Afternoon News Brief

Genesee County deputies are continuing their investigation into a motorcycle crash on West Main Street Road that left a man with life-threatening injuries. Officials say 34-year-old Gilberto Natal of Rochester was riding at a high rate of speed late yesterday afternoon, when his motorcycle collided with a van that was making a left turn into Dave’s Ice Cream. Natal ended up being ejected and hit the van; the force of the accident knocked the van onto its’ side. Natal was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 80-year-old Bruce Chilson was driving the van; his 80-year-old wife Mary Chilson was a passenger; both reside in Spring Hill, Florida. She was taken to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia for treatment of minor injuries. Mr. Chilson did not require hospitalization. Charges against both of the vehicle operators may be pending, including failure to yield the right of way. Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 585-345-3000.

 

34-year-old Craig Poler, a former resident of Castile, NY, has pleaded in Wyoming County Court to sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, a class B felony. Poler admitted engaging in multiple acts of sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13 between January 14, 2020 and January 4, 2022. Under the plea agreement, Poler faces a sentence of 15 -20 years in New York State Prison and 10 years of post-release supervision. In addition, he will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15.

 

A state corrections officer, previously employed at the Attica Correctional Facility, who was suspended for making an offensive Facebook post about the Tops Market massacre in Buffalo, has retired. Gregory Foster II of Arcade had been awaiting a disciplinary hearing with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in response to a post and comments joking about the shootings shortly after they occurred. The post was brought to the attention of officials, who suspended Foster without pay, pending efforts to terminate his employment. He had accrued 25 years of service and retired last month.

 

29-year-old Jared Wrazen of Java has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he shot a 29-year-old woman in the stomach. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute last May. A 63-year-old woman and a 4-year-old child were in the house at the time of the shooting. The assault and additional violent felony offenses are punishable by up to 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court in October. Wrazen has a violent past. He was released from Five Points Correctional Facility last December after serving five years and six months of a seven-year term for possessing methamphetamine and also for an assault, which involved driving his car into two people during a fight at a party. Wrazen was on parole following his release from prison until late September and on post-release supervision until December 2026.

 

More than two months after a mass shooting that left 10 people dead and three others hurt, the doors of a Tops store in Buffalo are back open to the public today. Prosecutors say back on May 14th, Payton Gendron opened fire at the supermarket in what they are calling a racially motivated hate crime. Gendron has been indicted by a grand jury on over two-dozen federal charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison or face the death penalty.

 

Batavia City Police report the dog that overdosed on cocaine and an unknown narcotic is recovering at Genesee County Animal Shelter. The French bulldog was seized after police investigation revealed it had overdosed three times, over the course of approximately five weeks (on May 15, May 25 and again on June 21). Assistant Chief Christopher Camp said the dog was taken from its owner, 30-year-old Cassandra Elmore of Batavia. Elmore was charged with three counts of injuring an animal and one count of owning an unlicensed dog. She is to appear later this month in City Court. Elmore may have attempted to conceal the incidents by going to vets in another county. However, police tell us the veterinarian who treated the dog after the third overdose, will not face any repercussions since it was the first time the dog was brought to that vet.

 

The first case of the monkeypox virus has been confirmed in Monroe County, but Public Health Commissioner Doctor Michael Mendoza says this is no cause for alarm. Mendoza says a male resident has contracted the illness and the person is currently in isolation. Mendoza believes that the possibility of a monkeypox outbreak is low because it is spread mostly by direct contact with an infected individual’s sores or rashes and respiratory droplets. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of monkeypox such as rashes, muscle aches, headaches, and fever should contact their doctor immediately.

 

The Batavia Muckdogs swept the double-header last night against Geneva, the first game final score was 8-1, and the second, 7-4. Batavia’s record is now 22-10 and the two wins strengthen their hold on first place in the West Division. The Muckdogs are in Jamestown today to take on the Tarp Skunks; game time is 6:30.

 

One of the largest jackpots in the history of the Mega Millions lottery game is going to be up for grabs tonight. Whoever is lucky enough to pick all of the winning numbers will win at least $480,000,000. No one has claimed the top Mega Millions prize since back on April 15th. The cost to play is $2.00 per ticket with the odds of picking all of the winning numbers, one in over 302,000,000. Tonight’s drawing will be streamed live online at megamillions.com. Please play responsibly.

 

The Buffalo Public Schools board has officially named the person who will be serving as the district’s new superintendent. Last night, Doctor Tonja Williams was chosen to replace Doctor Kriner Cash, who resigned from the position back in March. Williams had been working as the interim superintendent following Cash’s departure. She was first hired by the district in 1990 and spent time in multiple positions including guidance counselor and elementary school principal.

 

The number of Finger Lakes residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus is continuing to rise. The latest data from the state shows the 7-day average infection rate is now over 6.7%. At this time last week, the infection rate was 5.4%. And the number of Western New York residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus is also continuing to rise. The latest data from the state shows the 7-day average infection rate is now over 9.8%. At this time last week, the infection rate was 9.1%. People are being urged to protect themselves and others from the illness by being vaccinated, getting their booster shots and wearing a mask indoors.