First Presbyterian Church of Batavia along with The Visual Truth Theatre Ensemble presents a special literary event called "Good Bread in the Darkness" on Thursday, June 28.

It will be hosted by Lucine Kauffman from the WBTA Radio Show Genesee Life (FM 100.1 and AM 1490) and will feature local and regional writers with a focus on nature, spirituality and community.

The event will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Batavia. It is free and open to the public.

Readers include: Terry Abrams, Sue Briggs, Byron Hoot, Bill Kauffman and Eric Zwieg.

"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water," ~ Rabindranath Tagore.

Good Bread in the Darkness

Thursday, June 28

7- 9 p.m.

The First Presbyterian Church

300 E. Main St., Batavia

Students at John Kennedy Intermediate School, members of the BHS Class of 2026, were congratulated by teachers and administrators on Tuesday as they ended the school year prepare to move up to middle school.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Dead & Company Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Tuesday:

Mark L. Olson, 48, of Kansas Street, San Diego, was arrested for sale of hazardous inhalants after allegedly selling balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Olson was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Joshua A. Thompson, 23, of Jackson Street, Woodbury, N.J., was arrested for sale of hazardous inhalants after allegedly selling balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Thompson was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Michael D. Kopyscianski, 33, of Woodycrest Avenue, Bronx, was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, after allegedly found to be in possession of heroin. Kopyscianski was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Roger J. Furman, 54, of Shaker Hill Road, Enfield, was arrested for criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Roger was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Alicia M Trace-Stephenson, 42, of Concession 5, West Tiny Township, Ontario, Canada, arrested for criminal trespass,3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Alicia was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $150 bail.

Charles A. Restivo, 46, of Otto Park Place, Lockport, arrested for trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Matthew T. Gillespy, 30, of Essex Street, New York City, arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly engaging in a fight in the parking lot.

Thirteen antique cars, members of the Canada Flivver Drivers, visited Batavia over the weekend, making a stop Sunday at the home of Dave Armitage and Dona LaValley on South Main Street in Batavia. Armitage has an extensive collection of old cars, three of which are pictured below. From left are a 1913 Model T Depot Hack (forerunner of the station wagon), a 1926 four-door Model T and a 1926 Marmon. The club is camping at Joe Baker’s in Albion while in the Western New York area.

Top photo: Three of the vintage autos which visited Dave Armitage on South Main Street Sunday are, from left, a 1928 Whippet, a 1926 Dodge Sports Roadster and a 1920 Model T Touring Car. While in the area, they also made a stop in Caledonia for ice cream, then to Davis Trailer World, where they were treated to a surprise lunch. Their first stop in Batavia was Oliver’s Candies.

Carol Anne Stapley of Campbellford, Ontario, Canada, stands next to the 1912 Model T she and her husband, Steve, brought to Dave Armitage’s of South Main Street on Sunday. They are members of the Canada Flivver Drivers, a group affiliated with the Model T Club of America.

Tabelski is a Batavia resident and has been marketing and communications director for the Genesee Economic Development Center for more than seven years.

Board President Pierluigi Cipollone, who served on the search committee, praised Tabelski as clearly the most qualified among a field of five candidates, that included two from Buffalo, one from Texas, and a native New Yorker from the Finger Lakes region who currently works in Massachusetts.

"She came to the interview very well prepared," Cipollone said. 

He said she had a spreadsheet of all BDC's projects, worked side-by-side with Pacatte on preparing the city's successful bid for the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative project, and clearly understands economic development.

The job offer to Tabelski, with a salary of $67,000 annually, which is $2,000 more than the BDC paid Pacatte, was approved unanimously.

"It's a no-brainer," said Board Member Steve Pies. "She is well versed in our projects and she is passionate about it.

The fact that Tabelski has been working with Pacatte on city projects as part of her job with GCEDC makes her a perfect fit for the job.

"There will be no hiccup," Valle said. "She is knowledgeable about everything. She has a great vision and goals, and she's fantastic."

Tabelski is married to City Council Member Adam Tabelski. Cipollone said the only conflict of interest will be for Adam Tabelski will be on votes related to his wife's compensation. He will need to recuse himself on those issues when they came before the council.

In the discussion, board members questioned whether the compensation was appropriate. Cipollone said that based on his research the salary range in similar-sized cities in the region is $70,000 to $90,000, so the BDC is on the low-end of the scale, he said.  

That prompted Steve Casey to ask if, notwithstanding her ties to the community, a low salary might encourage her to move on to another job sooner rather than later. Cipollone noted the BDC has limited funds to work with and anything paid in salary would mean less available for projects.

Rachael Tabelski will start her new job July 6.

Photo submitted by Kayla McIntire.

Press release:

The Muckdogs dropped the middle game of a three-game set against West Virginia on Tuesday night by a score of 7-6. Batavia had a chance to either tie or win the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Humberto Mejia got his first start of the season with the Muckdogs on Tuesday. In his career, none of his starts with Batavia had gone longer than 3.1 innings. On Tuesday, he was able to get two outs in the fifth before he ran into trouble. Mejia ran into a slight hiccup when he gave up a solo home run to Johan Herrera to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

They would tack on three more in the third inning as well. Daniel Amaral would reach on an error, (one of nine combined in the ballgame) and would steal second to get into scoring position. Three straight RBI hits from Edison Lantigua (double), Lucas Mangieri (single), and Herrera (double) put West Virginia up 4-0 after three.

Batavia, in total, went 3-18 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 12 runners on base. The Muckdogs wouldn’t score their first run until the fifth. Back-to-back singles to lead off the fifth inning from Igor Baez and Gerardo Nunez, who logged his first hit of the season on the play, and both would come around to score on the play.

A Ricardo Cespedes sac fly would score Baez, and an RBI triple from Jerar Encarnacion would bring in Nunez. On that triple, Encarnacion advanced his hit streak to five games. He’s had a hit in every game for Batavia this season. Ricardo Cespedes would do the same with a one-out single in the seventh.

The Black Bears scored one run in each of the seventh and eighth innings of the game to go in front 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth for Batavia. Demetrius Sims led off the inning with a walk. Cespedes would get on base with the fifth error of the night by the Black Bears’ defense. Encarnacion bounced into a fielder’s choice that sent Sims to third but would cut down Cespedes at second.

Batavia had runners on the corners with one out. Sean Reynolds came into pinch-hit but would go down on strikes looking. Albert Guaimaro then reached on a throwing error that sent Sims home to make it a three-run game. Runners then stood on first and second with two outs.

Denis Karas hit a clutch two-out single that would plate two runs, making the Muckdogs’ deficit just one. Baez drew a walk to load the bases up again, with the tying run standing on third, and the winning run at second. Gerardo Nunez came up with two outs, but on a 0-2 pitch in the dirt, a controversial third-strike call was made on an appeal by base umpire Jae-Young Kim to end the Batavia rally.

The final game of the series comes on Wednesday night at 7:05. The Muckdogs will send LHP Logan Boyd to the bump for the rubber match. West Virginia has not announced their starter yet. Batavia then welcomes the Williamsport Crosscutters to town for a three-game series.

A caller to dispatch is concerned about the well-being of a "dog on a pillow under a tree outside Pandora's Boxxx." The adult products business is located at 4816 Ellicott Street Road in Batavia, near the intersection with Cedar Street. An animal control officer is responding.

A pickup-into-pole accident is reported in Darien in the area of 781 Sumner Road; unknown injuries. Darien Fire Department and medics are responding. A caller reports the pole appears like it's going to fall onto the pickup truck. The driver possibly has a neck injury.

A white sedan left the scene eastbound and may have been involved in this accident.

The accident location is between Fargo and Alleghany roads.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: National Grid is being notified about the damaged pole.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: The driver was transported to ECMC.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will be holding a FREE series of Financial Workshops for the community on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for six-weeks, starting July 11.

You can select the topics that appeal to you, and do not have to attend all six.

They will take place at ILGR's primary office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, near Center Street, in Batavia.

Light refreshments will be provided, and participants will receive a small free gift for every class they attend.

THE TOPICS

July 11 -- Learn about checking and savings accounts

July 18 -- Changing your life through better money management

July 25 -- Jump-start saving on a limited budget

Aug. 1 -- Learn to read and clear up your credit report

Aug. 8 -- Financial planning

Aug. 15 - Caring for children with disabilities: the financial side

For more information, and to please RSVP by the day before the workshop you would like to attend, contact Jennifer at 585-815-8501, ext. 412.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce’s Haunted History Trail of New York State program was recognized at the 2018 Rochester PRism Awards on Thursday, June 14.

The statewide tourism trail earned two recognitions for excellence in marketing and public relations – one first-place PRism Award and one Award of Excellence.

The PRism was awarded for the Trail’s “Spooky” Social Media campaign created and executed by Chamber member Break the Ice Media. Social channels saw growth across the board – nearly 40-percent page growth on Facebook, 22 percent on Twitter, and 90.4-percent engagement growth on Instagram -- with events selling out and new visitors traveling the trail.

The program was also recognized with an award of excellence for the 2018 Haunted History Trail brochure, a beautiful 36-page travel magazine that was designed by Corfu designer Matt Steinberg of The Quackenstein Graphic Design Co., and featured stunning photography from the official trail photographer Steve Shoemaker of Amityphotos.com. Break the Ice Media led the team with copywriting and project management.

The PRism Awards are an annual award show put on by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Rochester Chapter, celebrating the best public relations work -- both elements and campaigns -- from the previous year.

###

About the Haunted History Trail of New York State

The Haunted History Trail of New York State is a tourism collaboration spearheaded by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with 32 county tourism offices that features haunted locations from almost every region of New York State. Haunted dining, tours, and overnights are available on the trail, with many of the locations tying back to New York’s history. For more information, visit: www.hauntedhistorytrail.com.

Submitted photos and press release:

BATAVIA — Northgate Free Methodist Church is ushering in summer with family fun.

The end of the school year coincided with Father’s Day, and Northgate Church celebrated both with a sweet treat. Following Sunday services on June 17, LuGia’s Ice Cream Truck doled out scoops of the cool confection to everyone who attended either the 9:30 or 11 a.m. services at North Campus (8160 Bank Street Road), or 10 a.m. at Arbor House (350 Bank St.).

Northgate will again host its Star-Spangled Celebration, this year on Tuesday, July 3, in the church parking lot. This is the perfect place to enjoy fireworks courtesy of the Batavia Muckdogs, whose Dwyer Stadium is near Northgate’s backyard. A neighborly, family-friendly get-together is planned, with games and food beginning at 7 p.m.

All of these events and activities are free and open to the public.

For more information, call the church office at (585) 343-4011 or visit northgatefmc.com

Trooper James O’Callaghan, left, public information officer, New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters, Batavia, receiving the AT&T "It Can Wait" virtual reality simulator from Kevin Hanna, director, External Affairs, AT&T, to be used for distracted driving education community outreach program across Western New York.

Submitted photo and press release:

As part of AT&T’s ongoing dedication to support first responders across New York State and to assist the New York State Troopers in its mission in the education of drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, the Company contributed an "It Can Wait" 3D virtual reality simulator to the New York State Police Troop A in Batavia.

It will be used across Western New York for public safety education and programing. Troop A covers and protects Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans & Wyoming counties.

This new technological educational tool will allow Troop A, as part of its robust distracted driving education community outreach program across Western New York, to provide drivers with firsthand experience of the dangers of taking their eyes off the road.

The virtual reality simulator includes a virtual reality goggle and device kit, distracted driving signage and pledge boards to be used at events to help curb distracted driving and smartphone use behind the wheel.

The contribution to the Troop A is also part of AT&T’s longstanding commitment to support first responders and public safety efforts in New York and across the country. To date, AT&T has collaborated with law enforcement in more than 80 It Can Wait education programs at schools, Department of Motor Vehicles events and public education safety events over the past three years.

When you’re behind the wheel, everything can change in the blink of an eye. A post, a selfie, a text, a scroll, an email — one look is all it takes. This simulation highlights the consequences of glancing at a phone while driving in a 3D fully-immersive experience. AT&T* research shows that 9 in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving.** It’s no longer safe to assume that people are just texting from behind the wheel. They’re checking email, posting to social media, snapping selfies and even engaging in video chatting and online games.

The VR simulators are an excellent tool to drive home the message: “It Can (All) Wait.”

“This donation grows out of AT&T’s legacy of supporting first responders in New York and across the country and our longstanding collaboration with law enforcement to educate drivers of all ages on the dangers of using their phones behind the wheel through our It Can Wait program,” said Marissa Shorenstein, president, Northeast Region, AT&T.

“At AT&T we stress that no message is worth your life or another person’s life and to always keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone. We applaud the brave men and women of the New York State Police for all they do to keep our roads safe and for their public education programs related to distracted driving. We are proud to be able to provide these virtual reality simulators to help save drivers’ lives.”

“The New York State Police Troop A is pleased to work in partnership with AT&T to educate communities regarding distracted driving," said Trooper James O’Callaghan, public information officer, New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters. "The hands on tools that AT&T has provided will be put to great use across Western New York, allowing both youth and experienced drivers to witness and experience the seriousness of distracted driving,”

“The New York Police Troop A extends our gratitude to AT&T in ensuring our roads are safer through the virtual simulators donated. Working together, we will hopefully drop the very high distracted driving statics statewide.”

AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign is a national movement urging drivers to keep their eyes on the road rather than on their phones, and that distracted driving is never OK. The campaign began with a focus on not texting and driving and has expanded to the broader dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel.

The virtual reality simulators show the consequences of glancing at a phone while driving in a 3D fully immersive experience. People can also use their own smartphone to view the 360° experience at home. 

Since its launch in 2010, the It Can Wait campaign has:

●      Helped grow awareness of the dangers of smartphone distracted driving to nearly 90 percent of audiences surveyed;

●      Inspired more than 25 million pledges to not drive while distracted;

●      Worked with departments of transportation in various states on research that suggests a correlation between It Can Wait campaign activities and a reduction in automobile crashes;

●      Collaborated with AT&T data scientists on research that shows how statewide anti-texting laws impact the rate of texting while driving.

To learn more, visit ItCanWait.com/VR.

In addition, AT&T was recently awarded the opportunity to deploy the nation’s first mobile broadband network dedicated to America's police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services to ensure that all first responders have the tools to better serve and protect the public and to protect themselves while in harm’s way.

FirstNet was established by Congress at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to help police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel communicate in the event of a terrorist attack or other emergency involving multiple agencies.

AT&T is dedicated to giving first responders and the public safety community additional tools to support them in helping to save lives.

The 2018 edition of the Batavia Muckdogs are looking like a team that can score runs in bunches after scoring eight runs or more in three of their first four games, including nine runs last night against West Virginia for a 9-6 victory in a soggy home opener.

The offensive onslaught was anchored by left fielder Michael Donadio, a native New Yorker, who was 2-4, including a fifth-inning homer (top photo) and three RBIs.

On a rainy Monday, which meant the game was delayed for more than an hour, the opening night crowd was smaller than expected at 835.

Still, NYPL President Ben Hayes was in good spirits before the game and said he's happy with the progress the local franchise, now league-owned, is making.

"I think things are going really well," Hayes said. "We focused on the getting the field in shape for the season, getting the lights changed out. We did some things in the clubhouses to get them ready. Talk to Mike (Jacobs), the manager, and he’s really happy with what he’s walked into."

Before the game, Wayne Fuller and Bill Dougherty were honored with a moment of silence. Memorial signs have been placed on the fence in right center and left center honoring their contributions to Batavia baseball.

Fuller was the longtime voice of the Muckdogs.

"His smooth tenor provided the soundtrack for so many summers of our lives here at Dwyer Stadium," said PA announcer Paul Spiotta. 

Dougherty was a historian of Batavia baseball: "A champion of our team and this community and a romantic defender of the underdog."

Starter R.J. Peach, from San Diego, got the win, going five innings and giving up seven hits and three runs.

Chad Martin pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

Jerar Encarnacion, from Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, was 2-4 and is currently the team's leading hitter with a .471 average.

Ricardo Cespedes, from the Bronx, also had two hits.

The Muckdogs are now 2-2 on the season and face 0-4 West Virginia again at 7:05 p.m., the second game of a six-game homestand, which includes three against  Williamsport.

First baseman Sean Reynolds bumps fists with two fans before the game.

Manager Mike Jacobs, middle.

Catcher J.D. Osborne runs onto the field prior to National Anthem with a young Yankee, one of Batavia's youth ball players.

Pitcher R.J. Peace

Jerar Encarnacion scores in the first inning.

West Virginia second baseman Melvin Jimenez with an errant throw in the third inning (which nearly hit the photographer).

Ricardo Cespedes

Denis Karas

Gerardo Nunez and Ricardo Cespedes collide chasing a pop-up in the seventh inning.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized New York City politicians on the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for blocking a number of bills that would ease the tax burden on veterans and small businesses and increase the amount of funding that smaller municipalities receive.

“It is truly disappointing that some of our downstate colleagues do not share our priorities of making life easier for our nation’s heroes, our veterans, and starting to change the narrative of New York state as the tax capital of the country,” Hawley said.

“These are common-sense bills, many of which have bipartisan support, which New York City politicians will not even allow to reach the floor for a debate and discussion. In the waning days of session, I will continue to fight for our veterans, homeowners, small-businesses and seniors against misguided priorities coming from Assembly leadership.”

A complete list of bills that were blocked is as follows:

A.6558: Extends the period during which the county of Genesee is authorized to impose a county recording tax on certain mortgage obligations until November 1, 2019.

A.8040: Relates to enhanced aid and incentives for municipalities.

A.1740: Relates to exempting cranes from the petroleum business tax.

A.1783: Provides a tax credit in the amount of certain fees charged in connection with loans under the federal home loan guarantee program to National Guard and reserve veterans.

A.1559: Creates a tax exemption for leasing of certain aircraft used for flight schools.

A.1682: Relates to creating a local food and products sourcing tax credit.

A.1693-a: Creates a wage tax credit for employers who employ New York National Guard men and women, reservists, volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.

A.1561: Prohibits the transfer of unexpended moneys from funds receiving moneys from a dedicated fee into any other fund.

A.1565: Exempts veterans 85 years of age and older from the obligation to pay New York state income tax.

A.1616: Exempts compensation for active military service from inclusion in a resident's adjusted gross income under certain circumstances.

A.1617: Prohibits the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance from charging a fee for applications for a certificate of registration pursuant to a reregistration program.

A.1645: Relates to compensation of certain district attorneys; requires the state to reimburse the counties for the entire cost of any increase in the annual salary of a district attorney due to an increase in the annual salary of a justice of the Supreme Court or a county judge; appropriates $1,600,000 therefor.

Press release:

As consumer interest in solar energy continues to grow, National Grid is now offering its Upstate New York electricity customers a convenient online tool to use in researching and purchasing solar energy systems for their homes and businesses. The portal is called New York Solar Marketplace and is part of National Grid’s commitment to the future of the energy landscape and to ensuring a quality customer experience for going solar.

Through the marketplace, National Grid offers customers a simple process to research and purchase photovoltaic equipment. Customers are able to comparison-shop solar opportunities and receive competitive quotes from prescreened installers. Eligibility extends to both existing structures and new construction.

“National Grid is committed to advancing clean energy options for our customers, and we expect the solar marketplace will help customers evaluate those options and make informed buying decisions,” said John Bruckner, president of National Grid in New York.

To deliver the New York Solar Marketplace program National Grid is collaborating with EnergySage, the nation’s leading online marketplace for solar.

“Our mission is to make solar more accessible and affordable for Americans through choice and transparency,” said Vikram Aggarwal, founder and CEO of EnergySage. “We’re thrilled to be working with an innovative company like National Grid to empower their customers as they consider going solar, while also helping local solar installers grow their business.”

Customers can access National Grid’s New York Solar Marketplace through https://www.energysage.com/ngny/ . The company provides a wealth of energy saving information, including solar, at: https://www.nationalgridus.com/Upstate-NY-Home/Ways-to-Save/.

The New York Solar Marketplace helps customers save time and money when evaluating solar. By accessing the Solar Marketplace, consumers can:

  Learn about solar energy and determine if your roof is suitable;

  Discover how to save thousands on your installation with incentives;

  Get multiple quotes from prescreened solar installers in your area in a standardized, easy-to-compare format.

Participating installers must: have at least three years of experience installing rooftop solar systems; be licensed and insured for solar installation; must be certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP); have a demonstrated reputation for excellent customer service and quality solar installations; and sell and install only high quality solar equipment.

The New York Solar Marketplace is one of many programs offered by National Grid to help customers manage their energy usage, and promote reduction clean alternatives in support of both company and New York State energy goals.

National Grid was the first electric utility in the nation to collaborate with a solar marketplace to offer customers simplicity, transparency and choice when shopping for solar when it launched its Rhode Island Solarwise program in 2016. In the first few weeks of the program customer interest has been high with more than 1,500 participants, including 10 customers who have chosen a solar installer to install nearly 100 kilowatts of solar capacity.

A driver involved in a two-car accident that injured four people, including himself, on Thursday, said that he made a sharp turn because he was traveling too fast when his GPS told him to make a turn.

According to the accident report prepared by Deputy Eric Andre, the driver failed to keep right as he made the turn where Byron Road turns northeast at Fotch Road causing the 2014 Buick sedan he was driving to cross into the opposite traffic lane. The driver's side front end of the Buick struck the passenger side front end of a Chevy Suburban.

Joshua Alamokelley, 18, of Raymond Drive, Brockport, was cited for failure to keep right, speeding, and failure to signal a turn. 

The accident was reported 6:42 p.m.

Alamokelley suffered minor injuries and was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital. His three passengers were also transported to Strong: Rebecca Kerstetter, 19, Kenneth D. Thuman, 22, and Sabrina Sample, 19.

The driver of the other vehicle, Paul Burch, 38, of Townline Road, Byron, was not injured.

The Buick Alamokelly was driving was registered to a resident of Hamlin.

Photos submitted by Timothy Motyka.