Batavia High School senior Lexi Wahr took First Place in the individual routine competition this weekend at the Empire Cheer Competition. She competed against 15 other cheerleaders and had the highest all-around score. The individual routine is judged on jumps, dance and cheer.
Info and photo submitted.
Both sides have agreed to drop their lawsuits against each other in the years-long battle over who is responsible for the condition of the roof over City Centre, City Manager Jason Molino told WBTA this afternoon.
The City Centre Mall Merchants Association is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss a proposed settlement, according to a document acquired by WBTA.
The agreement will include an out-of-court settlement, Molino said, but he declined to reveal when the settlement will be made public.
The merchants have long maintained that the city is responsible for repairing the mall's leaky roof while the city has asserted that the mall association failed to keep up with routine maintenance.
Via The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.
Press release:
At the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, the Byron-Bergen Central School District began a formal School Safety Audit. The purpose of this audit was to examine the overall safety within the district, and if needed, make recommendations for improvements. The safety audit used student and faculty surveys, a walk-through inspection using a 466-point inspection checklist that focused on both the exterior and interior of the buildings, and personal interviews with students, faculty, and administrators.
The school’s resource officer, Deputy Matt Butler, who was tasked with conducting the audit said, “School safety is the responsibility of everyone — faculty, students, parents, and the community. The audit is a proactive process that helps ensure that students achieve their learning potential within a safe and secure environment.”
Butler compiled the data and presented findings to school administrators and the Board of Education on Feb. 2. The report includes practical recommendations for expanding security, but found a high level of safety currently exists in the schools. It also shows a steady growth in attendance and decrease in infractions and disciplinary problems over the past three years.
Assisting with the audit were Byron-Bergen faculty, parents, local EMS personnel, a Byron-Bergen Board of Education member, and a representative from the mayor’s office at the Village of Bergen. “This was a great opportunity to get the community involved in our school district,” Butler said.
In recognition of the district’s appreciation, special certificates of thanks were awarded during the board meeting to: Scott Bradley, Michelle Caballero, Kim Carlson, Amanda Cook, Andrew Doll, John Durand, Mickey Edwards, Bob Fedele, Paula Hohn, Mike List, Jeff Parnapy, Vicky Shallenberger, Faline Tyler and Jay Wolcott.
Photo: Superintendent Mickey Edwards, BOE President Debbie List, Michelle Caballero, Deputy Matt Butler, John Durand, Mike List. In front are Kim Carlson, left, and Bob Fedele.
Press release:
The Batavia Ramparts Squirt Travel Hockey Team won Bronze competing in the Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid this last weekend.
The team is made up of 9- and 10-year-olds from the Batavia area.
They include; Owen Bentley, Bronx Buchholz, Chase Cummings, Francesco Falleti, Jake Hutchins, Brady Johnson, Andrew Jursted, Orion Lama, Jameson Motyka, Sammy Pies, Evan Schwerthoffer, Anna Stevens, Justin Valyear, Noah Whitcombe and Mac Wormley.
The team is coached by Jeff Whitcombe, Pete Stevens and Chad Valyear.
On Friday, Feb. 3rd Batavia played the Tupper Lake Lumberjacks and won 9 to 2.
On Saturday, Feb. 4th Batavia played two games, the first one was against the Saugerties Mustangs and they tied 4 to 4. The second game of the day was against Sara Placid, which was also played to a tie of 2 to 2.
On Sunday, Batavia played the Cortland Flames and won 14 to 0.
The Batavia Ramparts completed round robin play and ended up tied for second place but lost the tiebreaker and ended in third place which set them up to play the fourth-place team in the Bronze Medal game. Batavia faced off against the Oswego Buccaneers and won 4 to 2, clinching the Bronze Medal for the weekend.
The Ramparts ended the weekend undefeated with a record of 3-0-2.
Matthew Derrick will be released from jail today, likely to receive credit for time served, and not have to return if he can stay out of trouble.
At a lengthy hearing today, Derrick, whose case was delayed Dec. 7 so he could be evaluated for the mental competency to understand court proceedings, entered a guilty plea to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd.
As part of the plea deal, Derrick is eligible for what's called a shock probation sentence, which means no more than six months in jail and five years probation, instead of the 1-4 year prison term Derrick would face if he took the case to trial.
The charge stems from an incident in October when Derrick threatened people with a corkscrew, and made statements about cutting them open and killing them.
One witness, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, said Derrick had a knife, and while a corkscrew was recovered from the scene, no knife was found at the time of Derrick's arrest.
Derrick entered his plea under terms known as an Alford plea. In other words, Derrick did not admit to the facts of the case, just that the evidence was sufficient that he faced a high probability of being found guilty by a jury.
The likely sentence for Derrick, Judge Charles Zambito indicated, is four months, if Derrick stays out of trouble while under supervision of Genesee Justice; however, since Derrick has already been in jail for just two days shy of four months, Friedman agreed to modify to plea deal to subtract those two days from the sentence.
When Derrick last appeared in court, he seemed not to understand the court proceedings and Lisa Kroemer, with the public defender's office, explained the proceedings to him. Then interim Judge Micheal Pietruszka expressed concern about Derrick's ability to understand his instructions. He ordered Derrick to undergo a mental competency evaluation.
Two doctors examined Derrick and both found him mentally competent enough to understand the proceedings. Zambito accepted the report after both Friedman and Kroemer waived a hearing on the topic.
In court today, Derrick answered most of Zambito's questions promptly, with a clear, "Yes, your honor." He expressed confusion about a couple of points but quickly said he understood once the issues were rephrased. Zambito was very careful throughout the proceeding to ensure Derrick understood exactly what he was agreeing to and what rights, such as the right to appeal, he was waiving.
There was discussion about how to handle three orders of protection. One or more of the people covered by the orders live in the same apartment building as Derrick and his wife. Derrick will live with his grandmother in Le Roy until suitable language for the orders is worked out.
A lawsuit over the state of the dilapidated City Centre mall that began in 2008 may be nearing a settlement according to a source who provided information to WBTA.
The document is a notice for members of the City Centre Merchants Association to hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss a possible settlement with the City of Batavia.
A vote on the possible settlement would reportedly come at a meeting on another date.
City Councilmembers have told reporters that there has been discussion behind closed doors about a possible resolution.
Via our news partner, WBTA.
Nicholas Sylvester Dinitto, 27, of Oak Orchard Street, Albion, is charged with petit larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Dinitto is accused of shoplifting at Target. During the investigation by Deputy Andrew Hale, he was allegedly found in possession of a needle.
Jennifer Lyn Stack, 30, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted criminal contempt, 2nd. Stack was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $1,000 bail.
Jadon Lee Peoples, 20, of Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Peoples was charged following a traffic stop for allegedly speeding at 8:06 p.m. Sunday on North Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.
Felicia Renee Sherrell, 36, of Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Sherrell was charged following a call to check on the welfare of a motorist stopped at the side of the road at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.
Nicole Marie Capretto, 33, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Capretto was arrested on a warrant out of City Court.
A 16-year-old of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. The youth allegedly violated an order of protection.
Ralph Guy Chase Jr., 73, of Highland Drive, Dundee, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes. Chase was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 8:59 p.m. Friday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster and allegedly found in possession of 8,800 untaxed cigarettes.
In Elba on Friday afternoon, an unknown person approached a local homeowner and asked her questions about her mortgage and then handed her a manila envelope with a phone number on it advising her to call the number.
The man said he was a representative of Bank of America.
The woman called Sheriff's dispatch and investigators contacted Bank of America and searched for a listing for the 1-800 number on the envelope.
Based on their finding, investigators concluded the man was apparently running some sort of scam and the Sheriff's Office is warning other residents to be on the lookout for similar scam attempts.
The man was driving a silver minivan. The man had been parked across the street from the Elba residence and when the homeowner attempted to leave, the van pulled into her driveway.
He is described as a white male, average height, thin build, wearing glasses and a baseball cap.
Once she confirmed she was the homeowner, the man informed her he was from the Bank of America and said her mortgage was in default.
The number on the envelope was 1-800-669-0102.
Anyone with additional information or experience this type of activity, call the dispatch center at 9-1-1 or (585) 343-5000.
Ray Felski, left, with Chief Jeff Fluker and former Chief China Marino, was named Firefighter of the Year for the Darien Volunteer Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation dinner at the fire hall.
Officers installed:
China Marino, right, was honored for his dedicated service to the fire company with a custom engraved rifle. Presenting the award is Ron Meides.
The Service Person of the Year award went to Pat Bialkowski.
A fire apparatus company donated a check to the fire company in the name of past chief Dale Breitwieser, who died this past year.
Gary Graber has been a member of the department for 45 years.
Officers sworn in.
The annual memorial this year honored Dale Breitwiser, Barbara Garigen and all who have served throughout the nation and have passed.
Alexander's Dane Heberlein will have a chance to advance toward a third state title after beating Chase Runfola, of Letchworth, 8-6 in the 132-pound division of Class BB of Section V championship wrestling yesterday.
Heberlein was one of a dozen wrestlers from Genesee County to win sectional titles yesterday at the tournament hosted by Byron-Bergen, including four from Byron-Bergen and two others from Alexander.
Below, after photos of Heberlein's match, Alexander's Nicholas Young defeated Canisteo-Greenwood’s Zach Flaitz, 7-3, and Byron-Bergen’s Chad Toal pinned Le Roy’s Andrew Englerth.
For more results, visit Batavia's Best.
To purchase prints, click here.
Clients of ARC of Genesee-Orleans paid a visit to the Sno-Packers clubhouse today for rides on snowmobiles around the track in the neighboring field.
It's been a couple of years since there was enough snow for the otherwise-annual ride. Even today, the snow cover was thin and the ground was just frozen enough to handle the weight of the snowmobiles.
Several children enjoyed multiple rides around the track.
A three-car accident with no injuries is reported in the area of 45 Ellicott St., Batavia.
Fluids are leaking.
City fire responding.
Press release:
The students at St. Joseph School look forward to Catholic Schools Week every year. This year the theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.
To kick off their fun filled week, Detective Schauf and Officer DeFreeze, from the Batavia Police Department, joined them for a Kindness Challenge. The students were reminded that acts of kindness can be big or small and are something that anyone can do at any time.
Throughout the week the students partake in many different fun activities not only at school but around their community. They visited Batavia Showtime for a movie, went bowling at Mancuso Bowling Center, ice skating at Falleti Ice Rink and visited the YMCA for a variety of fun activities. Their week concluded with a school-wide talent show.
An accident with injuries is reported at Lyman Road and West Bergen Road, Byron.
Bergen fire and ambulance dispatched.
UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene
UPDATE Saturday: A vehicle being driven by Vitorrio J. Muoio, 18, of Merrimen Road, Bergen, was westbound on Lyman Road. A vehicle with emergency lights activated, a Ford pickup owned and operated by James McKenzie Jr., of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, was northbound on West Bergen Road. Muoio allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection. He was cited for failure to yield right-of-way, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and seat belt violations. He was injured in the crash and taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. Also injured and transported by ground ambulance to Strong was Andrew L. Konieczny, 19, who was a passenger. McKenzie, 52, was not injured.
A car has hit a pole on Townline Road near Tripp Road in Byron.
Injuries are reported.
Byron, South Byron and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: Minor injuries. No traffic issues.
Maggie Cecere, who set a school record in her senior year in soccer, made it official yesterday by signing her letter of intent to attend Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.
Kutztown is coming off a season where the soccer team was ranked #4 among Division II schools.
Photo: Zach, Kathy, Maggie and Peter Cecere; back row, Victor VanVliet and Roger Hume.
Press release:
The New York State Senate has passed legislation (S1207) to make the property tax cap permanent. If enacted, this bill would secure $66 billion in taxpayer savings over the next ten years.
State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer voted in favor of the legislation.
“The property tax cap has helped to end the days of sky-high annual increases in tax bills, and it has saved taxpayers $15.5 billion over the last five years. Simply put, it is working. That is why it is so important to enact this legislation into law,” said Ranzenhofer.
Between 2001 and 2011, growth in New York’s property taxes increased by 73 percent for school districts and 53 percent for counties.
The property tax cap was first enacted in 2011. The cap limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments and school districts to two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
The bill has been sent to the State Assembly.
A weak Canadian dollar kept many tourists from the north out of New York and Genesee County, as a result, saw a decline of 3 percent in bed tax revenue, Tom Turnbull, president of the Chamber of Commerce, told county legislators yesterday.
Turnbull and tourism director Kelly Rapone provided a review of chamber and tourism activity at the Ways and Means Committee meeting.
"People were not traveling as much," Turnbull said. "But talking with our friends in Buffalo-Niagara, we did better than them. They were down 10 percent."
The weak exchange rate for Canadians didn't keep too many golfers away, though, Turnbull said. Because the prices at local golf courses are so competitive, the chamber was still able to sell a number of golf packages.
Turnbull thinks the county's bed tax revenue will return to a level of $420,000 or higher in 2017 in a large part because this will be the first full year of operation for the new hotel at Batavia Downs and this year a new hotel should open on the north side of the Thruway in Batavia, the Fairfield by Marriott.
Group sales have continued to do well, if not better, Turnbull said. Genesee County continues to be a popular location for soccer, lacrosse and baseball tournaments.
"That brings people into the hotels and they spend money and that’s what we’re looking for," Turnbull said.
Rapone shared copies of the new tourism promotional material the chamber has available. She also debuted the totally redesigned tourism website visitgeneseeny.com. The modernized website will make it easier for tourists to find information about visiting Genesee County, she said, and it will also make it easier on both golfers and staff to handle bookings for golf packages.
During the meeting, Legislator Ray Cianfrini also floated the idea of creating an entertainment tax. He noted that when he's gone to venues in other counties he's noticed the ticket price includes an entertainment tax, so he's been researching it. The tax, if implemented, would likely apply only to venues over a certain size, say with seating of 2,500 or more, and colleges would be exempt.
The only current venue where such a tax might apply is Darian Lake Performing Arts Center.
"It might be another source of revenue," Cianfrini said.
Mary Case talked about the positive impact the GLOW YMCA has had on her grandson during the kickoff of the 2017 fundraising campaign at Terry Hills last night.
The money raised will go to the Y's scholarship program. Scholarships allow people who need the support of the Y and access to its programs to be able to join at no cost.
The fundraising goal through the four counties is $91,000, but Executive Director Rob Walker (bottom photo) challenged the two dozen volunteers and staff members at last night's kickoff to reach for a goal of $100,000.
Case said her grandson has made lifelong friends through participation at the Y and going to Camp Hough, where he met a counselor from China who taught him a few phrases in Chinese that he still uses to this day.
"He knows that counselor had an impact on him," she said.
Directors from the Orleans County and Wyoming County YMCAs also shared stories about how scholarships are helping members in their community improve their lives through the services offered by the Y.
“The things that we do have an impact on our community and they happen every single day, but we don’t always get to see them or pause and realize that behind that moment there’s a family that’s impacted,” Walker said.
To find out how to make a contribution to the YMCA, visit the GLOW YMCA's website.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) has sent correspondence to Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly expressing a deep concern regarding the expedited implementation of the biometric exit-entry system.
“Western New Yorkers and our economy rely heavily on the timely movement between Canada and the United States via the Peace Bridge,” said Congressman Chris Collins. “While keeping our communities safe is my number one priority, I want to ensure that before any agency implements the biometric exit-entry system fully, we examine all possible transportation impacts and take steps to alleviate any disruptions that may be created. Our southern and northern borders have different security issues and I hope those differences are taken into account.”
The biometric exit-entry program was requested by the 9/11 Commission to better track individuals traveling in and out of the country. However, its implementation has been delayed because of the significant logistical issues it could create. The issue has recently been raised because President Trump in his executive order on immigration states: “The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expedite the completion and implementation of a biometric entry-exit tracking system for all travelers to the United States, as recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.”
In the letter, Congressman Collins writes, “I strongly support increased national security measures across our nation and commend President Trump for his swift action. However, I am concerned that an expedited implementation of this system will not take into consideration the differences in security interests at our northern and southern borders.”
Furthermore, he urges Secretary Kelly “to carefully consider the widespread impacts implementation of a biometric entry-exit system would have on our northern border.”
Congressman Collins previously introduced an amendment in 2015 requiring a pilot program be implemented before a full-scale implementation of the biometric exit-entry program to avoid any major commerce and travel disruptions.
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