batavia

When 8-year-old Gunnar came to his father and said he didn't want to play tackle football anymore, Otis Thomas listened. He also remembered a commercial for a youth flag football program sponsored by the NFL that he had seen during the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.

Thomas talked with Kevin Rogers and they agreed to apply to the NFL to set up a league in Batavia.

It was a very easy process, they said. The NFL provides a step-by-step guide and the staff is helpful and friendly, they said.

So, Batavia will have an NFL-sponsored flag football program for children ages 5 to 14 this fall; "no contact, 6 on 6."

Thomas said it's not his goal to take anything away from the Batavia Bulldawgs, the local tackle football program, but he believes there are a lot of parents in the community who want to give their children a fun activity and see them learn the sport but don't want to strap a heavy helmet on their heads.

"I don’t want to pull away from anything the Bulldawgs organization has done around Batavia," Thomas said. "I coached for two years. It was good for me. It was good for my son but it’s also good to see other opportunities for other kids that aren’t ready to play contact football."

Both Thomas and Rogers are aware, of course, about the growing concern parents have about football, concussions, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. 

"I just wanted my son to play all the sports that I never had a chance to," said Rogers, who didn't come from a football family and didn't play the sport as a child. "Now, as a parent, you sort of see where my parents were coming from growing up, where it’s a little bit more violent of a sport than we’re used to, especially for young kids, ages 5 to 14. Their bodies are still developing. We wanted to start something to give the kids options who want to learn the sport."

The field dimensions are smaller, 30 yards by 70 yards, which will allow the new league to play as many as five games at one time on the varsity football field at Notre Dame High School off of Union Avenue.

The games consist of two 15-minute halves between teams of six players each. They will be played on Sunday mornings so parents can get home in time to watch the Bills. There will be one practice a week -- one hour on Wednesday nights. Each child who signs up, for $65, will get a replica NFL jersey and a pair of flags with their team's logo on it.

There are no helmets.

"I don’t really agree with putting a 5- or a six-year-old or a 7- or 8-year-old in a helmet," said Thomas, who played in Batavia Youth Football as a kid, played in high school, and played semi-pro ball.

"We teach them, 'don’t use your head' but you put that helmet on, it’s a weight. You can see it. Go to any little Pop Warner game and you see a kid running by himself for a touchdown he’s leaning to the left but his body is really wanting to go to the right."

Rogers said he and Thomas have talked to 30 or 40 parents and gotten a lot of positive feedback on the idea, so they're expecting plenty of children to sign up.

They think even though there is no contact, young players will learn key fundamentals of the game that will help them if they decide to play high school football, including the vocabulary of the game, the rules and how plays are run.

The safety aspect of flag football is why Thomas thinks the sport will catch on in the community, though he said it is an individual decision for each parent on whether to sign their kids up for contact football or flag football.

"I love the game but I love the safety and I value my kid's life a little bit more," Thomas said.

The co-ed league is open to boys and girls age 5 to 13 from throughout the area, with divisions for ages 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 10 and 11, and 12 and 14.

Please contact Otis Thomas at (585) 993-0244 or Kevin Rogers at (716) 860-4551 with any questions.

(Thomas and Rogers said they are not aware of any other NFL flag football leagues in WNY. They think the next closest one is in Ohio. They hope other parents will start leagues in neighboring counties.)

There will be registration sessions at:

• Dick's Sporting Goods on Veterans Memorial Drive -- this Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesday, July 24, 4 to 7 p.m.;
• Batavia City Centre --  tomorrow, Thursday, July 19, and Thursday, July 26, 4 to 7:30 p.m. both days;
• T.F. Brown's restaurant -- this Saturday, July 21 and the folllowing Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

The Genesee County Fair for 2018 is underway and one of the big events for the first day yesterday was the fair parade.

There are events all week. Click here for a schedule.

To purchase prints click here.

Daily at the Genesee County Fair: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! *Midway Rides. *Daily Wristband Specials Available. Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits. Container Garden Contest -- Exhibition Building. Chainsaw Carver

TUESDAY, JULY 17th – “Senior Citizen Day”/Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center. 

• 9 a.m.        4-H Horse Show—Western Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Hog Show (Show Ring)
• 10 a.m.      Open Class Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 a.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 12 p.m.      4-H Market Animal Auction Lamb Show (Show Ring)
• 1 p.m.        4-H Poultry Showmanship (Merton Building)
• 4 p.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Dairy Steer Show (Show Ring)
• 4-10 p.m.   Faith at the Fair—Christian Music (Entertainment Tent)
• 5 p.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Beef Steer Show (Show Ring)
• 5-10 p.m.   MIDWAY OPENS (Amusement Area)
• 6 p.m.        North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch (Horse Ring)
• 6 p.m.        4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 p.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.*

Alabama

• Rebekah J. Allen

Alexander

• Daniel Harris

Attica

• Kaylee Sumeriski

Town of Batavia

• Bryan Moscicki  
• Ian Sanfratello
• Tyler Stewart

Bennington

• Jordon McKinsey
• Grace Schmidt

Bergen

• Tina M. Carson          
• Harrison T. Dodson

Byron

• Paige E. Johnston

Carlton

• Matthew Edick

Castle

• Zachary Dake

Corfu

• Justin Rodland

East Avon

• Jefferson Moon

North Java

• Taylor Guizzotti
• Tyler Shaver

Strykerville

• Matthew Solly

Michael J. Piasta Jr. is indicted for the crime of second-degree robbery, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on March 25 at the Arby's restaurant in Batavia, located at 212 W. Main St., that the defendant forcibly stole property and in the course of the commission of a crime or in the immediate flight from it, he allegedly displayed what appeared to be a pistol, revolver or other firearm. In count two, he is indicted for third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, for allegedly stealing property on that date that had a value exceeding $3,000. In count three, Piasta is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a second Class D felony, for allegedly possession an imitation pistoal with the intent to use it unlawfully against another person. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Piasta is accused of having been convicted of: third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, on Dec. 20, 2010, in Genesee County Court; petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, on Sept. 7, 2010, in City of Batavia Court; attempted petit larceny, a Class B misdemeanor, on Jan. 18, 2011, in Town of Batavia Court; attempted failure to pay for service, based on stealth, a Class B misdemeanor, on May 1, 2002, City of Batavia Court; petit larceny again, on July 19, 2001, in City of Batavia Court; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, on April 5, 2001, in City of Batavia Court. These convictions form the basis for Count Three in the current indictment.

Lamont L. Crimes is indicted for the crime second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that on May 28 in the Town of Elba that, with intent to cause physical injury to another person, Crimes caused injury to another person using a dangerous instrument -- a knife. In count two, the defendant is accused of the same crime involving a second victim.

Jaomi Delgado is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 20 in the City of Batavia that Delgado knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic -- cocaine -- and these were of an aggregate weight of one-half ounce or more.

Katelyn M. Bennett is indicted from the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 11 in the Town of Bergen that Bennett drove a 2011 Chevrolet on state routes 33 and/or 19 while intoxicated. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In counts three and four, the defendant is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, Class A misdemeanors, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing, respectively, concentrated cannibas and alprazolam (Xanax). In count five, Bennett is accused of unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, another Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count five that she knew she had been directed to stop by a police officer or marked police vehicle and she attempted to flee at speeds which equaled or exceeded 25 mph above the speed limit, or she engaged in reckless driving (VTL 1212). In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Bennett is accused of having been convicted of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, as a misdemeanor, on Dec. 20, 2011, in the Town of Gates and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Brent J. Chapman is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 11 in the Town of Le Roy that Chapman drove a 2006 Lincoln on I-90 while intoxicated. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, the defendant is accused of having been convicted for misdemeanor DWI on March 8, 2016, in the Town of Greece, and that convicted is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the current indictment.

Paul D. Fields Jr. is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on Feb. 7 in the Town of Pembroke that Fields drove a 2002 Saturn eastbound on Indian Falls Road while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a misdemeanor, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time. In count three, Fields is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for knowing or having reason to know that his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities at the time. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Fields is accused of having been convicted of DWI on April 10, 2006, in City of Batavia Court. That conviction forms the basis for Count Three of the current indictment.

Carl Bruce James Miller, 26, of Attica Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and failure to keep right. Miller was charged following an investigation by Deputy Ryan Young into a rollover accident reported at 2 a.m. Sunday on Harper Road, Darien. There were two occupants in the vehicle at the time and were transported to ECMC for evaluation of minor injuries.

A 17-year-old resident of County Line Road, Darien, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. At 3:41 a.m. on July 7, deputies responded to County Line Road, Darien, to investigate a report of an intoxicated male trespassing on a residential property. The youth charged was later accused of hosting a party at his residence where he provided alcohol to individuals under age 21. 

Nathan Adam Millar, 30, of Church Street, Alexander, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Millar allegedly struck another person during a disagreement.

Roy Watson Jr., 29, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with a criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Watson was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of cocaine at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at a location on Main Street, Le Roy.

Michael Arthur Brade, 34, of Olyn Avenue, of Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to report change. Brade, a Level 3 sex offender, is accused of creating a new email account and not notifying authorities within 10 days. Batavia PD opened an investigation after being alerted by a parole officer.

Matthew I. Diers, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to report change. Diers, a Level 2 sex offender, is accused of creating a Facebook account and email address and failing to report it to authorities within 10 days. Batavia PD was alerted to the accounts by a parole officer.

Daily at the Genesee County Fair: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! *Midway Rides.*Daily Wrist Band Specials Available. Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits. Container Garden Contest -- Exhibition Building. Chainsaw Carver.

MONDAY, JULY 16th “Emergency Responder Night” 

• 9 a.m.   -- 4-H Horse Show—English Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.   --   4-H Market Animal Auction Goat Show (Show Ring)
• 10 a.m.  --  EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 11 a.m.   --  4-H Beef Cattle Show (Show Ring)
• 12 p.m.  --   Open Beef Show (Show Ring)
• 1 p.m.  --   Rabbit Showmanship (Merton Building)
• 5:30 p.m.  --   Parade Lineup -- Genesee Speedway Pits (Fairgrounds)
• 6:30 p.m. --   Genesee Co. Fair Grand Parade through the Fairgrounds

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

Press release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) applied for and was granted federal funding that will allow all students attending a District school to receive one nutritious breakfast and one nutritious lunch each day that school is in session.

This four-year funding will begin in 2018-2019, with the District being eligible to reapply for additional four-year terms as long as the federal program is funded.

Batavia qualifies for this Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) funding – a provision of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – because of its classification as an economically disadvantaged community due to a significant number of students already qualifying for free or reduced meals.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the District, and we are very excited to be able to take advantage of a federal program that allows us to offer every student one healthy breakfast and lunch every school day at no cost to our families,” says Superintendent of Schools Christopher J. Dailey.

“Research is conclusive that good nutrition is a critical factor in learning. This is a program that allows us to bring some of our federal tax dollars back to our community to provide nutritious meals for all of our students.” 

The CEP funding is for the first full breakfast and first full lunch. If a student would like a second breakfast or second lunch, or would like one or more particular separate items (“a la carte” items), then those will need to be purchased. Purchases can be made with cash or through My School Bucks – the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

Because all children will receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost, the option of charging items to a tab to be paid at a later time will no longer be available.

To qualify for other income-based funding and grants – a process which was formerly measured by information recorded on the Free and Reduced Meal Applications -- all students’ families will be asked to submit a short household form to establish the level of community need.

The District currently receives a significant amount of money in grants and other funding based on economic need. Collecting data from all households will permit us to continue to apply for and receive funding for which we are eligible.

The new form is currently being developed to ensure that the information required for applications to grant-funding agencies is gathered while not being unnecessarily burdensome or invasive to families.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for Batavia City School District

Question:  Who receives free meals?

Every student enrolled in the Batavia City School District will receive the first breakfast and the first lunch at no cost each school day regardless of the family’s household income.  Students are not required to participate; students may still bring their lunch if that is their preference.

Question:  Is my child able to make purchases, such as for milk (if bringing lunch from home), for other a la carte items, or for a second school meal? 

Yes, students may make purchases instead of or in addition to the first free breakfast or first free lunch. The purchase of all a la carte items will remain the same, in that families are responsible for payment. Additional meals are not covered under the program and it is each family’s responsibility to pay for those meals. Payment is due at the time of purchase. Purchases may be made with cash or through My School Bucks, the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

***Please note: there is NO charging allowed for additional meals or a la carte items. 

Prices for second meals and additional milk (or milk purchased a la carte) for 2018-2019 are:

Jackson and John Kennedy                     Middle School and High School

Second Breakfast                      $1.35                                              $1.45

Second Lunch                            $2.10                                              $2.30

A la carte Milk*                           $0.60                                              $0.60

Milk is included with the first breakfast and the first lunch or any additional paid meals. However, milk purchased separately (for students who bring their lunch) will be charged at a la carte prices, which is $0.60.  

Question:  How does the program work?

The New York State Child Nutrition (CN) Department began this program several years ago with federal funding backing the program.  School Districts must be eligible based on their specific poverty rates and have to apply to CN for approval.  Batavia City School District is eligible because it has an Identified Student Percentage of 40 percent or higher according to building level data. An Identified Student refers to any student certified to receive free meals by any means other than the submission of individual paper applications, such as SNAP and Medicaid.

Question: What impact does this program have on school taxes?

There is no impact on school taxes.  The General Fund budget (which the taxpayers vote on each year) is completely separate from the self-sustaining School Lunch Fund.    

Question: Who needs to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form?

All District families are asked to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form. The completion of this form is essential for the District. Many state and federal programs use socioeconomic data (that is, household and income information) to determine eligibility for their programs. In addition primary state funding calculations use socioeconomic data.

In order to continue to receive such funding and grants, the income information still needs to be gathered from our student population. The form is available in the school calendar, online at the Batavia City School District Nutritional Service Web page at:  https://www.bataviacsd.org/Page/5872  and will also be available at all school open house events. 

Question: If I have questions about the Household Income Form or if I received a letter this school year indicating that my children are approved for free meals, who can I contact?

Please contact the Food Service Department at 585-343-2480, ext. 1007. The office will be able to assist you with any questions or paperwork.

Question: Who do I include as members of my household and what if my monthly income is not always the same?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends) who share your income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (people that you do not support, who do not share income with you and your children and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do NOT include them.

List the income that you normally receive if your monthly income varies. If you have lost your job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

Question: Does this program change the quality of food that can be served?

There is no impact to the quality of food that is served.  The District must still continue to follow all food and dietary guidelines that are set by New York State Child Nutrition Program.

Question:  What constitutes a complete meal for breakfast and lunch?

The District complies with the Federal Program: Choosemyplate.gov.

For breakfast, the District offers two grains, a fruit, and a milk. Students must choose at least three of the four offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit. For lunch, the District offers a protein, a grain, a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

Students must choose three of the five offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit or vegetable.

Question:  May a student be charged for an incomplete meal if the student refuses to select the required components for a complete meal?

The District will offer a complete meal to each student in order to qualify for the CEP fully funded reimbursable meal. However, if a student refuses to take the complete meal then the student will be charged a la carte prices for the foods selected on their tray.  

Question:  My child has a positive balance on his/her “MySchoolBucks” account. What happens to the current balance?

The balance on the My School Bucks account can be used for a la carte purchases or for any additional/second meals.

If you would like a refund of your account balance please send an email to: Susan Presher at slpresher@bataviacsd.org or a written letter to Susan Presher, Nutritionals Services Director, 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020.

From the New York State Police:

On Tuesday, July 10, at 5:25 p.m., Troopers out of SP Batavia arrested Becky L. Frens, 56, of Batavia, for overdriving, torturing and injuring an animal; failure to provide proper sustenance.

Troopers were dispatched to the Genesee County Animal Shelter in the Town of Batavia at the request of animal control officers.

Frens arrived at the animal shelter to claim a dog that was previously located the day before. The dog was in very poor health with multiple issues caused by neglect.

The dog was diagnosed with multiple skin infections, mange, double ear infections, and had uncut nails so long that the dog could not walk.

The dog was left in the care of the Genesee County Animal Shelter and Frens was arrested and processed at SP Batavia.

Frens was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Batavia Court for later this month.

28 Trumbull Parkway, Batavia (OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.). Solid well maintained 3 bedroom City cape on great lot! Definitely more here than what meets the eye -- floor plan much more spacious than square footage indicates!

Downstairs features 1 bedroom or office good size formal dining room and full living room-great space for entertaining. Upstairs has 2 good size bedrooms and full bath.

Basement is dry fully useable space it even has cool man cave/office and a small area for workspace for extra hobbies. There have been lots of upgrades but the large private fully fenced back yard with awesome huge deck is definitely a bonus for the City!

Large extra wide driveway and fully re-enforced garage for all your "toys" plus nice storage area below is a nice extra. Neutrally painted and new carpet thru out makes it a move in and live! Easy to see! Click here for more inforamtion regarding this lisitng.

4243 West Avenue, Elba (OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY 1 - 3 p.m.). Super opportunity to own this beautifully remodeled from top to bottom Country home! Literally from the studs up this home has been done -- electrical, drywall, furnace, central air, flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, windows and siding!

The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets -- the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience!

The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of thruway and shopping. Home has public water as well -- all the pluses of country living with amenities!

Definitely one to check out -- why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost! Click here for more inforamtion on this listing.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has completed clean up of environmental contamination on city property next door to the former Batavia Iron and Metal Co. property at 301 Bank St.

The former metal recycling plant is a state Superfund site and has been a target of environmental remediation for toxic waste since 2013.

The property in question is land along the northern end of the Dwyer Stadium parking lot.

Clean up of the entire site is almost complete.

From August 2017 to June 2018, crews removed soil along the property line and at the rear of the property.

"The primary goal of the cleanup effort was to ensure effective removal and property disposal of contaminated soil and debris on City property and to restore the property with clean soil," the DEC stated in a report on the project.

The contractor was Nature's Way Environmental, from Alden.

During remediation, 17,000 tons of soil and debris was removed. 

The city property received clean soil and grass seed.

The DEC estimates the remaining surface clean up of the Iron and Metal property will be completed by late 2018.

The site was operated as a metal recycling facility from 1951 to 1999. Two furnaces operated on the property from the early 1970s until 1994. The furnaces reclaimed wire and smelted white metals. Before the furnaces were installed, the company used open-burn dumpsters to remove insulation from wiring.

From these activities, contaminants leached onto city property and three neighboring residential properties.

Cleanup of the residential properties was completed in 2014.

Public Notice -- July 13

Notice is hereby given that there has been introduced before the Legislature of the County of Genesee, a Local Law Introductory No. Four Year 2018 entitled:

"A local law amending Local Law No. One of the Year 1967 in relation to increasing and staggering the terms of office of the members of the Genesee County Legistature."

The Genesee County Legislature will conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed local law at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia.

All interested persons will be heard.

Pamela LeGrou

Clerk, Genesee County Legislature

A mulch fire is reported at Kohl's Department Store, 4170 Veterans Memorial Drive. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: A firefighter at the scene says it's a small fire that he will be put out with his water can. No exposures. All equipment to be held in quarters.

UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: The mulch fire has reignited. Town of Batavia Fire Department is called back to Kohl's to squelch it.

A caller to dispatch reports a newer model Ford Mustang in the parking lot at 4300 Veterans Memorial Drive just rolled into a pickup truck and "there's nobody around."

A Sheriff's deputy is responding.