Wednesday News Brief

GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORTS MULTIPLE ARRESTS

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office reports several recent arrests involving assault, drug possession, animal abandonment, and theft cases across the county.
Thirty-one-year-old Jarrod Fotiathis of Batavia and 45-year-old Craig Brown of Batavia were each charged with felony second-degree assault after separate incidents involving alleged assaults on inmates inside the Genesee County Jail earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Fraser of Stafford was charged with animal abandonment after deputies say she left a dog on Pratt Road. She’s scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court next month.
Deputies also made multiple drug-related arrests at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. Hillary Russell and Louis Szabo were allegedly found with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia after security reported suspicious items while the pair entered the casino. Investigators also say Szabo used a false New York State identification card.
In a separate incident, Adalberto Torres of Rochester was charged after deputies allegedly found him in possession of cocaine while at Batavia Downs.
And Michael Pittman of Mount Morris was charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest after allegedly stealing nearly 38 dollars worth of merchandise from Target in Batavia.

 

SHERIFF’S OFFICE EXTENDS TEEN ACADEMY DEADLINE

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has extended the application deadline for its Teen Academy program to June 1st.
The free program runs July 6th through the 10th and gives local students hands-on experience with law enforcement training and careers.
Participants will tour the county jail, 911 dispatch center, and sheriff’s office while also taking part in mock traffic stops, defensive tactics training, physical fitness activities, and demonstrations from the K-9 Unit and Emergency Response Team.
Students entering grades 10 through 12 who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
Applications are available through school guidance offices and school resource deputies.

 

 

 

 

 

17 CALVES STOLEN FROM OAKFIELD FARM; SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATING

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after 17 calves were reportedly stolen from a calf facility operated by Lamb Farms in Oakfield.
Farm officials say the missing animals are five-month-old Holstein heifers that disappeared sometime between 1 and 3 a.m. Sunday from the Bliss Road facility.
Kendra Lamb says the farm’s biggest concern right now is the safety and wellbeing of the calves, noting the animals are closely cared for and monitored. She says workers initially searched the property, nearby woods, and fields before contacting authorities after finding multiple gates left open under suspicious circumstances.
The calves reportedly have electronic identification tags and large floppy ear tags, and the farm is asking neighboring residents to check surveillance cameras for any trucks hauling cattle trailers during the overnight hours.
Chief Deputy Andrew Hale confirmed the theft and says investigators are actively pursuing leads.
Lamb Farms is asking anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office as the search continues.

 

IRAN TALKS, TRUMP HEALTH, AND REDISTRICTING BATTLES DOMINATE NATIONAL HEADLINES

Tensions remain high in the Middle East as Iran condemned recent U.S. military strikes, calling them a sign of “bad faith” while ceasefire and peace negotiations continue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says talks surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz could continue for several more days.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump underwent a medical exam Tuesday at Walter Reed Medical Center. Trump later posted online saying everything checked out “perfectly,” though the White House has not yet released detailed results from the exam.
And on the political front, a federal court temporarily blocked Alabama’s new congressional map, ruling it likely discriminated against Black voters. At the same time, South Carolina’s Senate rejected a separate Trump-backed effort to redraw congressional districts ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

 

 

 

 

PALMYRA PERFORMING TONIGHT IN PAVILION

The folk and roots music group Palmyra will perform tonight at the Perry Pavilion in Pavilion.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and is being co-presented by North Shore Point Downtown and the Virginia Arts Festival.
The band formed while members attended James Madison University and has gained national attention for its energetic folk sound and vocal harmonies.
Critics have praised the group’s live performances for their emotional intensity and powerful harmonies.
The Perry Pavilion is located at 1024 Perry Road in Pavilion.

 

 

 

 

 

COLORADO RIVER WATER DEBATE COULD IMPACT POWER COSTS AND WILDLIFE

Federal officials are weighing a major decision involving the shrinking Colorado River that could affect both electricity costs and endangered wildlife across the Southwest.
The proposal would release colder water from deep inside Lake Powell through the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona to help protect the threatened humpback chub and other native fish from invasive predators.
But the colder water bypasses the dam’s hydropower turbines, potentially costing utilities millions of dollars in lost electricity generation and replacement energy costs.
Lake Powell is currently just 23 percent full following years of drought and climate change impacts.
Environmental groups say the colder releases are critical to preserving native fish populations and a popular trout fishery downstream, while utility companies warn the plan could lead to higher electric bills for customers already struggling with rising costs.

 

NOTRE DAME, OAKFIELD-ALABAMA ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL FINALS

It was a huge night for local teams in the Section V playoffs Tuesday as both Notre Dame baseball and Oakfield-Alabama softball punched their tickets to sectional championship games.
In Class C1 baseball, Notre Dame rolled past Pavilion-York 9-2 behind a dominant all-around performance from Evan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick struck out nine over six innings on the mound and also went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs at the plate. Aydn Horzempa added three hits and two RBIs as the Irish improved to 20-1 and advanced to Friday’s sectional final against Gananda.
Meanwhile in another Class C1 semifinal, Gananda edged Pembroke 1-0 despite a tremendous outing from Brayden Lang, who struck out 12 for the Dragons.
In softball, Oakfield-Alabama continued its dominant postseason run with a 12-0 win over Keshequa in the Class D1 semifinals. Chloe Lamb went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBIs, while Savannah Durham struck out 12 and allowed just one hit in the circle. The Hornets advance to Friday’s sectional title game against Fillmore.
Elsewhere, Le Roy’s softball season ended with an 8-1 loss to Wellsville, while Elba softball fell to Avoca-Prattsburgh 9-5 in Class D2 action.