Monday News Brief

BATAVIA MAN ACCUSED OF POSSESSING MORE THAN 1,200 GRAMS OF COCAINE

A Batavia man is facing multiple felony drug charges following an investigation by the Genesee County Drug Task Force.
Authorities say 24-year-old Caeden E. White was arrested September 4th after investigators searched his home and vehicle. The Task Force says the search uncovered more than 12-hundred grams of cocaine along with a quantity of amphetamine pills.
White is charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, along with additional possession and drug paraphernalia charges.
Investigators also arrested White on a sealed indictment warrant. He is accused of selling cocaine to a Drug Task Force agent on multiple occasions and faces three counts each of third-degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
White was arraigned in Genesee County Court and held on bail.
The Drug Task Force includes members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Batavia Police Department.
All charges are allegations, and White is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

EIGHT BATAVIA APARTMENTS CONDEMNED OVER UNSAFE CONDITIONS

Eight apartment units at 665 Ellicott Street in Batavia have been condemned after city inspectors determined they were unsafe and uninhabitable.
The investigation began after firefighters responded to a possible laundry room fire September 16th. City Public Works Director Adam Rush says an electrical problem and a water issue resulted in both utilities being shut off for safety.
The city says the eight units behind the main house are not code compliant, citing an electrical hazard creating a high risk of fire along with unsanitary living conditions.
Some displaced residents are receiving temporary housing assistance through Social Services, while one occupant was taken to the hospital for health reasons. Two residents remain at the property.
The owner, Zendor Properties of California, has until October 7th to address the violations. Required work includes electrical upgrades and sanitation before the units can be reinspected.
Apartments at neighboring 667 Ellicott Street are not affected by the order.

GENESEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES OPPOSE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT

Three Democratic candidates representing the Genesee County area say they will oppose data center development in the county.
The Genesee County Democratic Committee announced the positions of State Assembly candidate Sarah Wolcott, State Senate candidate Victoria Guite and Congressional candidate Alissa Ellman. The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over proposed data center projects, including a large development proposed at the STAMP site in Alabama.
All three candidates are scheduled to attend a public meet-and-greet October 6th at 6 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia.

PAVILION ELEMENTARY UNVEILS NEW PLAYGROUNDS

Pavilion Elementary School has officially opened two new playgrounds celebrating the community’s agricultural roots.
The playgrounds were dedicated Thursday during the district’s annual Gopher Gathering open house and feature farm-themed equipment, including slides designed like a red barn, silo and tractor.
Superintendent Kate Hoffman says the new spaces were designed to be fun and welcoming for students while reflecting Pavilion’s farming community.
The playgrounds are the first major piece of the district’s 24-and-a-half-million-dollar capital project approved in 2024.

POWERFUL NOR’EASTER BATTERS NORTHEAST

A slow-moving nor’easter continues to hammer the Northeast, bringing coastal flooding, strong winds and widespread power outages from New Jersey into New England.
More than 130-thousand customers were without electricity Sunday morning, with some of the largest outages reported along the Jersey Shore, Long Island and coastal Connecticut.
Forecasters say the storm is gradually weakening, but dangerous surf and coastal flooding remain concerns through Sunday’s high-tide cycles. Heavy rain is also expected from northern New Jersey through New York City and into southern New England.
The storm has killed at least one person after a tree fell on a New York City housing authority worker Saturday.
Travel has also been disrupted, with hundreds of flights canceled at Boston Logan International Airport and flooding closing roads in several coastal communities.

FIVE ARRESTED IN TERROR INVESTIGATION NEAR U.S.-USED AIR BASE

British counterterrorism police have arrested five men near an air base used by the U.S. military on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Authorities say police received a report early Sunday of three suspicious vehicles apparently traveling toward RAF Fairford in western England. Armed officers responded and arrested the men nearby. They are also suspected of offenses under Britain’s Explosives Act.
An Army bomb disposal unit is examining the vehicles, while a roughly 400-meter security perimeter has been established. About 85 nearby households were evacuated as a precaution.
RAF Fairford is operated by the U.S. under an agreement with Britain and has been used by American bombers during the war with Iran. Authorities say a possible connection to Iran is among the areas being investigated, but no link has been established.

GENESEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

In Genesee County high school football action, Alexander/Pembroke and Le Roy/Cal-Mum remain unbeaten at 4-and-0 ahead of their showdown Saturday.
The Defenders dominated Bath-Haverling 41-0, holding the Rams to just 29 yards of offense. Gage Baker returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown, while Pierce Dinkins scored through the air and on the ground.
Le Roy/Cal-Mum defeated previously unbeaten Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton 34-21. Brady McClurg rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns while adding two interceptions on defense.
Attica improved to 2-and-2 with a 28-21 win over Avon behind 160 rushing yards from Will Franz.
Canisteo-Greenwood handed Oakfield-Alabama/Elba its first loss, 27-0.
York/Pavilion knocked off previously unbeaten Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen 14-7, with Trent Englert returning a fumble for a touchdown.
And Batavia earned its first victory of the season Saturday, edging Greece Olympia/Odyssey 7-6.