Conspiracy and twists and turns surround the attempt to get Whole Foods out of Rochester according to the latest court developments.  The Whole Foods store in Brighton has been planned for and under construction for 4 years but has yet to open due to multiple legal challenges and campaigns to stop it.  The Brighton Grassroots and Save Monroe Avenue organizations have challenged every step leading up to the grocery store having a location in the city and according to testimony in the latest court session, it’s been orchestrated by their competitors.  Wegmans has apparently been paying the local supposedly grassroots organizations millions of dollars to stop Whole Foods from opening.  The latest lawsuit, which was about a nature trail that is behind the property, was decided in Whole Foods favor after a member of the local organizations admitted on the stand that they were being paid and that the lawsuits were attempts to stop Whole Foods from competing with Wegmans.  Whole Foods is expected to open in the spring although an appeal is expected.

Main Street Armory can no longer host events.  The Rochester Police Department held a press conference Wednesday regarding the Main Street Armory concert stampede that took the lives of two women.  Prior to Wednesday’s press conference, a meeting was scheduled between the owner of the Armory, Scott Donaldson, and members of the City Corporation Counsel’s Office and the Rochester Police Department’s Licensing Unit.  When Donaldson failed to show up to the meeting, Rochester Police Chief David Smith denied the Armory’s renewal application. The denial now prohibits the Armory from hosting “any public entertainment, which includes concerts, amplified music, and athletic events or games, including volleyball or cheerleading.”

Amazon is attempting to get the ability to deliver alcohol to people’s homes in New York and small liquor stores say this is a threat to their business.  Currently New York liquor laws only allow an owner to operate one store. With multiple warehouse locations across NY, the law would have to change in order for Amazon to be able to deliver directly.  The New York State Liquor Store Association, the Metropolitan Package Store Association, and the Retailers Alliance met in Albany on Wednesday, saying that purchasing alcohol online is not only unsafe, but bad for business.  They claim that there aren’t enough safeguards in place to stop minors from ordering alcohol.  UPS and Fedex already deliver alcohol from some retailers and say they are trained to ID upon delivery.

Interested in getting into collage art?  GO ART! Is hosting Karen Crittenden on Tuesday March 14th to demonstrate hands on Collage Multimedia.  All materials are provided at no charge.  Karen is a lifelong artist who has had a love of all things colorful and accessible.  Her current work has been based in collage/mixed media and photography.  Non-members’ tickets are 5 dollars.  Tavern 2.0.1 will be open for cash purchases. 

Holland Land Office Museum is looking for volunteers to work in many positions at the museum.  They need help with cleaning, gift shop, tour guides, artifacts documenters, help with setup and maintenance of the displays, landscapers, and more.  Volunteer hours would be during the normal hours of operation of the museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.  If you have an interest in volunteering with the Holland Land Office Museum, get in touch with Director Ryan Duffy at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Musicians of Note, a wall of fame to honor past Batavia High School graduates in music, will host its 4th annual ceremony on March 17 in the Batavia High School auditorium at 7 p.m.  Nominations were accepted until November when the committee followed through with selecting talented and deserving recipients.    Nominées will be recognized with a video presentation. They will also have High School ensembles perform to celebrate those specific honorees.  A plaque featuring their accomplishments will be displayed on the new Musicians Of Note wall at the High School.   The 2023 honorees include Diana Dipson, 1929; Gloria McLaughlin, Retired BCSD music teacher 1970-1989; Brian Isaac, 2001; Deanna Spiotta, 2005; and Melzie Case, 2012.

Moises Germanguerrero

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says the Cheektowaga man who killed two cats has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. According to prosecutors, 23-year-old Moises Germanguerrero took the lives of both animals by hitting them in the head with his fist in March 2021 and October 2021. Germanguerrero is facing up to two years in prison when he’s sentenced in June. In a statement, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn called this case disturbing and said his office will prosecute animal abusers to the fullest extent of the law.

The plan to spruce up Centennial Park has been publicized. Cutting down about 60 trees and planting about 400 more over the next 5 years, recreating paths through the park, and changing how the leaves and grass are handled are all part of the new initiative. (Photo: City of Batavia website) If you want to see the 44 pages of plans for the park, click here: https://bataviaslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Centennial-Park-FINAL-DRAFT_04-07-22.pdf

Brandy Miller

Rhondesia Belton

The second person that died following a stampede after a concert in Rochester this past weekend has been identified. Officials say Brandy Miller passed away of injuries that she suffered at the Main Street Armory on Sunday night. Police believe people rushed to the exit after thinking they heard gunshots but are still looking into exactly what happened. Another woman, Rhondesia Belton of Buffalo, also lost her life, and several other people were hurt.

Jason Arno

A week ago today, a member of the Buffalo Fire Department was killed while battling a blaze, and the investigation into what started that fire is still underway. Jason Arno passed away at the scene of last Wednesday’s fire on Main Street, and officials said yesterday that searching through the debris to pinpoint the cause has been a slow process. Heavy equipment was at the site today to help move more rubble. Calling hours for Arno are tomorrow and his funeral is Friday.

Grant money is earmarked for the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester – file photo

Governor Hochul believes her proposed state budget would be good for Rochester and Monroe County if it were passed by the state Legislature. During a visit to the city yesterday, Hochul revealed that over $20,000,000 would go towards public safety initiatives aimed at lowering crime. She also said the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester would receive a $112,000 grant that’d be used to upgrade the club’s teen center. Lawmakers have until April 1st to approve the budget on time.

A school district in Cheektowaga has taken action to increase the safety of both its students and staff. The Cleveland Hill School District says visitors will now have to present identification whenever they enter a school building and their ID will be put inside of a screening device. That device will then check to see if a person’s name is on any sex offender registries. The district says so far, there have been no issues with this new protocol.

Kyle Okposo – file photo

The losing streak of the Buffalo Sabres has now hit two games after the team suffered a tough loss on the road. Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo each scored but the Sabres were still defeated by the New York Islanders last night by a final score of 3-2. Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 36 of the 39 shots he faced in the contest. Up next for the Sabres is a home game tomorrow night against the Dallas Stars. The puck drops at 7:00.

It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and one state agency is providing tips to New Yorkers on how they can save money on everyday purchases and subscription services. The state Division of Consumer Protection recommends people compare prices before buying items so they don’t overspend. Also, people should know the return policy on items so they don’t end up getting stuck with something they don’t want to use. And folks should evaluate their subscriptions so that they can cancel ones they use infrequently. For more suggestions, go to facebook.com/nysconsumer.

Edwin Castro

Edwin Castro’s new home in Los Angeles

The winner of the more than $2,000,000,000 (billion) Powerball jackpot is now the owner of a mansion in Southern California. The Los Angeles Times reports Edwin Castro spent $25,000,000 (million) on the home in a neighborhood where several celebrities live. He won the record jackpot after buying a Powerball ticket back in November.

It has been one week since a member of the Buffalo Fire Department was killed while battling a blaze, and the investigation into what started that fire is still underway.  Jason Arno passed away at the scene of last Wednesday’s fire on Main Street, and officials said yesterday that searching through the debris to pinpoint the cause has been a slow process.  Heavy equipment will be at the site today to help move more rubble.  Calling hours for Arno are tomorrow and his funeral is Friday.

The plan to spruce up centennial park was unveiled at a press conference held next to the snow covered park.  Cutting down about 60 trees and planting about 400 more over the next 5 years, recreating paths through the park, and changing how the leaves and grass are handled are all part of the new initiative.  County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg noted during her remarks at the press conference that Centennial Park has served in recent years as a hub of community events. At one time, it hosted Picnic in the Park. It continues to host the GLOW Corporate Cup, performances by Batavia Concert Band, a recent Lemonade Stand fundraiser as well as the first pine box derby in the community in decades.  There is also the annual Kiwanis Easter Egg hunt in the park.  If you want to see the 44 page pdf of plans for the park, follow the link at wbtai.com.  

https://bataviaslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Centennial-Park-FINAL-DRAFT_04-07-22.pdf

A Judge has decided for those court workers who lost their jobs during the COVID pandemic due to the vaccine mandates.  About 200 people working for the New York Court system were fired for refusing the vaccine and now they will not only be getting their jobs back but also getting back pay with interest.  A judge in the Administrative Law system decided that the vaccine mandate was a violation of their rights and the Fair Employment Act.  The Judge also ordered an end to forced vaccinations and testing and for employees who lost paid leave time and other benefits to create bargaining units to regain their lost time.

It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and one state agency is providing tips to New Yorkers on how they can save money on everyday purchases and subscription services. The State Division of Consumer Protection recommends people compare prices before buying items so they don’t overspend. Also, people should know the return policy on items so they don’t end up getting stuck with something they don’t want to use. And folks should evaluate their subscriptions so that they can cancel ones they use infrequently. For more suggestions, go to facebook.com/nysconsumer.

The Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World will be holding a hiring event later this week to fill positions for the upcoming summer season.  The event is happening on Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. inside the Golden Nugget, which is located at the park in Grand Island.  Among the jobs that are available include lifeguard, ride operator, maintenance and cashier.  Anyone who can’t make the hiring event can still apply online through the park website.

If they are looking for a playoff spot they are going in the wrong direction.  The losing streak of the Buffalo Sabres has now hit two games after the team suffered a tough loss on the road.  Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo each scored but the Sabres were still defeated by the New York Islanders last night with a final score of three-to-two.  Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 36 shots.  Up next for the Sabres is a game tomorrow night against the Dallas Stars at the Keybank Center at 7pm.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is hosting a series of blood drives across the district this month in partnership with the American Red Cross. New York state historically has very little blood banked for patients statewide, and this initiative is being held to encourage those who can donate and make all the difference to a patient in need. Hawley has done numerous drives throughout his time in the Assembly and is happy to continue this tradition.  These drives will go from the 10th to the 30th and be everywhere from Batavia to Lyndonville.  For a list of dates and times go to WBTAi.com.

• Fri. 3/10 – Batavia Social Services, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mon. 3/13 – Batavia Robert Morris School, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mon. 3/13 – Pavilion Fire Department, 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Tues. 3/14 – Darien Fire Co. with PCD Kiwanis 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thurs. 3/16 – St. Max Hall, East Pembroke. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fri. 3/17 – Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sat. 3/18 – Stafford Fire Department, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tues. 3/21 – Albion Elks Lodge, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tues. 3/21 – Batavia First UMC, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thurs. 3/30 – Oakfield-Alabama High School, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rhondesia Belton

A Buffalo woman has been identified as one of the two people who were trampled and killed during a concert in Rochester. Police say 33-year-old Rhondesia Belton, a Buffalo City Traffic Violations Agent, ended up being overrun while a huge crowd rushed towards the exit at the Main Street Armory Sunday night after people thought they heard gunshots. Police haven’t found evidence of gunshots or any weapons. Belton was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another woman was taken to Strong Memorial and died yesterday. A third woman is in critical condition. The name of the other person who died has not been released, and several other victims are still recovering. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said yesterday anyone who played a role in this tragedy will be held accountable. The investigation continues. (Provided photo)

During the pandemic, many New Yorkers lost their jobs for refusing to take the COVID vaccine. But a recent decision made by an Administrative Law Judge could get court workers rehired; they would also receive back pay with interest. It’s estimated at least 200 people lost their jobs as a result of the mandate. Court unions believed getting vaccinated was a choice for individuals to make and filed a charge against the States Unified Court System claiming they violated a civil service law (209-A) from the public employees Fair Employment Act. The Judge agreed and also ordered the court systems to: 1) Stop imposing COVID-19 vaccines & testing; 2) Make bargaining units for employees who lost accrued leave, compensation or employment because of the mandate (with interest); and 3)  The Unions still must decide how they want to move forward.

Ahhhhh-chooooo!

Updated data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows the number of new flu cases is continuing to drop across our region. During the week ending February 25th, the area with the highest number of infections was Monroe County with 40; Erie County had 13; Niagara County had 7; Ontario County had 5 during this same time period. Wyoming County had 4, and both Wayne and Livingston counties had one each. Even though flu season is starting to wind down, County Health Departments continue to urge people to get their shot.

Geneva officials say that a petroleum spill that happened in Seneca Lake over the weekend has now been contained. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the issue was reported Saturday and that crews were quickly sent to the lake to trace the source of the problem. It was later determined that the leak came from a fuel container in the area of Central Avenue and Buffalo Street. There are no precautionary safety measures in effect right now for residents.

File photo of Dylan Cozens from 2/26/23 celebrating his first career hat trick

The Buffalo Sabres fell short of picking up a second straight win after suffering a defeat on home ice. Dylan Cozens and Jeff Skinner each scored, but the Sabres were still beaten by the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 at KeyBank Center last night. Goalie Craig Anderson stopped 34 of the 37 shots he faced for Buffalo who is in 4th place in the Atlantic Division with 68 points. The next game for the Sabres is tonight when they play the New York Islanders. Face-off is at 7:30.

Always be mindful of scams, but especially this time of year

Tax season is underway, and state Attorney General Letitia James has issued some tips to help taxpayers avoid fraudulent tax schemes. James says common scams people should be on the lookout for include being told their legitimate tax refund from the IRS was a mistake and that they have to return it. Scammers also make promises that they will prepare tax returns for free, only to deceive people into paying for those services. And fraudsters have been known to contact people saying they owe past tax debts and request they pay them using a gift card or prepaid credit card. If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, call 800-771-7755.

Easter is just over a month away, and tickets for the Buffalo Zoo Easter Eggsperience are now available for purchase. The event is happening at the zoo on April 1st and 2nd, which is the weekend before Easter. People will get the chance to check out a candy trail, take a train ride, meet some of the animals and get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. There will also be 10 golden eggs hidden around the zoo that can be turned in for a prize. For more information, go to visit.buffalozoo.org.

The final count after a stampede on Sunday night at the Rochester Main Street Armory is 2 dead and 7 injured.  Officers entered the armory after reports of shots fired which caused the stampede.  They didn’t find any evidence of gunshots or any weapons.   They found 3 women who had been trampled as people rushed the exit after a GloRilla and Finesse2Tymes concert ended.  One woman, 33 year old Buffalo City Traffic Violations Agent Rhodesia Belton, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Another woman was taken to Strong Memorial and died Monday.  A third woman is in critical condition.  

University at Buffalo Young Americas Foundation is set to host controversial conservative speaker and Daily Wire host Michael Knowles on Thursday and is getting pushback from professors and students.  Knowles recently spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference and said that the ideology of transgenderism was false and therefore should be “eradicated from public life.”  A group of professors from the Gender Studies department, English department and disabilities studies department are circulating a letter calling for the invitation of Knowles to be rescinded saying that Knowles is calling for violence against transgender people, or at least that his language might encourage violence against the transgender community.  The College released a statement saying they wouldn’t restrict political speech unless it broke their rules and guidelines about diversity, equity and inclusion.  Several national news outlets reported that Knowles had directly called for genocide against transgender people but changed their headlines later in the day after he threatened to sue for libel.

The City of Batavia Fire Department is proud to announce a new Fire Department Chaplain, Deacon Dave Erhart of Le Roy.  Deacon Dave has 40 years of fire service experience with the Le Roy Fire Department as both a firefighter and Chaplain. He is currently serving as a Deacon with Our Lady of Mercy Church in Le Roy.  He received Fire Chaplain training at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls and is a member of the New York State Order of Chaplains.  Fire Chaplains provide a valuable service to the Fire Department members and their families.

The Batavia fire Department celebrated 75 years of service on Saturday at their Awards banquet at Terry Hills.  Chief Christopher Strathearn began his second term as chief and, in his annual report, said that the department responded to 409 calls in 2022 with 3,309 member responses to those calls for a total of 2,402 man hours by volunteers out on calls.  The department currently has 48 active members.

Another victim of the difficulties of planning and timing in the same vein as the now postponed Wing Ding is the Picnic in the Park put on by GO ART!  Even with a boost in funding for the picnic the Executive director, Gregory Hallock says that the Picnic is just not feasible.  He said that with the cost of around 20,000 dollars to put the picnic on, and lack of help from other community organizations, and how close it is to the Ramble Explore Art event, GO ART just doesn’t have the capacity and resources to put it on.  

The Pembroke Dragons beat the York Knights on Sunday to become Section 5 champions in Boys Basketball.  The final score was 62 to 59.  The Dragons go on to play the winner of the Lyons and Northstar Christian matchup happening Thursday.  

The Buffalo Sabres lost a close game to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night 3 to 2.  Jeff Skinner and Dylan Cozens scored for Buffalo.  They will be back in action again tonight against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island.  Both teams are evenly matched with the Sabres at 32 and 26 and 4 and the Islanders at 32 and 25 and 8.  Puck drop is 7:30.

John Saddler

FROM THE BATAVIA POLICE: 35-year-old John Saddler of South Main Street, Batavia is charged with burglary, aggravated criminal contempt, grand larceny and petit larceny. These charges followed an investigation into a violation of a court order. It’s alleged that Saddler violated a stay-away order of protection by entering the protected persons home and stealing property, including a New York State benefits card and then using that card at a local business. Saddler was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to Genesee County Jail until he returns to court on March 22nd. ALSO: 22-year-old Rebecca Fugate of Woodrow Road, Batavia is charged with harassment. She was arrested after allegedly striking another resident at a residential care home. Fugate was released with an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court tomorrow. ALSO: 46-year-old Heather Armstrong of Ellicott Street, Batavia has been charged with harassment following an investigation into a disturbance at a local business. Armstrong was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Batavia City Court on Wednesday.

Mark Bennett

35-year-old Mark Bennett of Albion has been arrested for possessing images of children engaged in sexual performance. The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit, investigated and determined Bennett possessed child pornography. He was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Albion Court and scheduled to return to court next month. (The mission of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force – ICAC – is to identify individuals online who are attempting to lure children to meet for sex or those disseminating child sexual abuse material. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children.)

Delonta Curry

GENESEE COUNTY INDICTMENTS: A Genesee County Grand Jury has indicted 28-year-old Jason Neth of Corfu accusing him of the crime of unlawful imprisonment (a class E felony) and leaving the scene of an incident without ever contacting law enforcement (also a class E felony), after an incident on or about June 11, 2022. Neth allegedly restrained another person in the town of Darien and exposed them to the risk of serious injury. And then he allegedly failed to report the incident as soon as possible to police. ALSO: Delonta Curry of Batavia has been indicted and is accused of criminal possession of a weapon (a class C violent felony) in the City of Batavia on February 13, 2022, after knowingly possessing a loaded firearm with intent to unlawfully use it against another person. In a separate charge, Curry is accused of criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds (a class E felony), on the same date at 31 Washington Avenue, the parking lot of St. Paul Lutheran Church & School. The indictment alleges that Curry knowingly had in his possession a loaded firearm in or upon a building or grounds used for educational purposes without the written authorization from the educational institution.

From the GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF: 53-year-old LeeAnne Krull of Batavia is charged with promoting prison contraband after she was allegedly found to be in possession of contraband inside the Genesee County Jail on March 1st. Krull was arraigned in court and held in jail. ALSO: 36-year-old Jeanna Hattaway of Batavia has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle following a traffic stop early last Friday morning on Lewiston Road in Batavia. She was allegedly operating a motor vehicle while her driving privileges were suspended and allegedly possessed multiple controlled substances. Hattaway was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court for March 14th.

Josue Labala

18-year-old Josue Lubala of Cheektowaga has been accused of a pair of carjackings there. Last September, he pleaded guilty to all five felony charges against him, including robbery and attempted kidnapping. Lubala is being held without bail and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison when he is sentenced early next month. (Details: Prosecutors said the first carjacking took place at 11:00am, September 13th in Cheektowaga Town Park, where a woman baby-sitting a 2-year-old child said a man opened her car door, showed her a knife and ordered her into the passenger seat. He drove to an address on Wick Street in Buffalo, let the woman and toddler out of the vehicle and gave her $5 for a bus and drove away. The second incident occurred at about 9:30am, September 14th in Cheektowaga.)

Police in Rochester are trying to track down the suspects who were involved in shootings that happened over the weekend. A woman was shot around 12:30 yesterday morning on Weld Street and about 90 minutes later another woman was shot through the window of a home on Burlington Avenue. Then last night, a 24-year-old man was shot in the area of Diringer Place and a 23-year-old man was hit by gunfire on Delamaine Drive. At this time, no one has been arrested in any of these shootings.

Main Street Armory

One woman is dead and nine are injured — with two in critical condition — after a trampling incident that occurred during a concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester. As a concert featuring GloRilla and Finesse2tymes ended, Rochester Police said that while audience members were heading out, the crowd began to surge and rush towards the exit. Three people were found with significant injuries inside the venue and were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital; one of them, a 33-year-old woman, was later pronounced dead. Seven other individuals were taken to the hospital in private vehicles with non-life-threatening injuries. While there were reports of gunshots fired inside the venue, investigators said none of the victims had injuries that were consistent with that of a shooting nor was there evidence of any shooting taking place at the Main Street Armory. The investigation continues.

The price of gas continues in the right direction – down. According to Triple A, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.41. The State average is $3.43 and in Batavia, we’re paying $3.34, down 9 cents from a month ago and down 79 cents from a year ago today.

KeyBank Center

The Buffalo Sabres will be on the hunt for their second win in a row, as they finish this homestand. The Sabres host the Edmonton Oilers at KeyBank Center. On Saturday, Buffalo defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3, a victory that allowed them to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. The puck drops tonight at 7:30.

Violence continues to be a major issue as at least 5 people were shot in separate shootings across the city of Rochester Sunday according to the City Police Department.  One person, a 33 year old woman, made their own way to the hospital after being shot in the upper body.  Workers at Strong notified the police when she came in around 12:30 in the morning.  It was determined that the shooting took place near Scio and Weld Street.  Around 2:45 am a 34 year old woman on Burlington ave was shot multiple times through the window of her house.  She was taken to strong with non life threatening injuries.  A 24 year old man was shot on Diringer Place around 6pm.  He sustained minor injuries.  And a 23 year old man was shot in the area of Delemaine Drive and Portland ave around 10:30pm with the victim’s status unknown at this time.  No one has been arrested in any of these shootings.  

One person is dead and two other people are in critical condition following a concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester. Officers responded to the venue Sunday night after receiving a shots fired call and discovered the victims when they went inside. It is believed the injuries were the result of a large crowd pushing towards the exit of the building when they heard what they thought were gunshots. The woman who died was 33-years-old but her name hasn’t been released.

Memorial services have been announced for a Buffalo firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. A wake for 37-year-old Jason Arno is scheduled for Thursday from two p-m until eight p-m at Amigone Funeral Home. His funeral will take place Friday at ten a-m at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral. Arno passed away last week while he was at the scene of a four-alarm blaze on Main Street. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.

It was a big day for basketball championships at the Blue Cross Arena on Saturday as The Batavia Blue Devils boys basketball team went up against the Newark Reds, LeRoy went up against Wellsville, and the Fighting Irish took on Avoca/Prattsburgh.  Unfortunately none of the Genesee county teams won their matchups.  Batavia lost their Class B1 title 60-55.  LeRoy fell 52 to 43.  And Notre Dame lost the D1 title 93 to 67.  Elba’s Lady Lancers girls basketball team lost their Class D2 championship game vs Andover 58 to 55.  The Notre Dame/Alexander Indoor Track Team wrapped up its season at the state meet on Saturday in Staten Island with a seventh place state finish in the 4×400 relay, posting a time of 4:09.89.  Jadyn Mullen placed 17th in 55 hurdles with a time of 8:92 and 18th in the 600 with a time of 1:39.08.

Batavia drivers are feeling less pain at the pump when it comes time to fill up their vehicles as gas prices continue to fall. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now three-34. That is down 2 cents in the past week and is 9 cents less than this time one month ago. Right now, the state average is three-43 a gallon and nationally it’s three-40.

The Buffalo Sabres will be finishing up their brief homestand as they look to pick up their second win in a row. The Sabres are hosting the Edmonton Oilers at KeyBank Center. On Saturday, the Sabres defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning five-to-three, a victory that allowed them to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.  Jack Quinn, Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, Tyson Jost, and Vinnie Hinostroza scored for Buffalo.  Face-off this evening is set for seven-30 p-m.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments and Weights and Measures departments released their report for 2022.  They did 470 inspections of 209 businesses and checked 1211 devices to make sure they were charging people accurately.  These tests involved pumping more than 26,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5.9 million pounds of test weight. The department handled 13 complaint investigations, confirmed 591 package weights & 300 item prices, and collected 132 fuel samples confirming fuel sold within both counties met a variety of parameters.  They also found that in some stores the prices at checkout didn’t match the price on the shelf 122 times.  92 overcharges and 30 undercharges.  They recommend customers keep track of the prices they pay vs the price they see and bring it up with the store or report it if there is a discrepancy.  

Oakfield farm awarded conservation Farm of the Year.  Since 1959, the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District has honored a deserving agricultural producer with the Conservation Farm of the Year Award. This award is given to a producer with a long-term commitment to sustainable conservation, leads by example, and implements best management practices for farm conservation. This year’s recipient is Naas Farms, LLC., of Oakfield, NY.

If you miss Les Miserables being performed at Batavia High School this weekend you can make up for it at LeRoy High School next weekend.  The classic tale of grace and justice in 19th century France penned by Victor Hugo and then adapted for stage by Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schonberg will be performed Thursday through Saturday at 7 pm and also be available to watch online on Friday and Saturday.  Tickets are 10 dollars for online views, 10 dollars in person presale or 15 at the door.  

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is calling for vendors to participate in our 2023 Home Show on April 14,15,16, 2023.  Seeking a variety of vendors:  Home Improvement, Realty, Lawn Equipment, Farm Equipment, Windows and Doors Gutters and Siding, Entertainment, Home Goods, etc.  The Home Show will be held at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, 22 Evans Street, Batavia.  This 8th Annual event brings together 2,500 people over the course of three days.  Interested vendors will need to return the application and booth fees by March 10th to be included in advertisements. Applications can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website at https://geneseeny.com/home-show/ and are available at the Chamber’s office, 8276 Park Road.  Space is limited and on a first-come basis.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team has acquired forward Jordan Greenway from the Minnesota Wild.  In exchange for Greenway, the Sabres are sending a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Minnesota. The second-round pick heading to the Wild is a pick Buffalo received from Vegas as part of the Jack Eichel trade.  Greenway is 26 years old and was drafted by the Wild in the second round, 50th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft. In 2017 he won a gold medal with Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship and was named a Top Three Player on the team.  He has played 317 NHL games in his career, all with the Wild, and has 38 goals and 81 assists for 119 points. In 45 games this season Greenway has two goals and five assists.

Cassandra Elmore

30-year-old Cassandra Elmore of Batavia, the woman who has failed to show up for many court appearances and did not admit herself to a rehabilitation facility as ordered by the judge, was once again a ‘no-show’ for a court date and now has another warrant issued for her arrest. Elmore was originally accused of allowing her dog to overdose on narcotics; a charge that has yet to be addressed in court because of her failures to appear. The dog has been in the Genesee County Animal Shelter since last June and is reported to be doing fine.

Next Monday, March 6th, the City of Batavia will have a new phone system installed. During the install process, all City phones will be out of service for approximately five hours, between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Some department phones will be back in service prior to others. If you attempt to call a City number during this time and get a busy signal, please try again later or contact them via email. 9-1-1 will continue to work through the period in the event of an emergency. You may contact members of the City of Batavia staff via email or through the City’s website contact form to reach out with any questions or correspondence during the phone instillation https://www.batavianewyork.com/home/webforms/contact-form

File photo of a prison cell

33-year-old Andrew Lynch of Crystal River, Florida, has been sentenced to prison for soliciting teenage girls near Buffalo to make child pornography for him. Lynch communicated with the girls through Facebook Messenger in the spring of 2018. After he threatened and coerced the girls, they sent a number of images and videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. They engaged in similar activity during video chats with Lynch. He was sentenced to 29 years in prison.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the entire GLOW region through 10:00am tomorrow. Total snow accumulations of 3-6 inches is predicted for Batavia. Winds could gust to 40 mph. Plan for slippery road conditions and periods of limited visibility. 4-8 inches of snow is forecast for Orleans County.

Ajax Road rental lot, Gates

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to a body being found in the backseat of an SUV at a rental car lot in Gates. Officials say the remains were discovered yesterday in the Hertz lot on Ajax Road, which is near Frederick Douglass-Greater Rochester International Airport. Staff at the lot noticed the body when it came time to move the vehicle, which had been towed from Rochester. Police are not sure how long ago the person passed away but do say their death is being treated as suspicious. Photo by 13WHAM.

Lisa Shuler

Seth Larson

An Irondequoit man who was convicted of brutally murdering his girlfriend has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Prosecutors say 41-year-old Seth Larson killed Lisa Shuler at the couple’s home on Culver Road back in 2021. Shuler’s remains were found in the backyard and also in Duran Lake. Larson left the area but was later tracked down in West Virginia weeks after the murder.

The latest data from the state shows that the number of coronavirus infections is falling in our region. Right now, the seven-day average infection rate is 6.16%. At this time last week, the infection rate was 7.06%. County Health Departments continue to urge people to take precautions to protect themselves and others from getting sick such as wearing a mask while indoors and being up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Patriots and Heroes Park, Williamsville

Williamsville police are trying to track down who is responsible for vandalizing multiple memorial displays in their community. The “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” “Battle of the Bulge” and “America The Land We Love” displays are all located at Russell J. Salvatore’s Patriots and Heroes Park on Transit Road. Salvatore says that he’s working with investigators and giving them security camera footage from a nearby restaurant and hotel complex. Anyone with information is asked to give police a call.

Casey Mittelstadt – file photo

The Buffalo Sabres have dropped their second game in a row after suffering a blowout loss on the road. Casey Mittelstadt had the lone goal for Buffalo as his team fell to the Boston Bruins 7-1 last night. Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved 35 of the 40 shots that he faced in the contest. Up next for Buffalo is a matinee game at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow, with face-off at 12:30.

Attorney General James

State Attorney General Letitia James is proposing new rules that are aimed at further protecting consumers and small businesses from price gouging. The rules would strengthen the enforcement of the state’s price gouging law that was last updated in 2020. They’d also make price gouging more straightforward to investigate by setting clear guardrails against price increases during emergencies. James says these guidelines will ensure companies don’t take advantage of New Yorkers. For more information, go to ag.ny.gov.

Adam Sandler

Actor and comedian Adam Sandler will be bringing the next leg of his tour to Buffalo later this year. Sandler is set to perform at KeyBank Center on Sunday, April 16th at seven-30 p-m and he’s promised that a surprise guest will open up the show. Sandler was scheduled to be in Buffalo back in 2020, but ended up canceling his tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets went on sale this morning through Ticketmaster.

Please play responsibly.

Both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are still growing and are now at a combined $328,000,000 (million). The prize up for grabs for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is $167,000,000 (million). And, whoever is lucky enough to win Powerball tomorrow night will receive at least $161,000,000 (million). Both drawings are streamed live online. Please play responsibly.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced Thursday that a Florida man will serve 29 years in prison after asking five teenage girls in and near Buffalo to make child pornography for him.  The victims ranged in age from 13 to 17 years old.  33-year-old Andrew Lynch, communicated with the five teenage girls via Facebook Messenger between April and May 2018.  After Lynch threatened and coerced the girls, they sent him a number of images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct as well as doing video chats with him which were also explicit in nature.  During the communication, Lynch posted pornographic images of the girls on Facebook in an effort to coerce them into sending more sexually explicit images and videos.

In the ongoing saga of 30 year old Cassandra Elmore and her inability to show up for court appearances a new stage has been reached.  Elmore was released from jail on February 18th on her own recognizance, after failing to show for at least a half dozen court appearances and apparently fleeing the law on more than one occasion.  She was ordered to a rehab facility but, fairly predictably, never showed up.  2 warrants have been issued for her arrest and Chief Heubusch says his officers are looking for Elmore.  Meanwhile, the dog she is accused of allowing to overdose on narcotics, Oddey, remains confined to the Genesee County Animal Shelter, where it has been held since June. The dog has reportedly adjusted to life in the kennel and is doing fine.

Police confirmed Thursday afternoon that an adult body was found in the back of a vehicle at a Hertz rental lot on Ajax Road, near the Greater Rochester International Airport.  Police said they were notified around 10:30 a.m. that staff at the lot had found a body in the back of a rental SUV that had been towed from the city.  Police said they also couldn’t confirm the body’s identity, how long the person had been dead, why the vehicle had been towed, how long the rental was overdue, or whether the body was concealed.

The iconic Patriots and Heroes Park on Transit Rd just off i 90 was vandalized overnight on Wednesday.  Flags, light fixtures, and displays including “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” “Battle of the Bulge,” and “America The Land We Love” were damaged.  Someone rubbed mud onto the murals and statues and broke off pieces of the masonry and statuary.  In many cases removing the heads and smashing the statues to pieces.  There is also graffiti and artificial flowers and lettering have been removed.  The Russel Salvatore’s Patriots and Heroes Park was established more than a decade ago to honor veterans and first responders. The landmark was also voted the #1 tourist attraction in Williamsville on TripAdvisor.com

Comedian Adam Sandler announced the next leg of his comedy tour, and a stop in Buffalo will be on the agenda.  Sandler will perform in the Queen City at the Keybank Center on Sunday, April 16. Presale tickets to the tour went on sale Thursday at noon. The general sale will begin Friday, March 3 at noon.

The Boston Bruins coasted to their 9th straight victory at TD stadium Thursday night with a 7 to 1 win over the Sabres.  Casey Middelstadt scored the lone goal for Buffalo and Ukko Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves.  Rasmus Dahlin was on injured reserve for the game.  The Sabres will come home to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday for a matinee game at 12:30 in the afternoon.