batavia

At 4:35 p.m., City Fire responded to a report of a fire at 216 Ellicott St., Batavia. A caller reported smelling and seeing smoke. A person may have been yelling, "fire."  It turned out to be a stove fire that was extinguished before city crews arrived. The building was ventilated and City Fire was back in service by 5:05 p.m.

If you like good wine, you'll love a new event coming to downtown Batavia in early October. The premier of the "Taste of Fall Wine Walk" will introduce you to 15 of the finest wines produced in Western New York.

And it will give you a chance to take your own sweet time visiting 15 participating businesses and see what they have to offer. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 2, anytime from 5 until 9 p.m.

Tickets are $15. The Wine Walk ends with a raffle for prizes.

It is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

The self-guided tour begins at the chamber office -- at 210 E. Main St. -- where each person will be given an etched wine glass and a program to guide them from location to location.

There will be plenty of hors d'oeuvres to sample along the way, too.

In preparation, businesses will be going autumnal in decor. BID Executive Director Don Burkel said that he and the BID Promotional Committee hope to get started with decorating after Sept. 11.

Burkel also said that anyone who'd like to help decorate is more than welcome.

"Just give us a call," he said, adding, "We'd like to see the businesses get creative with this. For example, each business might have a different type of scarecrow to distinguish itself."

Michael Anthony's Salon & All-Star Barbershop is way ahead of things. The proprietor has gone well beyond scarecrows, creating stunningly beautiful wreaths and floral arrangements that he made himself. He also sells the needful beauties. Many are on display in the salon and he crafts custom-made ones as well.

The impetus behind the Wine Walk, according to Dawn Ireland-Monsees, the chamber's tourism information coordinator, is to promote Batavia as "a great place to be in the Fall."

"It's also a great social opportunity and a reason for people to get together in small groups," Ireland-Monsees said. "Wine tours have always proven to be very popular."

Did you know that Western New York is second only to California in wine-grape production in the United States? And it offers wines that can stand up to long-famous European vintners, particularly its white varieties.

The regional portfolio includes perennial favorites like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, and more.

Forget about "forward" "nose," "finish" and other wine terminology used by aficionados. Most wine experts say a good wine is simply one you enjoy. Price does not necessarily dictate taste.

Tickets can be purchased on the evening of the event, in advance at the chamber or at these businesses:

• Adam Miller's Toys & Bicycle, 8 Center St.
• Michael Anthony's Salon, 43 Jackson St.
• Next Level Fitness, 85 Main St.
• The Daily Grind, 85 Main St.
• Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St.

You may also reserve your tickets by calling the BID at 344-0900 or the chamber at 343-7440.

For more information, visit www.downtownbataviany.com.

James C. Oehler, 18, of Route 19, Bergen, is accused of possession of stolen property, 5th. At 9:16 p.m., Sunday, Oehler was allegedly found in possession of a dirt bike that was reported stolen from a residence in the Village of Bergen on July 25.

James Anthony Marchegiano, 22, of Westside Drive, Chili, is charged with a DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Marchegiano was stopped at 11:36 p.m., Friday, on Sumner Road by Deputy Chad Minuto. Marchegiano was allegedly observed driving his car in an erratic manner in the parking lot following the Rascal Flatts concert at Darien Lake.

Grant Arnold Sundown, 46, of Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with criminal mischief. Sundown allegedly punched another person in the head. When that person attempted to call 9-1-1, Sundown allegedly ripped the phone line from the wall while the caller was on the phone with Genesee County Emergency Dispatch.

Steven James Scott, 19, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with trespass and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. Scott was allegedly on the property of College Village at 12:52 a.m., Friday, without permission.

Narciso Gullen, 36, of Route 98, Elba, is charged with possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Gullen allegedly tried to use a forged federally issued residency card. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Richard Anthony Orlando, 31, of Cable Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal mischief and unlawful possession of marijuana. At 12:30 a.m., Sunday, deputies responded to a report of a verbal domestic incident at a campsite in Alexander. Orlando allegedly smashed a television set and a fan and turned over a refrigerator. Orlando was jailed on $150 bail.

Joseph Aaron Monkelbaan, 38, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Monkelbaan is accused of going onto a neighbor's property at 7:21 p.m., Friday, without permission and causing a disturbance.

Kevin A. Hutzler, 21, of Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Hutzler was stopped by State Police at 8:41 p.m., Thursday, on Colby Road.

Anthony R. Cogdill, 40, of Darien, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Cogdill was stopped by State Police at 9:23 p.m., Thursday, Harper Road, Alexander.

Richard J. Rookey, 77, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Rookey was stopped by State Police 8:14 p.m., Wednesday, on Clinton Street and East Avenue.

James V. Wells, 25, of Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct/obscene gestures. Wells was arrested by State Police at 12:24 a.m., Wednesday at College Village. No further details were released.

On the way back home from the fire on Roanoke Road, Stafford, yesterday, of course I stopped along the way to take some pictures.

Above is a series of barn and silo structures on Sweetland Road, Stafford.  Below, the back of the barn at Ellicott Street Road and Stafford-Batavia Townline Road, and under that a railroad mile marker along the railroad track next to Lehigh Road, Batavia.

BTW: If you like my photography, you might enjoy the photoblog I set up: Vufindr.com. Of course, many of the shots will have appeared on The Batavian, but I set up Vufindr.com to allow for larger format pictures.

A 12-year-old motocross rider is reported to have neck and back injuries after crashing at Area 51.

That's on Harloff Road in Batavia. East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responded. Mercy Flight is deemed not needed.

A driver says he glanced down at his gas gauge and then didn't see a car in front of him slowing to make a turn, causing a rear-end accident on West Main Street in Batavia on Friday.

Nicholas J. Fenner, 19, of Clarence, was cited for allegedly following too closely.

Four people in the car Fenner reportedly hit were transported by ground ambulance to UMMC with non-life-threatening injuries: Shartanay R. Gibbs, 19, of Batavia (the driver of the second vehicle), Farah St. Cloud, 18, Delore Opoku-Boateng, 18, and Kyla R. Preston, 18.

Also in the second car, but not injured, was Shaday D. Gibbs.

There were no passengers in Fenner's car.

Shartanay Gibbs was cited for allegedly driving without a license.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto.

(initial report)

A woman has possibly suffered a back injury in an ATV accident at 3500 Harloff Road, Batavia.

That's the location of Polar Wave.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight in route to Strong Memorial Hospital.

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A fight in progress is reported outside of 433 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Batavia police are responding.

A car into deer accident is reported at Ross and Main street in the City of Batavia. No word on whether the occupant(s) is injured.

An automatic alarm of fire sounded a short time ago at the new Med-Tech building near GCC.

Town of Batavia is responding, and first responder requested a responding fire truck position itself next to a fire hydrant. He reported condensation on one of the windows.

A key holder (somebody with emergency access to the building) is responding.

UPDATE 1:11 a.m.: The alarm is sounding from an elevator shaft.

UPDATE 1:13 a.m.: "It's very steamy." (Not sure of the context of that statement.) The key holder is on scene.

UPDATE 1:14 a.m.: "Second floor clear. No type of steam atmosphere up here."  Responder has made entrance to elevator room. "Nothing showing." Maintenance person reports "they poured concrete this morning." Checking the rest of the building.

UPDATE 1:19 a.m.: Crews are double-checking the entire building, but the drying concrete seems to be the cause of the alarm.

A two-vehicle accident is reported at 385 W. Main St., in front of Denny's Restaurant in Batavia.

One person is reported to have a neck injury.

Batavia fire and Mercy EMS are on scene.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS are responding to a motor-vehicle accident with injuries at West Main Street and Kelsey Road. A victim is, or was, in the roadway. 

Mercy Flight is on ground standby, with a 50/50 chance of being able to go to the scene, if called, due to weather conditions.

UPDATE (3:18 p.m.): Emergency responders report the injuries are not life threatening.

UPDATE (3:26 p.m.): Six people and two vehicles were involved. Four people were taken to hospital(s) via ambulance and two others were evaluated/treated at the scene.

Brandon C. Dodd, a 24-year-old whose name has been well known to local law enforcement for close to a decade, is going to prison for the first time in his life.

While he hoped for probation, he knew prison was a possibility. When Judge Robert C. Noonan showed no leniency today, Dodd became emotional.

A few minutes after being told he was going to spend five years in prison and another three on parole, the Batavia resident let out a little sob and his attorney, Fred Rarick, put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

As Dodd was escorted from the courtroom in an orange jail suit and shackles, Dodd's emotions apparently got the better of him. He lashed out at Noonan, saying something about "pedophiles."

Noonan said, "Just a minute, bring him back in here, please," and the deputy escorted Dodd back into the courtroom.

"Would you please repeat on the record what you just said," Noonan said.

"I hope you continue to let all the pedophiles walk the street and save all of the probation  for those people," Dodd said.

Noonan then explained to Dodd that when he comes up for parole, the first thing the parole board will do is look at the transcript of today's hearing, and they will take into consideration what Dodd did and said.

Dodd said something about not caring as he was taken again from the courtroom, and a deputy later said that Dodd continued to mouth off all the way back to the jail.

Ironically, as Dodd was leaving, a man sentenced to state prison in Genesee County Court was coming in to face new child-sex charges.

In July, Dodd entered a guilty plea to a reduced burglary charge, limiting his maximum jail time from 15 to five years.

On March 18, Dodd and a partner forced their way into a house on Vine Street and, through the residents reportedly fought back, the duo left with money and property.

It turns out that what Dodd reportedly stole was $4,000 in cash and a stash of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Attorney Rarick, before Dodd's outburst, requested a probation sentence for Dodd, saying the young offender was ready to turn his life around, get counseling, and become a productive member of society.

As evidence of Dodd's repentance, Rarick said Dodd made a full admission to all of his past crimes, including some he was never charged with, during his pre-sentencing interview. Dodd allegedly admitted to dealing drugs in Batavia.

"He was extremely honest," Rarick said. "I think he was flushing it all out and saying 'these are the things I've done in my life and I don't want to do them any more.'"

Rarick said there was no excuse for Dodd's past crimes, but he blamed it on drug and alcohol use and hanging out with the wrong crowd.

"The fact that you came clean with probation is not refuted here," Noonan said. "I'm just not willing to ignore that you engaged in extensive criminal conduct in our community. While it may have been all related to whether you were involved in drugs doesn't excuse yourself at all. You're fortunate you negotiated a favorable plea deal."

A Rochester man is going to prison for two to four years for his part in a baseball-bat attack on three State Street residents on May 20.

Reginald Charles Sampson, 44, of 335 Flanders St., Rochester, entered a guilty plea to burglary, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd, charge July 21. He was originally charged with burglary, 2nd.

Attorney Fred Rarick told Judge Robert C. Noonan that Sampson was a candidate for a supervised probation release that would include substance abuse counseling, but Noonan said Sampson was already getting a good deal with the reduction in the burglary charge.

Sampson told Noonan, "I wish I could do everything different."

Sampson was part of a group of five individuals who busted into an apartment at 112 State St., Batavia, on May 20, swinging baseball bats. One person suffered serious, but  not life-threatening, injuries.

Batavia Police say no further arrests have been made, but the case is not closed.

A victim's statement included in Sampson's court file describes the May 20 attack.

The woman was sitting in her apartment with two men when they heard a commotion downstairs. Soon, somebody was banging at their front door. When one of her male companions opened the door, he was immediately hit by an individual swinging some object.

She described the attackers as five black males.

She recognized Sampson as someone who had punched her the night before.

"I know Reginald had a bat for sure," she said. "Reginald came over to me. I was laying on the couch. He was pointing his bat at me and he said, 'I told you, Shorty, we don't play.'"

When the other male got up and tried to leave, saying "I wasn't part of this," all five individuals started hitting him, according to the witness. She said one person picked up her crutch and hit him with it.

A former Batavia resident already in state prison on eight sex-crime-related charges entered a not-guilty plea in Genesee County Court to a 10-count indictment alleging rape in the 2nd degree.

Philip E. Kroft Jr., is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl 15 years old or younger.

Because Kroft is already serving a lengthy prison term, Judge Robert C. Noonan wondered what sort of bail status Kroft should be granted on the new charges -- Noonan has to set something in the way of bail status -- and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman didn't really have a recommendation.

"I don't think it's going to matter, your honor," Friedman said finally, kind of shrugging his shoulders, then adding, "$10,000."

"That's reasonable," Noonan said.

Kroft won't get his first parole hearing on his prior conviction until 2015.

Police say the alleged rapes in Batavia occurred in 2008.

Some of our readers had questions about the Bell Tower Restoration project at St. James Episcopal Church.

After the Aug. 25 article, church officials and committee members were kind enough to answer some additional questions about the nature of the tower's condition, the cost of the project, and other issues addressed by our readers.

They submitted the following information via e-mail:

The deterioration that we’re trying to address is structural in nature. This stems from water infiltration and the use of an overly hard mortar when the Church was re-pointed in the 1950s-1960s. As you can see if you look at the Bell Tower façade, some sections of the stonework have actually fallen off and we have had to rope off the front of the building.

We believe that the first phase of the Bell Tower reconstruction project, which includes rebuilding the top 10 feet of the tower and the roof, will cost no more than $500,000.

After completion of this first phase, we will attempt to address the additional issues relating to the stonework façade of the Bell Tower and the remainder of the Church in a multi-phase process. While the additional costs relating to the façade repair may run twice the cost of the original phase, the additional phases will no doubt take many years to complete.

The reason the cost is so high is that the project is very labor intensive, involves heavy materials and the work involving the first phase must be done at a height of 70 to 80 feet above the ground.

Neither the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, nor the Episcopal Church of the United States are directly involved in the project. Nor under our form of church governance would we expect them to be directly involved.

Even though the building is a source of concern, it does not diminish our desire to reach out to the community to fulfill our missions. St. James’ outreach to the community comes in many forms:

- George Rupprecht Fund: This summer, over 150 girls from 84 families have received school clothing, footwear and school supplies. At Christmas, we will again help the same number of girls with Christmas gifts. Year round, we help pay for extra-curricular activities and work to assure that each girl has a comfortable bed in which to sleep at night. This year, our budget is $72,000.

- Thrift Shop: St. James expanded its shop hours in 2010 to serve the community. Apart from clothing, we sell household items, books, toys, small furniture and lots of bric-a-brac. Persons coming to the George Rupprecht Fund are often given bags of clothing and household items for free. Four times a year, we host clothing giveaways.

- Episcopal Community Services: Serves the underprivileged in the Diocese of WNY.

- Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation: Sponsors children in Uganda to assist with schooling and medical needs.

- Comfort Food Dinners: Two dinners were held at St. James this past winter. All proceeds went to local charities.

- St. James is the local meeting place for other churches in the Deanery.

- St. James donates to the local food pantry, collects school supplies for children and, each Christmas, selects a local charity to support.

- We host many programs in the church so that the community can enjoy the ambience and the musical acoustics of the building, such as the Genesee Symphony, Genesee Chorale, Go-Art! and Crossroads House.

We have made the hard decision to stay at this location because of its viability to the community. St. James would exist and function without the building, but the building needs a caretaker and we have chosen to take on that role.

The alternative would be to leave a large untended building on Main Street. If we did not try to take care of the building, we would not be very good stewards of the building or good members of the community.

For more information, please call the church at 343-6802 or visit its website.