Morning News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on April 21, 2023
Batavia, Genesee County Schools went on lockout procedures due to a threat. At around 1 PM the Genesee County 911 Dispatch Center received a report from the Veteran’s Administration Hotline that a male subject had called them and stated they were going to get a weapon and “shoot up a school”. This information was immediately relayed to patrols in the City and throughout the County working. An initial trace of the phone number provided showed the phone to be in the City of Batavia area. Patrols were dispatched to each school in Genesee County as a precautionary measure and all county-wide schools placed into lockout. Officers and investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies followed up on leads and determined the threat to not be credible and in fact was false. A juvenile was interviewed by the City of Batavia Detective Bureau regarding the matter, no further information regarding the juvenile was released. All schools were released from lockout at approximately 2:25 PM. Genesee county was not the only one hit by threats, Allegany County Schools were also sent into lock out yesterday.
Drug takeback day is coming up. Tomorrow, Saturday the 22nd, from 10 to 2pm prescription drugs that have expired, went unused or are just unwanted can be dropped off at the Batavia Police department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and LeRoy Police Department. The Batavia Police department is the only one accepting needles. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Batavia Police Department has a box that is always available for surrendering prescription drugs.
The Buffalo woman who is accused of vandalizing a sign at CompassCare in Amherst has made an appearance in court. Yesterday, 39-year-old Hannah Kamke was arraigned on a criminal mischief charge. Prosecutors say that Kamke spray painted the sign back in March and caused about 500-dollars worth of damage. Kamke has been ordered to stay away from the business and is facing up to four years in prison if convicted.
On Thursday, The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office alerted farmers in Newfane to watch out for animal activists that may be trying to steal their livestock, now more than 60 chicks are missing from farmer’s yards in the county. This comes after an animal activist meeting took place this past weekend meant to encourage the so-called rescuing of farm animals. New York State Police are investigating the disappearance of Simmeth’s chicks. Animal activist groups such as PETA have been accused of stealing animals from farms and even pets from residential yards and then euthanizing them to keep them from “suffering” as companion animals.
No injuries have been reported after a tractor-trailer and train collided in Wyoming County. The incident happened yesterday in the area of Treusell Road and Wilder Road in the Village of Warsaw. Thankfully, the impact did not lead to the train being knocked off the tracks. State Police have not said yet what caused the accident.
A former Greece police officer is facing a long prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 57-year-old Raymond DiPasquale has admitted to using devices to store, receive and view hundreds of disturbing photos and videos. DiPisqaule may be behind bars for up to 20 years and have to pay a 250-thousand dollar fine. He’s scheduled to be sentenced in July.
The Buffalo Bills and kicker Tyler Bass have reached an agreement on a multi-year extension. The deal is a four-year extension worth up to $21 million dollars, with $12.3 million in guarantees. Last season Bass was 27-31 on field goal attempts while going 48-50 on extra points. Over the course of his three-year career in Buffalo he’s made 85.6% of all his field goals. And last season alone, accounted for four game-winning field goals. Three in the regular season and one in the preseason against Indianapolis.
The Genesee Community College Foundation and Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble Honorary Chairperson, Todd Bender, have announced the Annual Cougar Classic Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, July 17 at Stafford Country Club in Stafford. Bender, a Batavia resident, earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts and Science from GCC in 1989, and went on to earn an associate degree in Electrical Engineering and a bachelor degree in Business Management and Decision Sciences from RIT. The Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble allows up to 36 foursomes for the 18-hole event at the esteemed Stafford Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and dinner with a cash bar, and much more! All proceeds from the Cougar Classic support GCC’s student scholarship program.
