batavia

I've looked at this memorial a few times in the past couple of years. It is mounted on the fence behind the courthouse above the Tonawanda Creek.

The sign reads: "Michael Caccamise and two playmates fell through the ice and into the icy waters of the Tonawanda Creek on Feb. 10, 1932. The bodies of Harry Campebello, age 10, and Frank Bezon, age 9, were recovered on Feb. 13th near the dam. However, Michael’s body was not recovered until July 8, 1932.

In Loving Memory of Michael Caccamise
Age 10
Son of
George and Mary Caccamise"

There's never a good time to kick somebody out of their home, said Bruce Gerould, Town of Batavia deputy building inspector.

But when raw sewage is seeping under the dwelling units, how much longer do you wait? Until after Christmas, after New Year's, or after somebody gets typhoid?

"If we waited and somebody got sick, then people would be asking why we waited," Gerould said. "It's a no-win situation."

Gerould has been the building inspector responsible for inspecting the Batavia Motel, 3768 W. Main St. Road, since he went to work for the town in 2004. He said there's never been a time when there haven't been code violations at the apartment complex, and since a fire two years ago, the owner has been increasingly less responsive in making repairs.

The owner, Panchal "Sonny" Bhupendrabhai, said he hasn't been eager to make repairs of late, because all he's really wanted to do is sell the property.

He thought he had a buyer until a couple of months ago, but with open code violations, he couldn't complete the deal.

Then the town expressed interest in the property.

"When I heard of the town's interest, I thought there's no reason to spend thousands of dollars for repairs," Bhupendrabhai said.

Bhupendrabhai initiated the call with The Batavian. He said he wanted readers to know that his tenants, with one exception, had plenty of notice that they needed to find new dwellings.

He said he told them weeks ago he intended to shut down the property.

In the case of Eric Duda, he said, Duda fell behind eight weeks in rent and Bhupendrabhai told him just find another place to live, and rather than evict him, gave him time to make other arrangements. He said that days before the condemnation notice, Duda was approved by DSS for $175-per-week rent at Mark Trail. 

Another tenant, he said, stopped paying his rent five weeks ago after learning of the town's interest in buying the property. That tenant, he said, told other residents to stop paying their rent as well.

When Bhupendrabhai confronted the tenant about it, he agreed to stop telling others not to pay their rent. Bhupendrabhai told him he would forgive the five-weeks back rent if he would pay one more week rent and then find another place to live.

A total of seven people lived at the motel at the time of the condemnation.

As for Maken Ithnnascheri, the tenant who moved in just a week ago, he may not have known about Bhupendrabhai's plan to shut down the motel, but he only paid one week's rent and shouldn't have expected to live there longer than that.

He said he covered Ithnnascheri's rent for three days at another motel on Friday, and gave him an extra $50 "to help him out."

As for selling the property to the town, Bhupendrabhai said he essentially has an agreement in place to sell the 2.9-acre parcel adjacent to Kiwanis Park, but nothing is in writing yet.

Gerould said there is no connection between the town's enforcement action and the plan to buy the hotel.

While he feels bad for the residents, he also felt troubled by the conditions they were living it.

Besides the broken septic system, the roof leaked, there were no fire extinguishers and no smoke detectors.

"The place is deplorable," Gerould said. "It's filthy and much of it is not up to standards of the health department or the New York State building code."

He said he told Duda in September that a condemnation order was coming if the problems were not corrected by Bhupendrabhai.

A man arrested in Genesee County with warrants in San Francisco and Ithaca entered a guilty plea today to criminal possession of stolen property.

Thomas E. Dodson, 24, admitted to possessing a stolen benefits card belonging to another person.

There was some discussion about his admission because at first Dodson would only say that he possessed the card knowing it wasn't his, but in order for him to admit to the charge, he had to admit that he knew the card was stolen, not that it just didn't belong to him.

As part of his plea deal, the other charges against him are dropped and his sentence will be served concurrently with time he is already doing in state prison on a Tompkins County conviction for robbery, 3rd.

Dodson will be sentenced on the Genesee County conviction at 3 p.m., Feb. 23.

One of Batavia's most persistent criminals never had a chance to be a productive citizen, his attorney argued this morning, just before Judge Robert C. Noonan sentenced Michael J. Piasta to three-and-a-half to seven years in state prison on a burglary, 3rd, conviction.

Piasta's mother was an alcoholic and his father a heroin addict who died only recently of an overdose, said attorney William Teford. As a toddler, Tedford said, Piasta found some LSD in his house and swallowed it, nearly killing him.

"There's no denying his lengthy criminal record, no denying this sentence comes from many other criminal charges," Tedford said. "But as I read his family and social history, from a personal standpoint, I found it disturbing and difficult to believe."

Tedford asked that Noonan consider the circumstances of Piasta's life and give him the minimum term, two to four years in prison.

Noonan said he read the pre-sentence report prepared by the probation department, and given Piasta's lengthy criminal history, it was important, Noonan said, that Piasta be kept from society for "as long as possible."

On Nov. 5, Piasta entered a guilty plea to burglary, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. Piasta admitted that in October he broke into a business at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, and stole a credit card -- running up more than $500 in charges -- and checks. He attempted to forge the checks at two local banks.

Over the summer, Piasta was also accused of stealing DVDs from Pandora's Boxx and shoplifting from Wilson Farms.

In court today, Piasta told Noonan that for a period of time when he was released from jail, he did work toward turning his life around, even getting a job.

"At this point I just want to say I don’t feel that I’m hopeless," Piasta said. "Regardless of what happens today, I think I can make things better."

After the sentencing, Noonan told Piasta that he didn't believe the 30-year-old Batavia native is hopeless either, but that he needs to take advantage of whatever substance abuse programs he can while in prison.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 403 Ellicott St. in the City of Batavia. There are minor injuries and it is blocking the roadway.

Mercy EMS and city fire are responding.

Dorsie M. McGill Jr., 26, of 21 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with theft of services and resisting arrest. McGill allegedly got into an argument with a taxi driver over the amount of fare due, then struggled with police officers Frank Klimjack and James DeFreze when they attempted to take him into custody. McGill was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Vincent D. Henning, 33, of 610 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Henning is accused of renting two laptop computers at two different rent-to-own stores and then selling the laptops to a pawn shop.

Veronica Garcia, 30, of 2414 Walker Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and speeding. Garcia was stopped at 10:59 p.m., Friday, on Pearl Street Road by Officer Dan Coffey.

Melissa Courtney Kent, 19, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and consumption of alcohol inside a motor vehicle. Kent was charged following a call at 1:56 a.m., Saturday, of a car off the road on Route 5 in Pembroke.

Ricky Dean Newbould, 52, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right and improper right turn. Newbould was arrested following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 5:01 a.m., Sunday, on Hundredmark Road, Elba.

Troy Damien Schimley, 17, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating a vehicle in violation of a restricted license. Schimley was stopped at 2:39 a.m., Sunday, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy on Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

Vidis E. Malejs, 73, of Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to yield right-of-way. Malejs was charged following a report of a property damage accident at 6:20 p.m., Saturday, on Park Road.

Tammy J. Green, 40, of Attica, is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unsafe start. Green was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 9 p.m., Saturday, in the parking lot of Alabama Tee Off, on Route 77 in Alabama.

Adam Lee Leaton, 20, of Caswell Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Leaton is accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Jamie L. Broadbent, 27, of 60 Swan St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Broadbent is accused of shoplifting a six-pack of soft drinks and over-the-counter medication from Tops Market.

Tyler P. Schroeder, 18, of Oak Street, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Schroeder is accused of allowing a 14-year-old to drive the car of another person. A 17-year-old was also in the vehicle. The car was stopped by Deputy James Diehl at 6:36 p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Pratt and Kelsey roads, Batavia. The 14-year-old was referred to Genesee County Family Court.

Batavia Police are investigating three burglaries that occurred over the weekend.

Two of the burglaries may be related.

The first break-in was reported at the Batavia Industrial Center, 56 Harvester Ave. A suspect or suspects entered a business and stole musical instruments and other equipment.

There was also a break-in at the Sherwin-Williams paint store, 16 Liberty St. Some merchandise along with a small mount of cash was stolen. Store employees are conducting an inventory to determine exactly what was stolen.

The third burglary occurred at the UPS Store, 8351 Lewiston Road, where some cash and a small safe was stolen.

The burglaries occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning.

When a friend of Brandi Bruggman's looked down at his Converse one day, he thought they looked like a dirty mess.

He didn't want to throw out an otherwise fine pair of shoes though, so he asked Bruggman if she could paint some art work on the shoes -- they were made out of canvass, after all.

An intriguing challenge, and Brandi gave it a try.

He loved the "new" shoes, and so did his friends.

"Somebody saw the shoes and wanted them, and then somebody saw those shoes and wanted them, and now I have a business," Bruggman said.

The 20-year-old Alexander native sells "Bruggies," as well as hats and other wearable items at Glass Roots, 12 Center St., Batavia, as well as through her Facebook account.

Each item is hand painted, coated to make it waterproof, and inspired by the individual buying it. She said she often talks with the customer, finds out that they like, asks them to provide some adjectives, and then "goes with that vibe."

Ironically, Bruggman said, before she started selling wearable art, she was having a hard time finding a market for the kind of art that hangs on walls. Now, she's selling a lot more wall art.

Often, the people who buy her shoes, or other items, realize how good she is and they commission a painting for a room in their homes.

In all, Bruggman said that since she started creating "Bruggies" in June 2009, she's sold about 200 hand-painted items.

A theater design technician major at Niagara University, with a minor in fine arts, Bruggman would love it if her fledgling business became her full income.

"If I could paint every day, that would be awesome," said Brandi.

Though, the business can't get too big, she cautioned, because she won't let anybody else paint shoes for her. She does it all herself.

Painting clothing has expanded her as an artist, she said, both from working with different materials and techniques. She's learned to use an airbrush to paint T-shirts -- but since each item is custom created, she's often painting subjects she might not otherwise.

"It's cool that I get to draw into new things," Bruggman said. "I draw things I never would have drawn before. The other day I drew a boat. I never drew a boat before.

"It's been opening new avenues of art for me," she added.

Examples of Bruggman's shoes and hats -- as well as a mural she painted -- are on display at Glass Roots, and an order for shoes, or other items, can be placed at the store. Prices for hand-painted Converse start at $85 (other shoes can go for as little as $65). A tote ranges from $20 to $50, hats from $35 to $45.

Seven residents of the Batavia Motel, 3768 W. Main St. Road, were told Thursday evening they had less than 24 hours to vacant the premises.

The Town of Batavia condemned the building because of numerous code violations.

Resident Eric Duda, who was made manager of the complex about seven months ago -- but still had to pay rent -- said he and his fiancé were able to find lodging for themselves and their 10-month-old infant.

But he said everything he owns is stored in rooms and there's no money to move it to other storage on such short notice.

"I figure I'm going to lose all of my possessions," said Duda, whose last extension for unemployment compensation ran out last week.

DSS helped him and his family move, temporarily, into the Mark Trail Motel, but he couldn't take his dog, and as of about 6 p.m. last night, he didn't know what he was going to do with his pet.

The motel has two detached wings. One of the wings has been vacant for some period of time because of a fire in the main office.

All of the residents lived in units on the east side of the property.

The property is owned by Panchal Bhupendrabhai (Duda called him "Sonny"), who lives in Irving, Texas. The assessed value is $55,000. He acquired the 2.9-acre parcel in 2007 from Sarojbahen Patel for $1, who acquired it in 2006 for $55,000. 

Earlier this month, the Town of Batavia authorized a purchase offer of $85,000 to acquire the parcel, which adjoins Kiwanis Park.

Supervisor Greg Post said the condemnation and interest in buying the property are unrelated matters.

The town has been interested since about 2007 or 2008.

"It's a matter of public record," Post said.

He added that "If there were a proper offer to sell the property, we would be willing to negotiate to buy the property."

Post said the living arrangements are a matter between the landlord and tenants.

"We certainly gave the owner time to comply (with code requirements)," Post said.

Still, the condemnation caught residents by surprised, and they all made quick trips to the Department of Social Services on Friday looking for help.

Maken Ithnnascheri, just moved into room #22 on Monday and spent every dime he had on the move and making the space habitable, including repairs and paint. He said he has nowhere to go and no place to take all of his possessions.

"I put a nice penny into it," he said. "They came here late last night and said we had to be out by five o’clock, and there’s no way. I have no place else to go. Where are we going to go in the cold?”

"Everything I have in the world," he added, "is in that room."

Ithnnascheri said he isn't currently eligible for DSS assistance to help him find new lodging.

The motel is in quite a state of disrepair, Duda acknowledged. He said the roof over three rooms leaks, there are broken doors and windows and several other problems with the property.

“It’s really just lots of little things," Duda said. "I just don’t know how it lasted as long as it did.”

Over the summer, he and the other tenants put a riser and cement cover over the septic tank, but it still leaks into the woods behind the motel.

The landlord has made various deals with tenants to make repairs at a discount but nothing ever seems to get done, Duda said.

He doesn't take issue with the condemnation, only the timing of it.

"It's something that I don’t understand," Duda said. "In order for a landlord to evict you, you've got 30 days. So how can the town come in and say you’ve got 24 hours and that’s it?

"I don’t know why he (the code enforcement officer) didn’t do this in the summer time when it would be easier for people to move," he added.

This video was clearly shot at GCC during a basketball game. A State Trooper is seen talking with a white-haired gentleman who matches the description of John Parrinello being arrest.

If you get WHAM 13 out of Rochester, watch the 6 p.m. news for a report by Sean Carroll related to the video.

UPDATE: Click here for Sean's story.

Previously: Monroe County attorney, college trustee arrested during basketball game at GCC

Two years ago onstage at the annual Batavia Players holiday show, Malloryann Burk accepted the marriage proposal of her now-husband, Peter Flanagan. In this year's show, titled "A Traditional Christmas," Peter is still a central theme in her performance.

The first show is tonight at 7:30 at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. The other show is the same time Saturday.

But in the new production, Malloryann's focus will be on her husband's  absence rather than his presence.

She will be singing "Sending you a Little Christmas" to Peter, who has been in Afghanistan since September and will most likely be there until May. The song is one of four that are dedicated to Flanagan, a Marine corporal and the father of their 5-month-old son, Gabriel.

"When we were planning the show, we knew we wanted to do something for the troops overseas, and that we wanted to send that message of love and support for them," director Pat Burk, father of Malloryann, explains.  "So much of our family is in the show, and once we started rehearsing it hit us that we're sort the poster family for the cause."

There are a total of 21 songs in the show, most of which are traditional Christmas tunes.  The selections were made by Burk and Mary Brenner in an effort to create a mix of "traditional carols, religious, and well-known songs."

"When we sat down to decide on the songs, there were some that we knew right away had to be in it," says Burk. "Then there were some others, newer songs that aren't as well known but fit well in the expressed area of tradition."

Scattered between some of the songs is Yuletide-themed narration written by Mary Brenner, which discusses everything from the original Christmas story to modern-day Santa Claus. 

In addition to directing, Burk will also lend his voice to the show, performing such songs as a duet of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." He sings the Bing Crosby part of "Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy" -- along with Paul Spiotta's David Bowie. The musical director and piano accompianist is Kathy White.

Half of this year's show's profit will go toward the St. James Restoration Fund.  

"They've been very good to us in the past, allowing us to perform here, and this is such a beautiful church," Burk explains. "It fits a more traditional type of show."

With Christmas only a week away, the Genesee County Salvation Army is facing a critical time crunch to get the food and others items to families who need them. To say they are coming up short on donations this year, in this economy, is an understatement.

Plus, there's a dearth of bell-ringers, so that's taken a bite out of the Salvation Army's holiday charity campaign.

There are 750 local families who've applied for assistance, and plenty more on a waiting list.

"It's the working families who are really getting squeezed," said Capt. Patty Kurtz, "'the working poor' as the government calls them, are the majority of those who applied this year."

She said the charity used the bulk of its $15,000 Genesee County food budget to buy grocery store gift certificates this year. It also allows families to buy a turkey, ham or whatever for Christmas dinner, and stretches their food budget at a time when their kids are on winter break for two weeks.

The Salvation Army has stocked food items too, of course, with help from Batavia-based business Holiday Ice, which it will start giving out, along with the gift cards, to those on the list beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, and again on Tuesday. That'll be at headquarters, 529 E. Main St., in the City of Batavia.

Between now and then, food donations would be super appreciated. Can anybody spare a frozen turkey -- like today or tommorrow?

There were 150 of the birds donated and given out at Thanksgiving. For Christmas, they have about 200 on hand, far below what 750-plus families could enjoy.

"It would be ideal if we could (at least) give every family a turkey," said Kurtz, who is called "Captain Patty."

P.S. -- The Salvation Army's winterwear drive lasts all season long. So if you have gently used coats, sweaters, scarves, mittens, gloves, hats, etc. there are people in Genesee County who could sure use them.

To contact the Salvation Army in Batavia, call 343-6284. E-mail Capt. Patty at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org.

This was the view behind the courthouse late this morning at the Tonawanda Creek Falls.

As for the weather forecast: Nothing unusual predicted -- some scattered snow showers and more cold.

The public is invited to tour the new surgical wing at UMMC this afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m.

A free shuttle service from the Bank Street and Washington Street parking lot to the North Street location is available.

As part of our ongoing series of local Christmas lights, here are six pictures taken tonight.

Above, Lincoln Avenue.

More after the jump:

Bank Street

Fairmont Avenue

Ellicott Avenue

Lincoln Avenue

Maple Street

Members of the State Police and Park Rangers were at the County Airport today practicing open water rescue, taking advantage of the cold weather to get some practice in winter conditions.

The practice involves a trooper and ranger taking off in the chopper and then coming back to the practice zone to pick up a practice rescuee. The purpose is to work on communication among rescuers to ensure all elements of the rescue are coordinated.

A complete sequence of pictures after the jump:

 

A tractor-trailer hauling cars is reportedly on fire on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 396.8, eastbound lane.

The caller reports flames coming from under the dashboard.

East Pembroke Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: Cab now reported fully involved.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: One truck from Town of Batavia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: A chief on scene requests an Oakfield tanker. "It's going pretty good," he says.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: A couple of the cars on the truck are on fire. Indian Falls and Pembroke requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m. (Billie): Tankers from Corfu and Darien are now requested. There is heavy traffic congestion around the burning rig, impending the ability of responders to reach the scene more quickly.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m. (Billie): Corfu is asked to standby in the East Pembroke Fire Hall. Darien is asked to wait at the Thruway service area until called if needed.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m. (Billie): Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the Thruway at the Pembroke exit. The congestion has also made it difficult for empty water tankers to leave so those with water can get in there.

UPDATE 3:31 p.m. (Billie): The fire is out and the crews are doing overhaul to finish the work.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: Top photo, submitted by Thomas Schneider. Bottom two photos by Howard Owens.

Batavia-based Graham Corp., which made its name and money supporting oil exploration and drilling, is moving into the nuclear industry.

Yesterday, Graham announced the acquisition of Michigan-based Energy Steel for $18 million.

The newly acquired company, with 52 employees, is expected to remain in Michigan and no layoffs are expected.

Graham tapped into its $71 million cash reserve to make the purchase, according to the Buffalo News.