Wednesday News Brief

Notre Dame AD Charged Following Incident at Batavia Downs

Longtime Notre Dame High School athletic director Mike Rapone has been charged with forcible touching following an alleged incident earlier this month at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel.
Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies say the complaint stems from an incident on March 2, where Rapone is accused of making unwanted physical contact with a female employee. Authorities allege he intentionally touched the victim inappropriately, causing alarm.
The charge is supported by a victim statement, a witness deposition, and surveillance video from the casino, according to investigators.
In addition to forcible touching, Rapone also faces a charge of second-degree harassment. The victim also has an order of protection from Rapone. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Batavia Court on May 5.
Rapone, 72, had recently resigned from his part-time position at Batavia Downs and was placed on administrative leave at Notre Dame High School, where he spent more than four decades and became one of Section V’s most successful coaches.

 

 

 

Community Honors Rosanne DeMare at Victims Rights Event

The Batavia community is remembering a dedicated advocate and friend following the passing of Rosanne DeMare.
During the annual Crime Victims’ Rights event, officials highlighted DeMare’s impact as a victim counselor, calling her a steady source of support for those facing difficult moments.
A new award was created in her honor, recognizing her compassion and commitment to helping others.
The first Rosanne DeMare Victim Advocacy Award was presented posthumously to her sons, as community members reflected on the lasting impact she made.

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Opens Investigation Into ChatGPT After FSU Shooting

Florida’s attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI’s ChatGPT following last year’s deadly shooting at Florida State University.
Officials say they are reviewing chat logs between the gunman and the AI system to determine whether the platform played any role in aiding the attack.
The state has subpoenaed OpenAI for records related to how it handles threats and reports potential criminal activity.
OpenAI says it is cooperating with investigators and maintains that ChatGPT did not promote or encourage violence, calling the shooting a tragedy.
The suspect in the case faces multiple murder charges, and prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty.

 

 

 

Harvester Site Cleanup Progressing, Could Wrap by Mid-June

Cleanup efforts at the Harvester Center site in the City of Batavia are moving forward, with officials now expecting the work to be completed by mid-June — or possibly sooner.
City Code Enforcement says crews have been actively working at the site, removing debris, regrading the property, and hauling materials away. Much of the major demolition has already been completed, though some remaining cleanup and minor violations still need to be addressed.
A return court date has been set for June 15, where a final report is expected. City officials are also planning a walkthrough of the site in the coming weeks to determine what work remains and ensure everything meets code requirements.
If the property is brought into compliance, the city is prepared to drop its complaints.
Officials say once cleanup is complete, an assessment will also be conducted to determine whether any asbestos remains in the soil.
While some work is still ongoing, authorities say significant progress has been made, with the worst of the site conditions already addressed.

 

Dine Out Fundraiser Happening Today in Batavia

A dine-out fundraiser supporting the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group is happening today at Batavia Original Pizzeria on East Main Street.
The all-day event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with both dine-in and takeout orders helping raise funds for local families and support services.
Organizers are encouraging the community to stop in, enjoy a meal, and show support for a great cause, with proceeds going directly toward programs that assist individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

 

 

 

 

 

Vance Trip to Pakistan on Hold as Ceasefire Talks Uncertain

Plans for new ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran are now in question, as Vice President JD Vance’s expected trip to Pakistan has been put on hold.
Officials say the delay comes as uncertainty grows over whether negotiations will even take place, with Iran not yet committing to attend and the current ceasefire nearing its expiration.
The pause in Vance’s travel signals growing doubt around the diplomatic effort, as both sides weigh their next move.
With time running out on the truce, the situation remains fluid, and the possibility of renewed conflict is still on the table.

 

 

 

 

Le Roy Rolls Kearney with Big Win, Area Scores Roundup

Le Roy baseball moved to 4-2 Tuesday, pulling away from Bishop Kearney/Chesterton/Archangel for a 15-6 win after rallying from an early deficit.
The Oatkan Knights broke things open with a big inning fueled by patience at the plate and timely hitting. Anthony Ortiz and Simon Greene each delivered key RBIs, while Le Roy used a combined effort on the mound from Brady McClurg and Jude Christ to secure the win and improve to 4-2.
Around the area, Livonia topped Pavilion/York 7-1 and Caledonia-Mumford shut out Oakfield-Alabama 7-0. Notre Dame edged Elba 8-7, Pembroke slipped past Wheatland-Chili 5-4, and Kendall defeated Alexander 3-1.
On the softball side, Le Roy shut out Geneseo 3-0, while Alexander rolled past Byron-Bergen 19-5.