Skip to main content

batavia

Trio of GC students heading to Clarkson University in Potsdam this fall

By Billie Owens

Read about some of the new students who will attend Clarkson University as members of the Class of 2025.

  • Colby Leggo, of Bergen, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Leggo, who will be majoring in Electrical Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.
  • Cooper Mattice, of Batavia, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Mattice, who will be majoring in Environmental Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.
  • AJ Schmidt, of Le Roy, will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam as a member of the Class of 2025. Schmidt, who will be majoring in Aeronautical Engineering, will begin studying at Clarkson in the fall.

High school students can schedule a personalized visit to Clarkson, which includes things like a campus tour tailored to their interests and a visit with an admissions counselor. Students can always check out Clarkson's virtual viewbook & interactive campus map. Just contact the Admissions Office at admission@clarkson.edu.

As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. We ignite personal connections across academic fields and industries to create the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge and intellectual curiosity needed to innovate world-relevant solutions and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. With its main campus located in Potsdam and additional graduate program and research facilities in the New York Capital Region, Beacon and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,300 students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions. Our alumni earn salaries that are among the top 2.5 percent in the nation and realize accelerated career growth. One in five already leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company.

Law and Order: Man accused of forcible rape of a person on Hutchins Place in front of four children

By Billie Owens

Jason Armstrong, 48, is charged with: two counts of first-degree rape; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and one count of second-degree strangulation. He was arrested at 12:34 a.m. June 28 after an investigation of an incident at 12:18 a.m. that morning on Hutchins Place. He is accused of forcibly raping a person in front of their children. He was arraigned later that morning in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

Melton Chisom, 46, was arrested at 3 a.m. June 24 on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. Chisom is charged with: second-degreed assault; criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; and second-degree menacing. The charges stem from an incident June 24 in which it is alleged that Chisom engaged in a physical altercation with another person and held a knife to the victim's face, causing injury which required stitches. Chisom was processed at BPD, arraigned in city court and put in jail with no bail. The defendant is due back in court on July 21.

Dawn Orlando, 51, was arrested on June 25 on Wood Street in Batavia. She is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal obstruction of the breathing of a person less than 17 years old by putting pressure on the person's neck. After arraignment in Batavia City Court, she was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on Aug. 5.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested June 15 after an investigation alleging he violated a stay away order of protection by being on the protected party's property at 3:44 a.m. June 14 and entering a secured garage. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court on third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree criminal contempt, he was put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail; $5,000 bond or $7,500 partially secured bond.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested on June 26 and charged with petit larceny. It's alleged that he stole a bicycle from a residence on Highland Park at 1:08 a.m. Tuesday, June 22. Dodd was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 6.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested June 26 by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post for petit larceny. It is alleged that Dodd stole alcoholic beverages from a local business at 8:23 p.m. June 23 on Lewiston Road. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there July 6.

Brandon Dodd, 34, was arrested at 10:24 p.m. on June 29 following an investigation into an incident that alleges he violated a stay away order of protection. He is accused of being in the home of the protected parties while they were inside the residence. Dodd was arraigned in Batavia City Court and bail was set at $10,000 cash, or $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond.

Sabrena Randall, 45, was arrested on a City of Batavia Court bench warrant on June 25. It stems from an unspecified incident on Sept. 22 on West Main Street. Randall was arraigned in Batavia City Court and held on $1,000 cash, $2,000 bond, $5,000 partially secured. She is scheduled to return to court on July 26. She was also arrested June 25 on a second warrant, given the same bail options and return date for a second unspecified incident.

Phillip Heale, 42, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. June 23 on Linwood Avenue in Batavia. He is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. It is alleged that he illegally entered a vacant residence on Linwood Avenue. Heale was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 26.

Thomas Tacito, 61, was arrested for second-degree criminal comtempt after a verbal dispute. The victim has a full stay away order of protection against him and the victim alleges Tacito engaged in a verbal argument with him at 4 p.m. June 27 on North Spruce Street in the city.

Donovan Johnson is charged with: third-degree criminal mischief; criminal mischief in the fourth degree; endangering the welfare of a child; third-degree mischief; and second-degree harassment. On June 24, Batavia police arrested Johnson after responding at 11:41 p.m. to a Hutchins Street address for the report of an incident in which Johnson allegedly caused damage to the walls and some property belonging to the victim while in the presence of four individuals under the age of 18. Johnson was held at the Genesee County Jail until his arraignment in Batavia City Court at 11:01 a.m. Johnson was released on his own recognizance with a return date of Aug. 19.

Christopher Wiegman, 32, is charged with: four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree -- all stemming from a traffic stop at 10:30 a.m. April 4 on East Avenue in Batavia. He subsequently had two arrest warrants and turned himself in on those on an unspecified date. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail pending his next court appearance Aug. 5.

Stephanie Peterson, 43, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Nov. 22 on Clinton Street and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. She was also given an appearance ticket for the charge and is due in Batavia City Court on July 21.

Reanne Reed, 26, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more; speeding; open container of alcohol in vehicle. Reed was arrested after a traffic stop for speeding on Bogue Avenue at 8:57 p.m. on June 28. She was released with tickets and is due in Batavia City Court July 13.

Wendy Henry, 36, was arrested June 29 on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear in Batavia City Court court regarding an incident that occurred at 5:37 a.m. Jan. 26. Henry was released with an appearance ticket to be in court on July 14th.

Michael Jackson Jr., 40, was arrested July 1 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court. He had previously been issued an appearance ticket for petit larceny and a warrant was issued for failing to appear in court as required. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, held on $100 bail and is due in city court July 29.

Batavia's Little Free Pantry needs more help to help it grow

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Little Free Pantry in Batavia is looking to spread our reach further into our community to assist more in need, and we need your help to do so. 

By the end of summer we are hoping to erect six mini pantries in Batavia to help more of our neighbors in need. Fresh veggies are in season, and we are looking for people to help reduce food waste and promote food security by sharing with our neighbors. Visit lfpbatavia.org for full details, and to sign up.

There are five different ways you can help us reach this goal:

  1. Host a Mini Pantry -- hosts will make sure the area is clean and maintained along with the help of volunteers. In order to be a host you will need to own your home, or have your landlord's permission to operate one in your front yard.
  2. Host a Little Free Farm Stand this summer -- to help distribute farm fresh produce in your neighborhood, similar to Mini Pantries but without the commitment over the winter.
  3. Volunteers needed to help restock the Mini Panties and Little Farm Stands -- this can include picking up from our drop off locations, or the Farm and delivering to one or more mini LFP’s.
  4. Materials needed -- plexiglass, screws, paint, wood glue, door hinges, and plywood to make the mini LFP’s -- these can be donated directly, or we would be happy to accept cash or gift card donations to be used at Home Depot sent to 124 State St., Batavia NY 14020
  5. Assemblers needed -- We need assistance in assembling them, once we have the materials. For those looking to build their own LFP, to donate, or to host themselves, the construction plans can be found here.

Give What You Can, Take What You Need

Little Free Pantries are a national grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Batavia’s Little Free Pantry was created last summer to address food insecurity in our neighborhoods, and its refrigerator and pantry are located at 180 Washington Ave.

The Pantry is a place and a way for people to share what they have, and to take what they need, with dignity, without income guidelines, and without judgement. Everyone is encouraged to give and take. Whether a need for food or a need to give, mini pantries help feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods.

With your help we can make sure more of our neighbors have access to fresh organic produce over the summer at the Little Free Farm Stands. The Mini-Pantries help in neighborhoods so people without transportation have to walk less during the winter in order to reach the main LFP.

To donate, host, or volunteer, visit:   lfpbatavia.org

Law and Order: Alexander Road man accused of strangling two victims, jailed without bail

By Billie Owens

Kaleb James Bobzien, 23, of Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree strangulation; two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing; and endangering the welfare of a child under age 17. Bobzien was arrested at 8 p.m. June 24 on Alexander Road in Batavia after an incident in which he allegedly obstructed the breathing of two victims, including one juvenile. During an altercation with the two victms, Bobzien is alleged to have placed a blanket over the face of one victim while choking the second victim with his arm. One victim reported an injury to her neck as a result of the choking. Following an investigation, Bobzien was arrested and put in Genesee County Jail with no bail. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

David Thomas Gay, 40, of Ellicott Street, Batavia is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree; second-degree obstruction of governmental administration; resisting arrest; and speeding -- exceeding 55 mph; and refusal to take a breath test. On June 30 at 8:36 p.m., Gay was arrested on Byron Road in Stafford after Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush tried to stop Gay's vehicle on Route 33 for allegedly violating NYS vehicle and traffic law. Gay eventually stopped a few miles away on Byron Road. It is alleged that Gay was intoxicated and that he resisted arrest. Gay was transported to GC Jail, where he allegedly fought with officers. He was released with appearance tickets and is due in Stafford Town Court on July 9. Quackenbush was assisted by Deputy Jacob Gauthier in this case.

Newly elected City Schools trustee steps down to pursue administration position

By Howard B. Owens

Brenda Good, elected to a City Schools Board of Trustees seat in May would rather be a candidate for an administrator's position in the district than a member of the board, according to a letter of resignation she sent to Superintendent Anibal Soler on June 14.

The board voted unanimously to accept her resignation last night.

Good's resignation comes after last month's resignation by Peter Cecere, so there are now two vacant positions on the board. 

In her resignation email to Soler, Good acknowledged a prior phone call and said, "After much thought, I have decided to resign my anticipated seat on the Batavia City School Board. I am very invested in the youth and community of Batavia as my goal is to help all of our students become successful adults. With that said, I'm highly interested in becoming an administrator within the Batavia City School District. I'd like to be given the opportunity to interview for anticipated openings."

It will be up to the remaining trustees to fill the vacancies and the district has posted a call for candidates.

John Reigle, who won re-election in May, and Jennifer Lendvay, elected to her first term, took their oaths of office last night.

Anibal Soler informs staff he's likely to become new superintendent in Schenectady

By Howard B. Owens

Eighteen months into his tenure as Batavia City School District superintendent, Anibal Soler informed city schools staff this morning that he is the final candidate to become superintendent of schools in Schenectady.

"Once I am officially appointed, I will be working with the Board of Education on a transition plan to ensure the district is supported and ready to reopen in the Fall, Batavia Strong," Soler said in his letter.

In an interview this morning, Soler said it's bittersweet leaving Batavia where he thinks the district has moved forward during his time here but the opportunity in Schenectady fits his career aspirations. 

"It's a larger district in a larger community," Soler said. 

It also offers some significant challenges for an ambitious superintendent. The graduation rate there is 68 to 70 percent, much lower than Batavia's 90 to 94 percent, and Schenectady has a couple of schools in receivership, which are "persistently struggling" schools.

"It wasn't an easy decision," Soler said. "I thought about it a long time and this fits my aspirations to do good things for more students."

There are 9,750 students in the Schenectady district. There are 2,283 students in Batavia.

Soler will step into a district roiled by controversy and facing a $7.8 million lawsuit by its former superintendent, Larry Spring.  

The claim alleges Spring was "coerced" to resign a year ago based on what he insists were false sexual harassment and workplace retaliation allegations made by a female employee, and that the district subsequently breached a confidentiality agreement by allegedly sharing materials concerning the claims against Spring with the media.

Soler said he was aware of the situation but knew no more about it than what has been reported in news sources. He then shifted the discussion to the bigger challenge of the academic issues in the district.

Soler has not officially resigned. He informed the school board and the staff of his position as the finalist in Schenectady because his potential appointment is being made public in that community today. Once the Schenectady board approves his appointment -- the vote is Wednesday -- Soler will formally resign from Batavia City Schools and begin working with the board and staff on a transition.

The Batavia City School District Board of Trustees recently approved a contractually scheduled 2-percent raise for Soler along with a one-year contract extension, extending the agreement to 2024. Soler was expected to make $164,800 in 2021-22.

After more than eight years with the Schenectady district, Spring was earning $205,000 a year at the time of his resignation.

Letter:

Good morning Batavia Staff, 

I hope your summer recess has kicked off to an amazing start and you are finding time to rest, rejuvenate and recharge. I am writing to let you know that today it will be announced that I have been selected as the next permanent candidate for Superintendent of Schools in the Schenectady City School District in Schenectady, NY. 

This was not an easy decision given all that we have endured and achieved in my short tenure. I want to first thank the Batavia Board of Education for their continuous support and understanding. Once I am officially appointed I will be working with the Board of Education on a transition plan to ensure the district is supported and ready to reopen in the Fall, Batavia Strong. 

It has truly been my honor and privilege to serve the children and families of Batavia for the past year and a half. I thank the many parents, community members and countless committed educators and staff members, who have offered their unwavering encouragement, resources, and expertise on behalf of children. What we accomplished during a pandemic is commendable and will never be something I will forget. In addition, working with the dedicated individuals on the leadership team and staff who also comprise the Batavia School Board has been equally rewarding. 

Most importantly, I thank the students of Batavia, for demonstrating their talents, resilience, persistence, and skills to all of us during what has been a difficult time. The work we accomplished across the district includes experiences that I will take with me as I embark on this new opportunity.

I am extremely proud of the work we accomplished together during my time in Batavia City Schools. Behind each of these accomplishments lies the hard work and dedication of the exceptional Leadership Team in the district. 

These are but a few of those achievements and highlights:

  • Developed a strong Reopening Plan in the Fall of 2020.
    • No layoffs or mid-year cuts in staff during pandemic despite ongoing threat from Governor’s Office regarding a 20% reduction.
    • Stayed open five days a week throughout the majority of 2020-21 school year for our English Language Learners, Special Education, and at-risk students.
    • Reopened schools for the last 10 weeks to 5 days of in-person learning.
    • All of our student-athletes were able to have a sports season this year.
  • 2019-20 Budget: Closed $2 million deficit & 0% Tax Increase - 63% Community Approval.
  • 2020-21 Budget: Adopted with 0% Tax Increase and no impact on staff/ programs - 82% Community Approval.
  • The 2020-21 Budget includes fully funded appropriated & unappropriated reserve funds.
  • Graduation rate for 2016-20 Cohort 93% (June) Cohort 94% (August) - 2% point growth from the previous cohort.  Estimated to be higher for 2017-21 Cohort.
  • Served 500,000 meals to our community since March 2020.
  • Opened the new Family and Community Engagement Center at Robert Morris.
  • Launched a Community Schools Initiative that focuses on equity, opportunity and family.
  • Implemented a Strategic Planning Process - that will help guide the district forward for years to come.
  • Adopted Policy 8140, Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education - which will create systemic structures and practices to ensure ALL kids are supported.
  • District-wide Equity Journey.
  • Grants Awarded:
    • My Brother’s Keeper Family & Community Engagement Grant - $500,000 (4 year Grant).
    • Extended School Day/ School Violence Prevention Grant - $1.75 million (5 year Grant).
  • Built a new state of the art playground at Jackson Primary School.
  • Assisted in adding an eSports Program at BHS in partnership with Daemen College.
  • Successfully Negotiated contracts for the Batavia Custodial Department, Batavia Administrative Association and IT Department. 
  • Energy Performance Contract Initiated that will bring operational savings to the district.
  • Completed an updated Building Condition Survey of all district facilities. 
  • Implemented new website management and communication platform - Thrillshare by Apptegy.
  • Added a new critical executive position to the organization overseeing Human Resources, labor relations and personnel matters. 

I wish much-continued success for Batavia and the Batavia City School District. Batavia will always hold a special place in my heart as the district of my first Superintendency. I will, at the pleasure of the Board, spend my remaining time ensuring and assisting in a smooth transition in order to maintain the positive momentum that has begun. 

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Two women awarded St. Jerome Guild Health Professional Scholarships

By Press Release

Submitted photos and press release:

Ashley Elmore (inset photo, right) has been awarded the 2021 St. Jerome Guild Health Professional Scholarship of $300.

She is currently working full time as a Registered Nurse at UMMC Batavia Urgent Care.

Prior to the Urgent Care position, Elmore worked at WNY Batavia Pediatrics, and at Golisano Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Elmore is currently registered in the Bachelor’s of Science Degree Nursing Program at SUNY Brockport.

She is interested in a future career as a Family Nurse Practitioner or may enter a master’s program in Nursing Informatics.

 

Colleen Larson Dorchak (inset photo, left) has been awarded the 2021 St. Jerome Guild Health Professional Scholarship of $300.

She is a bachelorette prepared Registered Nurse receiving her degree with Highest Distinction, magna cum laude in 2019.

Dorchak is currently enrolled in the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Buffalo.

She is employed full time and recently promoted to Clinical Nurse Leader at the UMMC Chemical Dependency Unit, Hope Haven.  

The St. Jerome Guild offers annual scholarships to applicants who are currently employed at UMMC/RHH and are pursuing advanced degrees in health care fields.

These scholarships are funded through proceeds at the St. Jerome Center Gift Shop, located at 16 Bank St., Batavia.

Recently, the St. Jerome Center Gift Shop opened a satellite location at the UMMC Kiosk/Gift Shop located at 127 North St.

Mark Your Calendars: Crossroads House annual Garage Sale is July 28 to 31

By Press Release

Press release:

Crossroads House volunteers are moving full steam ahead as they prepare for their annual Garage Sale at 11 Liberty St. in Batavia.

Donations of items are being accepted on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sale will be on Thursday, July 29th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, July 30th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, July 31st from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There will be a presale on Wednesday, July 28th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission for the presale is $5 per person aged 16 years or older.

We have a wide variety of new, next to new, and vintage treasures for your shopping enjoyment, and all items are priced to sell!

For more information on donations to our sale, please call Jackie at (585) 734-0125. (No early birds, please.)

GC Office for the Aging to kick off new free grocery-shopping service for adults 60+ with Open House July 14

By Press Release

Press release:

The Genesee County Office for the Aging has added a new program to its many services for adults 60 years of age and older. The new "Got Groceries?" program is a free grocery-shopping service.

Diana Fox, director of the Office for the Aging, said, “After completing a pilot phase, we are pleased to open this program up to both volunteers and individuals who are in need of the service.”

The office is looking for volunteers who are age 55 and older to do the shopping and deliver the groceries to individuals' homes within Genesee County. The commitment can be as little as two shopping trips a month or more often if the volunteer is willing and the need exists.

Those interested in receiving the service must be 60 years of age and older with the ability to pay for the groceries and unable to do own shopping or place orders via internet.

The office is kicking this off with an Open House on Wednesday, July 14 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. outdoors on the patio of the Senior Center, 2 Bank St., Batavia. Interested parties are invited to stop by anytime for information on volunteering or receiving this service for themselves or a loved one.

No reservations are needed. Those attending may enter a drawing for a $50 gift card, which will be drawn at 12:15 p.m.

If unable to join us for the Open House, please call ask marshall at (585) 815-7979 or email:   askmarshall@co.genesee.ny.us for more information.

Seed funding for this program was provided by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging at Rochester Area Community Foundation with ongoing support from the NY State Office for the Aging, NY Connects, Administration for Community Living, Corporation for National and Community Service and the generous support of the Genesee County Legislature.

Batavia's Madison Moore graduates from Ithaca College with degree in Journalism

By Billie Owens

Madison Moore, of Batavia, graduated from Ithaca College with a BA in Journalism.

About Ithaca College

Founded in 1892, Ithaca College is a residential college dedicated to building knowledge and confidence through a continuous cycle of theory, practice and performance. Home to some 5,000 students, the college offers more than 100 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Performance, and Music.

Students, faculty and staff at Ithaca College create an active, inclusive community anchored in a keen desire to make a difference in the local community and the broader world. The college is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright scholars, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly schools in the country, and one of the top 10 colleges in the Northeast.

Power outage reported on east side of Batavia into Stafford, Bethany, and Byron

By Howard B. Owens

A power outage affecting more than 4,600 National Grid customers is reported in the northeast section of Batavia into Byron, Stafford and East Bethany.

A crew has yet to be assigned. There is not yet an ETA for repairs.

A dispatcher informed Batavia PD that several traffic lights are not functioning in the area.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: Dispatch has received calls from people concerned about the light being out at Route 33 and Batavia Stafford Townline Road. The concern is that people "coming over the hill" will not see the lights are out. A trooper is advised but the dispatcher said callers have been advised multiple lights are out in the area and law enforcement may not be available for that specific intersection.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: Statement from Batavia PD: "There is currently a power outage affecting some areas of the City. Remember that if you approach a traffic signal that is not functioning to treat it as a 4-way stop."

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: The estimated power restoration time for the Batavia-to-Byron outage is 1:15 p.m. For the outage to the east, the restoration time estimate is 12:45 p.m.

UPDATE Noon: Statement from National Grid -- "Earlier today a faulty piece of equipment at a substation resulted in the loss of electricity service for around 4,800 customers in the Batavia area. Our crews are making repairs and they should all be restored at around 1 p.m."

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: It appears power has been restored to both areas.

No bail hearing and no plea yet for Batavia man facing multiple charges

By Howard B. Owens
devonwrightmug2020.jpg
         Devon Wright

A Batavia man who has been arrested multiple times since 2019 but has remained out of jail apparently because of the state's bail reform law was admonished by Judge Charle Zambito today that he is "walking a fine" line while his cases are pending.

Zambito was shown a photograph provided by Genesee Justice that apparently showed Devon Wright, 19, received a traffic ticket for alleged aggravated unauthorized operation. The ticket, Zambito said, indicated that Wright was outside of his residence at night in violation of his terms of release.

It was expected that Wright would enter a guilty plea today in relation to his multiple charges but his attorney, Nathan Pace, said he needed more time to explain the charges and plea to his client. After much haggling over a date -- finding a time that fits into both Pace's calendar and the court calendar -- the parties agree to be back in court at 11:45 a.m., July 19.

After the appearance date was set, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman raised the issue of the email from Genesee Justice with the attached photo.

Friedman noted that at Wright's last court appearance -- after Wright was arrested on a weapon's charge -- he asked that Wright's bail be revoked. He renewed that request today.

Zambito read to Friedman the language of the current bail statute. The law would require Zambito to conduct a bail hearing, at which time Wright could challenge the evidence against him and present his own evidence, and even after the hearing, if Zambito determined new bail requirements were required, Zambito could only set the minimum bail necessary to assure Wright's appearance at future hearings.

"The one thing Mr. Wright has done," Zambito said, "is appear in court when he's told to appear. He may be out committing crimes but he's been here when he needs to be here. I can't change the law. I don't like it myself."

At Wright's May 24 hearing, Zambito also expressed frustration with bail reform law.

"It's impossible under the current bail reform laws," Zambito said then. "It seems Wright is a clear and present danger to the community as long as he is out and he continues to get arrested." 

But, Zambito added, "the law doesn't allow a judge to consider community safety when setting bail. I'm frustrated. I think every judge in New York State is frustrated."

In the past 21 months, Batavia PD has reported the following arrests:

After reminding Friedman of the constraints of the law, Zambito asked if Friedman wanted a hearing on this latest apparent violation of the terms of Wright's release and Friedman said no. 

In speaking to Wright, Zambito noted that the picture couldn't be authenticated and that may be a factor in why Friedman wasn't requesting a hearing because "if he could confirm when the picture was taken he would not only be asking that your bail be pulled but he would be asking for new charges."

He then told Wright, "You're on curfew. You need to be home at 9 p.m., not 10 after nine and you can't be out driving. Your privilege has been revoked."

Farmers Market to start new Double Up Food Bucks program for fruits, veggies and SNAP-eligible goods

By Press Release

Press release:

On Thursday, July 1, the Genesee Country Farmers Market starts a new program called Double Up Food Bucks.

Spend up to $20 in SNAP -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- and receive $20 matching funds. SNAP is accepted at the market. Redeem for tokens at the market kiosk.

The DUFB silver coins are good for fruits and vegetables. The wooden SNAP tokens are good for any SNAP-eligible item. 

Come get double your money's worth!

The Farmers Market at Bank Street and Alva Place downtown is open Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GCEDC Board to consider incentives for solar projects, DRI project, and warehouse incentives application

By Press Release

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider proposals for $18.2 million of new investment at its July 1 board meeting.

Gateway GS LLC (Gallina Development) is proposing to construct the third phase of its flex campus at the GCEDC’s Gateway II Corporate Park in the Town of Batavia.

The $2.36 million investment is a 27,000-square-foot facility that would be completed in 2022 for a single logistics-distribution tenant. The future tenant is estimated to create 21 new jobs at an average annual salary of $42,000.

The GCEDC Board of Directors will consider an initial resolution for the project. Gateway GS LLC is seeking approximately $386,891 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The GCEDC Board of Directors will also consider a final resolution for Just Chez Realty LLC. The company is proposing a $450,000 building redevelopment project as part of the City of Batavia’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

The project would renovate approximately 6,000 square feet of a 13,324-square-foot building at 206 E. Main St. to create two market-rate apartments on the building’s second floor and follows improvements to the first floor of the building. Just Chez Realty is seeking approximately $21,000 in sales tax exemptions.

The GCEDC Board of Directors will also consider an initial resolution for two community solar projects on Ellicott Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

Trousdale Solar LLC is proposing projects that would generate 5 MW and 4 MW of electricity. The PILOTs -- Payments In Lieu Of Taxes -- would result in payments of approximately $930,000 to the Batavia City School District and Genesee County over 15 years.

Trousdale Solar LLC is seeking approximately $2.5 million in property and sales tax exemptions.

The board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the Innovative Zone at the MedTech Centre, located at 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia. The meeting will also be broadcast online at www.gcedc.com.

Photos: Youth Baseball tournament in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

youthbbtournament2021.jpg

Batavia Youth Baseball hosted a regional tournament at the ball fields at MacArthur Park this weekend, from Friday through this evening, with the finals taking place this evening.

Twelve teams participated.  

These photos are from a game Saturday between Akron and Perry.

youthbbtournament2021-2.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-3.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-4.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-5.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-6.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-7.jpg

youthbbtournament2021-8.jpg

Authentically Local