Yesterday was the first day of another new season of fun at Darien Lake Theme Park.
While we didn't get out to Darien for photos until the afternoon, after the clouds arrived, the morning blue skies helped encourage a great first-day attendance, park officials said.
A motor-vehicle accident with multiple minor injuries is reported at the tollbooth for the Thruway in Pembroke.
Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responding.
Two Mercy EMS units responding.
UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: Law enforcement required at the scene to deal with an irate male.
UPDATE 11:11 a.m.: Units back in service. A 10-year-old transported with neck and back pain.
Reader-submitted photo.
A 21-year-old Batavia man was ordered held on $50,000 bail today during his arraignment on charges stemming from an alleged robbery in January, just eight days before he was scheduled to be sentenced on an assault conviction.
The timing of the crime and the fact he was not yet identified as the suspect means that if he's convicted on the 12-count Grand Jury indictment, he can't be sentenced as a second felony offender, nor does the robbery constitute a violation of probation since he wasn't on probation yet.
Terrence D. Johnson is facing a possible violation charge, but not because of the alleged robbery.
Johnson was indicted on one count of robbery and 11 counts of grand larceny, 4th.
Each of the eleven grand larceny counts stems from each of the credit or debit cards carried by the victim.
The robbery occurred in the area of 2 School St., Downtown Batavia.
Beyond the usual not-guilty plea, Johnson's attorney, Public Defender Jerry Ader, said there is some question as to whether Johnson was even in the area of School Street at the time the robbery was reported.
After court, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, in answer to a question, said there is physical evidence linking Johnson to the crime.
Before the hearing, members of Johnson's family reached out to local media and said they would like to talk about Johnson, saying, "this is not who he really is," but after the hearing, Ader said he advised them not to grant interviews.
In November, Johnson entered a guilty plea to a gang assault charge for being part of a three-person assault on a person on Holland Avenue over the summer and was sentenced in January to six months in jail and five years probation.
The timing of the conviction, the second alleged crime without him being identified as a suspect, followed by his sentencing, means the original sentence stands and he can't be sentenced as a second felony offender. If he were considered a second felony offender, then the minimum range of a possible prison term would be longer. Either way, the maximum possible sentence is 25 years.
A violation of probation charge has not been brought against Johnson yet, but he allegedly left the county and violated curfew while on probation.
Press release:
The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved a final resolution for an application for assistance from Alpina Foods, Inc., at its May 5 board meeting.
Alpina Foods, Inc., will add 3,200 square feet to its existing facility in the Town of Batavia to accommodate space for a bottle-filling machine and packaging equipment for a new drinkable yogurt product.
The facility’s expansion will result in the creation of four new jobs and the retention of 23 current full-time employees. Based on the success of the product line and other growth opportunities there is the potential for the creation of additional new jobs at Alpina.
The company was approved for a sales tax exemption of $15,405 and a property tax exemption of $62,903. The project’s planned capital investment will total an estimated $1.1 million.
“It is exciting to see Alpina adding a new yogurt product to the marketplace that is being made right here in Genesee County,” said Christopher Suozzi, vice president of Business Development at the GCEDC.
“The Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park is an important community asset and continued investment and expansion there will only help us market the site to other food processing and food manufacturing companies.”
Press release:
Silicon wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies (“1366”) today announced it has received a $10 million investment from the Hanwha Investment Corp., one of Korea’s leading private equity/venture capital firms with more than $500 million under management. The funds will be used toward the construction of 1366’s first large-scale commercial factory, scheduled to be online in 2017.
“Our Direct Wafer™ technology represents one of the most significant manufacturing innovations in solar, with the potential to propel the industry forward and deliver dramatic cost advantages,” said Frank van Mierlo, CEO, 1366 Technologies. “We are thrilled that Hanwha Investment Corporation, with its deep expertise in and understanding of the manufacturing industry, has invested.
"It is a tremendous validation of our commercialization plans, and a clear signal that we’re poised to disrupt the $10 billion and growing silicon solar wafer market.”
“Hanwha Investment Corporation actively seeks out companies with groundbreaking technologies that transform industries. In just a short period of time, 1366 has moved from proof of concept to commercial-ready technology, achieving technical milestones steadily and rapidly. We believe the 1366 team is well positioned for commercial success,” said Woojae Hahn, president and CEO, Hanwha Investment Corporation.
1366’s Direct Wafer technology is a transformative manufacturing process that offers significant advantages over traditional cast-and-saw wafer production technologies. The process makes wafers in a single step, pulling them directly from molten silicon instead of today’s multi-step, energy- and capital-intensive approach, resulting in significant wafer production cost savings.
CLARIFICATION: We were asked to clarify a prior report that said the Hannah company that is purchasing solar wafers and the Hannah company making the investments in 1366 are the same company. While related, they are not the same company and operate independently.
A 28-year-old Oakfield resident, Jeffrey Johnson, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, in connection with the alleged theft earlier this week of a van from a residence on Ellicott Street, Batavia.
The incredible part of the story is that the owner's dog, Duke, was in the Toyota Sienna, and after the vehicle was recovered in Rochester, Duke was returned to Betty and John O'Brien.
"Our fear was something happened to the dog, because Duke is a very gentle dog," Betty Carlet Cleare, a reporter with our news partner 13WHAM. "He could have sold him, he could have beaten him, and he could have done any number of things to him. The gods were with us this week."
Duke is apparently so gentle that he did not make a sound when the van was taken.
"He didn't say a peep," Betty said, "which we're thankful of, because that's why I think he survived."
City firefighters were at a house on Ganson Avenue this afternoon for training. The house is scheduled for demolition in a couple of weeks, but before it comes down, City crews will use it for numerous training drills.
Today's scenario was dealing with a first-floor fire at a time (such as the middle of the night) when there might be people upstairs sleeping. While one crew attacks the fire, another enters through a second-story window and searches for anybody who might be trapped, injured or just sleeping and unaware of the fire.
The expansion of Paul Parise's Eastown Beverage, which includes more space for his redemption center, coincides with that redemption center becoming the last privately owned, independent one in town.
Rob's on Ellicott Street, where Parise got his start more than a dozen years ago, closed last month. The nonprofit ARC operates a redemption center on East Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia, and Tops Market chain also has one.
This spring, Parise has expanded his redemption center into space, formerly a detail shop, next to his beer store.
The new redemption center is bigger and Parise promises it will always be the cleanest around with the fastest service.
At the same time, Parise has been able to add more coolers -- now 24 doors -- to the beer shop and he's increased the number of craft beers he carries, and unlike a lot of shops, everything he sells is refrigerated.
The shops are located at 563 E. Main St., Batavia.
Eastown Beverage is open seven days a week: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; Thursday through Saturday to 9 p.m.; and from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The redemption center is open 9 to 4:30, except Saturdays when it closes at 4, and its closed on Sundays.
If you've ever driven into Pavilion on Route 63, you've surely seen this old barn.
Pavilion High School hosted its annual DWI drill for seniors in advance of the prom to remind students about the dangers of drinking and driving.
The drill simulates a fatal DWI accident with the cooperation of the Pavilion Fire Department and Sheriff's Office. Mercy EMS, the coroner and volunteers from Bethany and Wyoming also participated.
Press release:
The deadline for Genesee County graduating seniors wishing to apply for the William F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by The Jerome Foundation, is May 20.
The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving high school senior residing in and graduating from a school in Genesee County whose intention is to pursue at least a four-year degree in the fields of Journalism, Communications or Public Relations (in print, radio, television or digital media).
William F. Brown Jr. was a noted Batavia author, broadcaster and journalist, and a charter member of The Jerome Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that distributes funds to benefit United Memorial Medical Center and other health-related purposes. He passed away on Nov. 29, 2014.
Brown also was president of the board of directors of the former St. Jerome Hospital and a trustee emeritus of The Jerome Foundation.
A committee of directors from the foundation will judge the scholarship applicants based upon academic merit, creative accomplishment, community service and leadership.
Applications are available at guidance offices at the nine Genesee County high schools or by contacting Martha Spinnegan, administrative assistant for The Jerome Foundation, at gspinneg@rochester.rr.com.
The completed application must be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Batavia, NY, 14020, and postmarked by May 20 to be considered.
A neighbor on South Main Pearl Street is obviously grateful for Habitat for Humanity's restoration of a house two doors down.
The house is nearly complete and the family that will move in is in escrow on the purchase. A dedication is expected May 21.
Habitat currently has another project in progress on State Street.
Dick McClurg continues to make progress on the restoration of the Thomas Rocket Car, the one-of-kind prototype designed by Batavian Charles Thomas and built in a garage at Main and Oak in 1938.
By the end of the month, McClug expects to have the driver side fender re-fabricated, in place, with the entire driver's side primed. If that timetable sticks, then he'll load the car on a trailer for the Memorial Day Parade through the City, weather permitting.
Since our last visit, McClurg as fabricated new motor mounts and inner fenders as well as repaired the rear driver's side fender.
The work has given McClurg a renewed respect for Thomas, he said, noting that getting the one fender right was tough work, but Thomas and Norman Richardson had to get all the fenders right and get them to match perfectly, all by hand.
"I wish I could have met him," McClurg said.
Once the restoration is complete, the car will be donated to the city, and at that point, it will be able to make its own way down Main Street in a parade, rather than on a trailer.
For previous coverage, click here.
The Richmond Memorial Library budget was approved by voters yesterday with 219 yes votes to 46 voting no.
The proposed budget includes a spending increase of $23,945.
Jennifer Cascell was elected to a five-year term on the library's board of trustees, filling a vacancy to be left by Dana Warren at the expiration of her term this June.
Press release:
Darien Lake, Western New York’s largest theme park, opens this weekend for its 53rd season of family thrills and entertainment. This season guests will experience the new RipCurl Racer water ride, updated Ignite the Night laser show, and four free in-park concerts.
RipCurl Racer
Towering above the ground at 42 feet, six mat-riding competitors launch themselves headfirst into side-by-side tunnels and rocket through the twisting tunnels before accelerating into separate racing lanes. Riders then drop down the home stretch, enjoying speed, compression and zero gravity moments as they blast into a high-velocity finish. RipCurl Racer will begin taking riders on the water park’s opening day – May 21.
Ignite the Night Laser Show
Darien Lake’s Ignite the Night laser show has been upgraded to include full-color laser beams; extra pyrotechnics, and an all-new soundtrack. Ignite the Night, presented by Tops Friendly Markets, takes place every evening at 10:10 on the lawn at the Lakeside Amphitheater from May 20 to Sept. 4.
In-Park Concerts
The in-park concert series presented by Tops Friendly Markets are free with a Season Pass, a hotel/camping package or daily admission. The series will take place on the Performing Arts Center stage, with access to and from shows provided exclusively through the park. The concert series includes performances by Jacob Whitesides and Laura Marano on May 28, Rachel Platten on June 4, Sabrina Carpenter on June 25, and the latest addition Daya and Shawn Hook on July 2.
“We continue to improve and develop the park to provide exceptional value and extraordinary experiences for our guests,” said Darien Lake General Manager Chris Thorpe. “The new RipCurl Racer water ride and the stunning must-see laser show elements are as awe-inspiring and exhilarating as they are colorful. If you haven’t visited the park in a while, now’s the time to come out and see what’s hot and happening at Darien Lake.”
With park admission or season pass, guests receive unprecedented access to all in-park entertainment/concerts, special dive-in movies, special events, shows, and now more than 50 rides. A 2016 season pass has even greater value than ever before, paying for itself in less than two visits.
Season Pass holders will have front-row access to RipCurl Racer at Darien Lake’s Season Pass Preview Party on May 20 and receive a free souvenir mug, free tickets for friends and free parking. Restrictions apply, visit www.darienlake.com for more details.
Press release:
Sometime between the middle of March and the middle of April this year, the Historic Batavia Cemetery was seriously vandalized. More than 50 headstones, some dating to the early 19th century, were overturned, broken or smashed, causing thousands of dollars of damage.
The Batavia Cemetery was established in 1823 and was listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2002. Most of Batavia’s early settlers are buried at this site.
The Cemetery Association is a nonprofit organization and the funds available for this damage are limited. They are asking for donations to help reset and repair the damaged monuments. A GoFundMe page has been established under Historic Batavia Cemetery Repairs and may be found at https://www.gofundme.com/BataviaCemetery.
This board has worked very hard the past 25 years to restore and maintain the cemetery. This is a very devastating blow.
Under New York State Law, this amount of cemetery desecration is a felony offense. If anyone has information regarding this crime, they may contact Officer Cronmiller at Batavia City Police Department, 345-6350.
Any donations or information will be greatly appreciated.
Live Nation's concert line up for 2016 at Darien Lake looks pretty much like it's set for the season.
Here it is:
Press release:
Liberty Pumps hosted hundreds of visitors for their 2016 Open House held on April 27. The event was planned with two separate segments, one for family and friends of employees and one for the community.
The company welcomed visitors to show the completion of the recent three-phase expansion which nearly doubled the size of the facility. In total, the expansion added over 123,000 sq. ft. to the corporate operation in Bergen, NY. New additions included manufacturing areas, engineering lab and test facilities, as well as a new training center.
Attendees were treated to a tour of the facility, product demonstrations and a presentation and dedication of the new facility by Charlie Cook, President and CEO.
Genesee County is rolling out a new interactive mapping system and over time, they can add new features to aid with information discovery and search.
One of the first new services unveiled is an interactive elections map.
To use the map, there is an icon in the upper right that looks like a stack of papers. Click on it. If you click on the link, then, for either of the major parties, it will reveal a legend for what the colors of the map mean. Since Donald Trump swept the county in the latest primary election, that color coding isn't terribly revealing, but if you look at the Democrats, you can see which precincts went for Hillary Clinton and which for Bernie Sanders.
Erin Pence, with the Genesee County Planning Department, said there will be detailed map of national, state and local elections available after the November vote, with layers appropriate to each election.
The standard countywide GIS map is available by clicking here. It still provides several layers or current and historical data about the county, enough to get lost in for hours for the curious.
Press release:
On April 22, the Batavia Police Department held its annual Awards Luncheon to honor members of the Department that have gone “above and beyond."
The following were recipients of various awards:
Service Awards – given to members of the Department for years of service
- 5 Years of Service: Sgt. Matt Lutey
- 10 Years of Service: Sgt. Chris Camp, Sgt. Eric Bolles
- 15 Years of Service, 25 Years of Service: Detective Thad Mart, Officer Frank Klimjack, Officer Darryle Streeter
Citizen Commendation -- This award is presented to any person (or corporation) who is not a member of the department but who has materially aided the department or its officers in some way. This includes assistance in the solution of crime or the apprehension of criminals, aiding an officer in the field in a critical situation, and cooperation with or assistance to the department as a whole in any aspect of the department’s administration or operations.
Walmart of Batavia received this year’s award for sponsoring Genesee County’s first ever Shop-with-a-Cop event held this past December. Walmart donated the gift cards used during the event and also supplied refreshments and snacks during the event. The event gives underprivileged children across the county an opportunity to purchase a gift or gifts for Christmas.
Certificate of Commendation – the following members received Certificates of Commendation:
- Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk – for rendering aid to victims of a house fire, Dec. 20, 2015 at 5 Thomas Ave.
- Detective Rich Schauf, Detective Kevin Czora, Officer Chad Richard and Officer Mitch Cowen – for assisting a citizen on Holland Avenue, April 17, 2015.
- Officer Kevin DeFelice and Officer Marc Lawrence – for actions taken to locate and recover a vehicle that was reported stolen from the Village of Le Roy and apprehend the subject responsible for the theft, Jan. 8, 2015.
- Officer Jason Davis – for action taken to assist a citizen in need of immediate medical care, Sept. 15, 2015.
- Parking Enforcement Officer James Sheflin – for action taken to assist patrol officers in locate a subject in need of medical attention, April 1, 2015.
Life Saving Award – is awarded to any member of the department whose actions directly contribute to saving or significantly prolonging human life.
- Officer Eric Foels – was the first officer on scene of an overnight structure fire at 5 Thomas Ave., after relaying to dispatchers that there were flames showing through the roof, he entered the building and began waking residents and ushering them to safety, furthering assisting by carrying an infant from the building to a neighbor’s house, Dec. 20, 2015.
Officer of the Year - Awarded to an officer annually for recognition as one who has consistently performed in an exemplary manner, is true to the ethics of the Batavia Police Department, and is highly deserving of the faith placed in him by the public.
- Officer James DeFreze – Officer DeFreze was instrumental in organizing the first annual Shop-with-a-Cop program at Walmart and assisted with a great number of community events throughout the year, Officer DeFreze was further recognized by the YWCA for his assistance to victims of domestic violence. Officer DeFreze serves as one of the Department’s crisis negotiators and his skills were called upon several times during the past year.
All awardees were nominated by their peers and confirmed by a volunteer committee of various members of the Department.
Congratulations to all the recipients.
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