Thursday News Brief

POLICE BLOTTER

City and County law enforcement agencies have made a number of arrests in recent days across Genesee County.
Among the cases, 27-year-old Zachary Jackson of Montague, New Jersey is charged with 11 counts of confining a companion animal in a vehicle during extreme temperatures after deputies allegedly found several dogs suffering from heat exhaustion inside a parked vehicle with no food or water. 30-year-old Jamal Ashford of Batavia is charged with second-degree assault after allegedly punching another inmate at the Genesee County Jail.
Batavia Police also report 39-year-old Michael Ray Powell of Splendora, Texas was charged with third-degree grand larceny, accused of stealing more than $8,000 worth of tools from a former employer. 25-year-old Carson Ficarella of Darien faces charges including unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child following a domestic incident. 64-year-old Richard Kole of Rochester was charged with DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation after a two-car crash in Darien.
Additional arrests include four DWI cases, multiple drug possession charges, several petit larceny arrests, weapons offenses, domestic incidents, harassment complaints, criminal mischief investigations, and burglary. As always, all charges are allegations, and those charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

 

BATAVIA DOWNS DRIVES RECORD PAYOUT TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation has announced the largest second-quarter distribution in its history, returning more than $3.7 million to its 17 member municipalities.
Officials say the record $3.73 million distribution was fueled by another strong year at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, where net win climbed to approximately $48.1 million through the first six months of 2026—up more than $1.4 million from the same period last year.
Overall, Western Regional has distributed more than $6.7 million to its member municipalities during the first half of the year, an increase of roughly 16 percent compared to 2025. President and CEO Byron Brown says the results reflect the continued success of Batavia Downs and the corporation’s commitment to returning revenue to local governments, helping fund priorities such as public safety, infrastructure, and community programs.

 

LORD WANTS PHELPS TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL

A Batavia City Council member wants former DPW Chief Tom Phelps to have the opportunity to publicly tell his side of the story following his firing earlier this year.
Council Member-at-Large Nick Lord says he’s requested that Phelps be added to the agenda for the August 10th City Council meeting, arguing residents deserve to hear from him. Phelps says he plans to attend the meeting but claims a confidentiality agreement prevents him from speaking unless council members ask him questions. City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. says the request has been referred to the city attorney to determine whether allowing Phelps to address the council is legally appropriate.

 

GENESEE CANCER ASSISTANCE GOLF TOURNAMENT SETS RECORD

Genesee Cancer Assistance is celebrating the success of its 31st Annual Golf Tournament, calling it the largest and most successful in the event’s history.
A total of 132 golfers and more than 40 volunteers gathered at Terry Hills this past weekend to raise money for local cancer patients and their families. Organizers say the event featured golf, raffles, auctions, contests, and dinner, all benefiting Genesee County residents battling cancer. Genesee Cancer Assistance thanked its sponsors, donors, volunteers, and golfers for helping make the fundraiser a record-breaking success and announced next year’s tournament is scheduled for Friday, July 31.

 

TRUMP UNVEILS MAJOR DULLES AIRPORT OVERHAUL

President Donald Trump has announced a $22.5 billion renovation of Washington Dulles International Airport, calling it a transformation that will modernize one of the nation’s busiest international gateways.
The project would eliminate Dulles’ long-criticized mobile “people movers” and replace them with a new passenger train system, a central pedestrian tunnel, additional moving walkways, and a 32,000-space parking garage closer to the main terminal. Trump says the renovation is part of a broader effort to improve the nation’s capital and make Dulles “the top airport anywhere in the world.” Construction could begin as early as next spring, pending congressional approvals.

 

 

 

 

FAUCI INVOKES FIFTH AMENDMENT AT SENATE HEARING

Former White House COVID adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a contentious Senate hearing Wednesday, declining to answer questions from lawmakers more than 100 times.
The Republican-led hearing focused on Fauci’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including questions about the virus’s origins and federal research funding. Committee Chairman Senator Rand Paul announced lawmakers will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to testify, while Democrats defended Fauci’s decision to remain silent.
President Donald Trump told reporters he watched the hearing and criticized Fauci’s role during the pandemic, while Fauci has maintained he invoked the Fifth on the advice of counsel amid calls from some Republicans to prosecute him.

 

 

 

SPARTANS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK ON WBTA

The Genesee County Spartans are looking to rebound after a 40-0 loss to the Watertown Red & Black last weekend as they close out the 2026 regular season Saturday against the 716 Wildcats at Pembroke Town Park.
The loss dropped the Spartans to 2-3-1 in the Northeastern Football Alliance, while the Wildcats enter the matchup at 5-2. Battling injuries that have sidelined eight players for the season, the Spartans are expected to dress just 18 players for the finale. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., and WBTA will broadcast the first-ever Spartans game on the station, with Cam Crossett on the play-by-play. Tune in on WBTA 100.1 FM, 1490 AM, the WBTA app, or at WBTAI.com.