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Penfield man pleads guilty to drug trafficking charges

A Penfield man pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in federal court Tuesday.

Fred Valentin, also known as Fred Vargas, 42, of Penfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Valentin purchased large quantities of heroin in New York City that he brought back to Rochester where processed, packaged and resold the heroin in various quantities. He was arrested on January 16 while driving a rental car. Police found him in possession of more than 130 grams of heroin and $2,000 in cash.

Officers also found a pistol with a defaced serial number, rounds of ammunition and heroin trafficking paraphernalia. On February 13, ATF agents seized more than $72,000 in Valentin's drug proceeds during the execution of a federal search warrant at a home on Central Park in Rochester.

Valentin will be sentenced on September 5. He faces 20 years to life in prison.

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Cocktails for a Cure Happy Hour

The Huntington's Disease Society of America is hosting a special happy hour in Penfield to help raise money to provide family services, education, advocacy and research for the more than 30,000 people diagnosed with Huntington’s disease and the 250,000 at-risk in the US.

Tickets for the event on Friday, June 7 are $15 and includes two drinks (domestic drafts, well drinks, house wine) and complementary valet parking.

The happy hour will take place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Angus House & Lounge.

What's on the ballot: Penfield school budget goes to a vote

Residents in Penfield will hit the polls Tuesday to vote on the proposed 2013-14 school budget.

The adopted $87 million budget increases spending by 2.4 percent and has an estimated tax rate increase of 4.4 percent.

There are three candidates running for three open seats on the Penfield Board of Education.

Two propositions will also be on the ballot: To purchase six 66-passenger buses and to fund $1.9 million in capital projects at Scribner Road Elementary and Bay Trail Middle School.

Both propositions will be funded through reserves and fund balance and will not impact taxes.

Voting runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Penfield High School gym.

Courtesy www.MPNNow.com

WE 3-D exhibit at I-Square Visions Art Gallery

WE 3-D exhibit at I-Square Visions Art Gallery

Art students from Webster Schroeder High School and Spry Middle School will have their 3-dimensional creations on display at I-Square Visions Art Gallery from May 29 through June 8.

A sampling of work created by the sculpture and ceramics classes will be shown during the exhibit.

Gallery hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
 

I-Team 10 investigation: How much lottery money does your school district get? Click here to find out

We know there are two things that you are most concerned about.

Your money and your schools.

That's why -- on the eve of the school budget votes -- I-Team 10 spent weeks looking into those two things. Specifically -- we wanted to know how much money from the state lottery goes to your child's schools and if it was more, would it reduce your school taxes?

The Numbers

In terms of lottery money to schools -- the answer is a lot. Millions of dollars per district. And with one exception -- every year for the past 10 years the totals have gone up for every district in Monroe county, plus Victor and Canandaigua.

School District Budget Voting information for Webster and Penfield School Districts

School District Budget Voting information for Webster and Penfield School Districts

Residents around New York state will be heading to the polls Tuesday to vote on their school district's budget and to vote for candidates for the district's Board of Education.

Webster Central School District:

When: Tuesday from 6:00am to 9:00pm
Where: Schroeder High School on Ridge Road
More information on budget and candidates for School Board, click here.

Testimony begins in trial of two people charged in death of Fairport teacher

The first witnesses took the stand Monday in the trial of a man and woman accused of killing a Fairport High School teacher.

Our news partners at the Messenger Post Newspapers say the prosecution called the chief toxicologist for the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office, Dr. Jean Beno.

She says Mark Scerbo and Meagan Merkel both tested positive for alcohol and the amounts were above the legal limit. For Merkel, it was 0.09 and for Scerbo, it was 0.17, which is more than twice the legal limit. She said they both had methylone in their system, which is commonly called bath salts.

The pair is charged with DWI and manslaughter for the death of Fairport High School teacher and mother of two, Heather Boyum.