batavia

It's possible Verizon has conquered the sea gull problem it had on its Center Street building.

The mobile phone and internet company brought in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove birds and eggs two weeks ago, and today, employees spread netting on the roof to discourage the return of the birds.

Meanwhile, gulls continue to menace cars and pedestrians from their roosts atop the old Latina's market building on Ellicott Street, though their numbers seem fewer than last spring and summer.

Owner Vito Gautieri said he's done everything the state Department of Environmental Conservation has told him he can do, but the gulls have not completed vacated the premises. 

"We've spent a ton of money," Gautieri said.

He said he's deployed fake owls and pelicans, installed noise makers and sends employees up to the top of the roof at least twice a week.

"Two days later they get used it (the decoys and noise) and they're back," Gautieri said.

Both Gautieri and Verizon received code violations for alleged failure to maintain their properties, according to City Manager Jason Molino.  

The owners were advised to keep the premises clean in order to comply with city code.

Local business owners say the problem was unusually acute on School Street this summer, largely because of the migration of the birds to the Verizon building. One store owner said the problem has seemed to lessen in the past two weeks.

Michael DeFelice, owner of Michael Anthony's Salon, said last summer he could safely park his car in the lot off School Street, but this summer, there has been no safe place to park.

Gautieri said the gull problem is an entire city problem and city officials need to address it as a citywide problem.

"They (the gulls) are going to continue to be a problem for all of us unless the city gets involved and the agency that protects them gets involved," Gautieri said.

Molino said it's not that simple. It's not like the city can go around cleaning up properties for landowners. The gull problem is a basic maintenance issue, he said. 

"It's like mowing your lawn," Molino said. "It's easy, but you've still got to do it."

Molino said the city hasn't had problems with gulls on City Centre for three years, since it started getting the permits necessary to take care of the problem (removing the eggs) and keeping the roof properly maintained.

As for the old Latina's building, Gautieri said he remains hopeful he could have new tenants soon. He said he's also been discussing the idea of turning the building into an office complex and recruiting firms with offices in Rochester and Buffalo to consolidate their offices in Batavia.

"That would be great for downtown," Gautieri said.

Another option for the building is to add another six or eight feet of height (which is possible because the building was originally constructed to have warehouse space on the second floor), which would make it possible to turn the second floor into apartments. If he did that, Gautieri said, he would add a steeple roof, which would keep the gulls from nesting on the roof.

With its owner facing legal problems and employees complaining about not getting paid, the New York Department of Health is aware of "issues" at the Batavia Nursing Home, but isn't giving out any information about the status of the facility.

"Our priority is the care and safety of the residents," said Jeffrey Hammond, spokesman for the department.  "We are working through several issues with the nursing home."

The state health department is the regulatory agency that overseas New York's nursing homes.

Hammond referred nearly every question The Batavian had about the home to his two-sentence his statement.

Jerry Fasano's mother is a resident at the home and he visits her daily. He said recently a representative of the Department of Health has been at the home every day. He had a chance to speak with the representative on Monday and she told him the state has begun a receivership process (take custody of the nursing home).

Asked specifically about whether receivership proceedings were under way, Hammond referred to his previous statement.

Today, employees received their paychecks that were due last Friday.  

One employee immediately cashed the check at her credit union and between the time she cashed it and got home, her home phone caller ID showed three missed calls from the credit union. She won't be able to call the credit union until tomorrow to find out what the calls were about.

Rather than deposit the check, she said, she took the cash, "because I've got bills to pay and groceries to buy." She wanted to make sure she had the money.

When the nursing home supervsor told employees today they would get paid, she said, "We were running down the halls. It was like Christmas for us."

Even so, she said, another three or four employees have quit and if paychecks are delayed this Friday, even more may walk off the job.

Fasano said he's impressed with the professionalism of the remaining staff. 

"It should also be noted that even though the staff is not being paid they are continuing to give the residents the care they need and deserve," Fasano said. "This includes all of the staff from maintenance and housekeeping to the hospital administrator.

"I feel that I can give an accurate description of the staff, in that I have come to know them all very well as I am there each and every morning to visit my mother," Fasano added.

Owner Marc Korn, who has been accused by federal authorities of fraud, visited the facility today -- entering by the back door, according to sources. He visited the home's administrator and left, saying nothing to staff.

Korn is due back in federal court tomorrow. 

The Amherst-based businessman has not returned calls nor answered emails from The Batavian seeking clarification or comment.

The Department of Health conducted an inspection of the Batavia Nursing Home in May and found 23 deficiencies, according to online records. That matches the statewide average. Hammond said as of this morning all of the deficiencies had been corrected. 

None of the deficiencies constituted actual harm or immediate jeopardy.

Here's a news release from the Batavia Muckdogs.

The Batavia Muckdogs today announced a ticket sales promotion, allowing fans the opportunity to win some great autographed sports memorabilia. Between today and June 15, fans who purchase one of four different ticket options, will be entered into a random drawing to win autographed items from past and present baseball stars!

Highlighting the promotion, any fan who purchases a season ticket between by June 15, will be entered into a drawing to win a baseball signed by former Muckdog and current Major League All-Star Ryan Howard for each seat purchased. Therefore, any fan who purchases four (4) season seats will be entered four times.

The Muckdogs are also offering chances to win other great items for fans purchasing mini-plans, coupon books and Opening Day tickets between now and June 15. Items for these ticket options are listed below:

• Mini-plan purchases (either “Best of the Best” or “Friday Fireworks” packages) will be entered to win a baseball signed by former American League MVP Vladimir Guerrero.
• Coupon book purchases (either box seats or general admission) will be entered to win a baseball signed by 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels.
• Fans who purchase a ticket to Opening Day, June 17th, will be entered to win a baseball signed by former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager Lou Pinella.

Fans can purchase any of these ticket options by calling the Muckdogs box office at (585) 343-5454 or by visiting in person weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the promotion, fans can call the Muckdogs front office at (585) 343-5454.

The Muckdogs open the 2011 season at Dwyer Stadium on Friday, June 17 against the Auburn Doubledays. Single game tickets for the Home Opener and all 38 Muckdogs home games are currently on sale.

One of three people being questioned by a Batavia police officer at the Days Inn of Oak Street near the Thruway decided to run, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that lasted less than 30 minutes shortly before 1 p.m.

Officer Dan Coffey had been dispatched to the Days Inn to ask three guests who had overstayed their welcome to leave. While doing a wants and warrants check on the three people, one of them took off. Coffey observed the suspect run to a gray Dodge Durango parked behind the hotel and grab something from the vehicle, leading officers to worry that the suspect had grabbed a weapon.

The man, whose identity has not been released yet, then headed toward the Thruway toll booths. At some point, he fell into or ran through a body of water. He then ran across the Thruway near the Route 98 overpass and was last seen in a farm field just north of the Thruway.

By that time, back-up had arrived from the Batavia PD, Sheriff's Office and State Police.  The field was surrounded by officers and the State Police helicopter was called in.

Within minutes of the helicopter arriving, the suspect, who had been lying in the long grass of the field, stood up and tried to run again. He was immediately apprehended by police.

The other two individuals were detained at the hotel, where members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force responded and began conducting a further investigation.

Following the arrest, a search of the field was being conducted by State Troopers, which prompted some discussion of bringing in a weapon sniffing dog, to see what, if anything, the suspect left behind.

Chief Randy Baker said the suspect apparently is wanted in Georgia. The nature of the warrant is not available at this time.

(Initial Report)

Joseph Francis O'Shei, 36, of Stebbins Road, Franklinville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while ability impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol, inadequate lights and driving the wrong direction on a one-way street. O'Shei was stopped at 10:35 p.m. Monday in the area of 4126 Route 5, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Ronald M. Markek, 31, of Allegany Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to yield right-of-way to emergency vehicle and improper right turn. Markek was stopped at 1:31 a.m. on Route 77 in Corfu by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A manhunt is under way but we didn't catch why. A white male, wearing white, is being sought by law enforcement and he reportedly is "drenched from falling in a ditch."

He was spotted at the Thruway entrance at the end of Oak Street and was last reported in an open field on the south side of the Thruway. A State Police helicopter is going to be airborne shortly to aid in the hunt.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: The subject is in custody "on the Thruway."

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: This incident started when an employee of the Days Inn called police to report that a guest failed to pay for his room. When police arrived, he ran to his vehicle and reached in for something. They thought it might be a weapon. He ran off and they pursued him. The Local Drug Enforcement Task Force is now searching the hotel property. The subject remains in custody.

A one-car accident is reported at Alva Place by JCPenney in the City of Batavia. The driver hit a curb and possibly a light pole and reportedly seems disoriented.

Medics on scene report the driver missed the driveway and hit the curb.

Firefighters are there, too.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: A light pole was not struck. Medics are back in service and firefighters are returning to quarters.

A person suffered smoke inhalation following a fire in an electrical box at the car wash at 13 Liberty St. in the City of Batavia.

A city fire engine and Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: The fire is knocked out and they are checking for any extension of it.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Mercy unit is back in service with a patient sign-off.

Photos by Frank Capuano

A vehicle that was on fire near a house at 2560 Pratt Road has exploded. The fire is believed to have spread to the structure. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with a tanker from the Town of Batavia.

A firefighter says a large amount of black smoke can be seen from the Indian Falls bridge.

A woman at the residence who called 9-1-1 in a panic was told to evacuate the house.

The location is between Slusser and Powers roads.

"Be advised -- it looks like it hasn't spread to the house yet, just the vehicle in the driveway," says a responder.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: Town of Batavia is told "to take their time coming in."

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: The fire is under control. They are looking for hot spots. Medics are called for a person who suffered some minor burns when the fire "flashed over."

Deborah An Dixon-Thatcher, 52, of North Lyons Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Dixon-Thatcher is accused of breaking the windows, headlights and taillights out of her estranged husband's 1997 Nissan pickup truck while it was parked at a residence in Bergen at 1:55 a.m., Monday.

Hope Renee Conibear, 37, of Gibson Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Conibear was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident April 23 on Hutton Road, Town of Oakfield. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Joseph Robert Waala, 38, of North Randolph Street, Arlington, Va., is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Waala allegedly damaged a metal fire hose box at 8250 Park Road, Batavia. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with trespassing for allegedly being on privately owned property at 5447 Main Road, Stafford, without permission: Ryan W. Caltagirone, 20, of Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany, Donald M. Fagan, 19, and Joshua T. Gilbert, 18, both of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, and two 17-year-olds and three 16-year-olds, all from Batavia.

Katrina Le Brandes, 20, of South Main Street, Perry, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher. Brandes was arrested following an investigation of a reported domestic incident at 3:55 a.m. on Buckman Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jason Saile.

City firefighters have been dispatched to the parking lot of UMMC to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

The nature of the medical call is not known.

While at the Batavia Cemetery today, I met three young women doing a photo shoot.  

The group leader was Jessica Wheeler (second picture, white shirt), whose degree in journalism hasn't led to a job -- not uncommon these days -- so she's going to beauty school. She's entering a national contest in hairstyling and the rules stipulate a character from a movie be used, so she decided on a female Madhatter from "Alice in Wonderland."

Wheeler is attending Salon Professional Academy in Buffalo.

The Madhatter is played by Lacey Christner, a recent grad of GCC who will be attending UB as a photography major.

The photographer is Danielle Schaffer, a Batavia resident.

Three more pictures after the jump:

 

A threat of rain (that never materialized) couldn't keep hundreds of people from descending on Main Street this morning for the annual Memorial Day parade.  

The parade featured the Batavia High School marching band and flag team, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the city and town fire departments, Sheriff's Office and Police Department, along with local veterans groups and elected officials, among other groups.

More pictures after the jump.

And even more pictures on our photo purchase site. To purchase these or choose from the additional pictures at affordable rates, click here.

 

 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

This is found in the Bible, John 15:13, and it was quoted this morning at the Memorial Day ceremony held outside UMMC's Jerome Center. The speaker was American Legion Commander Ronald Konieczny.

“We know what’s in people's hearts, we know how people feel about our veterans. It’s a much better feeling today than what it was during Vietnam,” Konieczny said.  "It is easy for one to believe that (Biblical) statement after witnessing the generosity and admiration shown by all those who attended today's service..."

The atmosphere was solemn but proud, as it was when plans were unveiled for a new monument to commemorate deceased soldiers from Genesee County. It will honor those killed in action during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

This $250,000 monument is estimated to be finished in 2013; however, no building will be done before the old plaques, which were stored due to recent renovations, receive a proper military burial. The old plaques, which once stood in front of the hospital on North Street, are to be retired and then buried under the new monument.

Aside from individual grave sites, this commemorative monument will be the only permanent place in Batavia where friends and family of deceased soldiers can pay homage to their lost loved ones, and permanent it will be. The entire monument, plaza and tablets are going to be solid granite. To aid fundraising, the granite pavers used to make the plaza will be sold to families and inscribed with whatever special message is desired.

Though the announcement of the new memorial generated a lot of excitement, the service maintained its true purpose, which was honoring the heroism of deceased soldiers. Helen Laird and Adeline "Dolly" Gioia,  two Gold Star mothers whose sons were killed in combat, were honored today as well as 178 soldiers who died between 2010 and 2011. For each soldier, an American flag was placed in the ground in front of the hospital.

Memorial Day is only one day of remembrance, but for the veterans and families of fallen soldiers it is more than that. It's a chance to show their respect for the sacrifices that their comrade or family member made. With the help of United Memorial Medical Center and those who attended the commemoration, that is exactly what was accomplished today

We are fortunate today to be enjoying a pleasant Memorial Day, a little overcast early but now the sun is out.

These photos are from the Batavia Cemetery. I'll have Batavia parade photos and some photos of Genesee County later today.

City of Batavia firefighters will hold their annual "Fill the Boot" Drive to benefit MDA on Friday, June 3, beginning at 9 a.m.

This year’s co-chairmen are firefighters Jeff Stevens and Greg Ireland.

Off-duty city firefighters -- members of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 896 -- will help raise money for the cause. They will be at Court and Main streets as well as Court and Ellicott streets.

The IAFF is MDA’s largest sponsor.

City of Batavia Fire Department Local 896 has been holding  the "Fill the Boot" drive for 17 years. Last year's boot drive was quite successful. City firefighters with the community's help raised $5,600 for the MDA!

There are more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that are covered by MDA, including ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Donations cover everything from wheelchairs to braces, physical therapy sessions to kids' summer camps.

The guys are looking forward to hitting the streets again in an attempt to top last year’s total. They really appreciate the generousity of those that can give, be it their spare change, a dollar or even more.