Tuesday News Brief

Young Driver Seriously Hurt in Bergen Rollover Crash

A young woman was seriously injured and airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital after a violent rollover crash Monday afternoon in Bergen. State Police say the crash happened around 12:05 p.m. on Townline Road near Pocock Road. Investigators say the vehicle was heading east when, for reasons still under investigation, it went off the north side of the road, struck a utility pole, then a fire hydrant, and rolled end over end into a farmer’s field, where it landed on its side.
The driver, described as a woman in her early 20s, was ejected from the vehicle and flown by Mercy Flight with serious injuries. Authorities say a possible medical issue may have contributed to the crash.
An infant under 1 year old was also in the SUV, but remained secured in a car seat. Several nearby farmers who heard the crash helped get the baby out. State Police say the child is okay and is now with family. Bergen Fire, Le Roy firefighters, Mercy EMS and State Police all responded. The crash remains under investigation.

 

 

Sheriff’s Teen Academy Returning This Summer

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 7th annual Teen Academy, set for July 6 through July 10 at Genesee Community College.
The free, week-long program gives students entering grades 10 through 12 a hands-on look at careers in law enforcement, including training exercises, simulations, and tours of local facilities.
Participants will work with experienced deputies, take part in physical training, and learn about everything from emergency response to criminal law.
Applications are available through school offices or local deputies, with a deadline to apply set for May 18.

 

 

 

 

 

Education Department Ends Transgender Rights Agreements with Schools

The U.S. Department of Education is ending agreements with several school districts and a college that were designed to protect transgender students.
The move affects districts in Delaware, Washington, Pennsylvania, and California, along with a California college, and means the federal government will no longer enforce those prior civil rights agreements.
Those agreements were put in place under previous administrations, which interpreted Title IX protections to include transgender and LGBTQ students.
The current administration says the decision is aimed at rolling back policies related to gender identity, including participation in sports and access to facilities.
Officials say the change reflects a broader shift in how federal civil rights law is being applied in schools moving forward.

 

 

U-Haul Theft, Cigarette Bust Among Most Notable Local Arrests

A handful of recent arrests across Genesee and Wyoming Counties are standing out for their scale and circumstances.
Jennifer Sprague-Clark, 43, of Batavia, is accused of stealing a rented U-Haul truck after failing to return it. Investigators say she continued using the vehicle without authorization until it was later located in Genesee County. She’s now facing grand larceny and unauthorized use charges and is being held without bail.
In another case, Salah Mohamed, 45, of Rochester, was stopped in Byron and allegedly found with more than 30,000 untaxed cigarettes — a large-scale quantity authorities say was intended for resale.
And Rosemary Waters, 40, of Batavia, is facing felony charges after deputies say she was found in possession of fentanyl while being processed into the Genesee County Jail.
Officials say these cases highlight a mix of ongoing investigations, with other recent arrests in the area involving thefts and altercations.

Sheriff’s Office Expands Deputy Applicant Pool

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is expanding who can apply to become a deputy.
Officials say applicants no longer need to currently live in Genesee County to take the civil service exam. Instead, candidates from six neighboring counties — including Wyoming, Erie, Monroe and Orleans — are now eligible to apply.
If hired, applicants will still be required to move into Genesee County before starting the job.
Sheriff Joe Graff says the change is aimed at addressing a shrinking applicant pool and bringing the county in line with surrounding areas.
The next deputy sheriff exam is scheduled for May 9, with applications due April 1.

 

 

 

Artemis II Astronauts Make History During Moon Flyby

Astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission are making history during a dramatic flyby of the moon.
The four-person crew traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them, breaking a record set by Apollo 13 more than 50 years ago.
As they passed the far side of the moon, astronauts described breathtaking views, capturing images of both the moon and Earth from deep space.
The six-hour flyby is a key milestone in NASA’s return to the moon, using a gravity-powered path that will sling the crew around the moon and back toward Earth later this week.
The mission marks the first time astronauts have traveled to the moon since 1972, and is a major step toward future plans to land humans near the moon’s south pole in the coming years.