Photos: Crews prepare Jackson Street for resurfacing
Millwork on Jackson Street, both north and south of Ellicott Street, in Batavia, began on Monday in preparation for resurfacing the street.
Photos by Howard Owens.
batavia
Photos: Work continues on Ellicott Station
Contractors, as they've did through most of the winter, continue to make progress on construction of the Ellicott Station apartment complex.
For prior coverage, click here.
Photos by Howard Owens.
New occupant to move into Valu Plaza this summer
The space left vacant by Valu Home Center for the last 20 months on the city's west side is under construction by its future occupant, Mike Conroy says.
The commercial broker for the property at 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, confirmed Monday that Ashley Home Furniture plans to move into the building at Valu Plaza that was emptied by the longtime hardware store in September 2022.
"Their target date was in June, but some things had to be addressed," Conroy told The Batavian. "It might be July."
Ashley sells room-to-room furnishings and has 37 store locations in New York, according to its website, with sites including Amherst and Henrietta.
Photos by Howard Owens
Elmore, Wilcox make initial County Court appearances in Sanfratello case
Genesee County's justice system took another step forward on Monday in the prosecution of Michael J. Elmore, implicated in the March 10 death of Sgt. line-of-duty death Thomas A. Sanfratello, and co-defendant Lyndsey J. Wilcox.
Both Elmore and Wilcox appeared in County Court before Judge Donald O'Geen for the first time and their attorneys, on their behalf, entered not-guilty pleas to the criminal indictments filed against each of them.
The hearing was standard procedure, with District Attorney Kevin Finnell affirming he had supplied the defense with all available discovery material, requesting an alibis demand, and stating that the people are ready for trial.
O'Geen then outlined the case's milestone dates, including trial dates if it reaches that far in the process.
The defense attorneys—Joseph A. Lobosco for Elmore and Daniel J. Dubois for Wilcox—have until July 12 to file motions. Defense attorneys typically file motions in criminal cases challenging the admissibility of evidence, the relevance of witnesses, and the possibility of constitutional violations (though every case is different, and there's been no public discussion of what motions the attorneys might make in this case).
The prosecution has until July 26 to file an answer to the motions.
Any hearing on the motions or other pre-trial issues will be held at 9:30 a.m. on July 31.
O'Geen provided each attorney with an anticipated schedule of proceedings after initial motions.
He set Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing on any pre-trial motions, a follow-up hearing date of Sept. 20, a plea cutoff (the last day for defendants to accept any pending plea offer before trial) of Oct. 16 and a hearing date on any pending issues for Nov. 15. Then, if there is a trial, jury selection on Jan. 21. Opening arguments would begin on Jan. 23, with the trial scheduled to last until Feb. 11.
When Elmore and Wilcox were first arrested, they faced the same charges and both were ordered held on $100,000 bail.
On Monday, Dubois asked that his client, Wilcox, be released under supervision given the reduction of the top charges against her to burglary and assault. Finnell argued that since the top charges include mandatory prison terms if convicted, Wilcox should be held on bail. O'Geen reduced her bail to $20,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.
Elmore was indicted by the Grand Jury on counts of:
- Aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony. He is accused of intending to cause serious physical injury to a police officer and, as result, causing the death of a police officer;
- Aggravated criminally negligent homicide, a Class C violent felony. He is accused of causing the death of Sanfratello with criminal negligence;
- Assault in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. Elmore is accused of causing the death of Sanfratello while in the commission of another crime, burglary in the second degree;
- Burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. He is accused of knowingly entering a building unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime in the building and threatening to use or did use a dangerous instrument.
Elmore and Wilcox are indicted on counts of:
- Burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. Elmore and Wilcox are accused of remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime in the building and, while in the building, causing serious physical injury to another person;
- Assault in the second degree, a Class D violent felony. Elmore and Wilcox are accused of causing physical injury to a police officer who was in the act of performing his official duties;
- Obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. The pair is accused of trying to intentionally prevent a police officer from performing his official duty by means of intimidation, physical force, or interference.
Wilcox is separately charged with resisting arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. She is accused of intentionally trying to prevent her legal arrest.
The incident that led up to Sanfratello's death began at 12:43 a.m. on March 10, a Sunday morning following a pair of events at Batavia Downs on Saturday night, when Sanfratello and Batavia Downs security responded to the Rush 34 bar for a disturbance. There, Sanfratello confronted Wilcox, 39, of Batavia and ordered Wilcox to leave the building. While being escorted out, she allegedly became combative with Sanfratello. She is accused of hitting Sanfratello several times with the intent to injure him.
As Wilcox was being arrested, Elmore became involved and was also ordered to leave. He reportedly walked out of the building and came back in with a chain in his hand (a chain he was apparently wearing that night).
During the struggle, which included assistance from Batavia Downs security, Sanfratello reportedly tried to deploy his taser in an attempt to subdue the person attacking him.
According to initial reports, Sanfratello suffered a medical emergency during the struggle and became unresponsive. There was extensive effort, according to witnesses, to revive him with CPR. He was later pronounced dead by a county coroner.
For complete prior coverage of the case and related articles, click here.
Batavia native returns to produce 'Kitty' with GO Art! grant
Photo submitted by James DiLullo
What can you accomplish in six and a half minutes with a photographic feline, some choice hometown architecture and a $5,000 grant?
Batavia native and film producer James DiLullo will answer that soon enough with his self-penned work, “Kitty,” which he plans to shoot in his hometown next month with a local cast and crew.
Meant to pique the curiosity and imagination of an audience, this short film is based on DiLullo’s childhood experiences with pets and how perceptions may differ from those of adults.
“I weave that into a cute thriller story featuring a child whose turn it is to watch the class pet, and what could go wrong?” the recently turned 35-year-old said from his Los Angeles home. “You know, it’s a shorter film, six minutes or so, six and a half. It’s gonna be shot entirely in Batavia this time, so that’s great, showcasing some local architecture and some scenes at some local businesses.
“So we always had a household animal and always cherished them and stuff, but sometimes our perception as children is different than the perception than that of an adult, especially with certain behaviors that pets can exhibit. As a child, you may not understand that complex of a behavior. So that’s kind of the crux of the movie.”
He was willing to elaborate on that notion. As a kid, one of his cats often licked him clean, which to him felt like something much more sinister and destructive. He’d scream out in the middle of the night that the cat was biting him, perceptions his mom, Cecelia Lullo, would have to dispel for him.
Speaking of mom, she plays a pivotal role in this film, being the pet parent of the lead character talent, whose name isn’t being disclosed as of yet. Suffice it to say, she’s a gorgeous-haired, big, round-eyed looker with a temperament that any director would kill for.
“It’s an innocuous cat in real life, tame and gentle,” he said, flinging out tidbits of the plot. “What’s the true perception? There are different viewpoints; it’s a funny story.”
All fluffy goodness aside, the cat has required some light training to keep its attention, he said, and ensure that it will remain safe and comfortable amidst a typical bustling studio filming atmosphere. Talent selection will be done through Susan Aser of Rochester-based agency Two Sues casting once DiLullo returns to Batavia for the four principal actors of two children and two adults. There will also be a crew of lighting, sound and makeup people, he said.
He has appreciated the Western New York vibe of a connection on either side of his native city, tying the Rochester and Buffalo regions together, he said. His professional needs for craft services and amenities have been met so far locally by securing a private residence and a business, a city park, a Batavia City School building, a parking lot, and tentative agreements between city administration and police to ensure everyone’s safety and freedom from filming disruptions.
“I am always looking. I come from a real estate family, so it's just the markets and financing and numbers, and film is a unique industry where success breeds attention, and a lot of times that attention is financial attention," he said. "So it's just kind of waiting and finding the right opportunities."
"Batavia, Buffalo, Rochester, and, really, all of Western New York have many ideal places for film production, he said. These include the commercial studio system type of big warehouses and soundstages, but also the communities themselves.
"They are generally quiet communities with low crime but responsive emergency services and lots of utilities. And then they have the scenics. They have the architecture and the intangible things that are very expensive to build on the studio … they have these iconic and beautiful natural locations throughout that whole region, in various ways, from Niagara Falls all the way down to, let's say, New York, is great for these things," he said. "And repurposing the architecture as well, that's cool. Big warehouses that have sat empty for two years being used again is what you're seeing in a lot of the metros, and a school. Syracuse has a school that they turned into a movie studio. That's cool.”
Who knows what and where might pop up in his project while filming in Genesee County, which also boasts a few such pieces of vintage architecture-turned-repurposed property. He's not spilling just yet.
Those half-dozen minutes and eight-page script may be short by comparison to larger-scale productions, which DiLullo includes in his portfolio, but they will be “impactful,” he said.
“It’s about having pride in the community, cheering your hometown,” he said. “My last film (“Goldenrod”) was at the global level; we know we can reach that audience. I’m planning to hire all local talent, about 12 to 15 people depending on the time and days, on the needs for the days, the special effects and visuals.”
Who is his audience for such a brief piece of work? This film will go to the Buffalo International Film Festival along with its debut in Genesee County before the end of this year, he said. Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council awarded him a $5,000 Reach grant, which will be reinvested into the community through the casting and filming of the “Kitty” project, he said.
His home base these days is California, where he operates a 425-acre film production studio named Beauty View Ranch in Cattaraugus, NY. The 2007 Batavia High School grad also returns to his hometown enough to consider himself bi-coastal.
His film “Goldenrod” premiered at the 2022 Buffalo International Film Festival, and he went on to produce “Unbelievable” in 2023, a feature-length “what could go wrong” comedy, only this time about a group of die-hard Buffalo Bills fans that come together to watch their beloved team play in the biggest game ever with some ticklish results.
He has credits as a producer, writer and SAG-AFTRA actor for film, television and commercial works, backing up his claims to always be working on and writing something.
He has been mulling ideas about where to debut the film, possibly at Stuart Steiner Theatre or other venues, however that’s not the foremost priority at this point. Di Lullo will be hanging out with his favorite four-legged — Renata, an American Staffordshire Terrier — until he boards a plane to get the main job done.
“You can’t just make it; you have to show it,” he said. “But our focus right now is to get it shot.”
Photo: VFA's 40th anniversary celebration at Batavia First Presbyterian Church
Photo by Howard Owens.
Volunteers for Animals celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday at Batavia First Presbyterian Church.
Previously: Chamber Awards: VFA earns special recognition in its 40th year caring for animals
Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Law and Order: Warrant suspect accused of possessing a controlled substance
Michael Joseph Torres, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. While attempting to locate a warrant suspect, Deputy Jeremy McClellan came into contact with Torres at 2:09 p.m. on May 14 on Columbia Avenue, Batavia, who was also wanted a warrant. Torres was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned and released.
Lance Donald Beals, 53, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd. Beals is accused of pointing and shooting a BB gun toward another person, placing that person in fear of injury at 7:16 a.m. on May 14 at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was arraigned and released.
Nathan Wayne Campbell, 43, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Campbell was accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart at 12:56 p.m. on May 13. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Fire hydrant flushing set for Monday and Tuesday on city's east side
Press Release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22 from approximately 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the general area of North of East Main Street and East of Bank Street.
Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests 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. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear.
This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes.
Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settles in the water lines.
Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel knowledge of the hydrant locations. If you have any questions or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.
SUNY Cortland's Allie Schwerthoffer inducted into Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Press Release:
Allie Schwerthoffer of Batavia, was one of 45 SUNY Cortland transfer students inducted into Tau Sigma National Honor Society on Monday, April 1.
Tau Sigma, including its SUNY Cortland Pi chapter, is an academic honor society designed to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students.
To qualify, students must have transferred to SUNY Cortland from another academic institution with at least one full year's academic credits satisfied and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 after earning 12 or more credits at Cortland.
More than 90 students, families, faculty, and staff attended the ceremony in the Corey Union Function Room, hosted by the Advisement and Transition Office. President Erik J. Bitterbaum provided a welcome and Ryan Vooris, chair of the sport management department and transfer student himself, presented the keynote address.
This year was the 20th year for the Pi chapter at SUNY Cortland, which has inducted over 1,000 students since 2004.
Tractor-trailer vs. car accident reported at Jackson and Ellicott, Batavia
A tractor-trailer and car have collided at Jackson Street and Ellicott Street, Batavia.
Injuries are reported.
Traffic is blocked.
City Fire responding.
UPDATE 9:37 p.m.: Two patients critical, both pinned.
UPDATE 11 p.m.: Capt. Bob Fix said both patients appeared to be in serious condition following the accident and were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance. At least one of them may have been transported by Mercy Flight crews hadn't been grounded by weather. The Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team was requested to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. In the preliminary stages, Batavia police officers have no information on what may have occurred leading to the accident. The truck driver was not injured. There were only two people in the passenger vehicle.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Batavia beats Greece Olympia in flag football semifinal 24-0
In its second year, for a second time, Batavia's flag football team has a shot at a sectional title in Class B1 after beating Greece Olympia/Odyssey on Thursday 24-0.
The championship game will be played on Tuesday at Monroe Community College, with a game time of 5 p.m., against Greece Athena.
Batavia is the #1 seed in the tournament, and Athena is the #2 seed. Athene won its semifinal game over Monroe 33-0.
On Thursday, Anna Varland was 16-24 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Varland also ran for 91 yards and a TD.
Ella Radley rushed for 117 yards and a TD.
Isabella Walsh had six catches for 55 yards.
Jaimin McDonald, five receptions, 51 yards and a TD.
Kylee Brennan, six flag pulls and an interception. Grace Parker also snagged an interception.
Photos by Mike Ognibene.
Vehicle strikes Colonial West Motel
A vehicle has reportedly struck a building at 3910 W Main Street Road, the Colonial West Motel, in Batavia.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:32 a.m.: The driver was reported unconscious but a chief on scene reports the driver is conscious. He's backed his vehicle away from the building. There is no damage to the building. The chief requests a medical evaluation for the driver.
Mruczek surpasses 450 career strikeouts for Batavia
Giana Mruczek, a senior at Batavia High School, recorded her 450th career strikeout on Wednesday against Pittsford-Mendon.
With 13ks in the game, she now has 462 career strikeouts.
The Blue Devils lost the game 5-0.
Sponsored Post: OPEN HOUSE this weekend - 20 Ellicott Street, Batavia! Call Priya Rathod today for more details
20 Ellicott Avenue, Batavia - Open House: Saturday (5/18) 1-3pm, Sunday (5/19) 12-2pm. Step into this exquisite Victorian residence on the beloved Ellicott Ave. A spacious kitchen with Corian countertops, a farmhouse sink, and a central island welcome you upon entry. Adjacent to the kitchen, discover a versatile space suitable for a bedroom or office. Next, find a charming full bath, featuring a claw foot tub. The spacious living room provides access to the enchanting wrap-around porch, perfect for serene evenings. Ascend to the 2nd floor and be greeted by a magnificent wooden foyer with leaded stained-glass windows. The sizable primary bedroom boasts an attached sleeping porch. Explore further to uncover a kitchen reminiscent of the home's past life as a triplex. For investors, you’ll find this property can easily be converted back. Continuing on, you’ll find a 2nd floor bathroom, featuring a newly tiled shower, a luxurious jacuzzi tub, and ample space to indulge in self-care. Laundry becomes a breeze with abundant storage and amenities. Finally, on the 3rd floor, discover two generously sized rooms, brimming with potential and awaiting your creative touch! Viewings start 5-16 (10am) offers due on 5-22 by 5pm.
Batavia's Memorial Day parade set for May 27, accepting participants, kids with power wheels
Photo by Howard Owens.
Press Release:
The Memorial Day Parade is on May 27 in Batavia. The Parade lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. in the East Town Plaza.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. marching up Main Street to Bank Street where it will conclude. Any Veterans wishing to participate and would like a ride please let us know ASAP.
All groups and participants are required to fill out a Hold Harmless Agreement. We are still accepting groups or organizations to participate.
Please call/text Bob Bialkowski at 585-409-3624 for information and confirmation.
New this year calling all kids with Power Wheels/Riding Toys!
All kids (up to age 8 and accompanied by a parent) with access to a Power Wheels riding toy can ride their vehicle in this year’s parade. Call/text Bob at 585-409-3624 for details.
See you at the Parade!
Photos: Mud Run at John Kennedy
John Kennedy Intermediate School held its annual Mud Run on Wednesday.
City Fire supplied the water.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Richmond research librarian honored by DAR for helping people tell their stories through geneology
Photo by Howard Owens
A college professor told Deborah Wood, when she was working on her senior thesis, something that she has carried throughout her career: "It only takes one person at a time to get the stories told and the will to do so."
As the special collections librarian, helping people tell their stories has been a big part of her job, and that's one reason the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution honored her as A Woman in American History on Monday.
For a woman to become a member of DAR, she must produce a genealogy that demonstrates an ancestor who assisted in the Revolutionary War effort.
"When I left teaching to pursue librarianship, I thought that part of my professional life was over, but in late 2021, the idea of history by the hearth was born in support of the library's mission, the local history collection, and by telling the people's stories of the journey through the Genesee Country region from a local and national perspective," Wood said. "When I was approached to collaborate with the DAR, to tell the stories of Deputy Husbands, women who provided direct support to the revolutionary patriots, and those that kept the home fires burning, I never blinked an eye."
Wood has a BA in history and a MA in history and public history from Brockport State College, and a MA in information and library science from the University at Buffalo.
At Richmond, she's organized many history lectures and discussions as well as conducted classes on genealogy.
The award recognizes women who have contributed or made a difference in their communities and who are or have been intellectual, educational, social, religious, political and significant or cultural innovators.
Robin Ettinger, NY vice-chair of the prospective member database, said the more than one million DAR members nationwide have been through genealogy research, looking for documents that connect them to a Revolutionary War patriot.
"Today, we have a large amount of information at our fingertips through the internet through the web," Ettinger said. "But a large percentage of the documents that we use and our members use are actually housed in churches, historical societies and local libraries."
Ettinger noted that the Richmond Memorial Library has received growing attention under Wood's guidance, and DAR members have noticed its dedication to genealogical research.
"Under her stewardship of the local history collection, she has made this library an excellent place to be in a person's family history research," Ettinger said. "Her mission of genealogy at the library helps her assist the researcher in discovering their story."
She said anybody with something to learn about genealogy would benefit from Wood's guidance.
"I recommend that if you are a new genealogist or if you just need a refresher course, you look her up when she's holding her genealogy workshops," Ettinger said. "Then, she can introduce you to all the tools available to research genealogy."
Wood said the award recognizes not merely her own efforts but all who support history in the library.
"I'm indebted to many -- our board of trustees, our present and past library directors and their support of the local history, the genealogy collection, History by the Hearth and Genealogy at the Library, where our collective memory lives, our stories are told, and our patrons discover the stories of their revolutionary ancestors in Genesee County," she said.
Photo by Howard Owens
Crystal Glover named to SNHU president's list
Press Release:
Crystal Glover of Batavia has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Three locals graduating from SUNY Potsdam, May 18
Press Release:
The State University of New York at Potsdam will recognize the Class of 2024 during the College's 204th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18.
During Commencement, SUNY Potsdam honors students who have either earned their degree or are eligible to graduate during that calendar year. To learn more about Commencement at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/commencement.
Local graduates include:
- Lydia Geiger of Batavia, who is set to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Performance
- Erin Parnapy of Byron, who is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre
- Megan Privatera of Le Roy, who is set to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education
Office for the Aging holds open house to highlight services as it approaches 50th anniversary
On Tuesday, Genesee County's Office for the Aging commemorated Older Americans Month with an open house at its community center on Bank Street in Batavia.
The agency is also approaching its 50th anniversary, which it will mark on June 1.
The open house was intended to help the entire community better understand the service available, but especially older adults who are new to the area or those who have recently turned 60 or 65, said Diana Fox, executive director.
The office offers various services to local residents age 60 and older, including support for caregivers, in-home services, meals, a nutrition program, help with services for seniors, and activities for seniors.
"You know, people sometimes say that it's kind of the best-kept secret, but I think one of the things that are so great about (the Office for the Aging) is that these are services that are available for the community that, for the most part, don't cost anything. People don't realize what we have to offer. And I'm just so proud of the staff and their commitment. The people who come here, and they work here for years and then sometimes retire from the Office for the Aging because it's such a great place to be, and we love the people who come in to see us."
Photos by Howard Owens.
