Monday News Brief

Multiple Arrests in Batavia Include Weapons, Drugs, and Domestic Incidents

Batavia Police report several arrests over the past week involving a range of charges.
Lindsay Goins, 70, of Batavia, is accused of threatening another person with a knife during an incident on Mill Street and was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.
Tonya Weber, 42, of Batavia, was charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing from Dollar General. Police say she was also found in possession of cocaine and fentanyl.
Zachary Williams, 33, of Rochester, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance after allegedly being found with crack cocaine on Jackson Street.
Several arrests stemmed from domestic-related incidents. Daniel McFadden, 31, of Batavia, was charged with criminal mischief for allegedly damaging a TV and later accused of violating an order of protection. Jaheim Smith, 24, of Batavia, faces charges after allegedly hitting and shoving another person while a child was present.
Jeremiah Jones, 52, of Batavia, was charged with harassment after allegedly grabbing another person, while Duane Mather, 52, of Medina, was charged with criminal contempt for allegedly violating an order of protection.
Police also report a DWI arrest involving Mark Giesler, 67, of Batavia, and the arrest of Kyle Nash, 38, of Batavia, on outstanding warrants.
Most of those charged were released with appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

 

 

Liberty Pumps Honored as Economic Development Partner of the Year

Liberty Pumps has been recognized as the Economic Development Partner of the Year by the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
Board Chairman Charlie Cook accepted the award on behalf of the company’s 330 employees during the GCEDC’s annual Stakeholder Luncheon on April 24.
The honor comes as the Town of Bergen manufacturer celebrates 60 years in business. GCEDC President and CEO Mark Masse praised Liberty Pumps for its long-standing impact on the local economy, including job creation, expansion projects, and investment in the community.
Liberty Pumps, a leading U.S. manufacturer of wastewater and groundwater pumping products, has worked closely with GCEDC on multiple expansions, including a $13.5 million materials center completed in 2023.
Company officials say the recognition reflects not only their growth, but their commitment to Genesee County and its workforce.

 

 

Armed Suspect Tackled at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A man accused of attempting to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with weapons is expected to face federal charges.
Authorities say 31-year-old Cole Allen traveled from California and entered the Washington hotel before trying to rush the ballroom. He was tackled by security in a chaotic scene that forced guests to take cover and prompted a swift Secret Service response.
Investigators say Allen may have been targeting members of the Trump administration, with his own family reportedly warning law enforcement ahead of the event.
One Secret Service officer was shot but is expected to recover, thanks to a bulletproof vest. The suspect is now in custody as officials continue to investigate the motive behind the attempted attack.

 

 

 

 

Pembroke Fire District Honors Thruway Crash Responders

The Pembroke Fire District took a different approach to its annual awards this year, honoring those who responded to last summer’s deadly Thruway bus crash.
At its installation dinner, 22 individuals and departments were recognized for their efforts during the August 22 rollover that killed five people and injured dozens.
Fire Chief Edwin Mileham Jr. praised the teamwork shown that day, noting responders worked together seamlessly to care for victims and get survivors to hospitals.
The district says the decision reflects the extraordinary response to one of the region’s most tragic incidents, highlighting the collective effort of first responders across multiple agencies.

 

Loftus Promoted to Chief Deputy in Genesee County Sheriff’s Office

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has promoted Investigator Joseph D. Loftus to Chief Deputy of the Criminal Investigation Division.
A Le Roy High School graduate, Loftus joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2014 as a deputy before being promoted to investigator in 2018. Over the years, he has earned three departmental commendations and serves as an instructor in defensive tactics and pepper ball training.
Sheriff Joseph Graff says Loftus has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, dating back to his time as captain of his academy class at Genesee Community College.
In his new role, Loftus will oversee all criminal investigations and help guide the department’s strategy on major cases, while continuing to emphasize professionalism and accountability within the division.

 

 

 

 

Chicago Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting, Suspect on the Run

A Chicago police officer has been identified after a deadly shooting inside a hospital over the weekend.
Authorities say 38-year-old Officer John Bartholomew, a 10-year veteran of the force, was fatally shot Saturday at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital after officers transported a suspect there for treatment.
A second officer, a 57-year-old with more than two decades on the job, was also shot and remains in critical condition.
Police say the suspect, who had been in custody on a robbery-related arrest, somehow obtained a weapon inside the hospital, opened fire on officers, and fled the scene.
Investigators have recovered multiple weapons, but the suspect’s identity has not yet been released as the search continues.

 

Batavia Breaks Through, Pembroke Stays Hot in Busy Night

In baseball, Batavia broke into the win column Friday with an 11-7 road win over Greece Arcadia, pounding out 16 hits. Maggio Buchholz and Casey Mazur each went 4-for-5, while Champ Buchholz was dominant in relief, striking out eight over 5.1 innings to secure the win.
In softball, Pembroke stayed red-hot, rolling past Holley 14-0 in five innings for its sixth straight victory. Jayden Hootman homered and threw a complete-game shutout, while Taylor Bischoff and Kirsten Wright led another strong offensive showing.
Kendall picked up a 10-4 win over Byron-Bergen behind a five-RBI performance from Teagan Shaw, while Livonia walked it off against Le Roy 2-1, with Clare Stephens delivering the game-winning hit in the seventh inning.
Le Roy got a strong outing from Bryar Biracree in the loss, striking out 11 in a tight pitcher’s duel.