Wednesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on July 22, 2026
BATAVIA POLICE REPORT SERIES OF ARRESTS
Batavia Police have released their latest blotter, detailing a number of arrests throughout the city.
Among them, 36-year-old Mark E. Flaming the Fourth of Batavia was arrested on charges including second-degree menacing, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment. Police say Flaming allegedly punched another person in the face with brass knuckles while a child was present.
Dennis Ramsey, 47, of Batavia was charged with third-degree burglary and petit larceny after allegedly entering a business he’d previously been banned from and stealing merchandise.
Police also arrested 51-year-old Torre Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio, and 39-year-old David Hess of Alexander on separate DWI charges following traffic stops.
Drug possession charges were filed against Charlene Poole, 55, and Junior Benedict, 47, both of Batavia, as well as Christopher Wissinger, 53, and Diana Sponaugle, 52, both of Le Roy, after separate traffic stops allegedly uncovered crack cocaine.
Other arrests included Robert Dercqu of Batavia on petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration charges, Steven Willis of Geneseo for allegedly threatening employees at a local gas station, and Lazarus Sims of Syracuse, who was charged with possessing a stolen license plate.
TACO BELL RELOCATION PLAN MOVES FORWARD
Batavia’s Taco Bell is one step closer to a new home. Company officials appeared before the City Planning and Development Committee Tuesday night to outline plans to relocate the restaurant from its longtime West Main Street location to the vacant TimeBuyer property at the corner of West Main Street and Montclair Avenue.
Mike McCracken, Director of Asset Development for Hospitality Syracuse, says the company plans to invest more than two million dollars in the project. The proposal calls for demolishing the existing TimeBuyer building and constructing a modern Taco Bell with two full-access driveways and improved traffic flow.
McCracken also revealed the company first tried to purchase the former Batavia Marine and Sporting Supply property next to the current Taco Bell. Owner Mike Barrett confirmed he received an offer but decided not to sell. McCracken says the current Taco Bell building has reached the end of its useful life, and the company has been searching for a better Batavia location for nearly a decade.
SECOND ROUND OPENS FOR VACANT RENTAL GRANTS
Genesee County is accepting a second round of applications for its Vacant Rental Program, which helps property owners rehabilitate vacant housing and create affordable long-term rental units.
The county approved 12 projects totaling 17 apartments during the first round, and funding remains available. Applications are due by Friday, August 14.
An informational meeting will be held Tuesday, July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Genesee County Building Two on West Main Street Road to explain eligibility requirements, funding opportunities, and the application process.
PUBLIC HEARING SET ON $1.6 MILLION SEWER PROJECT
The Batavia Town Board will hold a public hearing today on a proposed $1.6 million improvement project for Sewer District Number Two.
The hearing begins at 5 p.m. at Batavia Town Court on West Main Street Road. The project includes rehabilitating manholes throughout the district by cleaning, relining concrete interiors, reconstructing sewer pipe connections and completing related site work.
The town plans to finance the project through serial bonds, with any state, federal or local grant funding helping reduce the overall cost to property owners in the district.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEFERS $1 BILLION IN MEDICAID FUNDING
The Trump administration is delaying more than one billion dollars in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing suspected fraud and noncompliance.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the move is part of a new strategy to stop fraudulent payments before taxpayer money goes out the door. The administration says 867-and-a-half million dollars is being withheld from California and 199 million dollars from Minnesota while officials review the programs.
Leaders in both Democratic-led states deny wrongdoing, saying the federal government has not provided evidence to justify the funding delays and accusing the administration of using Medicaid for political purposes. Federal officials say the money can be released if the states provide documentation proving the payments were legitimate.
PENTAGON SAYS IRAN WAR HAS COST $37.5 BILLION
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators Tuesday that the war against Iran has now cost the United States 37.5 billion dollars as the Pentagon seeks congressional approval for an 87.6 billion dollar emergency funding package.
Hegseth said the money is needed to replenish weapons, replace military equipment, and ensure troops continue to receive pay and training. His testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee was interrupted several times by anti-war protesters.
Meanwhile, President Trump said the U.S. has “no interest” in talks with Iran until Tehran is ready to negotiate “in a meaningful way.” The Pentagon also identified another American service member killed in Iraq as Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of North Carolina, bringing the U.S. military death toll in the conflict to 17.
MUCKDOGS GAME RAINED OUT
The Batavia Muckdogs’ game against the Newark Pilots scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed because of unplayable field conditions.
Fans holding tickets from Tuesday’s rainout can use them for Thursday night’s game against the Auburn Doubledays at Dwyer Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. as the Muckdogs return home for Thirsty Thursday. Tickets are available at the Dwyer Stadium box office or by calling 585-524-2260.
