Thursday News Brief

Genesee County Election Results

In the City of Batavia Council race, Democrat Samuel DiSalvo led the field with 28.7% of the vote, followed by Republicans Nicholas Lord at 24.9%, Eugene Jankowski at 23.3%, and Richard Richmond II at 23.2%, with all precincts reporting.
In county legislature races:
Gordon Dibble won District 3 with 67% over Michael Plitt.
Laurie Mancuso took District 5 with 62.3% over Ninja-Aileen Calhoun.
In District 9, Democrat John Borrelli edged out F. Robert Bialkowski and Kathleen Briggs with 46.1%.
In Le Roy, incumbents William Fox Sr. and David Paddock retained their council seats, while Emily McNamara was elected Town Justice.
In Stafford, incumbents James Duyssen and Ronald Panek held their council seats, and Steven Boldt was re-elected Highway Superintendent.
In Pembroke, incumbents Edward Arnold Jr. and Deborah Conti were re-elected to the Town Council, defeating Helen Trowbridge Hanes.
In Alexander, Shannon Bartholomew was re-elected town clerk, and Laura Schmieder and Eric Wagner retained their council seats.
Byron voters narrowly split on a library tax proposition — 267 to 267 — while Jeffrey Thompson defeated incumbent Candace Hensel for supervisor.
At the state level, New York’s Proposition One, concerning Adirondack Park land use, passed 52 to 48 percent.

Medina Man Accepts Plea Deal in Deadly Fire Case

Henry Banks appeared in Genesee County Court Wednesday morning and accepted a plea deal in connection with a fatal house fire that claimed the life of 10-year-old Javarius Williams.
Banks, 55, of Medina, entered an Alford plea — meaning he maintains his innocence but acknowledges there’s enough evidence for a conviction. He pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, a Class E felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.
As part of the deal, Banks will spend the next year under interim probation supervision. District Attorney Kevin Finnell says if Banks complies, he can withdraw the felony plea and face sentencing only on the misdemeanor charge — with no jail time. If not, he could face one to four years in state prison.
Finnell called the case “a terrible tragedy,” but said prosecutors had to balance justice with the facts of the law.
Banks’ bail was released, and his final sentencing is set for October 29, 2026, at 10 a.m.

HUD Awards Over $1.1 Million to Expand Housing Services in Genesee County

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $1.1 million in Rapid Rehousing Program funds to the YWCA of Genesee County and Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
The YWCA received $557,000, and Independent Living earned a $553,000 expansion grant to help place individuals and families experiencing homelessness into safe, stable housing with ongoing support services.
The funding is renewable each year and part of HUD’s Continuum of Care program to end homelessness across Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Palermo Foundation Marks Nearly 30 Years of Giving

For 27 years, Ricky Palermo, his family, and friends have traveled to New York City to present donations to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the Buoniconti Fund during the Great Sports Legends Dinner.
Since forming the Ricky Palermo Foundation in 1996, the group has raised and donated over $2.2 million to hospitals, research, and local programs helping those with spinal cord injuries.
While attending this year’s dinner, Palermo received a Buoniconti Fund Silver Plate, sharing the stage with Gloria Estefan, Bob Costas, and Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas.

State Warns of Charity Scams After Hurricane Melissa

New York State residents are being warned to watch out for fraudulent charities claiming to raise money for victims of Hurricane Melissa.
The Attorney General’s Office urges New Yorkers to verify all organizations before donating — especially those soliciting by email, social media, or text message. Officials say donors should research charities, avoid giving cash, and never share credit card or personal information unless the group is confirmed legitimate.
Suspicious activity can be reported to the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau at (212) 416-8401.