HOME SHOW Special: Sign Up for Early Access pass before the end of April and get the first month of membership for only $1 or $8 off an annual membership. Visit my.thebatavian.com to sign up and use the coupon code HOME25.

A 45-year-old Le Roy resident has been charged in a 2023 burglary of Crocker's Ace Hardward.

Officer Matthew Nielson worked the cold case and identified the suspect, who allegedly stole thousands of dollars in merchandise in the overnight heist.

Nielson had few leads to work with, according to Chief Greg Kellogg.

"Through persistent follow-up, detailed investigative work, and strong attention to detail, he successfully identified the suspect and personally made the arrest," Kellogg said. "This arrest is the result of Nielson’s dedication and resolve, demonstrating the commitment of the LeRoy Police Department to holding offenders accountable — no matter how much time has passed. His work on this case reflects the professionalism and determination that the department strives to deliver every day."

Andrew J. Paladino was taken into custody. He is charged with burglary. No other charges were listed in the release. His release status is unknown

Marian Dworzack -- who credits her longevity to always carrying a song in her heart -- celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday during a party hosted by her children, Sheila Craver and Steven Dworzack, at Miss Batavia Diner. 

The family enjoyed a toast with champagne, birthday cupcakes, and plenty of smiles.

Marian was born in 1925 on her grandfather’s farm in Basom, the eldest daughter of Chauncey and Eleanor Cramer. She attended Oakfield School and graduated from Corfu High School in 1943, where she was a ping-pong champion and star of the school musical. 

She worked at the Brown Knitting Company in Warsaw until she married Chester Dworzack in 1946. They operated a small dairy farm in Varysburg until 1962. Avid ballroom and square dancers, they belonged to the Batavia Twirlers and WyCo Promenaders. Marian also sang with the Sweet Adelines. She was an active member of St. Vincent Church in Attica, where she belonged to the Catholic Daughters and the Altar & Rosary Society. After Chet’s retirement in 1980, they moved to the city of Batavia, where she now resides. 

Marian is a 45-year breast cancer survivor. In addition to her two children, she has seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Although there were signs admonishing Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Corfu resident Matt Steinberg didn't see it as being political and instead focused on what he believed was the bigger picture in downtown Batavia this weekend.

Steinberg chose to speak up for libraries, which he displayed on his sign while standing along Main Street.

“Well, because there's no reason to cut these. I mean, education is how we sort of advance as a country. People need to have an education and know what has happened in history, good and bad. And you learn that partially at libraries. And fascists, that's how they start. They try to have an uneducated citizenry, and that's got to be the reason that libraries are a target,” he said, as one of at least 300 people in the Hands Off! protest Saturday outside of City Hall. “I do feel that our local libraries will be affected. The small libraries depend more heavily on government support, even the big ones, like in Buffalo, Erie County, that also depends heavily on government support, because it essentially is a free function. And there are certain things in the world that should exist that don't need to generate a profit, and libraries are one of them.”

He said it was well worth his time to attend the event and protest for two hours alongside hundreds of others with various other causes. For the most part, the event was a peaceful demonstration of free speech in action, including a few motorists who apparently opposed the action by displaying Trump flags and expelling diesel exhaust close to protesters.

“It’s easier to give a finger or accelerate your truck than to engage. We’re trying to reverse what’s happening,” Steinberg said. “I’m here because I don't like the direction that the current administration is piloting the country, and I don't feel like I don't want to just take it lying down. ”

Individuals, couples, friends, and whole families came out to participate. Jen Reardon of Batavia gathered with seven relatives — including some first-time protesters that drove from Hamburg and Alden, and their grandmother — all wearing neon-colored matching “Resist” T-shirts.

This event wasn’t about getting together for a one-time cause but about concerns and conversations they’ve been having daily, Reardon said.

“We’re worried about our country absolutely crumbling and falling apart. And anything that we can do -- we need to resist and fight it,” she said. “And try to keep things funded that are important to people, and social security, Medicaid, Medicare. How are people going to live without that and all of the other things they talk about, SNAP benefits being cut, museums and libraries being cut? Head Start being cut. They’re programs that help a lot o families all over the country, and with the money gone, what is going to happen to people?”

There seems to be a fair amount of people online saying that this isn’t necessary and asking why people are protesting. How do you respond to that?
“I’d say stop watching Fox News and start to watch almost any other place you an get news from; not Newsmax and not Fox News, and learn the real story of what is happening, because those media outlets are are friendly to Trump are not telling the Americans the truth of what’s happening,” she said.

Are you doing any other events like this?
“Well, we found out that there’s something going on on April 15 at the town hall (at Arc Community Center), so we plan to attend that as well. And then as things come up, this was kind of our first jump into it,” she said. “But we’re really to do what we need to do to keep the lifestyle that we love here, and the freedoms that we have here that other people across the world do not have.”

The family members each carried a sign with a different cause — the forests, LGTBQ rights, recovery funds, social security, the library and art.

Taylor Peck of Batavia works in the substance addiction field and is concerned about funding for rehab and recovery and issues more personal to her. Participating in this protest “definitely” accomplished something, Peck said.

“So we're getting our voices heard, our message across. It's a scary time to be a gay woman in America. And I mean, I just want to take a stand. I work for UConnectCare here in Batavia, and I care a lot about the clients that I work with who are in recovery. So that's why my sign says recovery funds.”

Admitting that her group was “fired up,” Reardon jumped back in to add that she's concerned about cuts to education, libraries, and museums. It is “trying to make us dumb,” she said.

“Things where you can go and learn about history, and women’s rights and gay rights and the veterans,” she said. “It’s a whole lot of things that mean a lot to all kinds of people.”

Both sides of Main Street were lined with people and chants of “hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” as motorists drove by honking their horns. There was a bright green umbrella with the word Truth written across the top and messages for “Congress, get DOGE” and “Congress, put your hands back on the wheel.”

A protester wearing the classic “Hand Maid’s Tale” garb of a floor-length ruby red dress and symbolic oppressive white head piece, known as wings, walked up and down the sidewalk with a megaphone, leading a chant of “this is what democracy looks like.”

Holding a sign with democracy written on it, Amy Fagan is “displeased with the Trump administration,” she said, and appreciated the fact that “a red county” would have people stand up against him in protest.

“Because there’s so many things that I think are being attacked that I figured democracy covers a lot of it, and then the social security in particular, people like me have paid into it our entire lives. And what’s going to happen if it goes away?” the Batavia resident said. “It’s not fair, it’s not right. It’s dangerous for the older people to not have that income coming in, because we’re not millionaires and billionaires.”

And what do you say to those people who think this is premature and this is worry for nothing?
“If you wait for too long, then it’s going to be too late, and if it’s too late, there’s nothing that you’re going to be able to do about it,” she said. “People need to see that there are those of us who disagree and that maybe they don’t want to come out because they’re afraid of what their family might think. Or, just know that there’s a group of us out here that support you.”

Organizer Sarah Wolcott was happy with the turnout and that the protest had minimal negative occurrences.

“I am overwhelmed, but in the best possible way. I always prepared for some pushback. There has been very, very minimal, at best, if even any. There has been some. I'm not gonna say there hasn't been, but mostly it's all been positive and supportive and peaceful, which was the ultimate goal of today,” Wolcott said. “The whole point of choosing Hands Off, specifically, was that it's not just one cause, it's not just one thing being affected, it’s so many things. And I just gave people a place to come together, is really all I did. The rest kind of happened on its own.  I think there will definitely be more.”

Batavia First Presbyterian Church hosted a children's Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Gavynn Trippany is Mr. Batavia 2025.

Trippany won the annual Batavia High School event on Friday night in front of a capacity crowd in the auditorium.

The event raised in the neighborhood of $5,400 (the final total hasn't been calculated yet). Half of the funds will go to Trippany's chosen charity, Rosewell Cancer Institute. 

Will Fulton, representing Genesee Cancer Assistance, came in second, and Kahler Evans, representing Bella's Bumbas, came in third. Their charities will each receive 25% of the proceeds.

Since the first year of the competition in 2013, Mr. Batavia has raised $43,052 for charity. 

The event is supported by the Batavia City School Foundation along with local businesses Charles Men Shop, Main St. Pizza, Zach Korzelius at Geico Insurance, LP Graphics in LeRoy, Extreme Streetwear, Beverly's Flowers and Gifts, along with the students and staff at BHS. 

This year's contestants where:

The 2025 contestants are:

• Cooper Banser: Crossroads House
• Jeremiah Childs: The Neri Family through Reece's Rainbow
• Kahler Evans: Bella's Bumbas
• Greyson Fix: The Ricky Palermo Foundation
• Will Fulton: Genesee Cancer Assistance
• Cooper Konieczny: Volunteers for Animals
• Anthony Kopper: Suicide Prevention of Genesee County
• Marcus Nichols: Habitat for Humanity
• Gavynn Trippany: Roswell Cancer Center
• Myles Wahr: Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Matt Wittmeyer: All Babies Cherished

Photos by Howard Owens.

The Goose in Oakfield, 33 South Main St., is Genesee County's new live music venue, thanks to Oakfield resident Thom Jennings and a grant administered by GO ART!

Jennings, a musician himself, got the idea during his wife's surprise birthday party at the Goose last July. Bruce Wojick, a member of the Strictly Hip, played a couple of songs.

"I got to thinking, man, this would just be a really good space for an artist-centric music event," Jennings said. "Because one of the things that's always driven me crazy when I played a happy hour acoustic event, or even as I go to more shows now, the artist isn't necessarily the focus.

It's hard, he said, for a good singer-songwriter to find a place where the audience is there to hear the music more than they are to chat with their friends.

The other inspiration for the idea came from his son Trevor, a drummer in multiple bands.  He mentioned playing a gig where audience members could bring their own beer or wine.

So, during the last round of grant applications for state grants for community art projects through GO ART!, Jennings pitched the idea and approved the grant.

Evan Anstey and James Robert Kibby played the inaugural show on Friday evening.

There are shows on May 2 (Steve Novak) and June 6 (Tyler Bagwell), and there is a Christmas concert planned for December.

The Goose is a community center in Oakfield run by Susan Zeliff, Jennings' niece.

Press Release:

The first “We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon of the 2025 season will be Tuesday, April 15 at the South Alabama Firehall located at 2230 Judge Road, Oakfield. Lunch will be promptly served at 11:45 am.

Both guest speakers at the meeting will be from the Genesee County Economic Development Center. Chris Suozzi, Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development, and Mark Masse, President and CEO. They will be discussing what their organization does in the County; STAMP project in Alabama, Youth programs, etc. 

Come and bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door!  Enjoy lunch and an afternoon with old and new friends. All seniors in surrounding areas are welcome. Contact LaNora Thompson at 630-888-8966 for more information.  

Press release:

Byron-Bergen set the tone early with nine first-inning runs, dominating Holley 18-4 in Holley on Friday.

Lily Stalica started on the mound for the Bees, delivering a strong performance. She allowed three earned runs, struck out seven batters, and walked three.

At the plate, Stalica went 3-3 with a double, four RBIs, three runs, and a stolen base. Natalie Prinzi was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, four runs, and a steal. Ava Gray went 1-for-1 with a triple, three walks, and two stolen bases. Jill Weaver, Janessa Amesbury, and Lauren Gartz each had a hit, with Amesbury and Gartz driving in 2 RBIs each, while Weaver contributed three RBIs.

Junior pitcher Skylar Gallagher took the loss for Holley. She allowed four earned runs and struck out 1 in her one inning of work. Alexis Lujan relieved her, striking out three while allowing three earned runs over four innings.

Serenity-Ann Rath led the Hawks' offense, going 2-2 with two runs scored. Desiree McCormack went 2-3, while Gallagher added Holley's only other hit.

Byron-Bergen head coach Steve Ball praised his team, saying, "I'm proud of the girls for coming out strong and taking control of the game early. Last year, we often let teams back into games, but today, the girls played a complete game and earned a comfortable win. It's a step in the right direction, and I hope we can build on this momentum. Lily (Stalica) has been outstanding in our first three games, both on the mound and at the plate, reaching base 11 times in 12 plate appearances. Credit to Coach Ostrom and Holley—after a tough first inning, she really rallied her girls, and they played much more competitively the rest of the game."

The Bees will next play on Tuesday at Attica.

Submitted photos.

Jamie Clark, assistant principal and athletic director at Le Roy Jr/Sr High School, has been named the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) Region 12 Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year. 

"What a great honor for all the work that Jamie does for our students each and every day," said Superintendent Merritt Holly. "Mr. Clark is student-centered and always prioritizes the success and well-being of every learner."

"Mr. Clark continually demonstrates a positive attitude and team-oriented approach, and his ability to connect with stakeholders and willingness to approach any challenging situation have helped contribute to the success of the Le Roy Central School District," said Dr. David Russell, principal at the high school.

Each year, SAANYS honors exceptional New York State administrators with a state awards program in their honor.  This program was established to recognize educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have contributed exceptionally to the educational process.  

Article by Patti Singer

High on Tom Roster’s to-do list when he arrived at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in November 2004 was getting Swallow Hollow Trail in shape and repairing the handicap-accessible boardwalk.

“That was a very big and impressive project that had a lot of hands in it,” Roster remembered. “And then we had a big celebration at the end. No sooner were we done with the celebration and cleaning up, and there was a wheelchair going down the boardwalk. That was kind of neat to see that.”

That initial project laid the groundwork for Roster’s tenure. His formal title is complex manager, but he’s known as the refuge manager. He worked with volunteers and the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on maintaining the 10,000-plus acres for wildlife conservation and human enjoyment and education.

Now, after more than 20 years at Iroquois NWR and more than 37 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Roster is retiring in April 2025 to find new adventures with his wife and family.

“I’ll be 59,” said Roster, who had planned this day since last fall. “I still have my health and can do a lot of other things. We can travel and do a lot of stuff before anything sets in. We’re still young.”

“Tom Roster has been a steady hand at the helm of the Iroquois refuge for several decades,” said Richard Moss, president of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit that supports the refuge. “His tenure spanned at least half a dozen Friends presidents, and he will be sorely missed.”

Many of those former Friends presidents, his colleagues and family threw Roster a retirement party on March 28 at the refuge to thank him for his service.

Roster grew up in northern Minnesota in an outdoors family. His older brother worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “He was doing all sorts of neat things and I thought that’s a great thing to do and get paid for.”

Roster has spent more than half his life with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

His first post was in 1986 as a summer volunteer at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Lima, Montana. He worked as a student trainee at refuges in Wisconsin and Minnesota before earning his bachelor of science degree from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, in 1990. His first job out of college was as a manager trainee in Sumner, Mo. He moved to Oak Harbor, Ohio, San Diego, Calif., and Chincoteague, Va., before coming to Genesee County.

In those days, moving around was expected. “Get to know a lot of different things before you settle down to your own place,” Roster said. “So that’s what I did.”

Now Genesee County is home, even after his children have graduated from high school.

“The last graduation was 2019, and then we just decided to stick on here. There’s so much going on, a lot of fun and a lot great staff doing a lot of neat work, Friends and volunteers doing a tremendous amount of work and helping us out. The years flew by, and it’s been great.”

Roster said the volunteers help Iroquois NWR fulfill its mission of wildlife first as it has drawn about 100,000 visitors a year post-pandemic.

“There’s a lot of things that we do for the American people, whether it’s hunting, fishing, education programs, and that’s where folks like Friends and volunteers really help us out.”

Volunteers put in between 6,000 and 8,000 hours a year – about 200 40-hour work weeks. Roster said one volunteer has clocked 43,000 hours, and another had donated 28,000 hours. Their work includes mowing, trail work, education and fundraising.

“That is unbelievable that you’re working with people that have the compassion and the passion to do all of that work knowing they don’t get paid for it,” Roster said. “What they get out of it is self-satisfaction and the enjoyment that other people are getting something out of it. The people that have that selflessness and just being able to provide for other people and for the resources has been tremendous. … That deserves a big thank you for everything they’ve done over those years because that makes my life and my job a lot easier.”

Much of Roster’s 20 years at Iroquois NWR were spent at his desk, doing the paperwork and making the phone calls that ensured the refuge was at its best for waterfowl and human visitors.

He said he’ll miss coming to work on crisp fall mornings, and in spring being greeted by squawking geese, ducks and sandhill cranes.

He’ll also miss his staff and the Friends and volunteers — “all the things they do and all the camaraderie. We got projects done and provided for the visitors and resources. The biggest part will be missing those folks.”

It's not too late to register for an informative session about becoming a school board member, says Patrick Burk, executive director of the Genesee Valley School Boards Association.

This is for anyone with interest about serving on your local Board of Education. Local experts will answer questions as well as provide insight into what it is like to be on a board, and prepare you for what to expect when you are elected. 

The session is at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Genesee Valley BOCES Center, 80 Munson St., Le Roy. 

Mandatory Trainings will be covered and expected duties and responsibilities will be discussed. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. 

"Join us for this informational session," Burk says.

Register at: pburk@gvboces.org.

Press Release:

Acclaimed journalist and podcaster Thom Jennings announces the release of Missing Man – The Vince Welnick Story, a six-part podcast series exploring the life and career of keyboardist Vince Welnick, best known for his work with The Tubes, Todd Rundgren, The Grateful Dead, and his own band, Missing Man Formation. The series, produced with support from Go Art! in Genesee County, features exclusive interviews with Laurie Welnick (Vince's widow), Fee Waybill and Prairie Prince of The Tubes, Todd and Michele Rundgren, Mike Duffy, Bobby Strickland, David Gans, Dennis McNally, and Scott Guberman. 

The journey begins in May 1985, when Jennings—then a young music enthusiast—encounters Welnick at The Treadway Inn in Batavia after a Tubes concert at Darien Lake. That fateful meeting sets the narrative foundation for a deep dive into Welnick's rise in the music industry, his creative genius, and his personal and professional challenges. 

A Career Spanning Decades, Told by Those Who Knew Him Best Each episode of Missing Man sheds light on a different phase of Welnick's career, intertwined with commentary and personal reflections about the four times Thom and Vince met.

Thom released the first episode on February 21, Vince's birthday. Three episodes are available, with three more slated for release over the next six weeks. 

While Missing Man celebrates Vince Welnick's music, it is also a deeply personal exploration of his struggles, including mental health challenges, industry pressures, and the isolation that often accompanies fame. Through candid interviews and archival material, Jennings crafts a compelling and humanizing portrait of a musician whose contributions remain underrated yet unforgettable.

How to Listen

Missing Man—The Vince Welnick Story will be available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Listeners can follow the podcast on Spreaker for episode updates and additional content.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced legislation aimed at addressing reductions in Medicare Advantage (MA) access and benefits. The bill addresses reimbursement shortfalls to local MA plans from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Specifically, the bill allows CMS to adjust benchmark amounts based on local wage indices that have increased by 20 percent or more to ensure enrollees continue to receive comprehensive benefits and quality care.

Rep Tenney was joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Mike Lawler (NY-17).

In 2023, CMS made a needed adjustment to the wage index for Upstate New York hospitals, treating geographically rural and rural reclassified hospitals equally. This change led to wage index increases of 20-40% across Upstate New York. While this provided significant relief for hospitals that had been severely underpaid by the fee-for-service program, it inadvertently placed substantial financial pressure on regional MA plans, which are predominantly non-profit organizations. 

Because CMS did not account for these new costs in their benchmark rates for 2024, MA plans have experienced significant financial challenges that jeopardize plans’ ability to provide affordable, quality coverage to their beneficiaries. Without relief, health plans will be forced to cut benefits and increase premiums for seniors who can least afford it.

Last week, Rep. Tenney sent a letter to CMS urging the agency to reassess the ongoing misalignment between hospital wage index increases and MA benchmark adjustments in Upstate New York.

“Our community's seniors deserve continued access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Unfortunately, the payment disparity has already affected local plans’ offerings and limited seniors’ coverage choices. By adjusting the benchmark rates to reflect the increased costs faced by our regional plans, we can restore MA options for our seniors and protect them from higher premiums in the future. This bill will ensure that Medicare Advantage plans continue to provide the robust benefits that so many members of our community rely on,” said Congresswoman Tenney. 

Press Release:

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Pat Tribastone on Tuesday, April 8 at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, starting at 7 p.m.

She will be demonstrating Pastel Techniques. New members are always welcome, any media or any skill level. Membership for 2025 is $30 for a Single, $50 for a Couple, and $10 for a Student or Veteran. Non-members are welcome for a $5 fee. Light refreshments will be served. Tavern 2.o.1. is open for cash purchases. 

If you have any questions please call Teresa Tamfer at 585-506-2465.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum (HLOM) is proud to announce the opening of three new exhibits in the month of April.

“Embossers and Painters: The Mason Family” is now on display through the end of the year. It features paintings from the members of the Mason Family, (Frank, Nina, Roy and Max), along with items from the F.E. Mason Embossing Factory. The Mason family created nationally known and recognized art, but also a business that allowed growing artists in Genesee County to express themselves with their creativity and their skills. The F.E. Mason Embossing Factory gave way to numerous locally famous artists. Charter members of the Batavia Society of Artists, art in Genesee County would not be the same without the Masons!

“Ingham University” is a new mini-exhibit featuring artifacts from the women’s university that spent much of its 65 year history in Le Roy, 1837-1892. It grew over time, graduated hundreds of students. It was the first women’s college New York State, and the first chartered women’s university in the United States. Though designated as a women’s university, men were also enrolled it its highly regarded Fine Arts program. Many of its alumni went on to teach at institutions like Wellesley and Vassar College. The exhibit features catalogs and bound histories from the 1880s.

“World War II on the Home Front: Propaganda and Rationing” will be opening mid-April and running through December. The Home Front was just as vital to the Allied powers victory in World War II. Poster campaigns and rationing in the United States, instilled by the government, were two of the biggest reasons as to why the Home Front was just as determined and motivated to win the war as the men fighting across the ocean! The exhibit features a wide array of propaganda posters as well as rationing items, along with other aspects of the Homefront.

45 Church Street Elba. Super solid village home with an even better price! This home is situated on nice centrally located lot with a wooded back drop -easily walkable to School, park, diner and Olivers Candy/Ice Cream -what could be better! This home has a super spacious first floor starting with large foyer leading to bright and large living room, attached to front sitting room with pretty glass French doors-would make great toy room or quiet den. There is extra large dining room for big gatherings and updated kitchen with tons of cupboards and newer appliances and full first floor bathroom as well! Upstairs has three good-sized bedrooms and super sized updated bath with a huge walk in closet. Call Reliant today - 585-344-HOME (4663).

Press release:

Byron Brown, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, presented complimentary tickets to William Joyce, Director of the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency. Included were tickets for each of Batavia’s Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concerts. 

“This marks the 7th year in a row that Batavia Downs has supported our local Veterans with free tickets to our summer concert series, “said Brown.  “We are proud to continue this tradition of giving back to local vets who have served our country.”

Tickets for the concert series can be purchased at BataviaConcerts.com.  Performances include:

• Friday, June 20 – Queensrÿche
• Friday, June 27 – The Allman Betts Band
• Friday, July 11 – Almost Queen (Tribute to Queen)
• Friday, July 18 – The Machine (Tribute to Pink Floyd)
• Friday, July 25 – Little River Band w/Ambrosia
• Friday, August 1 – Lou Gramm
• Friday, August 8 – The Commodores
• Friday, August 15 – Kansas

Over the last seven years, Batavia Downs has proudly donated over 10,000 tickets to Local Veterans.

Henry Banks, 55, of Batavia, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the death of 10-year-old Javarius Williams in a fire at 3 Vine St., Batavia, on Feb. 6.

Banks was arraigned in County Court on a sealed grand jury indictment. Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini ordered Banks held in the Genesee County Jail pending further court proceedings.

On the night of Feb. 6, City Fire responded to 3 Vine after a neighbor spotted a fire in the upstairs apartment. The neighbor said he attempted to gain entry to the apartment to help the three children inside escape but was unable to get past the locked door.

All three children were rescued, but Javarius succumbed to the injuries he sustained.

The children, ages 4, 10, and 12, had apparently been left alone in the middle of the night.

According to Chief Shawn Heubusch, Banks is the biological father of the 12-year-old and was legal guardian of the other two children, including Javarius. 

He is accused of leaving the children unsupervised for an extended period of time.

The fire started in a child's bedroom. City Fire has yet to determine a cause, Heubusch said.

All three were transported to area hospitals after being rescued by the Police and Fire Departments. 

The fire was investigated by Batavia PD along with partner agencies.

The cause and origin of the fire have not been released.