Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on November 10, 2022
A man who sexually assaulted a child has been sentenced ten years to life. 42 year old Wesley Thigpen, was called a poison by judge Melissa Cianfrini as she handed down the sentence. The day in court was fraught with warnings and outbursts and capped off with Thigpen refusing to sign an order of protection. Cianfrini told him it would go into his file and that parole boards would see what kind of person he was. She left the court before corrections officers removed him.
Veterans Day in Batavia is actually Veterans 3 day. Starting today at 8:15 there is a ceremony at the Batavia High School which includes music and remarks in honor of local veterans. GCASA is hosting the Mission 22 Walk at 2:30 at Dewitt Park following the Ellicott Trail and ending at Recovery Station. Friday there is a lineup of events from 9am to 1 pm. You can check out the whole list on our news partner the Batavian. Saturday Recovery Station will host a Veteran Connection gathering from 5 to 7pm on Nov 16.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced deer and bear hunting seasons in New York’s Southern Zone begin November 19. According to the DEC, approximately 85% of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters will participate in regular firearms season for deer and bear in the southern zone which begins November 19 and continues through December 11. The DEC said harvest during this season accounts for around 60% of the total statewide deer harvest and a substantial part of the statewide bear harvest. That is followed by late bowhunting and muzzle-loading seasons which will begin on December 12 and continue through December 20. It takes place again from December 26 through January 1.
One person has been detained following vandalism that happened at the FBI office in Buffalo. Officials say the individual threw a brick multiple times at the lobby window of the building located on Niagara Street yesterday. Interior screens stopped the person from getting inside the building and no injuries were reported. The name of the individual hasn’t been released.
A now-former bus driver in the Brockport Central School District is in some legal trouble after being accused of driving drunk. According to investigators, 47-year-old Robert Manley was transporting students during an out-of-district run earlier this week when a random alcohol screening test revealed his blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit. Manley has been fired from his job with the district and is expected to appear in court later this month.
Rochester police say they’ve made an arrest in connection with a recent fire at the old Rochester Riverside Hotel. They say 39-year-old Isaac Lynch set the blaze on East Main Street last Wednesday and is now facing multiple charges including arson. It is believed Lynch was also responsible for causing another fire on Mortimer Street and setting two dumpsters on fire behind a business on Dewey Avenue. After being taken into custody, Lynch was sent to the Monroe County Jail.
The 37th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Peter Zeliff of Batavia on Friday, December 2, at an awards luncheon at noon at Terry Hills Restaurant. In naming Mr. Zeliff for this year’s award, the Jerome Foundation will recognize him for his many volunteer efforts. He developed the WNY Aviation Adventure Camp for high school students interested in the field of aviation. He is spearheading an effort to bring back in 2023 the Wings Over Batavia airshow. Pete also has served on the Board of Directors of many local organizations. Currently he is Chairman of the GCEDC Board and serves on the UMMC Board of Directors. He also volunteers for Wings Flights of Hope, Veteran’s Air Lift Command and the Special Olympics Airlift.
Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr. announces the promotion of Francis A. Riccobono to Director of Emergency Communications of the Genesee County Emergency Services Dispatch Center. Director Riccobono assumed his new duties on October 29. Director Riccobono has over 31 years of experience in Genesee County emergency dispatching services, having begun his dispatching career with the City of Batavia Police Department in 1991, and transitioning to the Genesee County consolidated dispatch center in 2008. In 2019, he was appointed Assistant Director of Emergency Communications/Operations. During his tenure, he has been awarded two Commendations.
The Elba FFA Chapter brought home big awards competing in the National FFA Dairy Evaluation and Management Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. The competition consisted of an online multiple-choice assessment that tested their dairy knowledge at the end of September, then at the end of October, they traveled to the National FFA Convention to compete in multiple days of events which included a team activity as well as judging multiple classes of dairy cattle. They was awarded the National Silver Award for Dairy Evaluation and Management. Ian Keberle and Bing Zuber were awarded national gold individually, and Amelia and Jillian Brewer were awarded national silver individually.
