Morning News Briefing

Drug dealer in Batavia awaits sentencing amid pending case in Maine.
Convicted drug dealer and former Batavia resident 34 year old Quintin Spinks has been allowed to miss his scheduled sentencing in Genesee County Court on a drug dealing charge from August of last year.
Local authorities did not know Spinks whereabouts until recently and subsequently learned he had been arrested in June by federal authorities in Maine and was facing another drug charge included in an indictment accusing several others of drug dealing and weapons trafficking.
Spinks was afforded the leniency to miss his sentencing date locally at the request of his attorney.
He sited “strategic” reasons related to his federal case in Maine and another pending case out of Monroe County for his excuse from sentencing.
While he awaits his next appearance in Batavia Spinks has time to think about accepting a plea deal offering less than two years behind bars.

Batavia resident charged with torturing a dog, relinquishes additional animals.
Officers took a bearded dragon lizard, and two other mixed breed dogs, from the East Main Street residence of 23 year old Brandon Welch following his arrest on a litany of charges last week.
Welch appeared in City Court yesterday afternoon where his bail was set at $5,000 on charges of falsely reporting an incident, torturing/injuring/not feeding an animal; and owning/harboring an unlicensed dog.
Welch had an emaciated pit bull mix pup seized from his residence after it was found near death.
Welch was also charged with making a Terroristic Threat after he allegedly threatened to shoot law enforcement before responding to his home.
He voluntarily surrendered two firearms when officers took him into custody on a warrant and bail was not decided regarding the Class D Felony.
Welch’s council also advised him to turn over a third weapon he allegedly owns if he happens to make bail at his next hearing.

Biden bringing big name support to McMurray in Congressional race.
Before making a speech at the University of Buffalo, former Vice President Joe Biden showed his support for Nate McMurray.
Biden stopped at the Olive Tree Restaurant yesterday in Lancaster to endorse his fellow Democrat in his race against Republican Congressman Chris Collins.
He and McMurray are battling to see who will lead the 27th Congressional District.

Republican candidate for Governor Marc Molinaro is pushing Governor Cuomo for another debate.
During a stop in Rochester yesterday, the Dutchess County Executive said the next potential head-to-head between the candidates needs to focus on upstate issues.
Their first debate in New York City earlier this week mostly focused on issues important to that region of the Empire State.
There’s no word if Cuomo and Molinaro will meet face-to-face again before Election Day.

Genesee County to take part in DWI Crackdown over Halloween weekend.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia and the Village of LeRoy Police Departments will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on October 30th and will end on November 4th.
New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Leaf collection begins next week.
Citywide leaf collection starts Monday October 29th and will continue until November 30th.
Residents can rake leaves to the parkway, but do not place in the street.
If your street has a route number such as Route 5, 33, 63 or 98 then please keep leaves out of the roadway.