Veterans and guests at the VA Hospital were entertained this afternoon by The Manhatten Dolls, a group of singers from NYC who perform the great vocal harmonies and songs of the 1930s, '40s, '50s and '60s.
Ed Longhany points to the name Richard N. Longhany on the Genesee County War Memorial, which was dedicated today in an hour-long ceremony at St. Jerome's.
Richard Longhany was on a Navy vessal that was hit by two torpedeos from a German U-boat. Some of Longhany's shipmates were rescued, including one seaman who survived 17 days at sea in February weather. Richard Longhany was lost at sea.
There are dozens of such stories about the men and women from Genesee County who died in 20th Century wars, those whose names are on the War Memorial.
It was erected to replace the one that was formerly outside UMMC and it replicates the names and the wars that were on the original memorial.
The names are etched into a very special and rare kind of polished black granite that can only be found in one quarry in India. The granite has a polished black skin, but is white underneath the black, allowing a skinning process to make the names visible. It's the same kind of granite and the same process used on the Vietnam War Memorial.
The mirror-like black granite will give visitors the opportunity to reflect on the lives of loved ones lost in service to their country.
Anita Dziekan brought a news stories and pictures of her brothers, Rosario A. Mocciaro and Santo Mocciario Jr., who died days apart in World War II. Rosario drowned after the PT boat he was on was torpedoed by the Japanese. Days after the telegram came informing the family of Rosario's death, another telegram came with news of Santo's death, who died in the Battle of Leyte. A third brother was wounded in North Africa during the war.
To purchase prints of photos, click here.
Two dozen players turned out to the YMCA today for Batavia's first-ever Pickleball Tournament.
Pickleball was created in Seattle in 1967 and now is the fastest-growing sport for people 50 and older, according to local pickleball "ambassador" Timothy Pickering (a former resident of San Diego who has moved with his wife to Batavia).
Players use paddles to hit a plastic whiffleball-like ball over a net, something like tennis.
Pickering hosts regular games and clinics at the Y.
Chuck Northrup and John Bender won this first tournament.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Photo submitted by Timothy Pickering. Pictured, Ray Burke and Eric Robinson, third place; Chuck Northrup and John Bender, first place; Karen Spiotta and Jason Santere, second place. Pickering, tournament director, is kneeling.
All of the entrants in the tournament. Photo submitted by Timothy Pickering.
It was a perfect morning for a plant sale at the Cornell Cooperative Extension on East Main Street, Batavia, with local master gardeners hosting the annual spring gala.
Alan Bieber and Heather Tower wait for a hot dog from Carol Schroeder.
Lucy Oltramari checks out a plant while her mother Laurie looks on.
Kara Tress shops for new plants.
A garden shed fire is reported at 7979 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford.
Stafford and Town of Batavia fire dispatched.
UPDATE 5:51 p.m.: The caller reports that there is about 50 gallons of gas inside the shed.
UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: There's no immediate exposure problem. There are other structures on the property but nothing extremely close.
UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: A Town of Batavia responder reports smoke visable from Bank Street. Another responder reports, "I've got a visual. She's going pretty good." A tanker from Elba is requested.
UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: Elba can respond non-emergency.
UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: Photo submitted by Karnenko Overs Barlog. Also, Mercy EMS requested to the scene to evaluate a firefighter.
Press release:
In a letter to Monroe County Legislator Justin Wilcox, Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. announced that the Seneca Nation will no longer pursue the siting of a casino development project in Henrietta or Monroe County at this time. Subsequently, representatives of Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation expressed appreciation to the people of the region for voicing their opposition to the proposal.
In the letter to Wilcox, Snyder stated, “We will not engage in the demanding and complex process required to get a casino approved pursuant to the laws and regulations governing Indian gaming without the support of the local community and New York State.”
To date, 17 towns and 11 counties, as well as the 19-member Inter-County Association of Western New York, have taken formal action opposing the expansion of casino gaming in Henrietta and Monroe County. In addition, 15 members of the State Legislature from across Western and Central New York have publicly expresses their opposition to the proposed expansion of casino gaming in the region. Governor Andrew Cuomo has stated that public support is critical when weighing the decision to expand casino gaming in the state.
“From businesses, church groups, civic organizations, and everyday people from across the region to state leaders and local municipalities, the opposition to a casino in Monroe County has been overwhelming,” said Michael P. Nolan, executive vice president/COO of WROTB. “Clearly the Seneca Nation has heard the will of the people and responded accordingly.”
While acknowledging the Seneca Nation’s cessation of its efforts to expand casino gaming in Monroe County at this time, Nolan understands that the Senecas could reinitiate their efforts at a later date.
“If in the future the Seneca Nation should move forward with a proposal to expand casino gaming in Monroe County, we will once again emphatically oppose such a plan,” Nolan said. “The people of Monroe County recognize the fact that a Seneca-owned casino would adversely impact the local community and give the Seneca Nation a competitive advantage that will be damaging to businesses, both large and small, across the region. That is something that the people of this community are unwilling to accept, and they resoundingly made that point.”
Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional OTB is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates 29 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western OTB has generated more than $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.
The top senior scholars, musicians and citizens from Batavia High School were honored Thursday by the Batavia Kiwanis Club. Here's information provided by the school on each award recepient.
Sydney Loria is the daughter of Nathan and Kathy Loria, of Batavia. Sydney will be attending Colgate University this fall, majoring in Chemistry with hopes of continuing on to medical school in the future. She is the executive teasurer of Student Government and a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Z-Club. She is also the concertmaster of the Orchestra and has participated in JV and varsity volleyball for the past four years. Sydney enjoys volunteering and has spent the past two summers volunteering at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Alexis Kindig is the daughter of John and Diana Kindig, of Batavia. Alexis received the Presidential Scholarship and is enrolled in the Clinical Health Studies/Physical Therapy program at Ithaca College to obtain her doctorate and become a physical therapist. She is in National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society, as well as Link Crew. She also plays violin in the school orchestra and is a member of Strings Sensations. She was a three-season scholar athlete all four years on the varsity cross-country, indoor track, and track and field teams.
Haley Case is the daughter of Dexter and Brenda Case. In the fall, Haley will be attending Genesee Community College to play volleyball. She will be majoring in Communications Studies with a minor in Political Science. Afterward, Haley will transfer to a four-year school before pursuing a plan to move on to law school. In high school, Haley was treasurer of National Honor Society, a member of National Art Honor Society, a mentor for Link Crew, and a representative for Student Government, including organizing the Mr. Batavia Pageant. Third in the class, Haley was also an eight-time scholar athlete.
Mike DiBacco is the son of Michael and Mary Beth DiBacco. Mike is a recipient of the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship and will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall to study Mechanical Engineering. He is an active member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Model UN, and is president of Batavia’s Scholastic Bowl team. Mike served as co-mayor of the student body his senior year, and has participated in Student Government for three years. Mike is captain of the varsity swim team and is a two-time state finalist and national qualifier.
Ashlee Yasses is the daughter of Tim and Jill Yasses, of Batavia. Ashlee received the Presidential Scholarship and will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Engineering. Ashlee is involved in Student Government and is the school’s Executive Council secretary. She was also very involved in this past year’s Mr. Batavia competition as a cohost for the event. Ashlee has played volleyball all four years of her high school career and was a co-captain for the past two years. Ashlee is also involved in National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Z-Club and Link Crew.
Taylor Sanders is the daughter of Gerald and Lynn Sanders, of Batavia. Taylor will be attending Niagara University on the Trustees Scholarship. She will be majoring in Biology with a pre-medical advisement, along with a Chemistry minor and a possible Dance minor. Taylor hopes to one day be a pediatric doctor. Taylor is the president of the Class of 2014 and is in National Honor Society. She is also the secretary of National Art Honor Society. Taylor is very involved with her dance studio Images in Dance and has been since she was young.
Courtney Jones is the daughter of Diana Miller and Carl Jones, of Batavia. Courtney received the Presidential Scholarship and the Fr. Dunne Scholarship, and will be attending Niagara University to major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education. She is a member of National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society, where she is public relations coordinator. Courtney is very active in the 4-H Horse Program, and competes in local shows as well as the county fair and state fair. She has volunteered for the Batavia Youth Football and Cheerleading Program and for the Holland Land Office Museum.
Courtney Smith is the daughter of Richard and Lisa Smith, of Batavia. Courtney received the Achievement Scholarship and will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Political Science and Journalism. She attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, a weeklong event hosted by George Mason University in Washington, D.C., in July 2013. Courtney is a member of National Honor Society, volunteers at many community service events, participated in varsity soccer, and has worked at Sunny’s Restaurant for nearly three years.
James Fazio is the son of Jim and Nickie Fazio and resides in Batavia. He will be attending the University of Rochester in the fall and will be pursuing degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. James is both a member of Batavia’s National Honor Society and Link Crew programs and has been a member of the BHS varsity baseball team for two years. He is also an active supporter of youth sports, as he contributes in the form of umpiring and refereeing youth baseball and basketball games.
Jessica Callisher is the daughter of Pamela and Arthur Callisher. Jess has received the Founder’s Scholarship from Syracuse University and will be attending there in the fall to major in Biology with the hopes to continue on to veterinary school. Jess is a scholar athlete for varsity soccer, and plays year-round. She is the secretary for National Honor Society, Student Government representative, treasurer for Stained Glass, volunteer for Mr. Batavia, and also an active member of the prom and dance committees.
Recipient for the 2014 Kiwanis Music Award Recipient for Band is Amanda Schelemanow. Amanda has participated in the concert band, jazz band, and marching band for the past four years. For the past two years, she has been lead trumpet for all ensembles. She also performs lead trumpet in our trumpet ensemble and is a member of our percussion ensemble. Amanda throughout her four years participated in the full orchestra. She is a member of our National Music Honor Society and BHS's National Honor Society. Next year she will be attending SUNY Fredonia where she is pursuing a career in Music Therapy and Psychology. Amanda will be dearly missed next year but I know she will excel next year at Fredonia.
Cassandra Warren is the daughter of Pamela Sivret and Scott DeSmit, of Batavia, and Eric Warren of Springfield, Mass. Cassandra will be attending Genesee Community College in the fall and will be majoring in Health Sciences with the hopes of continuing on to SUNY Brockport. Cassandra served as president of the Genesee Valley BOCES Chapter of the FFA in 2013-2014 school year, and has been active in Chorus since sixth grade. She has participated in Solo Fest all seven years, and was selected for All County Chorus this past March. Cassandra has also participated in both Drama Club and Production Club productions since the eighth grade, and has earned lead roles in her freshman, junior, and senior years. She has also participated in several productions for the Batavia Rotary Club, and Batavia Players. Cassandra also plays bass guitar and performs with area bands at various venues.She plans to join the Theater group at GCC.
Val Palmer won the Kiwanis Citizenship Award for outstanding community service. Valerie is graduating this year, in just three years, still ranking in the top 15 percent of her graduating class. She is a scholar-athlete on the swimming and volleyball teams and is a member of the National Art Honor Society. Val has volunteered in the community by providing daycare for parents to attend school events and painting murals throughout the city. Her greatest passion has been working for Soup Supper at Sacred Heart Church. It is Val's generous heart and passion for helping others that has been displayed here. Val is passionate about helping others and will continue to do this as she pursues a degree in Elementary and Special Education at Canisius College in the fall.
A 31-year-old Oakfield man died in a one-car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Shelby last night, according to the Orleans County Sheriff's Office.
Jeffrey E. Muntz apparently lost control of his sedan while on Podunk Road at about 9:45 p.m. and drove into a marsh becoming partially submerged.
A passerby spotted the car off the road and called 9-1-1. That person then pulled Muntz from the vehicle and attempted to perform life-saving mesasures prior to EMS personnel arriving on scene.
Muntz was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:38 p.m.
The investigation into the accident is continuing, but the Orleans County Sheriff's Office reports that Muntz's car was westbound on Podunk Road. It crossed the center line and ran off the south side of the roadway and continued about 165 feet before coming to rest in about three feet of marshy water, some 50 feet off the roadway.
The incident scene is less than 1/4 mile from the Genesee County line.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy as part of the investigation into the accident.
The on-scene investigation was conducted by Deputy T.N. Tooley, assisted by Deputy T.C. Marano, Deputy J.J. Cole, Sergeant G.T. Gunkler, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. Deputies were also assisted by the East Shelby Fire Department and Lyon’s Collision Service.
A 17-year-old Lindwood Avenue resident arrested last week on a forcible rape charge has been indicted by a Genesee County Grand Jury on seven more criminal counts.
Joseph A. Saraceni, Jr., is charged with two counts of rape in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, as well as two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, a Class D violent felony, and misdemeanor counts of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, aggravated harassment and menacing 2nd.
Saraceni is accused of forcing sexual intercourse with a person Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in the City of Batavia. He accused of forcing sexual contact on those dates. On those dates, he allegedly applied pressure to the throat or neck of another person. In October and November, he's accused of threatening another person and communicating in a manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm.
The Grand Jury also indicted Leslie C. Jackson on two counts of grand larceny 4th, a Class D felony. Jackson is accused of stealing property from a Batavia couple valued at more than one thousand dollars. Jackson is also accused of promising to perform home improvements for that couple and receiving more than $1,000 based on the promise.
Press release:
"The internet has revolutionized the way we live and obtain information largely because it has been readily accessible and free from unnecessary government regulation. Today's ruling by the FCC paves the way for Internet 'fast lanes' which will create one Internet for the haves and one Internet for the have-nots. I am hopeful there will be enough public and Congressional backlash to block this proposal to help ensure that the Internet remains easily accessible and a tool to build economic opportunity."
Press release:
City officials, Gus Macker organizers, Darien Lake executives, and members of the Police Athletic League joined together outside Buffalo City Hall this morning to announce that the Gus Macker tournament will be returning to Western New York this year. Genesee County's Darien Lake intervened to save the tournament, which would have otherwise been canceled this year.
“We’re excited to be able to bring the tournament back (here),” said Gus Macker organizer Scott McNeal. “Darien Lake offers the necessary space and infrastructure for the thousands of players and families that come to participate in and watch the games.”
This Gus Macker tournament is the second-largest out of 38 locations nationwide, with more than 3,000 players and spectators annually. The three-on-three tournament attracts both male and female players, 78 percent of whom are under the age of 24, and 47 percent of whom are under 17.
“As Western New York’s family-fun destination, the Gus Macker Tournament is a perfect fit for us,” said Darien Lake spokesman Vince Nicoletti. “We’re very excited to be hosting the games this year and look forward to continuing this great ... tradition.”
This year’s tournament will take place on July 19th and 20th across Darien Lake’s sprawling parking lots, which will be converted into basketball courts with four to six featured games taking place inside the park itself. Darien Lake will also be keeping the Police Athletic League as the event’s charitable beneficiary.
Via WBTA:
Terrel Goodson, 25, was convicted at jury trial in Genesee County Court in April of Criminal Sexual Act and Sex Abuse. The second charge carries a seven-year sentence to run concurrently.
Goodson was arrested in Albion in October. He was convicted after two days of testimony.
If Goodson is released, he will be on post-release supervision for 15 years.
A 36-year-old Rochester resident awaiting a possible trial on multiple third-degree rape charges has agreed, seven months after his arrest, to submit to DNA testing and a search of his mobile phone.
Jon Thomas Magliocco was arrested in October and is being held on $50,000 bail.
He appeared in County Court on Wednesday for his plea-cut-off date (the date Judge Robert C. Noonan sets for defendants to either go to trial or accept whatever plea offer is on the table.).
His case was continued until a court appearance May 27 after Jerry Ader, public defender's office, informed Noonan that his client would submit to DNA testing and a search of his phone.
"We would ask for an extension to see what the results of those examinations would be," Ader said.
Friedman said wasn't sure how long it would take to get back test results for DNA, but would know better in two weeks.
Magliocco was indicted near the end of October on eight counts of rape, 3rd, a Class E felony, and nine counts of criminal sexual act, 3rd, a Class E felony.
He is accused of being older than 21 years old and engaging is sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with a person less than 17 years old.
All but one occasion is alleged to have occurred in a house in the City of Batavia and the other incident was allegedly sexual intercourse in a tent in the Town of Batavia.
A former tennant of 113 Jackson St., Batavia, has been charged with theft of services for allegedly using an extension cord to provide power to his apartment.
The use of the cord was one of the alleged code violations the city cited to condemn the four-unit complex.
Property owner Guy Pellegrino told The Batavian on April 5 that things sounded a lot worse than they were with the building and he already had restoration projects under way. This morning, Pellegrino confirmed work is continuing on the building.
Arrested was Lonnie Ford Jr., 68, now a resident of Tracy Avenue, Batavia. Ford was issued an appearance ticket.
The electricity issue, like other issues, were easy to address, Pellegrino said, but the biggest area of concern for the 180-year-old one-time mansion was bowing of the south wall.
A structural engineer has determined that the building can be made structurally sound again through the use of a turn-buckle system. That would involve running cables through the building and installing buckles on the outside of the brick facade to secure the cables.
The process was frequently used with old masonary buildings in California after earthquake standards were introduced in the 1930s.
The buckles will be on the outside of the building, which means the city's Historic Preservation Commission must approve the design change.
Pellegrino said the commission will review his application May 28. Assuming it's approved, the buckling work will begin the next day.
We published photos of Whiskey 7 over the weekend from its refueling stop at the Genesee County Airport and shared that the plane is leaving today for France to take part of D-Day anniversary ceremonies.
This morning, The New York Times published a lengthy story about the plane and the historic trip.
The five-person, all-volunteer aircrew is packing life rafts, survival suits and other safety gear in the event of emergency. “There will be five of us onboard,” said Mike Lindsay, the crew chief, “and five parachutes.”
The farthest the Whiskey 7 has flown recently is to Wisconsin for an air show. But Mr. Lindsay and his fellow airmen say they are confident, even if the men they intend to honor are a little less so.
“I think it’s kind of nuts,” said Richard Ladd, 89, a local Veterans of Foreign Wars member who jumped out of a similar C-47 on D-Day as part of the 101st Airborne. “They’ve got more guts than we have.”
Great and great-great nieces and nephews of Gabriel De Fabbio were at the Holland Land Office Museum this evening for a ceremony honoring De Fabbio and Paulo Busti.
De Fabbio was a resident of 38 Center St., Batavia, when he joined the Marines. He was killed in Vera Cruz during the Mexican-American War in 1914. One hundred years ago today De Fabbio was buried at the St. Joseph Cemetery in a huge public ceremony, the largest funeral in Batavia history (see the front page of the Buffalo Evening News from 1914 for photo depicting Downtown Batavia on that day).
Pictured are Joan Tresco, Kailyn Tresco, Peppi Palmer, Paul Tresco and Kay Emanuel.
A wreath was placed in front of the marker, erected in 1915, in the side yard of HLOM honoring De Fabbio, by Michelle Fuller, Jeff Donahue and Barb Toal. Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a resolution honoring De Fabbio. HLOM board VP Garth Swanson gave a presentation on the life and military service of De Fabbio.
Paulo Busti was the principal agent of the Holland Land Office starting in 1800 and gave Batavia its name.
Frank Penepento played horn accompaniment just outside the museum while Anne Marie Starowitz inside read the lyrics to a song sung at De Fabbio's funeral.
Tom Cecere
At least 56 vendors will be on hand, including homemade crafters and retailers.
The event is open to the public with free admission.
Food and refreshments available for purchase.
Pictured, representing the Ag Society's event organizers, Kristen Meeder.
Volunteers from throughout the county turned out today for the United Day of Caring and provided free labor for several local projects.
Above, members of the Lions Club outside Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle with the dozens of bikes they spent the day getting into working order for needy children and adults. Some of the bikes were taken in by Batavia PD after being found abandoned and never claimed and others were put out as garbage and picked up Genesee ARC. Many of the bikes will be returned to ARC clients.
Pictured, from front: John Huntzinger, Chuck Brenner, Bob Swanson, Tom Clark, Pier Chipollone, Dave Cuttia, John Roach and Van Scoy.
Denise Danzig-Rotolo at GO ART!
Ginny Tiedi at GO ART!
Tiede shows how to make a pair of pink bunnies using a bloom from a bleeding heart.
Glenn Simon at GO ART!
Eric Olson and Joe DiSalvo at Kiwanis Park.
Gilbert Mulcahy at Kiwanis Park.
Matt Gray at the community garden.
Denise Young at the basketball courts behind the Batavia Youth Bureau.
Group photo from this morning at Dwyer Stadium by Kevin Carlson of Carlson's Studio.
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