batavia

Three residents of Rochester are in custody tonight, charged with felony larceny and misdemeanor conspiracy after allegedly stealing $2,200 in merchandise from Kohl's Department Store in Batavia today before leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase into Orleans County.

Charged are Davion Z. Jackson, 23, of Curlew Street, Jeremy L. Siplin, 40, of Lakeview Street, and Shabre A. Young, 25, of Fulton Avenue.

Young is also charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawfully fleeing police, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, speeding, speeding in zone, speeding in a school zone, speeding in a work zone, moving from lane unsafely, no turn signal, failure to keep right, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The thefts were reported at 1:31 p.m. Deputies were informed the suspects had fled in a tan Ford van. A short time later, the vehicle was spotted on Route 98 by Deputy Andrew Hale and Trooper Mitch Hamilton.

The peace officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Young allegedly hit the gas rather than stop and headed north on Route 98.

Reports today indicated that the van reached 120 mph as Young allegedly attempted to elude capture.

During the pursuit, suspects reportedly discarded stolen items from the windows of the vehicle.

At Route 98 and Lime Kiln Road in Albion, Young reportedly attempted to negotiate a turn at a high speed. The van struck a utility pole, shearing it off. Two occupants allegedly fled on foot but were apprehended quickly in close proximity to the vehicle. 

Young was transported to UMMC and subsequently released.

The suspects were arraigned in Town of Batavia Court.

Jackson was jailed on $20,000 cash bail, $30,000 bond; Young on $10,000 bail, $15,000 bond; and Siplin was ordered held without bail.

Additional charges may be pending in Orleans County.

The incident was investigated by deputies Andrew Hale and Joseph Loftus with assistance from other members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, including investigator Chris Parker and Investigator James Diehl. The State Police, Batavia PD, Albion PD, and the Orleans County Sheriff's Office also assisted. 

Previously: High-speed chase on northbound Route 98 as officers pursue suspected Kohl's shoplifters

Top photo by Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub.

(Pictured above from left are Batavia Kiwanis Club members Jocelyn Sikorski, Matt Landers, Peter Guppenberger and Mark Lewis.)

Submitted photo and press release:

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia would like to invite the community to our Annual Thanksgiving Morning Community Skate at Falleti Ice Arena. It is located at 22 Evans St. in the City of Batavia.

The event runs Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 23) from 9 to 11 a.m. and admission is free, rentals are free (while supplies last) and the hot chocolate is free. Skaters of all skills are welcome!

Come start a new Thanksgiving tradition or continue a tradition that many area families have been participating in for years. A bonus of participating is getting a little exercise in before eating all of that delicious turkey later in the day!

We look forward to seeing all of the smiling faces and Kiwanis is so happy to be able to provide this family friendly entertainment for the community!

"The Kiwanis Club of Batavia would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!"

Press release:

The Batavia Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee has set dates for release of the "Request for Information" project forms that applicants must complete to be considered for funding.

On Monday Nov. 20th Request for Information (RFI) project forms will be available on the City of Batavia's website here, and in hard copy at the City Manager's office located at One Batavia City Centre, Batavia.

The RFI is a short form directing participants to provide basic information about potential projects including project scope, description, budget, and financing. The Local Planning Committee encourages all project ideas that could promote the revitalization of downtown.

"The DRI Local Planning Committee wants to see projects in all stages of the development lifecycle. Some projects will be funded through the DRI program, and others could be completed by deploying other resources, grant programs or held for long-term planning initiatives. We are grateful to New York State for this opportunity to engage all citizens in helping to shape the future of Batavia," say Co-chairs Eugene Jankowski and Steve Hyde.

The Batavia DRI Local Planning Committee will consider local public improvement projects, private development projects, revolving grant and loan projects, as well as branding and marketing projects. The project location must be within the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) and will be evaluated by the Local Planning Committee.

Here is a link to the BID boundary here.

Batavia DRI RFI Dates and Deadlines

1. Monday Nov. 20th -- RFI project forms available www.batavianewyork.com;

2. Tuesday Nov. 28th -- Informational meeting regarding the RFI project forms -- 2 p.m., in Batavia City Hall, City Council Chambers, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia;

3. Monday Dec. 18th -- RFI project forms due by 4:30 p.m. Please submit via email to eflynn@labellapc.com or deliver hard copy to the City Manager's office located at One Batavia City Centre, Batavia.

No application will be accepted after the 4:30 p.m., Dec. 18, deadline.

Questions regarding the RFI submission can be directed to the DRI consultant, Labella Associates, Ed Flynn, eflynn@labellapc.com or (585) 295-6285.

(Photo courtesy of Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub. Location is Route 98 and Lime Kiln Road.)

A high-speed pursuit is underway between law enforcement and a tan Ford van occupied by three suspected shoplifters from Kohl's department store.

They are northbound on Route 98, at the Orleans County line and heading into Barre. Speeds exceeding 120 mph. The suspects are throwing merchandise outside the van along the way.

Orleans County officers have been notified.

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.: The vehicle has crashed; it struck a tree or a pole and rolled over and is smoking. The roadway at the county line and Route 98 is going to be shut down. Wires are across the road. Fire police from Albion are called to handle traffic. Deputies are collecting the items discarded from the van.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Mercy medics and Barre Fire Department are responding. Route 98 in Orleans County will be closed between Maple Street and Lime Kiln Road, north of Barre Center.

UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: A pole was struck in the accident; although no power lines are involved, several phone and cable lines are down. Two people will need evaluation by medics, who are told to proceed in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: The incident began around 1:30 p.m. when law enforcement was alerted to a shoplifting incident at Kohl's and three suspects were said to have left in a tan Ford van. A couple of officers responded, including one who was on Park Road. Almost immediately, an officer was following a tan van on Lewiston Road matching the license plates provided to dispatchers by Kohl's security. When the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, the chase was on. At one point, the driver attempted to make a left turn onto westbound Route 262 and nearly lost control of the van. The chase continued and soon thereafter, the accident occurred.

A 70-year-old Batavia woman died yesterday in a two-car accident at the intersection of Chestnut Ridge Road and Paul Road in Chili.

The crash was reported at 2:30 p.m.

It took firefighters 30 minutes to extricate Diane Rebmann from her vehicle. She was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital where she later died.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports that Rebmann was westbound on Paul Road and made a left turn onto Chestnut Ridge Road. They say her vehicle entered the path of a vehicle driven by Joseph Curtis, 18, of North Chili. His vehicle was T-boned and pushed into a telephone pole.

Curtis was not hurt.

Via our news partner 13WHAM

According to police, the two individuals worked in tandem, with one subject distracting a store employee while the other one grabbed the cash box.

They then left in separate vehicles.

There were no threats and no weapons were displayed. No one was injured.

One suspect is described at 50 years of age, 5'10" to 5'11", wearing blue jeans, a black hoodie, black and white sneakers, a black and white winter hat and sunglasses.

The other is about 40 years old, 5"10", wearing a blue hat with a white line around it, gray/blue zip-up hoodie, blue/white striped sweatpants, and work boots.

One vehicle was a maroon Chevrolet sedan. The other vehicle was a gray or light blue SUV.

Tips: Det. Thad Mart, (585) 345-6372, or Batavia PD (585) 345-6350, or the Confidential Tip Line (585) 345-6370.

Carlene V. Santiago is indicted for the crime of first-degree falsifying a business record, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 30, in the Town of Batavia, that Santiago acted with intent to defraud by making a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. She is accused of entering fraudulent merchandise return information into the Walmart computer system; it is alleged that her intent to defraud included the commission of another crime or to aid or conceal its commission. In counts two through five, Santiago is accused of the same felony on May 13, 27, 31 and June 4, respectively. In count six, the defendant is accused of the crime of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing cash or property worth $622.67 between April 30 and June 4.

Marquis R. Brown is indicted for the crime of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 3, Brown knowingly entered or remained unlawfully inside a building on South Lake Road in the Town of Bergen with intent to commit a crime. In count two, he is accused of the unauthorized use of a vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two, that the defendant, knowing he did not have the owner's consent, took a 2006 BMW motor vehicle. In count three, Brown is accused of the crime of fourth-degree criminal mischief. It is alleged in count three, that without having the right to do so, he intentionally damaged property belonging to another person.

Stephen J. Turkasz is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 30 in the Village of Corfu, that Turkasz drove a 2010 Chevrolet on Route 33 while holding a conditional license and while under the influence of alcohol or a drug. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. In count three, the defendant is accused of failure to keep right, a violation of vehicle and traffic law. In count four, Turkasz is accused of consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle on a public highway. In count five, he is accused of the offense of refusal to submit to a breath test, another vehicle and traffic law violation.

Chris K. Mukendi and Darazian W.P. Williams are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged on on May 25, the defendants knowingly and unlawfully possessed a stimulant which weighed one gram or more -- about 1.8 grams of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine capsules.

Residents in the City of Batavia are reporting a spate of larcenies from unlocked vehicles, according to police.

There have been reports of cars being entered from various parts of the city for at least each of the past two nights.

Police remind residents to lock their vehicles at night.

A robbery larceny is reported at Plaza Spirits, 563 E. Main St., Batavia.

Police are responding.

The suspects are described as two black males. One is wearing a black jacket, black hat and glasses. The other is in a double-lined gray hoodie and glasses.

One suspect reportedly left the scene in a maroon 2004/2005 Chevy, possibly a Malibu, westbound on East Main Street. The other was last seen walking toward McDonald's.

UPDATE (By Billie) 2:14 p.m.: After police investigators spoke with personnel at the liquor store, it was determined that this was a larceny, not a robbery. No weapon or force was used. The suspects simply grabbed a cash box and ran from the store. The two black male suspects remain at large. Both are said to be between 40 and 50 years old.

(Editor's note: The initial dispatch indicated a bank robbery.)

Residents at 43 Tracy Ave. report an unknown type explosion in their basement.

They've been advised to evacuate.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: Possible furnace malfunction. No smoke or flames at this time. Investigating.

Two men have reportedly been seen beating a small dog, possibly a terrier, in the area of Liberty Street.

The two men, both wearing dark clothing, are reported to now be in the area of the Pok-A-Dot.

Police are responding.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Police said they arrived within two minutes of the initial call and no one was around, neither was a dog.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: Nicole Johnson witnessed this event and says, “Saw the whole thing at the Pok-A-Dot. Dog got away and weaving in and out of traffic on Ellicott Street. The two were chasing the dog, not beating it. Rest assured. They were hugging and kissing it when they finally got it. The young boy was in his socks running down the street to get the dog. The dog was safe! And happy to be caught by the two. No abuse was seen.”

Bank Street is closed today for water line repairs.

The work will result in service disruption for some water customers in the area.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: Bank Street is reopened.

• 1. The workers’ compensation system is complex, confusing, and often difficult to navigate.
• 2. We will look out for your best interests, fight on your behalf against the insurance carrier to maximize your benefits, and make sure your questions are answered.
• 3. In some cases, you may be entitled to a financial award, even if you did not miss any time from work as a result of your work-related injury.
• 4. The insurance carrier will have a team of attorneys working on their behalf, having an attorney fighting on your behalf helps to level the playing field.

Please call Kristin Allen at Dolce Panepinto 585-815-9003 for any of your workers’ compensation needs.

The first of many committee meetings to develop a plan for the city to put to use its $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award was held Tuesday evening at City Hall.

A group of 20 people representing different areas of the community were asked to be a part of the committee. Ed Flynn, a member of the Planning and Development Committee, said it is a cross section of the community, in terms of businesses, agencies and residents.

“This is an opportunity for the community,” Flynn said. “It is also a responsibility for the community. It’s a lot of money. That’s why we’re putting together a Strategic Investment Plan so that we have some kind of strategy to take that $10 million and make sure there is some kind of impact on the community.”

The six-month schedule for the plan is aggressive, Flynn said. There will be multiple committee meetings, and public meetings before the final draft is submitted.

“We need to push this and get it done by the end of March,” Flynn said.

Batavia was one of 10 communities awarded the $10 million as part of the statewide DRI competition. The goal of the grant is to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities where the next generation of New Yorkers want to live, work and raise families. The winning communities are awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects to advance the community’s vision for revitalization.

“It’s not just jobs, it’s not just investments, it’s not just public spaces, it's all of those things together that create a vibrant downtown,” Flynn said.

Projects need to be submitted by Dec. 8 to be considered. Flynn said he will hold a Nov. 21 information session for business owners, nonprofit organizations, and others interested, who want to submit a proposal.

While not every idea submitted will be funded by the grant, Flynn said they will look at multiple projects for the 90-acre boundary in Batavia.

“There might be some other projects that we might recommend to not be funded by the grant,” Flynn said. “But they may be useful for the future revitalization of downtown Batavia, so we will keep them in the plan.”

Multiple projects for different places in the community were introduced for Theater 56, Jackson Square, the City Center, and the Masonic Temple.

Projects on the plan should fall into one of four categories: Public improvements, significant private development projects, revolving loans and grants, and branding and marketing.

On Batavia’s application, the project will focus on arts, culture and entertainment, healthy living and wellness, and prosperity for all. The committee members discussed goals they would like to stick to decide what to focus on when choosing projects.

Steve Hyde, the president and chief executive officer of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said the focus should not be on what will create jobs. 

“What we want is to make these investments to create vibrant spaces and vibrant places,” Hyde said.  “If we can make those investments to do that, the jobs will follow.”

After editing the original vision statement, the committee decided the new statement is, “Batavia is all-in to reshape its urban core by embracing and building upon its rich entrepreneurial history, fostering cultural appreciation and creating a healthy, vibrant community to benefit all.”

Erica O'Donnell, a resident in Batavia, said she is one of those "terrible Millennials," but she would like to see more projects to attract young families with children. 

"We have a unique opportunity, being between Buffalo and Rochester, to draw Millennials here," O'Donnell said. 

The next public meeting has not been scheduled yet but will be posted on the Batavia Downtown Revitalization website along with other updates, here.

Press release:

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a water leak on the main water line on Bank Street.

Water service will be interrupted on Bank Street from East Main Street to Washington Avenue.

Bank Street will be closed to traffic at 8 a.m. from East Main Street to the entrance of the Mall parking lot until repairs are complete. Please avoid the area if possible. Every effort will be made to keep water service interruption to a minimum.

This work may result in a period of discolored water in this general area after service is restored. Residents should check to make sure water clarity has returned before resuming activities such as laundry which may be impacted.

Olivia Bezon's classmates cheered when Engine 11 pulled into the parking lot at St. Joseph's School this morning with the first-grader as a passenger.

As a winner in the City Fire Department's fire protection poster contest, Olivia got the ride in the fire truck this morning as part of her prize.

The secret to a long life, according to Margaret Gallagher, who celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday at The Manor House, is faith, family and friends.

Gallagher was born Nov. 14, 1917, in Batavia. She attended Lincoln Street School, St. Joseph's, and Batavia High School.

Her parents were Frank and Mary Anne Canty-Gallagher. She grew up with three sisters and a brother. Her sister Rita is 102.

She's been a member of the St. Joseph Ladies Society since 1952.

During her working life, she was a secretary at the vocational school on West Main Street, the state Health Department, the VA, and Darch Noonan Law Office. She also worked for Robert C. Noonan for 20 years.  

Noonan, accompanied by his wife, Marcia, read a proclamation from Assemblyman Steve Hawley commemorating Gallagher's 100th birthday.

Photo: Joyce Myers, Gallagher's longtime caretaker, and her granddaughter Avery Kelly, help Gallagher blow out the candles on her birthday cake.

Press release:

In a world in which a quick “Merry Christmas” text is commonplace, Batavia native Christine McMenamin of Joy Love Paper Company in Buffalo has a better option. Her handmade foiled cards make it easy to impress those on your once-forgotten Christmas card list.

McMenamin (nee King, mother's side is Marcello) just released the Joy Love Holiday Collection in her Etsy shop to the delight of her fans.

“I wanted to create a collection of cards that catch your eye and brings a smile to your face,” she says. “The shiny foil, beautiful bows and foil lined envelopes combine for a magical Christmas package you can send for the cost of a postage stamp.”

All of the cards are blank inside.

McMenamin, who graduated from Batavia High School in 2000), explains why: “In this day and age, how rare is it to receive a handwritten note? The thoughtfulness in a simple handwritten message is worth more in my opinion than any standard phrase I could print inside...

"I treasure cards handwritten from my family members who are no longer with us. Holding a card with a message they wrote brings back great memories. Reading a text just cannot compare.”

The collection features a selection of cards with carefully tied ribbon bows along with a foiled greeting, as well as fun graphic cards such as a "Merry Catmas" card for that cat lover in your life. Each card is designed and made by McMenamin.

Check out the Joy Love Holiday Collection at www.joylovepaperco.etsy.com and connect on social media @joylovepaper. She offers her VIP Club sneak peeks and a 30-percent-off discount. Sign up at www.joylovepaper.com.