top posts

Here's the most viewed posts for May:

• Police looking for public's help in finding boy allegedly slammed to floor of Walmart by adult male
• Suspect accused of slamming son to the floor of Walmart tells judge, 'I was in the wrong'
• Terry Platt says he's done investing in Genesee County after city denies rooming house application
• Le Roy PD reports home invasion sexual assault
• Council to consider law to license landlords, institute fines for nuisance tenants
• Photo: Tim McGraw stops in at Next Level Fitness for workout
• The future of a Wegmans in Batavia hinges on the success of STAMP in Alabama
• Photo: Big Pauly's open for business
• Old Glory flown over Main Street to honor young Marine laid to rest this morning, by Billie Owens
• Video: Buffalo TV station airs lengthy piece on salary paid to GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde

Yesterday, May 1, was The Batavian's fifth anniversary. Over the first five years of The Batavian, here are the 10 most viewed posts:

• Le Roy Legion hosting event to honor WWII vets
• State health officials discuss outbreak of tics in Le Roy, but say they can't share the cause
• Notorious woman allegedly trashes buffet at South Beach, by Billie Owens
• Brad Paisley fans get themselves arrested in droves during Darien Lake concert
• Sex in the City: Batavia 'adultery' case getting wider media attention
• Manhunt in progress near Townline and 63
• Teenage Bergen bow hunter takes down 17-point buck
• South Beach owner "was forced to close" restaurant, says sister-in-law, by Philip Anselmo
• Walmart greeter, age 70, seriously injured after allegedly being punched by 26-year-old woman
• Suzanne Corona accused of shoplifting from Batavia florist

Falling just outside of the top 10 was a post by Brian Hillabush, Christmas lights 12-13-08: DiSalvo's always best in show.

And to catch you up on the monthly most viewed posts ...

Most viewed posts for February:

• Darien man killed in early morning crash on Route 238
• Robber of Sally's appears to have executed a plan to avoid identification
• BREAKING: trash proposal fails on 7-2 vote
• Legislature poised to call for repeal of Cuomo's gun control law
• Tom Houseknecht asserts new trash plan an attempt to skirt property tax cap
• Attica man charged with DWI in Pembroke crashes vehicle in Darien a few hours later
• Possible suspect in Sally Beauty robbery hospitalized after arrest in Owego
• Alabama man accused of raping woman during argument
• Woman accused of stealing money from charity raising money for cancer patient
• Batavia Middle School student in trouble for packing a BB gun

Most viewed posts for March:

• The vote is final: The Wiss Hotel building will come down
• Law and Order: Man accused of installing illegal water line
• Oakfield Fire Department issues statement regarding water dispute with Village
• Judge tells bookies they will serve in a weekend-work program
• Law and Order: Mother accused of not being at home when children were dropped off by school bus
• Sheriff responds to allegation that investigator placed bets with bookie working in fire department
• Ken Mistler buys downtown theater with hope of keeping more entertainment dollars in Batavia
• Woman robbed in parking lot of Sav-A-Lot in Batavia, by Billie Owens
• Two women get their hair done at salon, then stiff the stylists, by Billie Owens
• Caller says car parked across the street is harassment, by Billie Owens

Most viewed posts for April:

• Le Roy Legion hosting event to honor WWII vets
• Apparent blow-up between Corfu mayor and employees has village administration in jeopardy
• The story of a stolen thermometer and the police officer who made a gift of it
• Young 'inconsolable' woman resists arrest in Oakfield, is pepper-sprayed, by Billie Owens
• VP at GCC reportedly arrested in Rochester on public lewdness charge
• Trustee asks Corfu mayor to resign
• New pizza shop will have a familiar sounding name and familiar looking face
• Pero brothers entering trash business in Batavia
• Corfu sewer contractor reacts to anonymous letter threatening his business with the village
• Village of Corfu office remains closed this morning

April -- even with the ad server trouble -- set traffic records with 128,425 unique visitors, 512,095 visits and 852,965 page views.

The previous records were set the month before, with 108,490 unique visitors (the first time had more than 100K unique visitors), 493,303 visits and 834,797 page views.

On May 1, 2008, we received 125 visits to the site.

Most viewed posts for January:

• Batavia PD nabs suspected thief during alleged burglary in progress on Washington Avenue
• Pedestrian struck by car at West Main and North Lyon, serious injuries, by Billie Owens
• Proposed budget means big changes in garbage pick-up, police department structure
• City video features Jason Molino demonstrating advantages of totes
• Car crashes into house on South Main Street in the city, driver flees, by Billie Owens
• Seven-year-old boy found wandering down Washington Avenue with no shoes or jacket, by Alecia Kaus
• City firefighters called to hose off 'a large amount of blood' on Lewis Place, by Billie Owens
• Cat on porch preventing homeowner from getting in the house, by Alecia Kaus
• Hawley: New gun law demonstrates Albany's dysfunction
• Lt. Jankowski says he couldn't have stepped down to sergeant, likely to retire

Top 15 most viewed posts for 2012:

• State health officials discuss outbreak of tics in Le Roy, but say they can't share the cause
• BREAKING: Jacquetta Simmons sentenced to five years in prison
• Teen killed in head-on crash on Route 33, woman seriously injured
• Angry mother confronts store employees she believes sold bath salts to her son
• Batavia woman's cause of death not yet known
• Four smoke shops on reservation raid by feds -- cigarettes, fake pot, bath salts seized
• Chris Collins wants to go to Washington to restore the American Dream
• Two people killed in Sunday morning accident
• Specialist questions scientific validity of Le Roy district's environmental reports
• DEA raids 420 Emporium in Batavia as part of nationwide assault on bath salt sales
• Attorney, young celebrity arrested in Pembroke on charges of DWI and prostitution
• Potentially dangerous synthetic drugs readily available in Genesee County
• Three members of Le Roy family jailed after scuffle with police
• Report: Cyberbullying at local high schools
• Woman accused of giving bath salts to minor allegedly said she thought it was OK

Look at how many of these stories The Batavian broke or brought you more information about than available in other news sources. The Batavian broke the story about Jacquetta Simmons at Walmart on Christmas Eve, 2011 and was in front of the competition as the story developed. The Batavian brought to light the local issues with bath salts and either broke stories or had stories the competition never even carried. The Batavian carried more in-depth stories that were widely read on the tic disorder issue in Le Roy. We work hard to bring you news about Genesee County. We ask that you support the effort by becoming a member of The Batavian Club.

In 2012, TheBatavian.com was visited 3.8 million times and we served up 5.5 million page views.

Top 10 most viewed stories for December:

• Teen killed in head-on crash on Route 33, woman seriously injured
• Person struck by vehicle in front of Batavia Downs, minor injuries, by Billie Owens
• BREAKING: Firefighters accused of bookmaking plead guilty to greatly reduced charge
• Car parked by St. Joseph's Cemetery reported to be a 'suspcious condition', by Billie Owens
• Jacquetta Simmons posts $50,000 bail
• Corfu teen dies in Orleans County crash Sunday night
• Weather related reports, Dec. 26
• Property between Lewiston and Main will be more than just a Tim Horton's
• Driver who died on Route 20 accident wasn't wearing a seat belt
• GCEDC board approves 2012 bonuses, raise for agency's CEO

Most viewed posts for November:

• BREAKING: Jacquetta Simmons sentenced to five years in prison
• Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia just robbed, by Billie Owens
• Popular local restaurant closes for good after most recent cook quits without notice
• BREAKING: Prison sentence for Jacquetta Simmons stayed pending appeal
• Three people injured, two needing helicopter transport, in accident on West Main Street, Batavia
• Church burglar gets near maximum sentence from Noonan
• Another good bow season for Batavia's Pietrzykowski brothers, by Jim Nigro
• Batavia PD seeks assistance in identifying Dollar General robbery suspect
• Rowell Mansion finding new life in the hands of couple with Hollywood and Batavia ties
• Today's Poll: Are you surprised that Obama won?

Hard to believe I haven't done this since June, but here are the most viewed posts for each month of June, July, August, September and October.

June:

• Three members of Le Roy family jailed after scuffle with police
• People swimming in pond at Dewitt Recreation Area, Batavia, by Billie Owens
• Local business owner accused of impersonating cop to keep potential competitor out of town
• Photo: Plane refueling over Batavia
• Police unsure how man fell from seventh-floor window at 400 Towers
• Lawn mower driver said to be enjoying a brew near Maple and North, Le Roy, by Billie Owens
• At first concert of Darien Lake season, 24 arrests and 70 citations
• Today's Poll: Is racism still a problem in the U.S.?
• Photos: Johnny Bananas at City Slickers
• Driver of golf cart involved in fatal accident enters a guilty plea to negligent homicide

July:

• Angry mother confronts store employees she believes sold bath salts to her son
• DEA raids 420 Emporium in Batavia as part of nationwide assault on bath salt sales
• Woman accused of giving bath salts to minor allegedly said she thought it was OK
• Mother's grief has turned her into a crusader against bath salts
• Chris Collins wants to go to Washington to restore the American Dream
• Three people arrested after suspected marijuana field discovered unexpectedly
• Relatively speaking, a calm night at Darien Lake for Dave Matthews show
• 420 Emporium raided by multiple law enforcement agencies, by Billie Owens
• Small turn out, but lots of support for bath salt protest at 420 Emporium
• Broadbent: One Batavia family learning the hard way the damage bath salts can do

August:

• Attorney, young celebrity arrested in Pembroke on charges of DWI and prostitution
• Jacquetta Simmons takes the stand, tells her side of the story
• BREAKING: Jacquetta Simmons found guilty
• Witnesses punch holes in defense contention that Jacquetta Simmons hit victim accidentally
• Simmons' attorney vows appeal, cites jurors' pre-trial media exposure
• Boyfriend allegedly takes pregnant girlfriend's pack of smokes, by Billie Owens
• Metal spikes reportedly placed at the bottom of slides at Le Roy playground
• Defense argues Simmons' punch was unintentional attempt to break free of person holding her
• Business owned by Chad Zambito closed, assets up for auction to pay debt
• Fight inside Wendy's restaurant in Batavia, by Billie Owens

September:

• Pembroke woman, 53, arrested on child pornography charge
• Two men may be headed to Genesee County intent on robbing a farm
• Complaint: Children playing in the street!, by Billie Owens
• Today's Poll: Are 47 percent of the people in the U.S. takers, dependent on government?
• School bus and big rig collide on West Main Street Road, by Billie Owens
• Evicted tenants forgot the dogs, by Billie Owens
• Six-month jail term and probation given to teenage golf cart driver involved in fatal accident
• Ten arrests at KISS concert at Darien Lake
• Investigators unable to determine cause of death for Alyce Huntoon
• Pavilion mother faces second felony DWI charge under Leandra's Law

October:

• Head-on collision on Route 20 in Darien claims life of mother, seriously injures her daughter
• Byron-Bergen school district won't discuss apparent termination of artist who worked as counselor
• Court clerk in Corfu files harassment complaint against village justice
• Fatal accident reported in Oakfield, on Lockport Road
• Corfu trustee denies running afoul of closed session protocol
• No settlement from insurance company on Settler's sign
• Winning drug-free posters from local students (post from 2010)*
• Route 19 closed after suspected hand grenade found in trunk of a car
• Alleged drunken driver destroys Settler's Restaurant sign
• 'Wife Swap' celeb in media spotlight at court appearance on prostitution charge

*That post showing up from 2010 is rather odd. As near as I can tell, that post on The Batavian is a top-ranking search result for "drug free posters." I'm guessing October was the month for students to look for ideas for creating a poster for a drug-free poster contest.

It's a slow news day, and I haven't done a top story post for April and May, so here it is.

Most viewed posts in April:

• Two people killed in Sunday morning accident
• Up to a foot of snow predicted for most of Genesee County
• Photos: Batavia PD looking for help in identifying subject at Batavia Downs
• BREAKING: Alleged bookies charged under NYS organized crime statute
• Laughing Buddha owner pulls potpourri, but believes statewide ban violates constitutional rights, by Tim Walton
• Man accused of sex acts with a toddler
• Local congressional candidate reportedly has previously fallen behind on property taxes
• Mug Shots: suspects on Batavia PD's warrant watch list
• Town of Batavia board member resigns
• Bank robbed in Pavilion, by Billie Owens

Most views posts for May:

• Anti-U.N. residents plan protest during peace garden dedication Sunday
• Nurse who inflated claims to bilk employer of more than $14,000 gets four months in jail, probation, by Billie Owens
• 'Angry cattle dog' left in vehicle at Darien Lake
• Well respected mother passes after 12 year cancer battle, by Tim Walton
• Today's Poll: Do you support gay marriage?
• Downtown bar owners say new overnight parking restrictions could hurt business
• While Ranzenhofer claims neutrality in congressional race, petitions for Collins seem to tell a different story
• Photo: Guard posted at Bank of America in Le Roy
• Regulators taking a look at 'gypsy' auto dealer that set up shop at BJ's last week
• Photos: Rescue of a snapping turtle on Creek Road

Here are the most viewed posts for February:

• Batavia woman's cause of death not yet known
• Four smoke shops on reservation raided by feds -- cigarettes, fake pot, bath salts seized
• All three alleged bookies released from jail following bail review hearing
• Possible fight involving 20 males reported at Oakfield-Alabama school
• Le Roy superintendent releases a letter to the community
• Early information indicates alleged gambling operation was dealing in significant amounts of cash
• Two city firefighters accused of bookmaking
• Le Roy illnesses: today's efforts to gather more information
• Today's Poll: Should health care plans be required to offer women free birth control?
• Father saves baby son from smoke-filled room

For the 29 days in February we had 326,840 visits and 496,811 page views.

Also, it's now officially been three years since Billie and I became sole owners of The Batavian.

Here are the most viewed posts for January, 2012:

• State health officials discuss outbreak of tics in Le Roy, but say they can't share the cause
• Specialist questions scientific validity of Le Roy district's environmental reports
• Report: Cyberbullying at local high schools
• Albany news station reports Tourette-like symptoms in two girls
• Two teens from Le Roy appear on NBC to talk about tic symptoms
• Le Roy School District labels media exercising First Amendment rights 'criminal activity'
• Potentially dangerous synthetic drugs readily available in Genesee County
• 'Hammer Head' 'incense' blamed for seizure of youth in Le Roy
• Doctor treating Le Roy girls appears on national TV and says the diagnosis is 'conversion disorder'
• Doctor who reportedly diagnosed 'conversion disorder' received substantial payments from pharma companies

It was, overall, a big traffic month for The Batavian. A new record was set in visits, but not in page views.

Visits: 340,980
Page Views: 512,319

Here are the most viewed posts for July 2011:

• Brad Paisley fans get themselves arrested in droves during Darien Lake concert
• Two-car, head-on collision with serious injuries on Indian Falls Road, by Billie Owens
• Woman who reportedly jumped in front of a car on East Main takes her own life
• Barn fire on Batavia-Elba TL Road, by Billie Owens
• Rider falls off roller coaster and dies at Darien Lake Theme Park, by Billie Owens
• Pavilion family worried about missing teen
• Iraq vet, double amputee, dies after being ejected from ride at Darien Lake Theme Park, by Geoff Redick, WBTA
• Car vs. pedestrian accident in the city with serious injuries, by Billie Owens
• Today's Poll: Should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine?
• Photo: Reader looking for owner of lost dog

July was a record traffic month for The Batavian, beating out records set in August 2010.

Visits: 335,359
Page Views: 601,325
Unique Visitors: 81,875

For comparison sake, the August 2010 numbers:

Visits: 256,391
Page Views: 443,330
Unique Visitors: 70,638

I knew I hadn't posted the most-read posts for a little while, but was surprised to find I hadn't done it since January. After the jump, the missing months.

Below are January's most viewed posts, and since I never posted December's most viewed posts either, those are listed below.

January's most viewed posts:

• Suzanne Corona accused of shoplifting from Batavia florist
• Bank robbery reported in Corfu, by Billie Owens
• Man in maroon sedan exposes himself at coffee stand, by Billie Owens
• Bail and hearing set for man accused of rape
• State report blasts compensation practices of GCEDC
• Pantless man making snow angels on South Main Street, by Billie Owens
• Le Roy man accused of luring child into making sexual video
• More Birth Certificate controversy, by Peter O'Brien
• Local entrepreneurs plan teen nightclub at former gym location on East Main
• GCEDC releases consultant's salary survey

December's most viewed posts:

• Police Beat: Teen charged with sexual misconduct for relations with younger teen
• Batavia Motel condemned, residents say they were given little notice to move
• Police Beat: Batavia man accused of imitating girl's father to get her released from school early
• Woman from Dansville stuck in the city, by Billie Owens
• Freezing man found in snow bank off Route 20, Bethany, by Billie Owens
• Dangerous Condition: Snowman built in the middle of the road
• Neighbors argue over Christmas decorations in Darien Center, by Billie Owens
• Two-story house fire on Route 20 in Alexander, by Billie Owens
• Today's Poll: Should gays be allowed to serve openly in the military?

Here are the 15 most viewed stories for 2010:

• Notorious woman allegedly trashes buffet at South Beach, by Billie Owens
• Sex in the City: Batavia 'adultery' case getting wider media attention
• Suzanne Corona has yet to agree to carry 'I Stole At South Beach' signs
• Disturbed concert at Darien Lake: 13 arrests, 8 citations issued
• Police Beat: Allegedly no tire for 11 miles, no license since 1977, driver accused of DWI
• Brad Paisley concert results in eight arrests, 32 citations
• Three young people, including former Oakfield-Alabama football star, killed in accident
• County nursing home isn't up for sale, but the option is part of a proposed study
• Pontillo v. Pontillo opens window on finances of legendary family business
• Jury in Wendt case finds him guilty on all 11 counts
• Batavia man with lengthy criminal past sent to prison for five years
• Fire at house on East Main Street in Batavia, by Billie Owens
• The 25 highest paid public employees in Genesee County
• Photo Essay: An alleged DWI arrest
• Police Beat: Teen charged with sexual misconduct for relations with younger teen

As for traffic, the final numbers aren't in yet, of course, but we'll finish 2010 with 4,350,000 page views and more than 2,500,000 visits to the site.

Most view posts for November

• Pedestrian killed in Pavilion, by Billie Owens
• Local Dem arrested after Republican legislator accuses him of harassing phone call
• Alexander couple accused of sex act in public view
• York Road fire victims victimized again by overnight thieves
• Apparently, Carl Paladino was in town
• DA's office moving forward with political harassment charge, but new judge needed first, by Billie Owens
• Chris Charvella Case: Putting a comment in context
• Fully involved house fire on York Road, Le Roy, by Billie Owens
• Owner who built log house loses home to fire in Le Roy
• Sex offenders dislocated by fire have registered new addresses

For November, The Batavian had 243,401 visits and 450,754 page views.

Here were the most viewed posts for October, 2010:

• Notorious woman allegedly trashes buffet at South Beach, by Billie Owens
• Suzanne Corona has yet to agree to carry 'I Stole At South Beach' signs
• Fire at house on East Main Street in Batavia, by Billie Owens
• Suzanne Corona agrees to 'Walk of Shame' outside South Beach
• Mother accused of delivering drugs to son in Genesee County Jail
• Sign carrying in front of South Beach not in Suzanne Corona's future
• Rooming house on Main Street, Batavia, destroyed by late afternoon fire
• Today's Poll: Should food stamp recipients be barred from buying soft drinks?
• Head chef at Alex's believed to have died in accident in Orleans County
• Democrats pack Larry's to hear campaign speech by Cuomo

October traffic:

Visits: 250,077
Page Views: 454,039

In October, 2009:

Visits: 147,531
Page Views: 296,348

Top 10 most viewed posts for September:

• Notorious woman allegedly trashes buffet at South Beach, by Billie Owens
• Jury in Wendt case finds him guilty on all 11 counts
• Batavia man with lengthy criminal past sent to prison for five years
• Guy on porch with rifle prompts calls, police response, by Billie Owens
• Batavia woman accused of letting drug dealers operate from her home
• Batavia PD asking for help in IDing larceny suspect
• Report of knife fight on State Street
• Law enforcement kept busy on concert nights at Darien Lake
• Today's Poll: Can Paladino beat Cuomo?
• As city finances improve, council balks at raise for manager

Total Visits: 240,776
Total Page Views: 403,533

A year ago:

Total Visits: 137,705
Total Page Views: 302,986

Here are the top 10 most viewed posts for August:

• Disturbed concert at Darien Lake: 13 arrests, 8 citations issued
• Police Beat: Allegedly no tire for 11 miles, no license since 1977, driver accused of DWI
• Three young people, including former Oakfield-Alabama football star, killed in accident
• Oakfield deals with another young death after motorcycle accident, by Tim Walton
• Adultery charge against Suzanne Corona dropped, by Geoff Redick, WBTA
• Batavia woman's body found next to railroad tracks in Stafford
• Today's Poll: Do you believe Barack Obama is a natural-born citizen?
• State seizes Margarita's over alleged tax issue
• Report: Plumbing board has history of not operating in Batavia's best interest
• Investigators looking for any information that might explain death of Batavia woman

It was also another record traffic month for The Batavian.

Visits: 256,391
Page Views: 443,330
Unique Visitors: 70,638

Here's how that compares to August 2009, which was a record month at the time:

Visits: 131,763
Page Views: 292,176
Unique Visitors: 38,057

Here are the most viewed posts for July:

• Photo Essay: An alleged DWI arrest
• The 25 highest paid public employees in Genesee County
• Motorcycle hits deer on West Main Street, Batavia, two injured
• Five suspected meth dealers busted in early morning raids
• Multiple raids this morning on suspected meth distribution ring
• Today's Poll: Should Batavia have a public pool?
• Bike-riding fundraiser arrested on sexual abuse charges
• Today's Poll: Should the U.S. continue the war in Afghanistan?
• Dispute over ducks, other complaints, has Oak Street man headed to court
• Multiple sexual abuse charges filed against Batavia man

Here are the audience stats for July:

Unique visitors: 48,130
Visits: 206,603
Page views: 354,273

Here are the most view posts for June:

• Sex in the City: Batavia 'adultery' case getting wider media attention
• Brad Paisley concert results in eight arrests, 32 citations
• Couple allegedly caught having sex on picnic table in Farrall Park
• At least 67 arrests and citations at Dave Matthews concert in Darien
• Friedman: No decision made yet on whether to pursue adultery charge against Suzanne Corona
• Woman accused of adultery for alleged sex in park plans legal challenge
• Batavia 'adultery' case now fodder for British tabloids
• Masked man kicks in door, pushes woman down, flees, by Billie Owens
• Naming names in police reports
• O-A casts nearly unanimous vote for Prom Queen with Down syndrome, by Billie Owens

It was also, across the board, a record traffic month for The Batavian.

• Unique Visitors: 62,421
• Visits: 225,458
• Page Views: 384,110

Most viewed posts for May:

• Scott Doll accused of promoting prison contraband
• Police: Abduction story fabricated
• Hawley votes against 'anti-Second Amendment' bill, by Billie Owens
• Fight reported at the carnival
• Oakfield man accidentally shot by father while hunting turkeys
• Historic building on Swan Street ablaze, by Billie Owens
• Scott Doll murder trial verdict: Guilty
• Juror in Scott Doll trial responds to verdict critics, discusses difficult deliberations
• Incumbents win school board election, budget passes
• Batavia police continuing investigation into baseball-bat attack on State Street

May was also a record traffic month across the board (though, June is on track to easily swamp it):

Unique visitors: 46,100
Visitors: 202,096
Page Views: 366,376

Here's the most viewed posts for April:

• Pontillo v. Pontillo opens window on finances of legendary family business
• Dave's Produce has barely survived the alleged bad debt from Pontillo's
• Photo: Counting Cars
• State health commissioner pushing for tax on sodas
• Registering on The Batavian
• Batavia merchants hit by rash of fake $50 bills
• Today's Poll: What do you think of the Confederate flag?
• Carl Paladino's e-mail problem
• County faced with big expense related to new drunken driving law
• Batavia supervisor says state should have accurate data before restriping Ellicott