Photo submitted by Sharon Cole.

Press Release

All motorists please be aware that Columbia Avenue, Seneca Avenue, and Miller Avenue will experience traffic delays on Friday, June 10th from 7AM to 3PM for cold milling operations.

While work is being performed in this area, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation.

This is weather dependent work; if work is postponed it shall progress the next workday.

Please contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400, Option 1 if there are any questions.

Joanne Meiser submitted the photo of storm clouds rolling in near McAlpine Road in Indian Falls.

There is a strong thunderstorm alert for parts of Genesee County through 8:30 p.m.

Winds could exceed 35 mph and there may be pea-sized hail.

Areas affected could be Batavia, Darien Lakes State Park, Le Roy, Pembroke, Pavilion, Byron, Oakfield, Stafford, Alabama, Corfu, Elba, and Alexander.

Editor's Note: This is part of an ongoing series about city updates and visions from city officials. 

If you ever have opportunity to shop Rodeo Drive, be prepared for personal attention, the feeling of luxury, and some mighty big pricetags.

While strolling down the ritzy commercial zone in Beverly Hills may seem an obscure comparison, it is something worth considering right here in Batavia, City Manager Rachael Tabelski says.

A shopping experience can happen anywhere, she says.

"So here, the retailers like, I think of the bicycle shop, or Charles Men's Shop, they make it an experience for the person shopping there. I do think we'd have what it takes, and will continue to be more and more attractive as these new investments come online. With the building rehabs (and expansion of the YMCA), all of that starts to build more momentum for people to be downtown,” Tabelski said during an interview with The Batavian. “And when you have people, then having the retail offerings comes naturally. So I do feel that we will succeed in bringing more retail back into our downtown, whether it's a large department store or in places like Saratoga Springs, where they have small shops that are like the Gap and Banana Republic. I would love to see that here someday, like specialty shops, specialty brands.”

As for why some of the more exclusive-type shops make it while others do not, she thinks it may be about timing. Pollyanna and Dot, for example, was a successful boutiquey shop with a hint of vintage, but “they hit the market before we were quite ready,” she said.

“But you know, they were on the front end of the momentum building,” she said. “I think as we continue, there's definitely going to be more opportunities for retail offerings. And then the other side of that is online ordering.”

She pointed to some retailers that seem to do a good job at those personal experiences, such as Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle shop, Charles Men's Shop and Valle Jewelers.

“They become successful because, it's not just ‘I’m running to get a suit,’ it’s ‘I’m going to see Dave and I'm going to talk to everyone there and I'm going to, you know, get measured for this and that and the other thing, and get dry cleaned all at the same time,” she said. “Or they're going to have nights where — Valle Jewelers is really good at this —  I think they have nights where you can come in and they have hors d'oeuvres, and then everyone stands around and chats, and you can do your shopping for your birthdays for the next few months there. Like I said, it makes it more of an experience than just a ‘I get to run in and get something at Wal-Mart.’ So I think that's the key to these retailers is finding niches of buyers; they need to operate online, but in person they need to offer these experiences for their customers. And I think a lot of them here do that. And those are the ones that have been successful.”

While we’re downtown, what’s happening with the new police station plans?
"Right now, the police station is under design. And we are just getting our first look at what's called a schematic design and potential pricing of the police station. So internally, we'll be reviewing that, we'll be looking to determine the affordability of all the elements, they kind of give all the elements you want in a building, and then they put it together and they give you a price and you're like, okay, well, now we'll move forward with that internally,” she said. “So we are looking forward to continuing the process with the architect and engineering firm we selected, which is Ashley McGraw out of Syracuse. And then they move once we've kind of settled on this, what they call final schematic design.”

From that point, the process moves into design-draft documents of the station. City officials hope that the project can be finalized and go out for bids on construction by the next calendar year, she said. Tabelski predicts that city police staff won’t be moving into new digs until summer of 2024, with an allotted 18-month construction period.

“So overall, I think the process is moving along. And we're getting through the design elements of the facility,” she said.

As for financing, a “level debt” payment plan that is paid into reserves, and a potential $2.5 million “direct spending request” submitted to senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Chris Jacobs are to assist with capital costs of the new facility, she said.

There is also a City Fire and Public Works departments project that will resume after being stalled during — you guessed it — COVID-19. City staff has “picked that back up” to finally get some work done that, up to now, has only been talked about “for many, many years,” she said.

A $1.1 million project focuses on the Bureau of Maintenance garage, which is to get a new air filtration system to ensure a safe space inside where gasoline-fueled vehicles operate. The fire station is slated for a new generator and boiler, handicap accessibility to the front of the building and parking bay apron and some improvements to the restrooms and locker rooms, she said.

On the other side of town, the new David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena was officially named, per a 10-year lease agreement with Guy Pellegrino for the naming rights. With the end of Firland Management’s involvement (the company announced previously it was not renewing its contract in June), the city has put out a request for proposals to find a new management company for the Evans Street site.

RFPs are to be into the city by Friday. What if a company wants to put its own name on the arena in addition to managing operations?

“If there was anyone that wanted to come in and rename the rink, it would have to be a renegotiation of that contract. I do not see us changing that in any way, shape, or form,” she said. “So I would consider the naming rights stable.”

The RFPs specify that the contract would be for the McCarthy arena, so a managing company would know up front that the name is in place, she said. As of Thursday, there have been five RFP "respondents" seeking additional information, she said. Some of them have contacted her for more details and/or requested tours of the ice rink.

“So there's definitely been an interest in operating at the rink. And I'm excited to see what those proposals look like. They’ll be scored internally. And then the recommendation will be brought to council. And we hope to have everything set by the July 11 meeting,” she said. “I’m very excited to see the interest in operating the rink. I think whoever comes in next is going to have the passion to maybe bring new things to the rink, and continue to operate it and work with the city. The city is responsible for the building and the capital improvements and needs to work hand in hand with the operator. And the operator needs to work hand in hand with GAHA (Genesee Amateur Hockey Association).”

Other groups that use the rink regularly include Batavia City Schools, Notre Dame’s hockey team and a local men’s league.

Overall, she is looking for an entity that would not only have great financial planning capability and business sense, but would also have “a great ability to communicate with all parties to make sure that the ring is being utilized as much as possible, and being put to use in our community,” she said.

“And there's a return on that to our businesses in the community because the more people we draw into our city for different things like hockey tournaments and hockey games, the more spin-off economic impact we have in our restaurants and our retail and other areas,” she said. “So there's definitely an economic impact to the rink, and the respondents are going to really need to highlight how they see themselves running this … and make it a lively and vibrant place similar to what Robbie Nichols Did with Dwyer Stadium. He has done phenomenal ever since, and promotions and involving the KMS dance team, involving Little League, involving the high school baseball team. He's really brought the community together at the stadium for a lot of different things.”

Next up is about city sidewalk and street repairs, with a map of sidewalk projects to date.

Top Photo: City Manager Rachael Tabelski in her office at City Hall. 2016 File Photo: Gov. Kathy Hochul during a prior visit with downtown retailers, including Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle on Center Street. 2022 File Photo: A crowd celebrates the official naming of the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena, which has great potential to be a booming ice complex, City Manager Rachael Tabelski says. Photos by Howard Owens.

A two-car motor vehicle accident is reported at Sumner Road and Fargo Road in Darien.

Injuries are reported.

A utility pole is damaged

Darien Fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Two minor injuries. Mercy EMS requested to the scene non-emergency.

Press release from Automobile Association of America:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.97, up 10 cents since Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.07. The New York State average is $5.01 ($5.009 to be exact), up 13 cents since Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.09. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $4.90 (up 15 cents since Monday)
• Buffalo - $4.89 (up 17 cents since Monday)
• Elmira - $4.97 (up 19 cents since Monday)
• Ithaca - $4.96 (up 17 cents since Monday)
• Rochester - $4.95 (up 16 cents since Monday)
• Rome - $4.96 (up 17 cents since Monday)
• Syracuse - $4.94 (up 20 cents since Monday)
• Watertown - $4.94 (up 14 cents since Monday)

Motorists are feeling pain at the pump even with the recent New York state gas tax cap. When it went into effect last week, statewide prices did drop initially as nationwide prices increased dramatically. However oil prices continue to increase, and the gas tax relief doesn’t amount to enough to counterbalance the increased price of oil, which has a direct impact on what we pay at the pump for gasoline.

For example, right now oil prices range from $121 to $123 per barrel, up from $120 per barrel on Monday. Oil accounts for at least half of each gallon of gas.

Given that gas taxes make up less than a fifth of the price consumers pay at the pump, removing it offers little margin for price decreases when compared to the other factors that contribute to 85% of the price paid by consumers at the pump. Moreover, when external market and economic factors impact the price of oil, rising crude prices can often play an outsized role in pushing pump prices higher. As a result, the impact of gas tax holiday proposals can be limited because any price reduction from the lack of taxes can be quickly offset by a steady increase in oil prices, which is what we are seeing now.

From Gas Buddy:

The national average price of gas in the U.S. surpassed $5 per gallon today for the first time ever, according to GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on fuel. This long-anticipated milestone comes behind months of gas price increases across the country, accelerated by the rise in seasonal demand amidst supply constraints borne out of the pandemic.

Gas prices have surged in recent weeks as U.S. gasoline inventories have fallen over 25 million barrels, or over one billion gallons, since the start of March amidst a global decline in refining capacity due to the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerated demand going into the summer. The price of oil has also jumped due to escalations stemming from the Russian war on Ukraine, as countries choke off Russian oil supply via sanctions, pushing supply down at a time of rising demand. In addition, U.S. refining capacity has fallen by some 1 million barrels per day over the last three years. All of these factors have created an environment ripe for a surge in gas prices, while Americans balk at prices but continue filling up as demand has seen little decline.

 

Press release:

Ahead of the concerts at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, beginning with this Friday’s Bruce in the USA charity concert to benefit the Ricky Palermo foundation, has announced the following traffic pattern changes for the roads surrounding the facility.

In conjunction with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, please note the following:

With northbound traffic on Park Road already closed due to construction, all those looking to attend the concerts who approach from the south should park in the former K-Mart Parking lot.

Those approaching from the north and the Thruway can go south on Park Road as normal and park in the Batavia Downs Lot.

Due to road construction, all foot traffic from both lots should be directed up and through the main entrance.

Valet is open and is free as per usual.

On Fridays, beginning at 9:30 p.m. and lasting for about an hour, traffic southbound on Park Road will be diverted down Richmond unless that person is attempting to visit Batavia Downs.  Traffic leaving the main Batavia Downs Parking lot at that time will be sent North and then be diverted down Richmond.  Traffic can then find their way back to the thruway or into Batavia itself.  Traffic will NOT be permitted to travel south on Park Road during this brief time as patrons exit the main doors into the various parking lots.

Due to concert traffic, if you do not have a need to be near the Batavia Downs facility, it is best to avoid the area during those times.

Kevin H. Ayers is indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, menacing in the second degree, and harassment in the second degree. Ayers is accused of damaging a Ford F350 pickup belonging to another person on Oct. 8 in the town of Pembroke.  He is accused of damaging the rear driver-side tire, door, and fender. He is accused of choking the same victim on the same date at the same location. He is accused of displaying a knife in order to threaten that person. And with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm, he is accused of having physical contact with that person.

Joshua L. Webster is indicted on two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, one count of menacing in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of criminal contempt in the second degree. Webster is accused of violating an order of protection on Dec. 31 at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy, by intentionally placing a protected person in reasonable fear of injury or death by displaying a deadly weapon. He is accused of displaying a knife with the intent of using it against another person while children were present. He is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection on March 28 at the same location, and again on May 1. 

Zachary P. Hursh is indicted on counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, obstructing governmental administration, unlawful fleeing a police officer, and reckless driving. Hursh is accused of knowingly driving a stolen 2017 Honda Civic on Dec. 1 in the Town of Stafford. He is accused of using physical force to prevent a public servant from performing his official duties. He is accused of fleeing from a police officer in a vehicle at speeds in excess of 25 mph above the posted speed limit. He is accused of driving in a manner that jeopardized public safety.

Click here for more information, purchase your tickets today!

For the last 13 years HCR Home Care has partnered with Genesee County Health Department as it forged new territories within the Finger Lakes region.

On Wednesday, the Batavia-based agency celebrated moving into yet another new space at Batavia City Centre. With a local foothold in Genesee County, plus Orleans, Monroe and an expanded reach into a total of 26 counties, HCR employs 35 people in this region and more than 750 employees in Upstate New York, Chief Executive Officer Louise Woerner said.

“Our employees are not only caring for patients, but helping to create jobs across New York State,” Woerner said during a ribbon-cutting celebration Wednesday at 47A City Centre. “We look forward to the growth this office brings HCR within Genesee and Orleans counties, and the continued partnerships within this area of our footprint.”

Woerner knows a thing or two about home healthcare, having been involved since 5 years old, helping out with her live-in grandmother. Later on, while living several states away from home, she later faced the challenge of assisting her father after her mom died at an early age.

That’s a dilemma that many people face when loved ones are in need of care while wishing to remain at home. Woerner founded the agency based on her knowledge of that need.

Agency employees “play an important role in treating people and keeping them safe and healthy in the comfort of their homes,” its website states. Services include a “wide range of home health care and social services” to provide support for a loved one’s needs, it states.

President Suzanne Turchetti thanked guests for attending, including City Manager Rachael Tabelski, City Council President Eugene Jankowski, Genesee County Legislator Gary Maha, state Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, who presented a certificate of merit to HCR, and agency staff.

“We are so excited to christen this new office; what an upgrade it is,” Turchetti said of the space on the City Centre’s west side. “We are so glad everyone was able to make it today, and we wanted to thank you all for being such wonderful ambassadors for HCR within the (Genesee and Orleans County) community. Your dedication to your patients as well as HCR is unmatched.” 

Regional directors recognized local staff members with awards and gifts as thanks for their dedication. HCR has cared for more than 26,000 unduplicated patients in Genesee and Orleans counties since its partnership in 2009.

Top photo: HCR Home Care President Suzanne Turchetti, left, and CEO Louise Woerner flank state Assemblyman Stephen Hawley as he presents the agency with a certificate of merit Wednesday in Batavia. Local Genesee County and City of Batavia representatives and agency staff celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at HCR's new office at 47A Batavia City Centre; agency staff members were recognized with certificates and goodies as a thank-you for their dedication. Photos submitted by HCR Home Care.

 

A vehicle has hit a garbage can behind the ball field at Williams Park and is leaking fluid.

No injuries.

City Fire dispatched.

Press Release

Batavia, NY – Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Lake! Join us Saturdays July 9th and 16th to explore the lake by water and discover a new world. Each day has 2 sessions. Session 1 takes place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Session 2 takes place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Meet at the boat launch at DeWitt Recreation Area. No experience needed, a beginner kayaking lesson is provided! Kayak rentals with life vests are provided or you may bring your own. Rentals are available for ages 12 and up, no tandems for rent.

Guided tour fee is $15/person without rental or $25/person with kayak rental per session. Pre-registration is required, call 585-344-1122!

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or
contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Press Release

The hard work and dedication of the team at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee was recognized this week by the New York State Department of State.

In a certificate of recognition issued as part of Community Action Month, Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez wrote “Today we recognize and express our gratitude to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc, under the leadership of Renee Hungerford, Executive Director, for their extraordinary efforts and service to the State of New York and their contributions to the ongoing efforts and service to the State of New York and their contributions to the ongoing efforts to strengthen and enhance the success of the community action network.”

Renee joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in 2020. Since taking the reins as CEO, she has worked tirelessly to identify the needs of Orleans County and Genesee residents and pave to new paths that meet those needs close to home.

Most recently, Hungerford has been the driving force that launched Community Action’s recently announced “Axis of Care” program, which will increase access to healthcare for homeless and housing insecure families across the county.

Two motorcycles are reported down in the road at Liberty Street and Sumner Street, Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Two motorcyclists collided, no other vehicles involved. Both drivers were seen walking around the scene. Mercy EMS has left the scene without transporting anyone. The accident is under investigation and Batavia City Police will provide an update later.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: The investigation so far indicates that the two motorcycles were southbound on Liberty, speed unknown, when the front motorcycle slowed suddenly and the driver of the trailing bike (pictured above) did not see the front bike slowing in time to slow himself down and he rear-ended the first bike.  The first rider was transported by a private vehicle to an unknown hospital for treatment/evaluation. The second rider was uninjured. No citations were issued. Sgt. Mitchell Cowen said, perhaps coincidentally, he had been dispatched minutes before the crash was reported to East Main Street to investigate a complaint of two motorcycles driving at a high speed and recklessly on East Main Street.  A firefighter on scene had also said two motorcycles had been speeding on Evans Street shortly before the crash.  There is no evidence, however, that the two bikes involved in the crash were the same bikes reported elsewhere in the city earlier.

Eli Fish is hosting our first annual Carnival and we're throwing it for the adults in the area that just want to have fun and not worry about bringing the kids for one night. Face paint? Check. Magicians? Check. Live music? Check. Dunk tank? Oh you know it. We'll have beer pong, craft beer, axe throwing, and so much more! So come on down and take a break with us this Saturday from 4 pm - 10 pm • Jackson Square, Batavia! Click here for more information and purchase tickets.

"Brad Pitt" (not his real name) has, in the space of a month, gone from a fearful, emaciated, feces-covered canine to a healthy, sweet-tempered, friendly, sweetheart of a dog while in the care of the county's Animal Control officers and Volunteers for Animals.

"Pitt" was seemingly abandoned by his owners in Apt. 60, 337 Bank St., Batavia. He was found on May 10 in a cage inside the apartment without food, covered in his own fecal matter, and skinny and weak.

A female Pitbull was found in the same apartment, also in a cage, also in poor health -- so poor that by the time a veterinarian determined what to do for her, the most humane option was to euthanize her.

The two people who allegedly abandoned the dogs are Andrew A. Searight, 35, and Jerrtonia A. Scarbrough, 24.  Both have been charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals. 

According to court documents, a maintenance worker at Walden Estates was aware of the dogs and the owners and also believed the couple had stopped paying rent sometime prior to May.  He and a neighbor had observed the residents moving out of the apartment some days to a week or so prior to May 10.  On that date, the worker observed trash piled up outside the apartment.  He spoke to a neighbor who said he hadn't seen the occupants for a week or two.

The female dog had given birth some weeks prior, according to the neighbor, and he had witnessed, he said, the residents removing the puppies and a TV.

The worker asked if the adult dogs were still inside, and the neighbor said he believed they were still in the apartment.

The worker looked into the apartment and saw one of the dogs in a cage.

Concerned about the health and safety of the dogs, both the property manager and the neighbor entered the apartment through an unlocked door and found two Pitbulls locked in cages, unfed, and covered in "shit," as the neighbor said in his statements.

"The black dog looked terrified and almost dead," the neighbor wrote. "The other dog looked terrified, shocked, and couldn't even stand, so we had to pull him from the crate. He had no strength at all."

He contacted the property manager and asked her to call the police. Officer Peter Flannigan and Sarah Fountain, a county animal control officer, responded.

Fountain wrote that when she arrived she found the dogs in the condition described by the witnesses and that the black dog, the female dog, was cold to the touch. 

Both dogs were assisted to the animal control vehicle, with the female dog carried on a stretcher. 

A normal dog's temperature is between 100 and 102 degrees.  The female dog's temperature was 93.3, the veterinarian told Fountain.

The dog "had no reserves and, basically, her body was shutting down," Fountain reports the vet telling her.   She was down to 20.4 pounds and should have weighed at least 40 pounds.

The vet did not expect the female dog to recover so it was euthanized.

The male Pitbull -- who has acquired the nickname "Brad Pitt" while at the shelter -- has been put on a thrice-a-day feeding plan and was up to 45.9 pounds by the time Fountain wrote her report for investigators.  She could not discuss his current condition today since there is still a criminal case pending.

Searight was originally scheduled for an appearance in City Court yesterday, but the case has been moved to 1:30 p.m. June 21.

Legally, Searight and Scarbrough still own the dog. Typically in animal abuse cases, the defendants are asked during the proceedings to surrender the dogs to Animal Control, at which point, the animal can be put up for adoption.

Fountain also reported finding a cockatiel in the apartment. She couldn't assess its health condition and The Batavian doesn't have information on its status.

There are four vehicles involved in an accident at West Main Street and River Street, Batavia.

All occupants are out of the vehicles and walking around, according to a first responder.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: Two more ambulances requested to the scene to evaluate patients.

Batavia PD is looking for a person of interest in association with the theft of benches from a local business.

The name of the business nor location were released by the department.

The person of interest and vehicle associated with that person are shown in the photos.

The bottom photo is of a bench identical to the ones that were stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Nicole McGinnis at (585) 345-6350 or the Batavia Police Department's confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.