Friday News Brief

 

On 1/17/2024, Jessica B. Eschenlauer, 34, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Burglary 2nd degree, Criminal Contempt 2nd degree, and Aggravated Family Offense. It’s alleged that Eschenlauer was found inside a residence in violation of a stay-away order of protection. She was arraigned in CAP Court and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date.

 

 

 

 

On 1/11/2024, Roger M. Hofmeier, 22, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree. The arrest stems from an investigation into an incident from July of 2022, where Hofmeier was allegedly found to be illegally in possession of a firearm. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court on 1/23/2024.

 

 

 

MORE FROM THE BATAVIA CITY POLICE BLOTTER:

Maverick X. Cook and Patrick J. Peters, both age 18 of Batavia, NY, are each charged with Open Burning. It’s alleged that Cook and Peters set several fires on the sidewalk and parking lots, in the area of Ellicott Street and Liberty Street in December of 2023. Both were issued appearance tickets and were scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on 1/23/2024.

On 1/20/2024, Nikkia M. Blackshear, 26, of Batavia, NY, was arrested for Trespassing. Blackshear was charged after allegedly refusing to leave the 7-Eleven store on East Main Street. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 1/30/2024.

On 1/18/2024, Adrienne S. Bechtold, 28, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree. Bechtold was arrested after a traffic stop on Ross Street, where she was allegedly found in possession of narcotics and a scale. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 2/6/2024.

On 1/11/2024, Vincent J. Disalvo, 48, of Webster, NY, was arrested and charged with Harassment 2nd degree and Trespassing. Disalvo allegedly kicked another person during an altercation in the parking lot of 7-Eleven. He then entered the store, after previously being trespassed and told not to return. He was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on 1/23/2024.

On 1/13/2024, Kaila S. Smith, 27, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Filing a False Written Statement and Falsely Reporting an Incident. It’s alleged that Smith falsely reported a sexual assault on 1/5/2024 and knowingly provided a false written statement. Smith was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in court on 1/23/2024.

On 1/15/2024, Anthony A. Bomasuto, 29, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Criminal Obstruction of Breathing. Bomasuto was arrested after an investigation into a domestic incident on Ellicott Street. Bomasuto was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

IN OTHER NEWS…

Governor Hochul is pitching budget items that aim to combat a rise in hate crimes across New York State. Hochul says since Hamas initially attacked Israel on October 7th, there has been a 400% surge in threats against Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers. She also acknowledged a rise in bias crimes against Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. The governor’s proposed budget will include the Hate Crime Modernization Act which will update the list of eligible offenses that can be prosecuted and establish different degrees of bias harassment.

 

We have some new information for you this morning, regarding an officer-involved shooting in Buffalo. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says that no charges will be filed in an officer-involved shooting incident. The officers acted in self-defense after responding to a call about a suicidal man on Tonawanda Street back in September. Body camera footage showed the officers tried to get him to drop a weapon he was pointing at his head before he was shot. The man survived and has filed a notice of claim against the officers, the city and police department.

 

A Rochester man is now facing prison time after pleading guilty to recording minors in a church bathroom. Prosecutors say 61-year-old Stephen Nicot has admitted to placing cameras in an Orleans County bathroom between 2012 and 2014. When police executed a search warrant, they found that Nicot had images of at least five victims. He’ll be ordered to spend at least five years behind bars when he’s sentenced in May.

 

 

 

Richmond Memorial Library is partnering with volunteers from the New York State Department of Tax and Finance to offer income-eligible citizens assistance with filing their taxes online this tax season. Tax Department employees will walk you through your income tax returns, step-by-step, as you complete and e-file your tax return for free. You are eligible to get this help if you make less than $79,000 per year. This tax help will be available at the library Thursdays in February, March and April. Please call the library to make an appointment at 585-343-9550.

 

Fans are coming together for a heartwarming showing of support for Bills kicker Tyler Bass after he missed a game-tying 44-yard field goal late in Sunday’s playoff loss to the Chiefs. Since then, more than 2,000 people have donated $22 in Tyler’s name to the Ten Lives Club, a nonprofit cat adoption agency dedicated to saving felines in Western New York. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $260,000 in donations from around the nation has since poured into the shelter. The money raised will go toward providing everything from food to medical services for the cats.

 

Two members of the Buffalo Bills have been named finalists for two major NFL awards. Quarterback Josh Allen is one of five candidates who could end up being named league MVP. Also, safety Damar Hamlin is up for Comeback Player of the Year following his recovery from a cardiac issue during a game in January 2023. Allen and Hamlin will find out if they’ve won during the NFL’s annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas during Super Bowl 58 week.

ELSEWHERE…

Lottery players will be lining up over the next couple of days to take their shot at winning a combined $449 million in cash. The top prize up for grabs in Mega Millions tonight is $285 million. And if someone is lucky enough to hit Powerball tomorrow night, they’ll receive at least $164 million. Both drawings will be streamed online. Please play responsibly.

 

Many young adults aren’t financially independent. That’s according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, which found that those aged 18 to 24 are most likely to rely on their parents for financial support. But the study also found that people in their early 30s also need assistance, with almost one in five saying their folks help out with their household bills.

 

George Carlin’s estate is suing the creators of a new AI comedy special on YouTube that replicates the late legendary comedian’s voice. Kelly Carlin, who manages the estate, posted on X that there was zero permission granted for the special, called “I’m Glad I’m Dead.” Kelly Carlin said she’s used to fake memes and quotes attributed to her father but that this is an entirely different animal. She says that those who care for the legacies of artists need to take a stand. The AI special was posted this month on the Dudesey YouTube channel, a podcast hosted by Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen. The AI was fed five decades of Carlin’s material to create a new special that addresses modern topics.

Today is Friday, Jan. 26, the 26th day of 2024 with 340 to follow.

The moon is waning. Morning stars are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Uranus and Venus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn and Uranus.

January 26 in history…

…In 1875, the electric dental drill was patented by George Green of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1918, to promote food conservation during World War I, the U.S. government called for one meatless day, two wheatless days and two porkless days each week.

 

 

 

 

…In 1934, sports personality Bob Uecker was born (happy 90th!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1961, hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky was born (happy 63rd!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2020, Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.