batavia

Jacob John Sponaugle, 19, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon,4th. Sponaugle allegedly pointed a shotgun at another person during a road rage incident reported at 2:52 p.m. Friday at Main and Bank streets in Downtown Batavia.

Jeremiah Lamar Gregory Burt, 23, of Victoria Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Burt was stopped at 6:45 p.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Jacob Lee Jasinski, 20, of Akron Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely, and unsafe tires. Jasinski was reportedly involved in a one-car accident at 3:55 a.m. Sunday on Main Road, Pembroke. A utility pole was broken in the accident. The accident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Young.

Stephen Michael Milroy, 23, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Milroy was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $500 bail or $2,000 bond.

Matthew Richard Jackson, 27, of Vernon Avenue, of Batavia, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; driving left of pavement markings; and moving from lane unsafely. Jackson was stopped at 3:14 p.m. Sunday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

John Kelly, 27, of Parkway, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, and harassment, 2nd. Kelly was charged following an investigation into an incident reported at 10 p.m. June 17 at a residence on Bethany Le Roy Road, Stafford, by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Cherie M. Oddo, 57, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Oddo is accused of stealing $7.69 worth of merchandise from Tops Friendly Market.

Joseph Thomas Burr, 24, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 3rd, two counts of grand larceny, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Burr is accused of stealing another person's wallet during an argument reported at 3:30 p.m., Friday.

Danny D. Williams, 29, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal mischief, 4th. Williams was allegedly involved in an incident on Central Avenue reported at 8:45 p.m. June 11. Williams was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting at Tops Friendly Market on June 17. He was also arrested on a warrant out of City Court.

John A. Snook, 30, of Oak Orchard Road, Albion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with a court-ordered program. 

Joseph W. Freeman, 34, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, was arrested on a warrant and ordered held on $1,000 bail. No further details about the charges released.

Christine Marie Wagner, 37, of East Main Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wagner was charged following an investigation into possible employee theft at a local business. Also charged with petit larceny, Irisa M. Hill, 22, of Wood Street, Batavia. 

John D. Radley, 57, of Route 20A, Warsaw, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by alcohol. At 4:37 p.m. on June 22, police were alerted to a person reportedly drinking alcohol in a running motor vehicle in the parking lot of Tops Friendly Market. Upon arrival, police allegedly found Radley slumped over the wheel, asleep.

A 16-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property. 

Joshua P. Fields, 21, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unsafe backing. Fields was arrested on a warrant. He posted bail and was released.

Thomas Andrew Woldford, 42, of Ringquist Street, Las Vegas, is charged with DWI and failure to dim headlights. Woldford was stopped at 1:19 a.m. Monday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan after Woldford allegedly failed to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic.

Brittany A. Young, 23, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operation, 3rd, and speeding. Young was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Darien at 3:45 p.m. on June 25. While interviewing the driver, troopers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Young was allegedly found to be driving on a suspended license and was also found to be in possession of marijuana and a controlled substance. Young posted $500 bail and was released from jail pending her next court appearance in Darien Town Court.

Vikki L. Sullivan, 32, of Norfolk, Va., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. State Police came into contact with Sullivan at 2:39 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location in the Town of Darien.

Shawn R. Bowick, 32, of Leicester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a license plate violation. Bowick was stopped by State Police at 6:15 p.m. Friday on Route 63, Batavia.

Rahiim J. Collazo, 40, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding, obstructed vision, license plate violation, and no license. Tiffany M. Santos, 35, of Rochester, is charged with permitting unlicensed operation and facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation. Callazo was stopped by State Police at 7:40 p.m. Friday on Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Attica was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana by State Police during a traffic stop on Route 98 in Alexander at 1:54 a.m. on Sunday.

Paula Savage looks forward to her regular visits to Batavia’s Peace Garden, a concept she founded in 2012 for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Her visit on Monday morning, however, was met with shock, when she discovered someone had stolen two large urns and a ceramic snail lawn ornament from the Garden on Main Street.

“I come about every other day to water the urns and pull weeds,” Savage said Tuesday morning, as she waited for police to arrive. “This is terrible. I know people in our community respect this garden.”

The large footed urns were purchased by Savage and placed on either side of a marble bench near the flags.

She was alerted to the theft by a man who said he frequently walks his dog in the area. He noticed loose dirt on the footbridge over Tonawanda Creek, which leads Savage to believe the thieves came from the other side of the creek.

“Possibly the urns got too heavy and they dumped some of the dirt out on the bridge,” she said. “There had to have been a group of people to carry those two big urns and the ceramic lawn ornament.”

Savage said this garden is revered by the community and is promoted by New York state. It was the first Peace Garden on the New York State Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail.

“There is such an emphasis on keeping this garden beautiful, and a lot of effort goes into maintaining it,” Savage said. “I came to water the urns because I wanted the garden to look pristine for the Fourth of July.”

Batavia Patrolman C.J. Lindsay said they will be checking security cameras at businesses across the street.

Savage said the Peace Garden Committee will be investigating the possibility of security cameras and/or motion lights in the area.

“We don’t want this to happen again,” she said.

The urns stolen were dark colored and made of a resin, and the lawn ornament was a ceramic snail. Savage said if anyone sees anything resembling them, they should contact the Batavia Police Department.

Top photo: Paula Savage, founder of the International Peace Garden, shows Batavia Police Officer C.J. Lindsay where someone stole two large urns from the Peace Garden on Main Street during the weekend.

Paula Savage holds a handful of flowers which were pulled from two large urns before vandals stole them out of Batavia’s Peace Garden, presumably during Sunday night. Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Volunteers are wanted to help with setup, traffic control, food and cleanup at the upcoming GLOW Corporate Cup on Thursday, Aug. 2.

If interested, register at the front desk at GLOW YMCA Inc., located at 209 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Volunteers are needed for various times between 4:30 and 8 p.m. on race day Aug. 2. You must be at least 18 years old.

For questions, contact Rachel Hale, Community Development coordinator, at 344-1664 or email her at  Rhale@glowymca.org

• 18 holes of golf at BCC with cart
• Grilled lunch with draft beer and soda at registration
• Beverage service throughout the tournament including beer specials
• Buffet Dinner
• Prizes, Skins and 50/50
• Giveaways and goody bags for all!

GRAND PRIZE: Three-night stay at Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway, with one-day boat rental and snorkeling for two from Spirit Snorkeling, in beautiful Marathon, Fla.!

Send payment via check or credit card for tournament registration and/or hole sponsorship -- with golfers' names and/or organization and contact person, addresses, emails and phone numbers -- to:

Alex's Place

c/o  Colleen Kemp

8322 Park Place

Batavia, NY 14020

(FAX: 585-219-4303)

(If paying by credit card, include name on card, card number, expiration date, amount to be charged on paper with your signature.)

Matty

Matthew Gray
Alex's Place
Managing Partner

Buffalo Brothers
Marketing Manager

Press release:

Batavia – The annual Genesee County Fair returns for its 179th year on July 16 – 21. This year’s fair will include a demolition derby, cowgirl couture barrel racing, an Empire State Pullers tractor pull, an expanded midway with nearly 20 rides and a host of other exciting changes and events to be enjoyed by the whole family.

New this year, the fair will be giving away tickets to the demolition derby and tractor pull on their Facebook page in the weeks leading up to the fair. Anyone wishing to win tickets can reply to a trivia question on the fair’s Facebook page for a chance.

The fair is also hosting a Battle of the Bands on Thursday night, July 19. Several local bands will go head-to-head in the musical competition, with the winner playing the main stage on Friday night. The fair is pleased to announce the return of the talent show on July 21.

One of the longest consecutively running county fair in New York State is a short drive from both Rochester and Buffalo. Admission is $5 per carload, also making it one of the more affordable family activities of the summer.

Since 1839, Upstate New York families have attended the annual fair at the Genesee County Fairgrounds to enjoy classic fair foods, meet and greet with animals (more than 800 will be at the fair this year!), hop on the kids' rides and more.

Attendees of the six-day fair will be treated to live music at Faith at the Fair on July 17, Under the Gun on July 21, as well as the winner of the battle of the bands competition on July 20, a creative container garden contest, and chainsaw carvings. There will also be 4-H animal shows, tractor pulls, car shows, draft horse shows, stock car racing, a Fair Queen pageant and more.  

Event Highlights:

7/16 -- Emergency Responder Night and Grande Parade through the Fairgrounds

7/17 -- Senior Citizens' Day and Midway opens, Faith at the Fair

7/18 -- Children’s Day, 4H and Fair Queen Pageant

7/19 -- Veterans' Day at the Fair, Battle of the Bands and Special Stock Car races

7/20 -- Grand Demolition Derby and Cowgirl Couture Barrel Racing

7/21 -- Bring Your Tractor to the Fair: all day tractor pulls, Empire State Pullers, Talent Show

For a complete list of events, visit gcfair.com/fair-schedule/. To keep up-to-date on the latest happenings of the fair, visit the Genesee County Fair’s Facebook page.

The fair is also accepting applications for both sponsors and volunteers. For more information visit gcfair.com

Parking is available in the fairgrounds and admission is $5 per carload. The Genesee County Fairgrounds are located at 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

City fire is on scene of an attic fire at 19 S. Lyon St., Batavia.

The First Platoon was requested to standby at headquarters.

Mercy EMS requested non-emergency as a precaution.

National Grid is requested to the scene. 

UPDATE 12:24 a.m.: Extensive overhaul required. First Platoon requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:29 a.m.: Fire under control. National Grid on scene.

UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: Code enforcement requested to the scene.

At least one person was injured following a single-car rollover accident on the westbound Thruway onramp in Batavia.

Mercy Flight transported a patient to ECMC following the accident at about 1 p.m.

A state trooper on scene would not provide further information.

Bottom two photos submitted by Jason Smith.

A dog is reportedly locked inside a black Ford pickup truck in the parking lot in front of Kohl's department store off Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

An animal control officer is responding to check its welfare after someone called dispatch. It's 89 degrees now and the heat index is 97. It will get hotter today.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: "Unable to locate. I'll be clear; returning to the shelter," says the officer.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle celebrated 100 years in business Saturday with games, prizes and $1 tacos. Proceeds benefitted Don R. Carroll Toys for Kids.

Previously: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle celebrates a century in business

A two-car accident, unknown injuries, is reported at Lewiston and Galloway roads, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Injuries are reported.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Four patients, appears to be less-than-serious injuries. 

After receiving word in April that the Buffalo Diocese was cutting financial aid for Notre Dame High School, Principal Wade Bianco, his staff, and the board of trustees got busy figuring out a way to reduce spending by $125,000 in a way that wouldn't hurt students or the families that depend on paychecks from the school.

"It’s an opportunity to stand alone and then get it done," Bianco said in an interview with WBTA.

There will be no layoffs, no classes cut, and no sports or other extracurricular activities cut, Bianco said.

He rattled off a series of small cuts that get the school pretty close to meeting its budget for 2018-19.

• With the retirement of the guidance counselor, that position will be merged with another administrative job, which will not only save money but mean a guidance counselor is on campus five days a week rather than just three.
• One employee is voluntarily shifting off of group health care coverage to Medicare.
• One business class, with only two students, is being shifted to online learning through Genesee Community College.
• The hockey booster club will help pay for ice time.
• The receptionist hours are being cut by 2.5 hours per week.

"It all adds up," Bianco said. "We’re just about to the number we need and we have increased participation in our annual fund from alumni because we have new strategies to do that. If we add students, compete, continue to be very responsive in how we navigate the operational side to the budget we should continue to meet cash flow for a long time."

He said he strategized with Mike Rapone and Tom Rapone on a plan that would "least affect kids, least affects families that work here, and least affects the excellent reputation of the school."

The reduction from the Diocese is a part of those made at Catholic schools and other Catholic institutions because of decreased revenue.

There may be other opportunities for savings, Bianco said. For example, the school is exploring a merger of the swimming program with another school.

"The public schools are doing that all the time," Bianco said. "So we're getting creative without losing opportunities for kids because we're a small school with big school opportunities. We offer 17 sports teams, a  great music and arts program, a fantastic theater program. We're doing that for $1.4 million. That's just $9,000 per student. It costs the public almost $21,000 per student (in public schools)."

Ernest A. Smith, 36, of Penway Street, Philadelphia, is charged with forgery, 2nd, and falsifying business records, 2nd. Smith was arrested at Darien Lake at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday on charges of trespass and false personation. He was transported to the Genesee County Jail where he allegedly provided a false identity of Calvin W. Smith III and forged that name on documents. He was jailed on $25,000 bail, $50,000 bond.

Russell Ray Miles Jr., 50, East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Miles is accused of intentionally breaking the front grill of a vehicle that was for sale on East Main Street, Batavia, at 4:54 p.m. June 21.

John A. Stoneham, 54, of Bethany Le Roy Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to keep right. Stoneham was stopped at 10:03 p.m. Thursday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Stacy Lynn Parks, 38, of East Avenue, Hilton, is charged with DWI, felony DWI with a passenger less than 16, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and endangering the welfare of a child. Parks was stopped at 11:14 p.m. Wednesday on Route 20, Darien, by Deputy Erik Andre. Parks allegedly had a 1-year-old child in her car.

Press release and submitted photos:

Richmond Memorial Library has seen a lot of change in the past few months in the form of three new faces on its professional staff roster. Mike Boedicker, Jennifer Potter and Samantha Stryker have recently come on board after an outside promotion and an internal retirement incentive created three librarian vacancies.

They join Media Services Librarian Rita McCormack, and all look forward to working with and serving the community!

(Photo: Mike Boedicker, Nonfiction, IT, Webmaster and Genealogy librarian)

Mike Boedicker has his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from SUNY Oswego and attended the University at Buffalo for his Master of Library Science. He was raised in Binghamton and started his library career there as a page and clerk at the Broome County Public Library.

After earning his MLS, he worked as audiovisual librarian and then assistant director at the Danville Public Library in Illinois.

Mike shares that a desire to stay in public libraries brought him to Batavia.

“After 17 years in the Midwest, my wife and I moved back to NYS for her new job (she's director of the Parma Public Library outside Rochester)," he said. "I wanted to remain in public libraries and applied to RML.”

Boedicker has several goals as he begins here at RML. He wants to learn the ropes and discover more about the community by developing a community needs assessment. He hopes to help the library address the community’s changing needs. He’s also planning a website redesign and would like to offer more technology programming.

Since he began here, Boedicker has noticed that Batavians are active users of the library and a friendly, approachable, diverse group.

“This is a special library; I could feel that from my first visit," he said. "I want to help make sure the library remains a well-used resource in the community."

Why should people visit Richmond Memorial Library? "It's a cultural hub of the community, offering great collections and services, diverse programming, and a dedicated staff that cares."

(Photo: Jennifer Potter, Youth Services librarian)

Jennifer Potter comes to Batavia from the Niagara Falls Public Library and Niagara University. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Binghamton University and received her Master of Library Science Degree at the University at Buffalo.

She has always dreamed of being a Youth Services librarian! She finds Richmond Memorial to be active and inviting. Potter says her goals are “Reaching more children, parents, and caregivers so that they know what we offer at the library and understanding what the community wants in children's and teen programs and materials.”

In her short time here, Potter has found that even though Batavia is a city, it has a warm small-town feel to it. She wants the community to know that they can start clubs and meet here. For example: homeschoolers, at-home moms, or a teen robotics group. There are guidelines to use our meeting rooms, but people can use the library for many clubs and gatherings. 

Why should people visit Richmond Memorial Library? "To get free, reliable information and to relax and read in a comfortable environment away from life's pressures -- among other reasons."

(Photo: Samantha Stryker, Community and Adult Services librarian)

A lifelong resident of Genesee County, Samantha Stryker received her Master of Library Science from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Fredonia. She has been working at the library part-time for several years and is excited to begin a full-time position here.

Most recently she worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County and the Leadership Genesee program as an Executive Assistant.

“My past experiences helped me create a strong network in the community and learn what our challenges and opportunities are in Genesee County,” Stryker said, noting she has “big shoes to fill” (those of her predecessor Leslie DeLooze).

She hopes to use her knowledge of the community to bring new programs to the library and seek out more partnerships.

“It’s already been such a pleasure getting to know our patrons more," Stryker said. "We truly have a wonderful community in Genesee County. I always joke that we are a ‘small big town’ but it’s true -- in the sense that everyone seems to know everyone, but also that people are very friendly and truly want to do whatever possible to help our community succeed. We have a lot to be grateful for here.”  

Why should people visit Richmond Memorial Library? "Summer is a great time to visit the library! Come for the air conditioning and stay for the many resources and summer programs. We have an awesome youth services staff planning a full summer of activities and adults can participate in our Summer Reading BINGO challenge."

We had to ask: What are you all reading?

Mike: "Reporter" -- a memoir by investigative reporter Seymour M. Hersh.

Jennifer: I'm reading a funny book called "The Fakir who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe" by Romain Puertolas, Barbara Eherenreich's "Bright Sided" and a funny Young Adult book called "My Lady Jane."

Samantha: I’m reading Ruth Hogan’s "The Keeper of Lost Things" for adult book discussion in July (shameless plug) and I’m also reading "Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History" -- a nonfiction book by Tori Telfer.