batavia

A vehicle reportedly crashed and flipped over, landing in front of 209 Richmond Ave. in the city. People are trapped inside. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 9:54 p.m.: Everyone's out," says a first responder at the scene.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: The sole occupant, a male driver, complained of chest pain after the accident and was transported to UMMC for evaluation. The vehicle was eastbound on Richmond when the driver lost control for unknown reasons and the vehicle struck a tree and flipped over. The accident is under investigation.

The Evens beat the Odds 98-92 today in the annual Batavia High School boys basketball alumni game. 

Batavia's head coach, Buddy Brasky, said the oldest player on the floor today was from the Class of 1998 and there were players who graduated as recently as last year participating.

Brasky said it's just a good time for the players and coaches and fans. Afterward, they all go out for beer and pizza.  

The game was played at John Kennedy School.

The after-game photo at the bottom was posted by Brasky on Twitter.

At last week's Shop with a Cop event at Walmart, two local families who were invited were unable to participate. Today, deputies from the Sheriff's Office went to Walmart to shop with those families and then help them wrap Christmas presents after the shopping was done.

Above, Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Deputy Cassidy Longhani, one of the newest members of the department.

Above, Deputy James Diehl.

UPDATE: Store manager Diane Waters shared this end-of-the-shopping-day photo,

The New York State Ballet performs "The Nutcracker" in the auditorium of Batavia High School today and tomorrow at 2 p.m.

The online ticket site says ticket sales have ended for today's performance, but I'm not sure if there will be tickets at the door.

There are definitely tickets available for tomorrow's performance.

The company was rehearsing when I went to the school last night for Batavia's basketball game.

Antwan Odom had 17 points and TeeSean Ayala scored 13, including three three-pointers, to help the Batavia Blue Devils beat Honeoye Falls-Lima 55- 39 in Batavia's home opener.

Batavia is now 2-1 on the season.

Mason McFollins added eight points.

A car hit a semi-truck in the area of 554 Ellicott St., Batavia, and the saddle tank is now leaking fuel. 

City fire dispatched. 

Mercy EMS sent as a precaution. 

A portion of River Street is going to be closed for a couple of days starting Tuesday so contractors can make a new sewer connection for the new Dunkin' Donuts being built on West Main Street.

The project's engineer, Kip Finley, said, "we need to catch a couple of warm days. The forecast for the middle of next week is for highs in the middle to upper 30s.

Work should start the Tuesday morning and proceed through Thursday and could continue into Thursday afternoon depending on weather.

The street and Five Star Bank driveway will reopen for traffic before Friday, Finley said.

A traffic detour will be posted on West Main Street, South Main Street, and Route 98. Access to Five Star Bank and the immediate residents will be provided from the Tonawanda Creek bridge.

Emergency Services have been notified and will adjust travel routes as needed.

Photo: provided by Kip Finley.

Google Earth has introduced a new feature -- a time-lapse of satellite pictures that give you a view of how an area has changed from 1984 to present. We zoomed in on Batavia and captured this video of our area.

The most noticeable changes are the addition of the water treatment facility, the rise and expansion of the area around Veterans Memorial Drive, and the Genesee Agri-Business Park.

It's one of Genesee County's best annual traditions -- the T.F. Brown's/Lions Club annual Christmas Day Community Dinner, free and open to all members of the community who want to enjoy a full-course holiday dinner and a visit from Santa.

This year, to help bring in more gifts for the children, T.F. Brown's hosted a happy hour last night, encouraging community members to show up with gifts. The DSP Jazz Trio provided entertainment.

For Christmas Day, there are two seatings Christmas Day, at noon and at 1 p.m.

Children will be able to visit with Santa and receive a present.

For reservations, call Barb at (585) 345-1000. Barb will need to know how many people are attending and if children are attending, their names and ages.

A registered sex offender who failed to report a change of address has been sentenced in County Court to six months in jail and five years probation.

Triton Drock, 22, of Buell Street, who had previous entered a guilty plea to the charge, made a tearful statement in court saying he was a changed person.

Public Defender Jerry Ader said Drock had no prior felony conviction and had not been in any other trouble prior to the failure to register charge.

Drock asked for a probationary sentence so he could have a chance to prove he has changed to his family, himself and the court.

After pronouncing sentence, Interim County Court Judge Michael Pietruszka, told Drock that he was barred from adult bookstores and must stay away from school grounds by 1,000 feet and he is not to own or look at pornography. He must also submit to random lie-detector tests.

Via our news partner, WBTA.

A 51-year-old Churchville man who is a former Batavia Middle School teacher will serve 60 days in jail and three years probation for coercing one of his male students into sending him explicit pictures of himself between 2011 and 2014.

Anthony Antinore was sentenced in City Court yesterday following a plea deal in September that set up the terms of his sentence.

Antinore will be required to register as a sex offender and surrender his teaching license without an opportunity to reapply. 

He was originally arrested on a charge of disseminating indecent material to a minor, a Class E felony.

He pled guilty to the lesser offense of attempted dissemination.

Via our news partner, WBTA.

Press release:

Officials from Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) have announced that the organization will hold its annual Turkey Drive to benefit local families on Thursday, Dec. 22^nd. The drive will take place in the Batavia Downs parking lot, located at 8315 Park Road in Batavia, from noon to 3 p.m.

“Batavia Downs is thrilled to lend a helping hand during a holiday time that is filled with need from the hungry in our community,” said Henry F. Wojtaszek, president and CEO of WROTB. “The Batavia Downs Turkey Drive is our way of showing our appreciation for what we have by giving back to others.”

While donations of any size turkey are welcome, those who donate a turkey of 10 pounds or heavier will receive a $20 gift certificate to Batavia Downs’ restaurants and a Batavia Downs Made in America T-shirt.

Turkeys collected will be distributed to families in need in Genesee County and surrounding areas.

“Everyone should have the chance to gather around a warm meal for the holidays,” Wojtaszek said. “As part of this community, we have a responsibility to help those in need. We’re proud to be able to bring this food drive to the community and help those who are less fortunate.”

Press release:

For nearly 80 years, Ferrellgas has provided propane service to homes, farms, and businesses in our community and across the nation. With the help of local residents, Ferrellgas plans to deliver more than just propane this holiday season.

Ferrellgas is collecting new and gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves this year and putting them into the hands of less fortunate members of our community.

Donations can be given to Ferrellgas deliverymen or brought to the Ferrellgas office at 655 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020 through Dec. 30. At the end of the coat drive, Ferrellgas will donate items collected to one or more local charities.

“Ferrellgas is proud to provide a product that helps keep people in our community warm and provides some comfort in their lives,” says Doug Muha, Ferrellgas’ local director of Operations. “But we realize that too many local residents will struggle to stay warm this winter because they don’t have an adequate coat. Our goal is to help provide one to as many people here as possible. Thanks to the generous members of our community, we look forward to doing just that.”

Muha said local residents do not have to be customers of Ferrellgas to participate in the coat drive.

More information about Ferrellgas can be found at www.Ferrellgas.com.

A full-on winter storm has hit Genesee County with bitter cold and heavy snow.

Top photo, Jackson Street.

Send your snow storm photos to howard@thebatavian.com.

Cornell Cooperative Extension on East Main.

Jackson Street.

Bradley J. Broadbent is indicted for the crime of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on April 24 at the Genesee County Jail, Broadbent, while confined in the detention facility, knowingly or unlawfully made, obtained or possessed dangerous contraband -- heroin. In count two, Broadbent is accused of the crime of criminal possession of a controlled subtance, a Class B felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug -- heroin -- with intent to sell it while at the jail. In count three, he is accused of the crime of criminal sale of a controlleged substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully selling a narcotic drug -- heroin.

Roberto F. Fuentes Jr. is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on July 14 on Alleghany Road in Corfu, Fuentes drove a Pontiac while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a .08 BAC at the time. In Special Information filed by the district attorney, Fuentes is accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on May 28, 2014 in the Town of Amherst, Erie County, and that occurred within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Nicole A. Mickey is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on July 10 on Richmond Avenue in Batavia, Mickey drove a 2004 Toyota while intoxicated.

Sergio A. Forte is indicted for the crime of unauthorized use of a vehicle in the second degree, a Class E felony. It is alleed that on June 30 in the Town of Le Roy that Forte, while knowing he did not hoave the owner's consent, took, operated and exercised control over, rode in or otherwise used a 2003 Ford Focus. In Special Inofrmation filed by the district attorney, Forte is accused of having been convicted of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, on March 10, 2007, in the Town of Le Roy, and that occured within 10 years of the crime alleged in this indictment.

Temperatures tonight are expected to dip as low as 10 degrees, and in each of the past two winters, a group of volunteers has created a warming shelter for anyone who might need a warm bed for a night like this, but this year, shelter will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Last year, a local church provided the shelter, but a church secretary referred us to the Salvation Army and the Salvation Army referred us to Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator for Genesee County.

Yaeger said he and officials at the Salvation Army discussed options and the best course -- given the low demand for beds in cold weather locally, and with limited staff available -- is to respond to requests for shelter rather than keep a shelter open all night.

If anybody finds themselves without shelter at night, they should either call emergency dispatch or go to the nearest fire hall. That will trigger officials to contact the Salvation Army to assist that person or group of people with finding a safe place for the night. 

The local Salvation Army doesn't have the staff available to specifically keep a shelter open all night, but staff is always on call and available to assist anybody with an urgent need for shelter, Yaeger said. 

During the weekdays, the Salvation Army at 529 E. Main St., Batavia, is open for anybody who needs assistance.

In the past, the shelters have been barely used, if used at all. People living in the area who may lack permanent housing seem to be able to find a friend or family member to stay with in cold weather.

There is a lake effect snow watch in effect now until 1 a.m., Thursday. Storm totals of 5 to 10 inches of snow are expected in the region. Winds will reportedly be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, creating blowing and drifting snow and low visibility.

Melissa R. Piazza, 27, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Piazza was allegedly found going through vehicles on Pearl Street at 1:23 a.m., Dec. 2.

Victor D. Albert, 55, of Clinton Street, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Albert was charged after police were called to Batavia Downs at 1:34 p.m., Sunday, to investigate an incident and Albert was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Joshua Micheal Bratcher, 26, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and unlawful possession of marijuana. Bratcher was arrested after Batavia PD was dispatched to the area of 17 Central Ave. for a report of several people fighting.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 40, of South Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on two warrants. The warrants stem from charges of petit larceny and criminal trespass in two separate incidents. Horseman was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Darrell Smith, 49, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to pay fine. Smith turned himself in on a warrant.

Jacklyn M. Ganzhorn, 29, of Central Avenue, was arrested on a warrant. Ganzhorn was arrested when located on Alva Place for alleged failure to appear in court. Ganzhorn was held on a bail.

Nikki L. Stonebraker, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. 

Joshua A. Porter, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with unnecessary noise. Porter is accused of hosting a loud party in his residence, which was reported at 12:06 a.m., Dec. 8.

Cheryl M. Lyons, 51, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Lyons is accused of violating terms of probation. She was arraigned and jailed.

Joey A. Evans, 26, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Evans allegedly possessed property stolen from another individual.

Jaylyn S. Strong, 21, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving a vehicle without stop lamps, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operator. Strong was stopped at 10:40 p.m., Dec. 1, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.

Robert S. Sodja, 52, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Sodja was arrested on a warrant.

Harry T. Gibson, 52, of West Main Street, was arrested on a warrant. Gibson is charged with petit larceny. Gibson was sentenced in City Court to six months in jail, to run concurrent with a sentence out of Town of Batavia Court.

Bradley R. Jordan, 23, of Colby Road, Darien, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 3rd. Jordan allegedly entered and started a vehicle that didn't belong to him at 6:55 p.m., Nov. 16, at 4 Treadeasy Ave., Batavia.

Martin F. Jones, 45, of State Street, is charged with petit larceny. Jones allegedly stole a phone from a residence on State Street at 9:30 p.m., Nov. 27.

Andrei Peter Sliker, 25, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Sliker was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and buprenorphine during at traffic stop initiated by Deputy Eric Meyer at 7:45 a.m. Dec. 23, 2015 on Route 5 in Stafford.

Amandarae L. Moore, 29, of Route 31, Albion, was arrested on a warrant. Moore is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the Town of Elba.