Monday News Brief

An arrest has been made in connection with a fatal crash in Lancaster earlier this month. Officials say Nicholas Rich is facing several charges, including vehicular manslaughter and also DWI. This follows the accident back on October 13th, which killed 10-year-old Levi Zielonka, a student at St. Joseph Regional School in Batavia. Two other people were also hurt but survived. Rich may end up in additional legal trouble pending the results of a toxicology report.

 

City of Batavia Police blotter:

 

On 10/17/2023, Jennifer K Freeman (age 39) of Batavia, was arrested for Assault 2nd. It’s alleged that Freeman struck another person in the head with a blunt object, causing injury. Freeman was arraigned in CAP court and released. She is due back in court on 10/31/2023.

 

 

 

 

 

On 10/14/2023, Keith M Lewandowski (age 32) of Albion, was arrested for Robbery 3rd, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, Menacing 2nd, and Harassment 2nd. The arrest stems from an investigation into a disturbance where Lewandowski allegedly struck another person, threatened them with a knife, and stole their cell phone. Lewandowski was arraigned in CAP court and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

 

 

 

On 10/17/2023, Christopher H Monfort (age 51) of Webster, was arrested on an Arrest Warrant. Monfort was initially charged, on 2/18/2023, with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd, and Switched License Plates. He was released on appearance tickets, but failed to appear in court. Monfort was arraigned and held on nominal bail. He is due back in court on 11/14/2023.

On 10/16/2023, Amber L Turner (age 30) of Batavia, was arrested on a Bench Warrant. Turner was initially charged with Making Graffiti on 7/28/2023, after allegedly spray painting the sidewalk, on South Main St. The warrant was issued after Turner allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. She is due back in court, at a later date.

On 10/3/2023, Sarah E Hill (age 23) of Corning, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. Hill was arrested following an incident on West Main St, where she allegedly struck another person. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 10/31/2023.

On 10/12/2023, Malik I Ayala (age 32) of Batavia, was arrested for Petit Larceny. The arrest comes after an investigation into a larceny of merchandise from Kwik Fill, on 9/19/2023. Ayala was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 11/2/2023.

On October 13th, 2023, Benjamin G Evans (age 35) of Batavia, was arrested on an Arrest Warrant. Evans was initially arrested on 7/9/2023 and charged with Petit Larceny, after allegedly stealing a package from the front porch of a residence. The warrant was issued on 10/11/2023, after he failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released. He is due back in court, at a later date.

From the Genesee County Sheriff:

 

29-year-old Ronald Murray, Jr. of Batavia has been arrested in Bethany. He’s charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. It happened late yesterday afternoon when sheriffs were called to The Rolling Hills Asylum to check on the welfare of a male passed out behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. During the investigation, Murray was found to possess a white rock-like substance, which was later identified as crack cocaine. He was taken to Genesee County Jail for processing. Murray was released on an appearance ticket and is set to return to Bethany Town Court on November 1. ALSO:  21-year-old Raven Spikes and 20-year-old Jaliyah McClinic, both of Batavia, have been arrested for petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. It’s alleged they stole items from Target on Veteran’s Memorial Drive; two children were with them. Both were transported to Genesee County Jail for processing, issued appearance tickets and are scheduled for Batavia Town Court on December 12th. ALSO: 19-year-old Tyler Burns has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief for damaging property. Sheriff Deputies responded to Batavia Downs Casino for a male going through vehicles and spoke with Burns. He had fallen asleep in the bathroom and when woken by security, became irate and destroyed the baby changing station. Burns was transported to Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets. He’s due in Batavia Town Court on November 7th.

 

Airports in the area will be getting a portion of $49 million in funding from New York State. Genesee County Airport is set to receive the highest amount at $2.5 million. Other airports that will get money for various projects include Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, Finger Lakes Regional Airport, and Penn Yan Airport. State leaders say these investments will have a long-lasting impact on communities while improving transportation infrastructure.

 

 

 

Canisius University has announced that a building that was damaged during last year’s deadly snowstorm will not be reopening. Lyons Hall was closed in the aftermath of the blizzard back in December that took the lives of nearly 50 people. The school president says there is enough space available on campus, so there is no need to have the building open again. The school is planning to begin talking with its insurance provider to settle the claim that was filed for damages.

 

The Buffalo Bills have come up short in their pursuit of a second straight win after a tough loss on the road. The New England Patriots scored a touchdown with just seconds left as they defeated the Bills 29 to 25 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts yesterday. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen threw for 265 yards and a TD for his team, whose record this season is now four wins and three losses. Up next for the Bills is a home game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

 

 

The Sabres beat the Islanders 3 to 1 on Saturday night in Buffalo. Jeff Skinner, Mattias Samuelsson and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres. It was a game of who had more shots on goal as Eric Comrie made 24 saves while the Islanders goalie made 40. The Sabres will be back on the ice tonight at the Keybank Arena against the Montreal Canadiens. The puck drops at 7:00.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Environmental Conservation are reminding people to keep a close eye out for moose and deer while they are traveling. Data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research shows that 41% of the crashes involving deer and vehicles happen between October and December. Animals are typically most active at dawn and dusk. Safety tips can be found at dmv.ny.gov.

 

Starting today, folks across the region who want to get a good meal at a great price will be able to do so. That’s because it is the annual restaurant week that is led by the Western New York chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association. Among the businesses participating in the event, which runs through October 29th, are Bella Ciao, Eagle House and the Coyote Cafe. For more information, head to visitbuffaloniagara.com.

 

 

SAG-AFTRA says their Halloween costume guidance does not apply to anyone’s kids. This comes after the actors’ union recommended members dress up as general characters like witches and ghosts instead of characters from movies like “Barbie” and “The Bear.” Ryan Reynolds poked fun at the guidelines in a post on “X,” saying “I look forward to screaming ‘scab’ at my 8-year-old all night.” The union clarified that their goal was to help members avoid promoting struck work, and no ones kids have to follow these guidelines. Meanwhile, negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood’s studios will resume on Tuesday. Union members are asking studios for better pay, protections against Artificial Intelligence residuals from streaming, and more.

 

Former Vice President Mike Pence says he wasn’t aware of a false electors scheme following the 2020 presidential election. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, the GOP presidential hopeful said he did eventually learn of such efforts “in the press,” but never heard conversations in the White House about false electors. He said he was aware that “crackpot lawyers,” as Pence called them, were falsely telling then-President Trump the vice president had the authority to reject electoral votes and send them back to the states.

 

Elon Musk says X will launch a two-tier premium subscription. The billionaire said the lower-cost option will have all the same features as the higher-cost option, except the lower-cost will still have ads and the higher will be ad-free. They will be “launching soon” but Musk didn’t share any other details on timing or specific prices.

 

 

Today is Monday, October 23rd, the 296th day of the year.

October 23 in history…

 

…In 1915, 25,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1941, Walt Disney’s animated classic “Dumbo” was released in theaters across the U.S.

 

 

 

 

…In 1964 David Box, one of Buddy Holly’s successors as lead vocalist with The Crickets, died in a plane crash in Texas. He was 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1980 Mark David Chapman quit his security job and signed out for the last time. Instead of the usual “Chappy” he wrote “John Lennon”. Chapman would murder Lennon less than two months later, on December 8th, outside his New York City home.