Monday News Brief

It’ll be yet another busy week at the State Capitol as lawmakers work to get a new budget in place. Politico is reporting the legislature and Governor Hochul have the framework for a $235 billion spending plan. Most of the debate has centered around things such as a housing plan, funding for schools, and how to crackdown on retail theft. The budget was initially due April 1st and has been late multiple years in a row.

 

A 68-year-old man who lived at Oak Orchard Estates in Albion has died. Firefighters were dispatched late last night and upon arrival found that his trailer was fully engulfed in flames. The man, who will be identified after police have the opportunity to notify his family, was unable to get out of the fire. Two neighbors tried to kick in doors and break into the back window to assist the man but sadly were unsuccessful. State fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.

 

 

 

CITY OF BATAVIA POLICE BLOTTER

Matthew O. Bader (age 41) of Batavia, and Jennifer M Shaffer (age 41) of Batavia, were arrested in regards to several cases, in the City of Batavia. It’s alleged that Bader stole the tip jar from Southside Deli. He was charged with Petit Larceny. He is also accused of stealing a credit card out of a vehicle, and using the card at several local businesses. In that case, he is charged with Burglary 3rd, Identity Theft 3rd, Grand Larceny 4th, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th, and Petit Larceny. He is also accused, in another case, of stealing a wallet out of a vehicle and using the stolen credit card at several local businesses. He is charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd, Grand Larceny 4th, Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification 3rd, Identity Theft 3rd, and Conspiracy 5th. Shaffer was charged with Identity Theft 3rd, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th, and Conspiracy 5th, in that case. Bader also had a warrant, out of South Carolina. He was arraigned as a Fugitive from Justice and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

 

On 4/1/2024, Cody A Bush (age 38) of Batavia, was arrested for Attempted Assault 2nd, Aggravated Family Offense, Unlawful Imprisonment 1st, Assault 3rd, and Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd. Bush was charged after an investigation into an incident that occurred on 2/25/2024, when he allegedly struck another person numerous times, during an altercation at a residence, on Columbia Ave. He also allegedly refused to let the victim leave a second-floor room, causing the victim to jump out of the window, to get away from him, resulting in serious physical injury. Bush was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. He is due back in court, on 4/17/2024.

 

 

On 4/9/2024, Christopher D. Bisig (age 37) of Batavia, was arrested for Sex Offender Failure to Report Internet Identifiers within 10 Days. Bisig, who is a level 3 sex offender, allegedly failed to register two internet identifiers, pertaining to social media accounts. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, and is being held at the Genesee County Jail.

 

 

 

 

On 4/5/2024, Robert L Drennen Sr (age 42) of Batavia, was arrested on an arrest warrant. Drennen was initially charged, on 9/6/2023, with Driving while Ability Impaired by Alcohol and Drinking Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle. He was issued appearance tickets and released, but failed to appear in court. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court, on 4/25/2024.

On 3/27/2024, Marcus A King (age 22) of Webster, was arrested on an arrest warrant. King was initially arrested, on 11/6/2023, for Harassment 2nd after allegedly striking another person in the face, during an altercation on Pearl St. The warrant was issued, after he failed to appear in court. King was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. He is due back in court, on 4/17/2024.

On 3/27/2024, Evan J Vanskiver (age 32) of Hamlin, was arrested for Bail Jumping 2nd. It’s alleged that Vanskiver had been released, on another charge, but fail to appear in court on the scheduled date, or within thirty days after. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail, without bail. He is due back in court, on 5/1/2024.

On 3/26/2023, Jennifer L Elmore (age 52) of Batavia, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. It’s alleged that Elmore engaged in a course of conduct with the intent to alarm, or seriously annoy another person. Elmore is accused of repeatedly standing outside of the victim’s house and yelling at the victim and writing profanities on the sidewalk, in front of the victim’s residence. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 4/9/2024.

On 4/6/2024, Jennifer K Freeman (age 40) of Batavia, was arrested on three bench warrants. All three warrants were issued, after she failed to appear in court. Freeman was arraigned in CAP Court and is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

 

IN OTHER NEWS…

Gas prices continue to nudge their way higher. According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.63. The state average is $3.51. In Batavia, the average price calculates out to $3.44. That’s up 9 cents (roughly 2 and a half percent) from a week ago; 18 cents from a month ago; but down 13 cents from a year ago today.

 

New information has been revealed about why there was a search around Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Authorities say 38-year-old Patrick Steinmetz of Springwater was recently arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor and ended up going to the hospital after experiencing a medical problem. A court order led to him being discharged from the hospital Saturday, but due to the nature of his alleged crimes, deputies contacted the court and got another order saying he could be taken back into custody. He was captured without incident in Rochester.

 

 

Today is tax day, and if you haven’t already filed, the IRS is making it easier for some. The agency released an update for Direct File, its free tax-filing program. The update allows taxpayers to import the previous year’s information from the IRS in order to easily validate the current year’s return. The Direct File pilot program is only available to taxpayers in 12 states as a test this year and New York is one of those states. If you’re in a crunch, you need to file for an extension. The key thing to keep in mind is to file your extension today. If you file for an extension, you need to file form 4868 on IRS.gov, which gives you an automatic extension for six more months.

 

The Genesee County Highway Department has scheduled work to start today (April 15th) in Elba. The Oak Orchard Road Bridge over the Oak Orchard Creek will be closed for a superstructure replacement and a detour will be available. Construction is expected to continue through approximately June 1st. In addition, a bridge replacement project on Fargo Road in Bethany will begin on Thursday, April 18th. This will mean the bridge on Fargo Road over Black Creek near Route 63 and Little Canada Extension will be closed with a designated detour in place. Construction is expected to continue until the end of August.

 

It may soon cost more to mail a card or letter. The U.S. Postal Service is asking for approval to raise the price of stamps for the second time in six months. If the change gets the green light, a first class stamp will jump from 68-cents to 73-cents in July.

 

 

 

Clinching a playoff berth is usually worthy of celebration, but it would have looked a little weird for the Rochester Americans to be sharing a toast or high-fiving on the ice of Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial after Friday’s 6-3 loss to the Belleville Senators. So, they instead somewhat passively saluted the accomplishment, knowing full well that a post-season berth for the third consecutive spring was definitely earned. Utica’s loss at Providence assured the Amerks a trip to the Calder Cup playoffs.

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be in the Sunshine State tonight as they finish up what has been yet another disappointing season. The Sabres are going to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Buffalo last played on Saturday night when they lost to the Florida Panthers by a final score of three-to-two in overtime. Face-off this evening is set for 7:00.

 

 

ELSEWHERE…

Starting next week, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can try to catch a glimpse of one of the oldest known meteor showers. The Lyrids meteor shower, which has been viewed by humans annually for nearly 2700 years, starts on April 15th and lasts until April 29th. In ideal conditions, viewers can spot around 10 to 15 meteors per hour during the shower’s peak, which is on April 22nd, according to EarthSky.

 

“The Golden Bachelor” stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are going their separate ways. In an interview that aired Friday on “Good Morning America,” the couple announced they are divorcing. The news comes three months after they got married on national television. Turner, the first bachelor on ABC’s senior reality dating show, said he is still in love with Nist and will “root for her every day.”