk, “and the importance of publishing and royalties and the dignity of songwriting.”
Indeed, though Paul McCartney had a hand in composing some of the most revered music of all time, ownership of much of the Beatles catalog resided with Northern Songs – a company formed by McCartney and John Lennon in conjunction with late Beatles manager Brian Epstein and publisher Dick James. Following Epstein’s death in 1967, Lennon and McCartney reportedly tried to re-negotiate their publishing agreement with James, but were unsuccessful. James subsequently sold the Beatles catalog to ATV, which then ended up in the hands of Robert Holmes a Court – a billionaire Australian corporate raider who appeared to be willing to unload it, for a price.

Jackson told John Branca to obtain the catalog, no matter the cost. Branca was said to have checked in with McCartney and Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, who had been rumored to be considering a joint offer for what totalled some 250 original compositions. They reportedly told Branca that they would not be bidding, individually or collectively. In late 1984, Jackson submitted an offer for ATV of $46 million.

Holmes a Court’s team initially believed Jackson was bidding as a front for Paul McCartney, given their public ties. “It seems Paul’s people once told one of the ATV officers that their client was interested in buying the copyrights, but that he didn’t want to go through lengthy negotiations,” a source told the Los Angeles Times. “They said, in effect, ‘You go out and get your best offer and we’ll pay 10 percent more.’ So, when Michael shows up, they know he is a friend of Paul’s and they suspect his bid is just a way for Paul to avoid paying the extra 10 percent. It took a long time to convince them that Michael was acting on his own.” Everything, in fact, took a long time. Negotiations for the catalog moved at a snail’s pace, as the parties debated on the issues of price, warranties and the structure of the deal. Sensing they were close to an agreement in April 1985, Branca arranged a face-to-face meeting with Holmes a Court – only to endure another setback. Holmes a Court had apparently found numerous provisions of the contract unacceptable. Branca suggested, at that point, that Michael Jackson consider withdrawing his offer – and the pop star reluctantly agreed. It was only when John Branca returned to the table, ready to scuttle the deal, which Holmes a Court preliminarily agreed to terms.

A follow up meeting, however, found the two teams returning to issues that had previously seemed resolved – and Jackson again threatened to walk. In May 1985, Holmes a Court reportedly sent Branca a letter, acknowledging their negotiations had gotten off course. As a good-faith gesture, he said he would view Jackson as the exclusive bidder for 30 days, but would entertain other bidders after that. Branca ignored the letter for three weeks, then responded by reiterating that Michael Jackson had already made his final offer.
Once again, the deal seemed dead. Holmes a Court reportedly entertained a tentative $50-million deal with another party, before reaching out to Jackson yet again. Following concessions made by both sides, Jackson agreed to increase his $46-million offer by $1.5 million, and on Aug. 14, 1985, the sale was finalized.
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson would never work together again. “I think it’s dodgy to do something like that,” McCartney later admitted. “To be someone’s friend, and then buy the rug they’re standing on.”

 

Ten years later, Michael Jackson agreed to merge ATV with Sony’s music-publishing business, earning a whopping $95 million. As personal debts mounted into the 2000s, however, Jackson ended up borrowing as much as $200 million against the catalog, in an agreement that would pay back Sony via future earnings.

Michael Jackson’s 2009 death led to new headlines involving the Beatles catalog, sparked by a rumor that Jackson intended to will the song rights back to McCartney. Paul McCartney said there was never any such arrangement. “Some time ago, the media came up with the idea that Michael Jackson was going to leave his share in the Beatles’ songs to me in his will,” McCartney said. “[It] was completely made up. The report is that I am devastated to find that he didn’t leave the songs to me. This is completely untrue. I had not thought for one minute that the original report [about the will] was true, and therefore the report that I’m devastated is also totally false.”

McCartney admitted that he remained hurt over the acquisition, but spoke highly of Jackson nevertheless – calling him a “massively talented boy-man with a gentle soul. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael.” Jackson’s passing, however, didn’t end the saga. Five years later, a massive hack of Sony’s private emails was made public, revealing that company executives had considered selling the Beatles songs back to McCartney. “Paul,” a source confirmed in late 2014, “will want to buy the catalog.”