Skip to main content

batavia

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

Law and Order: Man accused of striking one victim with tire iron, another with his fists

By Billie Owens

James Timon Saddler III, 39, of University Street, Rochester, is charged with: second-degree assault -- with intent to injure with a weapon; criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; second-degree harassment; and trespass. Following a call for service at a motel on West Main Street Road in Batavia, Saddler was arrested at 5:19 p.m. June 24. It is alleged that he got into a physical altercation and struck a victim with a tire iron and another victim with his fists. He was arraigned in Alabama Town Court and put in jail without bail. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Ray Spencer-Lindquist Saile, 19, of Judge Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt; second-degree harassment; and second-degree assault -- causing injury to a victim age 65 or older. Following an incident in the early morning hours of June 26 in the Town of Alabama, Saile was arrested. It is alleged that he backhanded a person who had a stay away order of protection against him. Following arraignment in Alabama Town Court, Saile was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in Alabama Town Court on July 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Jazmin Pellot, 38, is charged with second-degree harassment and obstructing governmental administration. She was arrested at 1:33 p.m. June 15 after an incident that occurred on North Spruce Street in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that she struck a victim in the face with a closed fist and that she interfered with officers and failed to comply with directives during an investigation. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court later that afternoon and then released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court July 22.

Thomas Tacito, 61, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. June 17 after he allegedly violated an order of protection issued to a victim on North Spruce Street in the City of Batavia. He is accused of going to the protected party's residence and knocking on their door. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there at a later date (unspecified).

Thomas Tacito, 61, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. June 23 after an investigation into a neighbor dispute that occurred at 10 p.m. April 24 on North Spruce Street. A victim had all four tires slashed and several windows smashed out on their vehicle. Tacito is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. It is alleged that he caused more than $250 in damage to the vehicle. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court July 6 and then released.

Liltesia Nefetiria Turner, 39, of Tracey Avenue, Batavia is charged with: fourth-degree grand larceny -- property with a value greater that $1,000; fourth-degree grand larceny -- credit card; and petit larceny. Turner was arrested June 22 for allegedly stealing a wallet belonging to another person at 11:15 p.m. June 21 at Batavia Downs Gaming, which contained several credit cards and more than $1,000 cash. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Mitchell Bates, 29, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more DWI; and failure to keep right. Bates was arrested at 10:06 p.m. June 19 on Ellicott Street. The charges stem from a motor-vehicle accident in which Bates allegedly drove into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle head on. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and released on tickets returnable to Batavia City Court on Sept. 21.

Trevor M. Rich, 40, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; driving while intoxicated; aggravated DWI; and failure to keep right. Rich was arrested on June 18 after an investigation of a motor-vehicle accident that occurred at 6:10 p.m. Feb. 25 on East Main Street in Batavia. It is alleged that he was driving under the influence of alcohol and that he possessed cocaine at the time. He was issued an appearance ticket for June 29 in Batavia City Court.

Jamie Dutton, 28, was arrested June 26 and charged with criminal mischief and criminal trespass. It is alleged that at about 5:45 p.m. Feb. 27 that Dutton entered a residence on Harvester Avenue unlawfully and damaged windows in the the process. The defendant is due in Batavia City Court on July 6.

Bianca Tyson, 30, was arrested at 2:28 a.m. June 20 on Jefferson Avenue in Batavia after a traffic stop. It is alleged that she was operating her vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC or .08 percent or more. Tyson was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on July 20.

Jaylinn Oneil, 31, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. June 18 on Holland Avenue in Batavia and is charged with criminal mischief and resisting arrest following a disturbance. She was issued a ticket to appear in Batavia City Court on June 29.

Kaleb Bobzien, 23, was arrested on charges of: resisting arrest; obstruction of governmental administration, speed in zone; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; and suspended registration. He was arrested June 14 at 3:37 p.m. on Alexander Road after allegedly failing to comply with Batavia police officers' commands to exit his vehicle after being advised that he was under arrest on a warrant out of Warsaw PD. He was issued an appearance ticket for June 22 in Batavia City Court, and traffic tickets, then turned over to Warsaw PD on the warrant.

Ashley Elizabeth Quintern, 32, of Miller Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. At 5:57 p.m. June 23, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia for a larceny complaint. It is alleged that Quintern stole merchandise belonging to Walmart. She was processed at GC Jail then released on an appearance ticket. She is due in Town of Batavia Court on July 26. The case was handled by Deputy Kyle Tower.

Mitchell Merrill, 35, was arrested on June 17 at 4:55 a.m. following an investigation of a larceny that occurred at 4:36 a.m. that day on East Avenue. It is alleged that Greene took property that did not belong to him without permission of the owner. He was released on an appearance ticket for court (date unspecified).

Marcella Greene, 36, was arrested June 22 for failure to appear in Batavia City Court on April 19; reason not specified. After being processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and arraigned in city court, she was released. Greene is due to return to court Aug. 5.

Nicole Casey, 33, of West Main Street, Batavia, turned herself into Batavia Police Headquarters at 10:45 a.m. June 21 after failing to appear in Batavia City Court as required by an appearance ticket. The original charge involved a shoplifting incident at a local business in Feburary of 2018. After arraignment in city court, Casey was directed to return to court on July 21.

Tim Kauffman, 52, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court on June 15. It was issued after he failed to appear in city court on May 13 as required. He was processed, arraigned and released on his own recognizance and is due to return to court at a later date (unspecified).

Car vs. pedestrian accident reported in Target parking lot

By Billie Owens

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported in the Target parking lot at 4300 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. Those involved are "right up front." The pedestrian is still down in the roadway. Mercy medics and city fire responding.

Air conditioner reported stolen out of Jackson Street window in the city

By Billie Owens

A man and woman are suspected of stealing an air conditioner unit out of a window in the 100-200 block of Jackson Street in the city. They were last seen running down Morton Avenue. The male was wearing a short-sleeve shirt; the woman has on a black hoodie. City police are speaking with a male now. The caller was a neighbor of the victim.

UPDATE 4:41 a.m.: A male and female have been arrested.

After 17 innings pitched for Muckdogs, Parr gives up first runs against Elmira

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The roller-coaster ride of emotions continues for the Muckdog as after they just won four out of their last five games to claw their way but to .500; they lose their second straight game. After Friday night’s nail-biting loss to the Tarp Skunks 2-1, Batavia looked to maintain the season series lead against the Elmira Pioneers on Faith and Family Night at Dwyer Stadium.

Andrew Parr got the ball to start the game, as the righty from Andrews College started the year out of the bullpen but was on the mound for his second start of the season against Elmira. Going into the game, Parr led the entire Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League with a 0.00 ERA in 17 innings pitched and was tied for first with four wins.

Elmira’s bats got rolling early as Parr allowed three hits, and first basemen Bobby Marsh drove in the first run against Parr so far this season. The Pios then got six hits off the former PGCBL Pitcher of the Week in the second inning, including an opposite-field two-run homer for Chris Erickson. Parr was yanked for Niagara University right-hander Tyler Prospero in a 6-0 ballgame with just one out in the inning.

Batavia would respond in the bottom half of the inning, scoring both Jerry Reinhart and Abner Benitez to cut the deficit to just four. The hits just continue to come in bunches for Elmira, as they had double digits in the fourth inning. The Pioneers scored three in the fourth and three more in the fifth due to a bases-clearing triple from right fielder Dom Popa.

As always, the Muckdogs did not go down without a fight, down 10 runs in the seventh pinch hitter Ethan Frasca and Luis Rodriguez both scored after RBI’s from Cameron Conley and Charlie Szykowny. Batavia would tack on two more in the eighth after Elmira responded with two runs of their own.

With a final score of 14-6, Elmira mustered up 19 total hits in an impressive showing from top to bottom of the Pioneer order. Extra hitter Gil Merod had a four-hit game with three runs scored, and Auburn catcher Jake Schorr finished with three hits and three RBIs. Cam Hill got the win on the mound, as so far on the year, Batavia was used to seeing him playing first base and batting third for the Pios, with Parr picking up the loss.

Batavia now falls to 9-12 on the year and back into fourth place as Geneva winning both games of the doubleheader against Auburn. Facing the Auburn Doubledays today will be the Muckdogs, as they play a team from the central division for the first time this year.

First pitch at Falcon Park is at 5:05 p.m.! It can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Spot is home safe after owner finds him hiding in a boat in his barn

By Billie Owens

Just over an hour or so ago, cat owner David Austin emailed us to let everyone know his cat "Spot" was found and is home safely. You'll recall he went missing last weekend from his city residence.

"We found him hiding in a covered-up boat. Before I did though, I dug up a big part of my 145-year-old barn floor. There are gofer tunnels under there."

So, we can surmise that Spot felt duty bound to hunt the varmints. He heard a higher calling and answered it nobly. For shame thinking he was out for self-indulgent amusement when there's obviously work to be done on the property by an expert -- veritable catacombs to search for burrowing pests!

Spot's latest photo with that pointed expression tells the whole story. "You gotta problem with that?!"

Previously: Don't beam him up, Scotty! This cat is missing from MacArthur Drive and State Street

FOUND: Police looking for missing 66-year-old Batavia man

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATED 5:48 p.m. Saturday, June 26:

From BPD -- Louis Morris has been located alive and unharmed. The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the public for the tips they sent in.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Lewis A. Morris who was reported missing from his home in the City of Batavia on June 25th.

Mr. Morris was last seen at his residence on June 25th at approximately 12:30 a.m. and reportedly may have left sometime before 3 a.m. Mr. Morris is believed to be with his vehicle, which is a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 4-door sedan, black, with New York registration - JAT5955.

Morris is described as an African American male, age 66, there is currently no clothing description available. His photo accompanies this news release. Anyone who sees Morris, or his vehicle, should call their local law enforcement agency.

Please be prepared to provide his current location and clothing description. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Batavia Police Department without delay at (585) 345-6350.

hundai_sonata.jpg

Mark Your Calendar: Genesee Symphony Orchestra holds free concert in Austin Park highlighting 75th season

By Press Release

Press release:

Genesee Symphony Orchestra Reveal Event

Music Director S. Shade Zajac reveals the orchestra's 75th Anniversary Season -- Get to know YOUR orchestra!

  • GSO Concert
  • Upcoming Season Information for the 75th Anniversary Celebration
  • T-shirts for sale with orchestra logo
  • Food trucks for refreshments

WHEN?  4 p.m. Saturday, July 17

WHERE?  Austin Park, 15 Jefferson Ave., City of Batavia

Bring a chair, relax and enjoy the evening celebrating YOUR community orchestra!

Batavia's James Zickl named to dean's list for Spring semester at Worcester Polytechnic University

By Billie Owens

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts has announced that Batavia resident James Zickl, a member of the Class of '21 majoring in Mechanical Engineering, was named to the private university's dean's list for academic excellence for the Spring 2021 semester.

A total of 2,148 undergraduate students achieved the criteria required for WPI's Spring 2021 dean's list. The criteria for the WPI dean's list differs from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade-point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the dean's list by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

"WPI's academic programs are rigorous and require a level of independence beyond what is required in traditional courses. WPI students work on open-ended problems for communities around the world. The problems are important and the impact is real," said Dean of Undergraduate Studies Arthur C. Heinricher. "Some of this nation's best and brightest students come to WPI to study engineering and science and business and the humanities. Those named to the dean's list have excelled in all of their work, and we are exceptionally proud of these outstanding students." 

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI, a global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPI's pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world.

WPI offers more than 70 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across 17 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. www.wpi.edu

Four Batavians named to dean's list at Ithaca College for Spring semester

By Billie Owens

Ithaca College congratulates students named to the dean's list for the spring 2021 semester.

  • Elise Hoerbelt, of Batavia
  • Madison Hoerbelt, of Batavia 
  • Lauren Leone, of Batavia 
  • Michal Lullo, of Batavia 

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.

BPD reminder: COVID-19 pandemic in NYS ended today, so expired licenses and permits need to be renewed

By Press Release

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department would like to notify citizens that the State of Emergency declared by Governor Cuomo at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic ended today (June 24). Therefore, the extension of expiration dates for driver licenses and permits that expired on or after March 1, 2020 also ended today.

Expired drivers licenses and permits are no longer valid and need to be renewed with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Photos: Batavia Concert Band returns to Centennial Park

By Howard B. Owens

openingbataviaconcertband2021.jpg

The Batavia Concert Band performed its first concert of the 2021 season last evening in Centennial Park.

The public is encouraged to attend the free concerts at 7 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 4 in Centennial Park, located at 151 State St. in the city.

These concerts are "made completely possible through local funding."

Upcoming concerts and/or their sponsors:

Photos by Howard Owens.

openingbataviaconcertband2021-2.jpg

openingbataviaconcertband2021-3.jpg

openingbataviaconcertband2021-4.jpg

openingbataviaconcertband2021-5.jpg

Muckdogs spilt doubleheader in Niagara

By Press Release

Press release:

Wednesday was the Muckdogs' first doubleheader of the 2021 season, traveling to Sal Maglie Stadium in Niagara Falls to face the Power. The day started off with miscommunication on the report time with the bus, pushing game one’s start time back 30 minutes to 5 p.m.

Nathan Hinkley got the ball in game one with the Muckdogs trying to push their win streak to three, and in the process, making it for straight losses for Niagara. The Power would strike in the first inning, as five of the six hits over the seven-inning game occurred in the first three frames. TCU shortstop hit a deep home run down the left-field line in his first at-bat with Niagara to make a 1-0 ballgame.

Batavia would respond in the top of the fourth with a leadoff bunt single by Charlie Szykowny, and later would be driven in on the RBI single from first baseman Joe Georger to tie the game. Hinkley would settle in and groove in the last three innings, as the Keystone College right-hander allowed just one hit and three other base runners during that time in the complete game.

Base-running errors were crucial for both teams throughout the game, as Hinkley picked off four Niagara base runners at first base, and Brice Mortillaro was thrown out going home on an Ethan Sarimento double in the fifth. With the game still knotted at one heading into the seventh, Spencer Marcus smacked a leadoff triple into the right-center gap for his first hit of the day.

After Abner Benitez was walked on four pitches as reliever AC Chavez game into the game; Jerry Reinhart had the go-ahead RBI on an infield single that scored Marcus from third. Mortillaro would also redeem himself with a standup double where Reinhart showed off his speed and almost beat Benitez to home plate.

Hinkley would continue being the man on the mound in the seventh, retiring Casey Saucke for the final out to get his first win of the season and leading the Muckdogs to a 4-1 victory in a game that was one hour and 42 minutes long.

Game two was anticipated to start 30 minutes after the completion of game one, not leaving much time for players to get ready and eat some food on dollar cheeseburger day. Five minutes before the first pitch, penciled in starting pitcher Blair Frederick informed the coaching staff that he was not able to throw to due shoulder discomfort, creating a sense of panic in who was going to start for Batavia.

Kyle Kohlhafer would get his first start in PGCBL action, as his first appearance in a Muckdog uniform came against the Mansfield Destroyers in a friendly nonleague game. Kohlhafer’s start would only last one and two-thirds innings after giving up three earned runs and five hits. Colin Noeth came into the game to get the final out of the second inning but only lasted an inning as he let up three runs on one swing of the bat from the University of Virginia commitment Casey Saucke.

Nate Novia was handed the ball to start the fourth, but could not get an out in the fifth as Utah catcher Brock Rudy had a bases-clearing triple that made it a 10-2 game. Relievers George Osbourne and Kyle O’Neill did not allow a run to score in their combined two innings of work, striking out four Power batters.

The Batavia bats were pretty stagnant in game two, only mustering up three hits compared to Niagara’s 11. Mitch Fleming and Michael Florides would score the two Muckdog runs back in the third inning to make it a 3-2 ballgame before seven unanswered runs for Niagara. Florides, Charlie Szykowny, and Abner Benitez were responsible for the Muckdogs hits.

In a less than ideal scenario in game two, with Frederick not being able to throw with short notice to the other pitchers, Batavia’s win streak is snapped at three games to sit at an 8-10 record. Geneva currently sits at 8-8 as they are riding a three-game losing skid after Wednesday night’s loss to the Jamestown Tarp Skunks.

The Muckdogs will be back home tonight on Guaranteed Win Night against the Geneva Red Wings with the opportunity to jump into third place in the Western Division as they currently sit one game back.

First pitch of game one is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium. It can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and like our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

BPD officers get kudos from Le Roy resident for 1 a.m. tire change for citizen

By Howard B. Owens

At about 1 a.m., a motorist was in need of some assistance at Main and Oak in Batavia and two Batavia police officers stopped to help change a tire -- Pete Flanagan and Jordan McGinnis.

Tom Wood, former chief for Le Roy, was driving past and couldn't stop for a picture but thought the officers deserved some recognition.

"With all the negativity around police officers, I thought I should share this," Wood said.

Muckdogs hoping for sweep of doubleheader in Niagara to get back to .500

By Press Release

Press release:

The Muckdogs early last week were sitting at 5-5, riding a three-game winning streak before entering a four-game losing streak heading into action this past Sunday. Inconsistencies on both sides of the ball were credited to that losing streak said skipper Joe Martinez.

“It felt like when we would get runs and immediately give them right back,” Martinez said.

Looking to get back to their winning ways, Batavia played their most complete game of the season on Father’s Day on Sunday versus the Niagara Power. Just three days before, Niagara held a combined perfect game heading into the ninth inning as starting pitcher Ben Miller had a masterful performance.

Miller threw seven scoreless frames, not allowing a base runner and striking out 11 Muckdogs. Due to Miller only pitching seven and two-thirds innings prior to that appearance, he was pulled after 83 pitches. Cameron Gallardo was given the ball in the bottom of the eighth and kept the perfect game intact with just three outs remaining. Daniel Burroway broke the perfect game with a single past Casey Saucke down the third baseline.

Later in the inning, Joe Georger hit a line drive over the head of centerfielder Nathan Manning, putting the Muckdogs on the board as two runs would score on the Georger triple. The late-game rally came up short as the Muckdogs lost to the Power 5-2.

Fast forward to their next matchup against the Power, Batavia struck first in the fourth and did not look back as Spencer Marcus had a leadoff single off Power starter Joey Schott and would later score. Trey Bacon had a leadoff single off Gallardo in the fifth and tallied another run for the Dogs to go up 2-0.

For Batavia, former PGCBL Pitcher of the Week, Andrew Parr had his first start of the season, holding the Power scoreless. In six innings pitched Parr struck out six, allowing four hits, while also picking up his fourth win of the season. Parr currently leads the PGCBL in ERA (0.00) and Wins (4).

Ethan Frasca, Cameron Conley, and Charlie Szykowny scored runs in the sixth to go up 5-0, and Conley scored again in the eighth on Spencer Marcus’ RBI single. Batavia would snap the losing skid at four games in the 6-0 win and be tied with the Newark Pilots at 6-9.

Monday’s friendly matchup against the Elmira Pioneers was canceled at Dwyer Stadium due to a storm in Batavia. The Muckdogs then shifted their focus to the Pilots as they visited Colburn Park for the first time this season on Tuesday.

With both teams tied in fourth place in the Western Division at 6-9, Newark got out to an early 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Blake MacMillian started on the mound for the Pilots, and Batavia had no answer for the Niagara University southpaw. MacMillian went five scoreless innings with only two Muckdogs reaching base but was taken out due to him mainly coming out of the pen.

Jimmy Dougherty was the man in relief, and the Muckdogs' bats came alive in the sixth. Brice Mortillaro started things off with a single; Michael Florides and Caden Walton had three straight singles. Abner Benitez knocked in two of them on a slicing double down the left-field line.

The game was tied 3-3 in the top of the seventh until Blair Frederick’s go-ahead two-run blast to go up 5-3. The flood gates opened as the Dogs scored eight runs in the seventh, batting through the entire lineup.

Batavia pitchers Dathon McGrath, Tyler Prospero and Carlos Rodriguez struck out 17 Pilots during the game, with an impressive outing from Prospero as he was responsible for six of them in his two innings of relief.

Batavia now sits at 7-9, heading into their doubleheader tonight with the Niagara Power at Sal Maglie Stadium. The rainout from this past Friday in Niagara Falls is responsible for the two seven-inning games with the opportunity for the Muckdogs to get back to .500.

First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the second game starting 30 minutes after the completion of game one.

It can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Authentically Local