batavia

Stella was quite happy posing for her mother, Anna Molino, at Centennial Park this morning until she noticed me starting to take pictures, too. Then she got camera shy.

UPDATE: Anna sent over some pictures from her photo session with Stella. Here's two of them.

By this time next year, there will be a factory in Batavia turning out 4,000 tons of yogurt on an annual basis, employing 55 people and buying milk from local dairy farmers.

The first step toward that goal was taken today with a ceremonial groundbreaking by South America-based Alpina Products at the site of its planned 40,000-square-foot facility.

“Alpina’s decision to locate in Batavia is a success for the entire region,” said Town of Batavia Supervisor Greg Post.

Alpina started marketing yogurt products aimed at U.S. consumers in the Northeast several years ago. The Batavia plant will be its first U.S.-based manufacturing facility.

Managing Director Carlos Ramirez Zavarce said Alpina was built on European tradition and now embraces American pride in expansion in New York.

Batavia, he said, was part of a list of 50 potential sites for the plant when Alpina first started planning for growth, but quickly moved to the head of the class.

Besides a strong dairy tradition and an abundant supply of milk, as well as trained workers and easy access to a market area of 125 million potential consumers, local leaders demonstrated, he said, that they would be as committed to Alpina's success as the company's executives.

"We understood that you got the message that if we were successful, you would be successful," Ramirez said. "That was very important for us. We have no doubt we're going to have success here. This is the right location, the right place."

After the groundbreaking, attendees were invited to sample Alpina's yogurt products and there was a strong sense of excitement about this initial factory opening in the long-anticipated agri-business park.

“Today’s groundbreaking of Alpina Foods’ first manufacturing facility in the United States is proof that Batavia is a great place to do business,” said Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer. “Alpina’s $15 million investment and its decision to create 50 jobs sends a clear message that other private-sector companies should consider Genesee County for their next investment.”

GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde has said previously that there are other prospects for the business park in the pipeline, but until deals are signed, he is unable to provide public details.

VIDEO: Promotional video from Alpina.

Alpina CEO Julian Jaramillo

Alpina Managing Director Carlos Ramirez Zavarce

Roger Parkhurst, who will be director of operations at the new plant

Sen. Mike Ranzenhoffer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley

GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde

An allegedly intoxicated mother who apparently lost track of the whereabouts of her children initially told a Sheriff's sergeant who knocked on her door that she lost track of her youngsters during a game of hide-and-seek.

From WBTA:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Greg Walker says 31-year-old Jolene Goodell of Attica Road was drinking at her own home on Monday evening. Her 10 and 7-year-old daughters were home with her, but left the house and walked over to the neighbors' place, telling the folks next door that mommy couldn’t make them dinner right now.

The neighbors called 9-1-1, and lawmen showed up and found Jolene Goodell alone.

"We asked her where her children were," says Sgt. Walker, "and she originally said she didn't know. Then she said she'd last seen them about 30 - 45 minutes ago...and then she said she was playing 'hide-and-go-seek' with them."

Goodell was jailed on $1,500 bail, charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Previously: Law and Order: Allegedly intoxicated woman accused of not knowing whereabouts of her children.

"In for a dime, in for a dollar" seemed to be the argument that won the night at Batavia City Council meeting when it came time to vote on a proposal to hire a facilitator to help the Consolidation Charter Task Force do its job.

The facilitator will cost $55,000, but will be paid for by a state grant.

Bill Cox and Rosemary Christian -- the two no votes in a 6-2 vote -- argued that consolidation has no chance of approval by Town of Batavia voters and therefore the money should be spent.

But other council members argued that state grant money has already been spent on consolidation studies so the city should support finishing the process.

Perhaps some good ideas will come out of the task force with a facilitator's help, said Tim Buckley.

"We're on our own 10-yard line," said Tim Buckley. "We've got 90 yards to go. Let's get to the end zone."

Frank Ferrando said that he could be pursaded to vote against the proposal if voting no would actually save taxpayers money, but if the city doesn't spend the grant money, he said, then some other municipality will.

"Any time we can take advantage of money from a broader base of taxpayers to do something that could save our taxpayers money, we should," Ferrando said.

As for the town voters possibly not approving a consolidation plan, Ferrando argued that first, the town's leadership must believe consolidation has a chance of passing in the town, or they wouldn't keep voting to approve consolidation measures.

"I want to see information on consolidation because there is a possibility it could be very beneficial to the city," Ferrando said. "It could it be beneficial to the town, we’ll see, but I don’t represent the town. I represent the city."

A proposed joint court facility for the Town of Batavia, Elba and Oakfield will move forward now that the Batavia City Council has approved the sale of a 19-acre parcel off Park Road to the town.

The purchase agreement was approved on a vote of 8-1, with Council President Marianne Clattenberg casting the lone no vote.

Clattenberg said she doesn't believe the building is needed. There's no reason, she said, that consolidation couldn't take place in the existing city court building or another existing government building. She said she didn't see the need to build any new government buildings.

Two years ago, Clattenberg voted against the court plan.

At the last council meeting, other council members proposed the sale and the matter was tabled, however members such as Rosemary Christian had a change of heart.

Previously, she didn't think the city was getting enough money -- $150,000 --  for the property, but after learning that the town will also spend $140,000 on a sidewalk that will stretch from Park Road and down Richmond Avenue, she decided to support the sale.

"It's fine by me," she said.

The Veteran's Administration had to grant a "release of restricted use" for the sale to go forward. The VA deeded the land to the city in 1968 and placed restrictions on how the land could be used. As part of the deal to allow sale of the land to the town, the town had to agree to put in the sidewalk.

The town must also revitalize the wetlands on the property.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Route 5 is reopened. The scene is "all clear." Residents of the area can resume normal activity.

UPDATED 8:54 a.m.

There is a report of a strong odor of ammonia on West Main Street Road between Hopkins Road and Powers Road in the Town of Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department along with Genesee County Emergency Services, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police and Mercy EMS are on scene.

One person has reportedly complained of eye irritation.

The strongest area of the odor is reportedly right at Hopkins Road.

Route 5 is shut down at Wortendyke Road and at Hartshorn Road. The emergency staging area is in the parking lot of First Choice Travel.

UPDATE 9:20 a.m.: Charlie Woodruff, owner of Woodruff Doors, said he and his wife came into work this morning and were unloading a truck of yesterday's debris and after about 10 or 15 minutes, his eyes started watering. After two more employees showed up and reported irritated eyes, he told them to leave and his wife called 9-1-1. He said, "I didn't really smell anything. It was just more irritation to the eyes."

UPDATE 9:51 a.m.:  The cause is a chlorine chemical spread on a farm field north of Route 5. It's a common chemical used on agricultural soil. Typically, the chlorine would dissipate quickly, but because of the low winds over the past couple of days, the chemical has hung close to the ground. With the low winds and cloud cover today, it became more concentrated leading to throat, nose and eye irritation. At the current concentration, the chemical is not seriously harmful. About 177 residents in the area are being notified via reverse 9-1-1 to stay in their homes and call 9-1-1 if they notice any issues. Route 5 will be closed for some time yet. Emergency personnel will remain on scene until the rains start and the wind picks up, which will cause the chemical to dissipate or settle back into the ground.

At the beginning of the Batavia City Council meeting Monday night, Jim Neider, left, and Ron Konieczny made a brief presentation about the proposed veterans' war memorial, planned for the corner of Bank Street and Washington Avenue.

The memorial replaces one that was removed from outside UMMC to make way for the hospital's new surgical wing. The previous memorial listed all of the men and women from Genesee County killed in action, as will the new memorial. The name plaques of the former memorial were all saved and will be buried at the site of the new memorial in a ceremony Nov. 12. The new memorial is expected to cost local veterans and supporters nearly $500,000.

Jolene Janelle Goodell, 31, of Attica Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Goodell is accused of being intoxicated at 7:29 p.m., Monday, and not knowing at that time the whereabouts of her two small children.  Goodell was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Matthew R. Klump, 25, of 61 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC .18 or greater and no turn signal. Klump was stopped early Saturday morning by a Le Roy Police officer. Klump was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Matthew Scott Williams, 23, of W. Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana. Williams was arrested following a brief pursuit at 1:57 a.m., Monday, with Williams on a bicycle, riding through property in the area of 8127 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Williams allegedly tried to conceal himself in a large building containing equipment and produce, and was located there by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Samantha Mary Williams, 30, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Williams is accused of damaging a window screen.

For such a beautiful, unseasonably warm fall day, a holiday, it sure was quiet in Dewitt Park today.

Workers are busy on Cedar Street installing a new sewer line that will be one of two connections between the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and the city's sewer system.

The Cedar Street line will run from the west side of the park, through the county's highway department property and then north on Cedar to the city's main line under Main Street.

Alpina Products, the first tenant for the new business park, breaks ground on construction of its facility at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

It's Columbus Day, and as the line of mail trucks parked behind the Post Office on Main Street shows, there is no mail delivery today.

Stephanie A. Wixson, 34, of 335 Bank St., Apt. A6, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Wixson was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine by Officer Dan Coffey during a traffic stop on Pearl Street at 8:53 p.m., Friday.

Eslie J. Worthington III, 21, of 6657 Cole Road, Byron, is charged with disorderly conduct. Worthington is accused of shouting obscenities while outside a residence on Dellinger Avenue, Batavia.

John W. Hackett, 32, of 5697 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with felony counts of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Hacket was stopped at 2:03 a.m. Saturday on Cedar Street by Officer Eric Bolles.

Katherine Lynn Ogden, 28, of State Street, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of a noxious matter. Ogden was charged after allegedly using pepper spray at a smoke shop on Bloomingdale Road, Basom. Ogden was reportedly involved in a verbal dispute over a mobile phone.

Victoria Hollie Gilbert, 39, of Shepard Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Gilbert allegedly allowed her two children, ages 6 and 8, to return home from school and be at home unsupervised.

Vincente Antonio Torres, 20, of Willowen Drive, Rochester, was turned over to the Sheriff's Office by Irondequoit police on a bench warrant stemming from a DWI charge. Torres was jailed on $500 bail.

A car reportedly hit a bicyclist in the area of 232 Vine St., Batavia, but the rider is "up and around" and complaining only of an arm injury.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched non-emergency.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the general area of East Main Street, East Avenue, North Street, Bank Street, Summit Street, Ross Street, Vine Street, Elm Street, Trumbull Parkway, North Spruce Street, Naramore Drive and Clinton Street.

Homes and businesses nearby may be affected. These flows may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.

A little fall color behind the Highway to Holiness Church. The church is on Maple Street, the tree is off Ganson Avenue.

Town of Batavia Fire Department was dispatched to the report of an unknown type fire at the end of Briarwood Terrace.

As Engine 21 was rolling on the call, an assistant chief arrived on scene and reported that Engine 21 could stand down.

"The homeowner is operating a fog machine," reported the chief.

"Copy," said a dispatcher, "homeowner operating a fog machine."

Second dispatcher: "That's got to be a first."

Town of Batavia fire, back in service.

View Larger Map

Three people were arrested yesterday following an investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into the transportation and sale of cocaine in Batavia.

All three face charges related to the sale of a controlled substance.

Members of the drug task force, along with Batavia police officers and Sheriff's Office deputies, executed a search warrant at 335 Bank St., Apt. B3, yesterday evening and allegedly found a quantity of cocaine with an estimated value of more than $1,500. 

Also seized was $750 in cash, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

Arrested were:

Julia B. Wescott, 29, of Batavia. Wescott was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal nuisance, 1st, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.

Thomas L. Hill, 22, of Rochester. Hill was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jade Cierra Wims, 18, of Rocheter. Wims was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Wescott is accused of allowing Hill and Wims to deal cocaine from her apartment on Bank Street, which is the basis of the "criminal nuisance" charge.

All three were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail.

Photos: Top, Wescott, Hill and Wims.

Miranda Fix was at Coffee Culture on Saturday signing copies of her new novel -- her sixth -- "Calling all Angels."

Fix, a registered nurse with 30 years experience, describes her new book this way:  “It’s about my story and my experiences as a nurse surviving in a profession that is full of illusions, disenchantments and despair. But deep inside that sadness is a rainbow of color and these shades of blues, yellows greens and reds are the true colors of our angels. They are there for us, they guide us, empower us, pray for us and keep us safe. They are there when you call upon them…you just need to ask them for help. 

"Calling All Angels is a novel about true life and the amazing strength in the patients I have met along the way. Stories that will make you laugh and cry, but they are full of hope and wonder. I wish you love and happiness as in the ways of the angels…and remember to believe.”

The mother of two children, and grandmother to three, Fix lives in Corfu.

The UMMC Foundation is holding its annual Fall Auction at the Clarion Hotel tonight.

Director Lorie Stupp said the foundation expects to raise $30,000 from the event.  More than 260 tickets were sold.

The evening opened with snacks, drinks and a chance auction, followed by dinner and a live auction hosted by Bontrager's. 

There was also a sumptuous dessert table.