batavia

Press release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley visited the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia to drop off valentines that were made by first-grade students from Jackson Primary School as part of the Assemblyman’s “Valentines for Vets” program.

A veteran himself, and a member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Hawley remained outside of the facility as he left the valentines due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“In what has been a challenging and isolating year for us all, it was my pleasure to facilitate the delivery of these valentines to let our veterans know how much their service is appreciated by the young people of our community,” Hawley said.

“The messages written by the children for our veterans were heartwarming and an encouraging sign for our future, and I am proud of these young patriots for what they’ve done to show our veterans how much their service means to them.”

Thermory is in need of an artsy, imaginative, weird type of person that has graphic design abilities and experience.

We need an exceptional human to illustrate creative concepts, be a part of our creative development teams and work in tandem with our marketing agency.

If you value being able to draw a box and then jump outside it, please send your resume to:  kevin@thermoryusa.com, amber@thermoryusa.com, and alicia@thermoryusa.com.

Be prepared to talk aliens, best binge worthy TV shows, and why life is best lived to the beat of your own drum....and graphic design, but we can get to that in the second interview.

Interview with Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC. We'll talk about the state of economic development in Genesee County, touching on the ag park, Downtown Batavia, and STAMP. We're scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

Press release:

Today, Tops is proud to announce a major $3.5 million renovation project is complete at its store located at 390 W. Main St., Batavia.

This marks the 13^th renovation for the supermarket chain since 2020 and the first for this year. This renovation is a part of the company’s $40 million capital improvement plan.

Tops Friendly Markets will virtually cut the ribbon on this impressive 78,000-square-foot store at 11 o'clock next Thursday, Feb. 18. To see some of these exciting renovations, visit us in-store, on our Facebook page (@TopsFriendlyMarkets) or at our website. 

Kris Ponzi, store manager for the Batavia Tops, noted that “with all of our new amenities, our expanded signature floral, fresh fried donuts and custom cakes, to our wider selection of specialty and imported cheeses to our Tops Brew Market with plenty of local beers, guests are sure to enjoy all of our enhanced offerings.”

She invites her neighbors to visit this newly remodeled store during the Grand Re-opening celebration and even have the chance to win some great prizes like Tops gift cards for food and fuel, overnight stays at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, and free Grocery Express Delivery memberships.

Almost everything inside and outside of the store has been touched giving it a refreshed and modernized appearance. From updated new exterior paint and enhanced façade, new interior décor, energy efficient equipment, digital menu screens, and LED lighting, to a completely remodeled fuel station in the parking lot.

Customers will also enjoy the added convenience of 10 new state-of-the-art self-check outs added during the renovation which will help to expedite their shopping.

You’ll feel the freshness in the expanded produce area featuring a fresh prep cut fruit and vegetable station. Tops partnership with over 200 local growers, includes several of our neighbor’s right here in Western New York, bringing the freshest local produce straight from the farm to your table. Tops prides itself on carefully selecting, inspecting, and ensuring your produce arrives at the peak of perfection.

Tops is also a proud supporter of product grown by New York State farmers who adhere to the New York State Grown and Certified program’s requirements, which includes verification of safe food-handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs. 

The newly remodeled bakery now offers a wider selection of detailed custom cakes and confections for weddings and special occasions as well as an expanded assortment of freshly baked breads, pastries, and signature fresh fried donuts.

Throughout the store, shoppers will also see an increase of antibiotic-free meat, plant-based options, daily fresh chef-prepared sushi,and sustainable seafood selections, along with a wider selection of certified organic and gluten-free offerings including natural bulk dry beans, rice and grains. 

To stay hydrated there is an expanded section of the store dedicated to waters, seltzers, and sparkling waters, including many imported varieties, which are on trend.

Love local beer? Tops took to heart the recent challenges facing local breweries and increased its support by enhancing not only the selection of local favorites, but their overall offerings in the Brew Market.

And when ordering online, shoppers can even get all of their favorite traditional and craft beers, hard ciders, and seltzers delivered right to their homes.

The stores remodel includes the Pharmacy that has a new, safe and convenient waiting area which provides a wide variety of services to the community seven days a week.

Tops is committed to making it easy to get every healthy thing you need in one quick stop and offers a number of immunizations, is an authorized administer of the Department of Motor Vehicles' Vision test, provides low prescription prices along with the GoodRxapp, and accepts more than 3,000 insurance plans.

The Batavia Tops Pharmacy, along with 50 other Tops Pharmacy locations throughout our region, are also the safe and convenient location for COVID-19 vaccinations. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations, click here.

Tops shoppers can also save time by utilizing Tops Grocery Pick-up and Delivery services. With fast, online ordering, get your favorite items and the best deals in town that you love delivered from our store to your door in as little as two hours.

Customers can visit TopsMarkets.com/ShopOnline and enter their zip code to get started. 

Also new in Batavia, an innovative and interactive in-store program called “Flashfood” that allows customers to purchase food nearing its sell-by date to save money and to help reduce food waste. Items like fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery, and dairy, may be listed at up to 50-percent off on the Flashfood app and then are available for easy pick up inside the store.

Because of its tremendous success, Tops now offers this "Flashfood" service at 33 store locations.

“At Tops, social responsibility and sustainability have always been at the core of our mission, upholding standards that ensure we reduce environmental waste and energy consumption while providing customers with sustainably sourced, high-quality products, at a great value,” said Jeff Culhane, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Tops.

“The Flashfood program fits right into our business model and we’re excited to bring this unique, money saving opportunity to our customers.”

Learn more about Tops sustainability efforts here.

Corrine Elizabeth Navarra, 39, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree welfare fraud. Navarra was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that starting on Jan. 17, 2020 she failed to report income while receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which would have lowered her benefit. It is alleged that Navarra received $3,840 in benefits that she was not eligible for. She was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Feb. 10 and released on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Jason William Doohan, 37, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. Doohan was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that on March 1 of last year Doohan failed to report income he earned scrapping metal, which resulted in Doohan receiving $1,464 in public assistance benefits that he was not entitled to. The defendant is due in Batavia Town Court on March 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Chief Shawn Heubusch has issued Batavia PD's first annual report in a number of years -- hard to say how many -- and it includes statistics on crime in Batavia and a vision for the future.

"(An annual report has) been on my agenda since 2013," Heubusch said. "I haven’t had the time or staff to do it." ("Still don’t have the time or staff, but I did it anyway!")

The department responded to 20,662 calls for service in 2020. Officers processed 423 criminal arrests. They also conducted 2,772 traffic stops and issued 1,190 citations. There were 417 traffic accidents reported, including 64 personal injury accidents and one fatality.

Among the calls for service were 480 domestic complaints. There were 248 victims in Batavia of domestic violence, up from 237 in 2019 and 209 in 2018.

Officers also responded to 277 alarm calls and 343 9-1-1 hang-up calls.

The highest number of criminal complaints were for simple assault at 291. There were 287 larceny complaints. There were 139 complaints for criminal mischief (property damage). 

A total of 32 drivers were stopped for operating under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

In violent crime, 39 aggravated assaults were reported, 13 rapes,  and 12 robberies.

There were no murders in Batavia in 2020.

There were 45 burglaries and 14 vehicle thefts reported.

Twenty-seven people were arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

A highlight of the year was initiating the return of a K-9 patrol to the city with Officer Steve Quider beginning handler duties.

The department also participated in a police reform and reinvention program mandated by an executive order that led to seven meetings with community members for a review of police produces and community relations. 

Strategic priorities for the department include a new police facility, the department becoming a NY State accredited agency, implementing the city's deer management plan, and reviewing the comprehensive emergency management plan in conjunction with City Fire.

Goals for the year include updating field training, initiating a new traffic safety program with an emphasis on pedestrian and bike safety, and enhancing community engagement.

To read the full report, click here (pdf).

Submitted photo and press release:

There is a new structure in front of St. James Episcopal Church on East Main Street in Batavia. It is quite a bit smaller than the church, but don’t let the size of this Blessing Box diminish its mission. 

You’ve probably seen similar little structures placed along roadways or sidewalks. Often they hold books and promote family literacy. 

The Blessing Box has a different purpose. It will hold commonly used items such as food, warm clothing, or clean face masks; items intended to meet some daily needs of the local community.

The Blessing Box project began during discussions in a Ministry for Education study group for lay people. The group meets weekly and engages in theological learning and reflection, focusing on how they might serve their community. This offering of service to others is ever present in each of our daily lives.

The EfM discussion identified unmet needs of some local individuals, families and the homeless population. This particularly includes those living with physical or mental health disabilities and anyone prevented from earning a life-sustaining wage. 

The Blessing Box eventually became a reality through the collaborative efforts of churches along East Main Street, including the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish, and St. James Episcopal Church. A local business -- Blue Pearl Yoga -- is also a partner, along with the important Genesee Region Center for Independent Living located in Batavia.

As the project evolved, it became apparent that resources are available and interest exists to meet some needs of others during this pandemic. If you are interested in donating or participating in this vital outreach to the community, you can find the project The Blessing Box-Batavia on their Facebook page and contact the group through messenger. 

Due to the limited access of our buildings during the pandemic, there will be a monthly donation drop off that will be advertised and posted on Facebook. A list of requested donations is also available, including cold weather items like handmade or new hats, gloves, and socks, COVID-19 safety items including disposable plastic gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer, personal hygiene items, bottles of water, and food items. In lieu of money, gift cards to Aldi, Tops, and BJ's will be accepted, too.

Press release:

At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, the Batavia City School District announced its new Community Schools Initiative.

Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative is a transformational researched-based strategy that is focused on the whole child with key participation from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families and residents.

Moving forward, Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative will be rolled out and in place at all four of the district’s schools. Each school will see the community as a resource for learning and development and as a partner in the education of all children.

Batavia’s Community Schools will also develop respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with families, neighborhood residents, agencies, and community-based organizations that are focused on the well-being of children and youth.

Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative will focus on four key areas in an effort to support the whole child:

• Expanded & Enriched Learning Time

• Integrated Student Supports

• Family and Community Engagement

• Collaborative Leadership Practices

The Batavia Community Schools Advisory Board, which is comprised of various district staff, community-based organizations and partners, has developed the following vision and mission statements to help guide the work and focus of district schools moving forward.

Vision

Build a better Batavia by promoting equitable learning opportunities, cultivating healthier families, and establishing a stronger community.

Mission

Our mission is to unite our Batavia community and schools through shared resources, working partnerships, and open, collaborative communication.

The advisory board also developed a new logo that will help brand and identify events and programs that are directly aligned to the community school’s initiative and also place an emphasis on equity, opportunity and family.

Video supplied by the school district.

Previously: City schools tackling initiative to care for the community in support of education

With little fanfare, the Batavia City School District staff has taken on a strategy to help families in need as part of an overall effort to care for the whole child and to become a greater asset to the community.

A former kindergarten room at Robert Morris School has been converted into a community center where children and parents can get assistance not just with school work but with many life needs -- from doing the laundry to ensuring everybody has appropriate clothing.

Julie Wasilewski, a district social worker, and Julia Rogers, Batavia High School assistant principal, have spearheaded the effort. They presented the community center idea to the Board of Education during Monday's meeting as part of a presentation of the new Batavia Community Schools Initiative.

The initiative is described as a reform strategy "to promote child well-being, student success, and educational equality."

(NOTE: The school board meeting was held via Zoom and Wasilewski and Rogers were on a shared device and it was impossible to see who was talking when and so quotes are generically attributed to "she said.")

"Community schools are for student education and development," she said. "They are a place where we fundamentally pay special attention to and ensure students' physical, medical, safety, their social-emotional needs are met. When we meet these needs, families can then fully engage in the opportunities afforded by public school education."

A great school is one that cares for the whole town, they said. It involves working with residents throughout the community to support learning. It includes not just educating children but educating parents. 

"We're powered by strong relationships with agencies, businesses, health care providers, clubs and organizations," she said. "Every family and community member can be leveraged as an asset to children's lives. So far, we have 82 of these arrangements with community leaders who are willing to extend the power of their organizations."

The new engagement center is one part of the plan, but so far it's the most concrete effort to serve the community.

"When a family enters the family community engagement center, they are treated with the utmost respect and compassion, regardless of whether they are making optimal life decisions or maintaining a sober lifestyle," she said. "Four hundred and 16 donations have been made to children ... clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, toys, books, housewares, bedding, and food. The closet contains appropriate clothing so an individual can be successful and feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, both in school and in the community."

"There is no Batavia community member who has to skip an interview or a day of work because they don't have appropriate clothing," she said.

Shoes are available to children so they always have something appropriate to wear on the playground or walking outside.

A recent example of how the engagement center assisted community members outside of a school environment was when Tammy Hathaway from United Way contacted the center looking for 30 winter coats. The coats were donated to GCASA because people who are waiting for their methadone treatment are required, because of COVID-19, to wait outside.

The initiative comes at a time when schools are already required to adjust to meet student needs.

"Amid the hardships of COVID-19, community schools have readily adapted to changing conditions and needs, devising innovative mechanisms to deliver food, technology, health care, and other essential services to support student learning and well-being," she said.

Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. called it a "win-win" for the community.

"Batavia is one of those communities where you grow up here, you live here, everyone knows everyone, and everyone wants to support everyone, but we don't always have the conduit to do it," Soler said. "So the hope is the school becomes the hub for the conduit. The school becomes the hub for the community."

From Bill Davis, superintendent of city Water and Wastewater:

The water main on the west side of the City Centre has been repaired and water has been restored to the area.

After undergoing a heart and liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic last month, former Batavia resident Matt Grammatico was finally discharged Monday, into his wife Rhonda’s waiting arms.

It was the first time the couple had seen each other since Matt was admitted there on Oct. 16. 

He hasn’t been able to have visitors since entering the hospital. Rhonda would sit in the waiting room for hours, just to be near him, until the time came that she wasn’t allowed to enter the hospital at all.

What a long journey is has been, one that actually started when Matt was an infant.

He's the firstborn son of Mike and Mary Jane Grammatico, of Batavia, and his father said they knew at 5 weeks of age something was wrong.

“We thought he had a cold, but our doctor told us we needed to take him to a pediatric cardiologist,” Mike said. 

It was determined at Strong Memorial Hospital Matt had been born with a three-chambered heart with no right ventricle. He underwent surgery a week later and doctors told his parents they didn’t know if Matt would make it.

At the age of 11, matt underwent open heart surgery to make his heart more like a normal one, and until now, he’s made it work, Mike said. The real problem stemmed from a blood transfusion contaminated with hepatitis C that he received unknowingly, which was not detected for more than 20 years.

Mike said it was their faith in the Good Lord which has kept Matt going.

The native of Albion met and married Rhonda in 1997 and they lived in Albion. They moved to Batavia a year and a half ago, then decided to return to live in Albion after Mike was hospitalized.

In a phone call from the Cleveland Clinic two weeks ago, Mike explained his heart defect means he wears out quickly, putting pressure on the liver. 

In spite of this, Matt has been able to work at his auto repair shop and support his family, which includes his 19-year-old son Nate. He said he able to lead a fairly normal life until four years ago, when he learned he would need both a heart and a liver transplant. 

Matt’s dad praises his doctor in Middleport and his cardiologist at Strong, Dr. Michael Joynt, a Medina native and son of former Oak Orchard School Principal Cathy Joynt, for the care they gave him, which kept him functioning until donors could be found. 

Dr. Joynt finally told Matt he needed to get to the Cleveland Clinic.

His dad said Matt has always been a trooper, and Rhonda is a trooper, too.

Rhonda has been staying in a nearby hotel since Matt entered Cleveland Clinic, where he has been bedridden while waiting for his transplants. 

Originally, a donor was found in December and Matt was scheduled for surgery on Dec. 30, but at the last minute, doctors determined the liver was not as good as they first thought and the procedure was canceled.

The family’s prayers were answered however, when another donor was found and Matt went into surgery late in the morning on Jan. 12. The surgery would take 19 hours, ending in the early hours of Jan. 13.

The normal time for a patient to be on a respirator after a procedure like this is a week, but doctors were able to take Matt off in four hours. 

“I’ve cut all their normal times in half,” Matt said. 

Mike said the Cleveland Clinic has done two previous transplants with Matt’s pre-existing conditions, and that they have been studying Matt for the last three years.

New Listing Alert: 1 Lewis Ave., Batavia. A really great city home, super solid, well kept and in a great location! This home has a warm and inviting charm to it with a spacious downstairs with a room for everyone!

Cozy living room with gas fireplace, a really eclectic kitchen with cute built-in bench for your table, overlooking a central dining room with pretty French doors that lead into a room that could be anything from a breakfast room to great home office or toy room or even a first-floor bedroom, if needed as it has a full bath directly off of it!

Pretty wide staircase that leads to second floor with 3 large bedrooms, an awesome second floor laundry room, another full bath and stairs to a semi finished attic area – if you need another place to hang out or more storage! The basement is large and dry and currently used for a game/hang out room. Also tons more additional storage room!

Outside has inviting front porch small well-kept yard, 2-car detached garage, and within steps of Centennial Park if you want to get out and run! This house packs a lot in come see it for yourself! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, (585) 344-4663 or click here for more information.

The doors at John Kennedy School are getting extra checks on a daily basis to ensure they're closing completely after a door that was left ajar was used by an unauthorized individual to gain entry and pull a fire alarm.

The man's name has not yet been released by Batavia PD. He is apparently undergoing treatment and will be charged once he has been released from care.

Det. Eric Hill confirmed the incident took place and that charges are pending.  

The incident on Jan. 28 was discussed by the Batavia City School District Board of Education during its meeting Monday night, following a school review presentation by Principal Brian Sutton.

"The first door he pulled on, it was open," Sutton said. "He entered the building. He was in the building for about less than a minute, 55, 56 seconds. He stopped, looked at a bulletin board, and on his way, walking out of the loading docks, he pulled the fire alarm. We then had a fire drill where we accounted for all the students, all the individuals.

"Mr. Smith, our head custodian, and I went and checked out the alarm and could see it had been pulled. As soon as it was deemed safe, we had a headcount on everyone, we re-entered the building. Mr. Dehm, our security aide, pulled the camera up and we got an image of the individual and contacted our SRO Officer Davis, and they then apprehended the man down the street quite a bit, a few moments later."

Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. told the board a man matching the description of the subject at John Kennedy had been seen earlier around Batavia Middle School and police were already in the area looking for him when the call came in from JK.

"He happened to pull on a door that happened to work for him," Soler said. "It was definitely an unfortunate situation. No one was obviously impacted. And we did communicate immediately with families that day of the event."

Sutton said as a result of the incident, the school's custodian is now checking on the doors more frequently each day to ensure the doors are closing after people pass through them.

'It's one of those things where it's a good reminder to make sure we check in multiple times," Soler said. "Now we have an alarm set on them. If they don't close all the way, they'll hear an alarm go off in the main office."

Press release:

Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball (BGFS) is overwhelmed with gratitude from the community stepping up with very generous donations to allow for the installation of a brand-new electronic scoreboard at Lions Park, the home of the Batavia Stingers. 

In particular, BGFS wants to give a special thank you to the two lead sponsors of the sign, Batavia’s Original Pizzeria and Batavia Restaurant Supply Inc. These two local businesses understand the importance of youth sports for our community and backed up this belief with critical financial support that made this scoreboard a reality.

When speaking with Batavia’s Original owner, Kathy Ferrara, and Batavia Restaurant Supply owners, Stacey Schrader and Nate Charvella, they were all moved by the disparities in girls and boys sports, and we're excited to help provide the girls with the first electronic scoreboard in Batavia for girl’s softball.

We hope people pay attention to these businesses that give back to our community, as they deserve our support the most!

In addition to the very generous lead sponsorships by Batavia’s Original and Batavia Restaurant Supply, BGFS would also like to give a special thanks to the almost two dozen sponsors that are permanently listed on the banner below the sign at Lions Park.

Three of these sponsors listed as Primary sponsors for their generous donations are the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Lawley Insurance, and the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation. These are more examples of organizations and businesses that value the importance of youth sports.

Lastly, but certainly not least, BGFS would like to give a big THANK YOU to the project coordinator, and guy that pulled it all together, JC Kabel. He spent countless hours fundraising and leading the project design and installation. 

The BGFS Board is forever grateful for helping us have our ladies look up at that beautiful scoreboard and think it is normal for girls to have the same opportunities as the boys.

Press release:

The City Water Department is responding to a water leak on the west side of the City Centre. Water may be turned off from the corner of Alva Place and State Street to Main and Jackson streets. This will affect businesses in the southwest area of the City Centre and the surrounding vicinity.

This could result in low water pressure conditions for some residents and businesses. Other residents in the area may experience discolored water, which should return to normal once repairs are complete. Residents should check to make sure water clarity has returned before resuming activities such as laundry, which may be impacted.

Patrick Thomas Fuhr, 61, of Union Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with: unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree; reckless driving; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; failure to stop at a stop sign; and a red light violation. He was arrested on Feb. 4 after a police pursuit that occurred at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 29 in the City of Batavia and towns of Batavia and Pembroke. It is alleged that he fled in his vehicle from Genesee County and Livingston County deputies. Fuhr is due in City of Batavia Court on March 10 and Town of Batavia Court March 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Christopher John Raymond Diers, 38, is charged with third-degree burglary and petit larceny. He was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Jan. 5 for allegedly stealing property from Walmart then running from store security personnel when he approached the exit. He was put in Genesee County Jail until his arraignment at 6:15 p.m. in Genesee County Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Christopher P. Thomas, 38, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. He was arrested at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 29 on the Batavia Municipal Code violation for allegedly allowing his pet German shepard to run at large on a neighbor's lawn. He is due in Batavia City Court on March 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert.

Zachary John Wayne Marrow, 29, of Manhatten Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failing to appear in Batavia City Court after being given an appearance ticket. He was originally arrested at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at on East Main Street and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was arrested on the city court warrant for failure to appear at 9:10 p.m. Feb. 2. Marrow is due back in court March 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Bill Campbell is the vice president for business development for Chapin International. Chapin is a privately owned, multi-location manufacturing company that started in Oakfield more than 100 years ago and remains based in Batavia.

Campbell's job gives him not only good insights into his own industry, but the economy in general. We'll talk with him about his company, the economy, the pandemic, what business can expect from the Biden Administration, at trade issues. The livestream is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.