Tuesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on September 15, 2026
BASOM MAN KILLED IN ROUTE 63 CRASH
A Basom man was killed and two other people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Sunday night in the Town of Batavia.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Donald Fitch died from injuries suffered in the collision at Route 63 and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road.
Investigators say a Jeep Compass driven by Ravi Deb of Buffalo was traveling west on Townline Road when it failed to stop at a stop sign and entered the Route 63 intersection.
The Jeep was then struck by a Chrysler Town and Country traveling south on Route 63. Donald Fitch was a passenger in the Chrysler, which was driven by Randy Fitch.
Deb and Randy Fitch were both taken to area hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Sheriff’s Office Crash Management Team and Criminal Investigation Division responded along with State Police, local fire departments, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Coroner’s Office.
BATAVIA POLICE REPORT SEVERAL RECENT ARRESTS
Batavia Police are reporting several arrests, including a 52-year-old city man accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 11.
Joel Morales-Cruz is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
21-year-old Parodyce Warren faces criminal contempt and criminal mischief charges following an alleged domestic incident on Liberty Street.
Maureen Murphy, 37, and Richard Miller, 40, are accused of fleeing a traffic stop and attempting to conceal narcotics. Murphy was separately charged with petit larceny.
Cynthia Stewart, 45, faces grand larceny, petit larceny and child endangerment charges.
John Queen, 44, and Mark Tooley, 43, were charged with drug possession.
Police also reported DWI arrests involving 26-year-old Caitlyn Fitzpatrick of Webster, 24-year-old Jacob Monell of Owego, 27-year-old Xavier Green of Batavia and 32-year-old Michael Mault of Oakfield.
53-year-old Cassandra Brunea was also charged with criminal contempt.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
BRYSON TILLER COMING TO DARIEN LAKE TONIGHT
R&B star Bryson Tiller brings his Neo Trapsoul Tour to Darien Lake tonight.
The concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Darien Lake Amphitheater and will be held rain or shine.
Fans heading to the show should know outside lawn chairs are not permitted, although a limited number will be available to rent.
The venue’s bag policy allows either a small clutch or an approved clear bag.
Tickets and additional information are available through Darien Lake and Live Nation.
EPA REPEALS GREENHOUSE GAS RULES FOR POWER PLANTS
The Environmental Protection Agency is repealing federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas power plants.
The rules were adopted during the Biden administration and included requirements that could have forced some coal plants to capture carbon emissions or eventually shut down.
The EPA says eliminating the requirements will reduce costs for the energy industry and give utilities greater flexibility in deciding how to generate electricity.
Environmental and public health organizations oppose the rollback, arguing it will increase pollution, and are expected to challenge the decision in court.
The EPA is also pursuing a separate rule that could restrict future administrations from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
DEMOCRATS DIVIDED OVER TRANSGENDER ATHLETES IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
A growing number of prominent Democrats are breaking with their party’s traditional position on transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports.
California Governor Gavin Newsom told the Associated Press he believes allowing athletes assigned male at birth to compete against girls is unfair, while Democratic candidates in Iowa, Ohio and Texas have also moved toward restrictions.
Others, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, continue to oppose government bans.
The debate comes as polling shows broad public support for restrictions. A June Quinnipiac University poll found 70-percent of registered voters opposed allowing transgender women and girls to compete on women’s and girls’ school sports teams, while 24-percent supported it.
GENESEE COUNTY SOCCER ROUNDUP
In Genesee County high school boys soccer action, Batavia fell to Pittsford Mendon, 3-1.
On the girls side, Avon defeated Pavilion/York, 4-2, while Byron-Bergen and Holley battled to a scoreless 0-0 tie.
Oakfield-Alabama/Elba was shut out by Alden, 3-0, despite a competitive effort. Ysabella Schrauger made seven saves in goal for O-A/E, while Gracie Smith and Melissa Garcia Vasquez each recorded three shots. Ava Buczek and Aliah Chatt added two shots apiece.
