One of the old, giant trees in the Batavia Cemetery fell down yesterday. The massive tree, which broke about 8 feet up its trunk, was located near the front of the cemetery, just south of the Richmond Mausoleum. It doesn't appear that any headstones were damaged.
Volunteers were in front of the Holland Land Office Museum parking lot today hawking hot dogs to raise funds for the International Peace Garden.
The peace garden supporters will be back at HLOM weekend after next.
Batavia resident Lisa Barrett is now one of six finalists to have advanced to round five in the international contest, "Best Original Song."
If she makes it through this round, she will be one of three finalists to make it to the last one. One of these three finalists will win the contest.
Voting for Lisa's song, "When You Look at Me," will start at 8 p.m. on Monday, and will continue through June 13. To vote:
1. Go to www.bestoriginalsong.com
2. Click on "Click Here to Listen"
3. Select June 6 through 13 Show Date
4. Vote for and/or download "When You Look at Me."
For previous coverage, see:
Batavia singer/songwriter has high hopes for very personal song
Singer/songwriter Lisa Barrett advances to next round in world competition
To see a story YNN did on Barrett recently, click here.
The annual Community Yard Sale is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 in the City of Batavia. (Rain date is June 18.) Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian is the contact person for this event <Christia@BataviaNewYork.com>. Phone is 344-0276. Call if you'd like to be included in this event.
These are the addresses of the participating households so far:
On Father's Day June 19, Mercy Flight will host an open house at its Batavia base located at the Genesee County Airport from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Many local emergency service agencies, such as the Sheriff's Department (child IDs), NY State Police (rollover simulator), Lake Plains Community Health Care and Genesee County Emergency Management will be joining us.
It will be a great day to bring dad out for pancakes at the Rotary Club Fly-in Breakfast and then stop over and visit with Mercy Flight and local emergency responders.
In addition to the open house, Mercy Flight, in partnership with The Batavia Downs, will be hosting the first "Cars and Guitars for Mercy Flight" event on July 9. This all-day event will feature a car and motorcycle show in the infield along with four great bands: The Buffalo
Roadshow; the Trolls; The Coupe de Villes, and Savage Cabbage.
Great food will be available and all attendees (over 18) will receive $5 casino free play. Car show pre-registration is available online at www.mercyflight.org
To wrap up the summer, Mercy Flight and Batavia Downs will again be hosting the Hackers for Helicopters golf outing. This will be the third year for the event, which will include golfing at the Batavia Country Club and dinner at Batavia Downs.
Mercy Flight greatly appreciates all the support we receive from the community, without which we could not provide the service that we do. Mercy Flight is always grateful of donations such as raffle baskets, door prizes, gift cards, etc. to use at our fundraising events.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact Bill Schutt, the Batavia base outreach coordinator at 356-2926 or email at wschutt@mercyflight.org
A house basement reportedly caught fire after being struck by lightning at 9977 Seward Road in Alexander.
Alexander and Town of Batavia fire departments are responding.
UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: Darien and East Pembroke fire departments are called to the scene.
UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The Alexander fire chief says other units can respond in non-emergency mode.
UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: Darien is clearing the scene. Apparently, the fire is out.
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: All units back in service.
A Batavia Nursing Home employee who earlier today was reportedly the subject of a police response to the facility is in jail tonight, accused of threatening to shoot a supervisor.
Parris L. Bryant, 50, of 218 State St., Batavia, was charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and jailed on $1,000 bail.
According to Sgt. John Peck, Bryant was the suspect in a case earlier today involving an employee who showed up at the facility drunk and angry over not getting paid, as scheduled.
Police officers who responded to that call convinced Bryant to leave and go home.
According to Peck, Bryant didn't bother any of his coworkers again until about 5:30 p.m., at which time he allegedly initiated a series of calls to a nursing supervisor threatening to shoot her over the non-pay issue.
When police responded to his house, Peck said, there were no guns visible and it's not clear that Bryant actually has access to a gun.
However, because Bryant is still an employee of the nursing home, has access to the building, and was allegedly in a violent frame of mind, police officers were concerned for the safety of the staff, Peck said.
"He must have been stewing about it all day," Peck said.
Peck said nursing home staff told officers that Bryant made five or six calls this evening.
Additional previous articles:
Burglars went to some effort overnight to remove a safe from Neptune's Gardens, 33 Liberty St., Batavia, getting away with more than $2,000 cash.
According to owners Nick and Kathy LaFarnara, the safe was apparently too heavy for the thieves to carry, so they used her office chair to wheel it to a back window.
Nick said it probably took two people to get it out a window and drop it into a pickup truck.
It's the first time during their 25 years in business that it's been burglarized, Nick said.
He's eager to see the perpetrators caught and prosecuted, so LaFarnaras are offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the criminals.
Batavia Police Det. Pat Corona said tips can be phoned in confidentially to 345-6370.
Kathy LaFarnara said she was baffled to come into work this morning to find her chair missing from the office and a desk drawer opened with stamps on the floor.
"I'm thinking, 'that's just not right,'" Kathy said.
As she and Nick started to look around, they found a few other things out of place and then spotted her chair near a back window, which was open.
The first thing they checked for were missing pets, but all of the animals were accounted for.
When Nick went back into is office and sat down, that's when he noticed the safe was missing.
Photo courtesy The Batavian's news partner, WBTA. WBTA also has a story available here.
Tyler Thomas Aldinger, 17, of Townline Road, Attica, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd (more than $250 in damages), petit larceny and trespass. Tyler is accused on trespassing on property on Attica Road in Alexander and cutting up farm property and taking it for scrap. The alleged incident was reported at 12:24 p.m., Thursday. Arrested with Tyler was Daniel Joseph Ognibene, 17, of Alexander Road, Alexander. Daniel was charged with petit larceny and trespass.
Marcos A. Torres, 28, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Torres was arrested following a traffic stop at 3 p.m. Tuesday on Route 98, Town of Batavia. Torres was jailed on $800 bail.
This information is from the marketing department at Batavia Downs.
Elba and Pembroke high schools were chosen via a random drawing to participate in this year’s $7,500 college scholarship race to be held at Batavia Downs on Sept. 10.
They will be joining Batavia, Notre Dame and Oakfield-Alabama high schools in the competition.
Each school will be represented by one student who is a senior in the 2012-13 academic year. The schools are allowed to use any criteria they wish to pick their student.
During the summer, the students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their driver to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a horse.
Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on Sept. 10, they will line up behind the starting gate to compete in a one-mile dash for cash. Earning scholarships of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800 and $500, depending on where they finish.
Last year, Kaley Falkowski of Batavia High School, with professional Jim Mulcahy sitting alongside, was victorious.
The 65th season of live harness racing at the Genesee County oval begins on July 25.
Batavia Police released further information on the people arrested during the May 19 neighborhood enforcement sweep we reported on yesterday.
Jacqueline R. Garrett, 32, 9850 Old Creek Road., Alexander. Arrest on a charge of criminal sale of marijuana, 5th, after Local Drug Task Force members reportedly witnessed a transaction at 99 Jackson St.
Edgar Perez, 26, 110 Jackson St., Batavia. Arrested on a superior court arrest warrant out of Orleans County.
Joseph C. Wind, 41, 5469 Horseshoe Lake Road., Batavia. Arrested on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. All as the result of a traffic stop for driving without headlights. A passenger in the car was a subject being supervised by, and of interest to, NYS Parole.
Thomas J. Mitchell, 21, 6 Oak St., Batavia. Arrested on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Mitchell was reportedly picked up as the result of a traffic stop in connection with the car allegedly attempting to avoid police by entering BOCES property after leaving an address of interest to NYS Parole.
A Spring Ghost Tour is planned at the historic Batavia Cemetery tommorow.
It will highlight "some of the finest ladies who ever graced the community."
The guided ghost walk costs $10 and includes iced tea and cookies. Tickets are available at the cemetery gate, located on Harvester Avenue, on the day of the event -- June 4.
Tours begin at 2 p.m. and run every 15 minutes. The last tour begins at 4.
All proceeds benefit the cemetery.
For more information, call the history department at 344-2550, ext. 2613.
Three Batavia Nursing home employees have contacted The Batavian today to report that once again, they're not getting their paychecks as scheduled.
A fourth, unidentified employee, showed up at the facility around 12:30 p.m. and was allegedly drunk and disorderly. Batavia police were called, but did not make an arrest, telling the obviously drunk older gentleman to move along.
A police officer confirmed the man was upset about not getting paid today.
Meanwhile, the home's owner, Marc Korn, was in a Buffalo Federal Court yesterday to answer to fraud charges, but his case was continued because he did not have an attorney. The judge gave him until June 14 to hire an attorney.
Korn, who owns two nursing homes and a house in East Amherst, according to WIVB, may not be able to afford an attorney and may require court-appointed counsel.
Two weeks ago, employees received checks, according to sources, but were told not to cash them until the following Thursday. This past Friday, employees were not paid, according to sources, but received their checks on Wednesday.
State health officials have been unwilling to confirm with The Batavian that the nursing home may be taken over by the state, but WIVB reports that they've been told that is the case.
A spokesman for the health department said the state is dealing with several issues at the facility.
Inset photo, Mark Korn, courtesy WIVB.
A new group of international students from GCC were getting the grand tour of Batavia today, and I happened across them at Main and Center streets.
Photo shows the ice skating rink on Vine Street before the current John Kennedy elementary school was built. The old stone building can be seen on the left side of the photo. If anyone else has any other photos of the ice rink, please post them. Also, please post any photos of the old Nu Lake swimming area on the corner of Wortendyke Road and South Main Street Road.
This black crow is sitting on a fence on Maple Street near Jackson Street, Batavia. It's been sitting there all day, according to a neighbor.
I was able to walk up close enough that I could have touched it if I wanted. I shot this with a short focal length lens, no zoom, which gives you some idea how close I got to it.
Its eyes are bright and alert, so I'm not thinking illness, but it's also not normal. So what does one do about a sick or injured crow?
Here's a press release from the Batavia Concert Band.
The Batavia Concert Band’s 87th season of music-making and free public concerts begins June 22 in Batavia’s Centennial Park. Additional concerts and parades will feature the band at other locations and times including Batavia’s popular July 4 Picnic in the Park.
The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, period and style: marches, Big Band and swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, classical adaptations, rock favorites arranged for band, fun songs for kids of all ages … and everything in between.
The band consists of about 50 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented local high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience; the rest are advanced amateur musicians. All love to play.
The conductor’s podium will be shared by veterans Phil Briatico, Wayne Burlison, Jane Haggett, Brad Meholick and Josh Pacino. Derek Reiss and Dizzy will again (tentatively) cap this year’s Concerts in the Park on Aug. 10, as a benefit fundraiser for the Batavia Concert Band.
Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during World War II. The band currently enjoys financial support from GO-ART!, concert sponsors, program advertisers, and individual patrons. The band also sponsors a “Sample of Western New York” gift certificate raffle from selected area restaurants and retailers, 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales and other low-key fundraisers.
Downbeat for regular season concerts is 7 Wednesday evenings in Centennial Park*, except a July 6 performance at the VA Medical Center, in honor of our veterans. (* In the event of rain, concerts will move to Genesee Community College’s Stuart Steiner Theater. Notices will be posted at the northwest corner of Centennial Park and announced on WBTA.)
All concerts are free. Light refreshments are usually available. Bring the family, some friends, lawn chairs or a blanket… and enjoy!
Pictured: Derick Barker, Justin Barker, Benjamin Santiago
Three people who allegedly refused to leave a Batavia hotel room Wednesday afternoon, including one who fled from police leading to a multi-agency manhunt, are in jail without bail following an investigation that allegedly uncovered drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Arrested were Justin Z. Barker, 22, and Benjamin Santiago Jr., 22, both of North Lyon Street, Batavia, and Derick Wayne Barker, 25, of Tera Boulevard, Jonesboro, Ga.
Derick Barker is the suspect accused of fleeing from Officer Dan Coffey, running across the Thruway and trying to hide in a farm field shortly before 1 p.m.
While Coffey stayed with Justin Barker and Santiago to ensure they stayed in custody, he reportedly observed Derick Barker run to a Dodge Durango, grab something out of it, and run toward the Thruway toll booths.
Additional Batavia police officers along with Sheriff's deputies and state troopers descended on the area and Derick Barker was allegedly observed running into the field.
A State Police helicopter was called in, which helped flush Barker out of hiding and he was immediately taken into custody.
Police officers on scene were concerned that Barker had grabbed a gun from the Durango and a search was conducted of the field for the possible weapon. The Sheriff's Office press release makes no mention of a weapon being found.
Derick Barker allegedly ran while Coffey conducted a wants and warrants check, which uncovered a violation of probation warrant out of Georgia.
Stemming from Wednesday's incident, Barker was charged with obstructing governmental administration.
Justin Barker was wanted on a warrant out of the Town of Oakfield Court for alleged criminal contempt.
While in the hotel room at Days Inn with Justin Barker and Santiago, Coffey allegedly observed a small glassine baggie on the floor that appeared to contain a controlled substance.
Members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force responded to the scene and conducted a search and further investigation.
Derick Barker was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Justin Barker was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Benjamin Santiago was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.
A combined law enforcement task force conducted a sweep in the City of Batavia on May 19 looking for subjects wanted on warrants and to check for possible parole and probation violations.
In all, four people were arrested and six people were allegedly found in violation of probation restrictions.
The sweep, conducted by the Neighborhood Enforcement Team Detail, was part of the city's strategic plan for public safety, according to Chief Randy Baker.
Participating in the task force were officers and detectives of the Batavia Police Department, members of the Sheriff's Office, city code enforcement officers, City fire personnel, members of the District Attorney's Office, Local Drug Task Force detectives and the Department of Social Services.
One person was arrested for allegedly selling marijuana on Jackson Street.
Two people people were arrested on felony warrants.
One parolee was arrested for allegedly possessing a controlled substance and driving without a license.
The names of those arrested have not been released.
In all, 42 probation contacts were made. Four people were found allegedly in violation of curfew. Two individuals were allegedly found in possession of knives, ammunition, marijuana and K2 synthetic marijuana.
Parole officers checked six locations for parolees and searched three residences.
Baker said there will be additional sweeps by the task force in order to address neighborhood issues.
A car accident with injuries has been reported on Lewiston Road near the Thruway bridge.
A pole has been hit and wires are down.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: Oakfield fire police requested to Batavia Oakfield Townline Road to shut down traffic. Northbound traffic is also closed and a trooper will close traffic at Route 63 and Galloway Road.
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