Wednesday News Brief

Genesee County Officials Searching for Cat

The Genesee County Health Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a cat and its owner after a bite incident last Thursday, May 8th, around 6 p.m.
The bite occurred in the Batavia Cemetery, located at 65 Harvester Avenue—directly across from The Harvester Center.
The cat was seen running loose in the cemetery. It’s described as a grey tiger cat of average size with medium-length hair. It was wearing a collar with two tags—one blue and one black.
The health department is hoping to locate the cat quickly to confirm it’s in good health. That confirmation is important, as it would indicate there was no risk of rabies transmission during the bite.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of the cat or its owner, you’re urged to contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 extension 5555.

Jail Phone Line Will Temporarily be Down

A quick heads up from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office — on Wednesday, May 14th at 8:30 a.m., the Genesee County Jail’s main phone line — 585-343-0838 — will not be able to receive incoming calls for about 30 minutes.
Outgoing calls and in-house county lines will still work during that time. The Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone for their patience during this brief disruption.

Erie County Home Explosion Kills Elderly Woman

13WHAM News reports, a deadly explosion in Hamburg,has left one person dead and another in critical condition. Emergency crews were called to West Lane at 8:45 p.m. Monday, where they found Joene Pease, 78, dead in the debris of the home. John Pease, 78, was critically injured and transported to Erie County Medical Center. Two nearby homes were also damaged. Captain John Baker from the Hamburg Police Department described the scene as catastrophic, stating that there was no house left. A firefighter and officer sustained minor injuries, and a dog is being treated. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Batavia PD Holds Annual Awards Luncheon

The City of Batavia Police Department held its annual recognition luncheon on April 30, 2025, honoring the outstanding contributions of its members and community partners. Several officers and individuals were recognized for their dedication to the department and the city.
Sharon Nuwer, the department’s cleaner, received recognition for maintaining a safe and clean environment, while Brett Stevenson, Supervisor of Public Works, was thanked for his ongoing support with city events. The Honor Guard, including Detective Sgt. Matt Lutey and Officer Connor Borchert, was commended for its professionalism during numerous events.
Officer Samuel Freeman and Sergeant Arick Perkins earned recognition for their hard work in firearms training, while Officer Freeman and Officer Bryan Moscicki received the Life Saving Award for their heroic actions in saving a life in December 2024.
The Officer of the Year award went to Officer Andrew Mruczek, praised for his consistent professionalism, teamwork, and dedication to completing investigations.
The event serves as a testament to the department’s appreciation for its officers and community partners. Congratulations to all the recipients for their exceptional service!

Missing Dog in Bergen

A Blue Heeler has been missing since Saturday from the Griswold Road area in Bergen. The 4-year-old dog requires seizure medication, as the seizures can cause disorientation. If you spot him, do not chase or call out to him. Instead, please call or text any sightings to 585-630-8262. Your help in locating him is greatly appreciated.

Corrections Officers Fighting to get Jobs Back

In Rochester, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is processing complaints from corrections workers fired during a statewide strike in March. Around 600 workers have filed formal complaints seeking to be reinstated. So far, 66 officers have returned to work after filing grievances under the collective bargaining agreement.
The strike, which began in March, called for better working conditions inside prisons, leading to the termination of more than 2,000 workers. Some fired employees have filed grievances, claiming they were wrongfully terminated or not given due process, especially those on medical leave.
A former sergeant, speaking anonymously, said the current settlement would require workers to accept a three-year probation and admit to participating in the illegal strike. The state has begun holding meetings for employees hoping to return. Governor Kathy Hochul had previously issued an executive order barring the rehiring of these workers for any future state jobs.

Sports Scores

Here are the Genesee County high school baseball scores from Tuesday:

Le Roy fell short to Haverling, 2-3, in a close matchup.
Letchworth couldn’t keep up with Oakfield-Alabama, who won 14-7.
Pembroke struggled against Kendall, ending the game with a 0-9 score.
Notre Dame Batavia dominated Lyndonville with a 10-0 victory.
In a high-scoring game, Pavilion/York defeated Perry, 14-9.

Here are the Genesee County high school softball scores from Tuesday:

Batavia had a dominant performance, winning 19-0 over Monroe/SWW/East.
Alexander defeated Attica, 10-4, in a solid victory.
Wayland-Cohocton came out on top, beating Pavilion 9-1.
Oakfield-Alabama shut out Kendall, winning 12-0.
Byron-Bergen powered through Holley, securing a 16-4 win.