Skip to main content

Traffic safety detail in city issues 43 citations for seat belts and mobile phones

By Howard B. Owens

A recent effort by Batavia Police to target drivers talking on mobile phones or not wearing seat belts while driving netted 43 citations, according to Sgt. John Peck, who headed up the detail.

The detail was part of a statewide "Buckle Up New York" campaign and funded by a grant issued by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Officers conducted the detail over March 30 and 31.

The campaign will continue into June with extra details in place May 23 to June 5.

Police Beat: Disturbance on Elm Street on Sunday morning leads to resisting arrest charge

By Howard B. Owens

Jessica R. Johns, 32, of 122 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and uninspected motor vehicle. Johns was arrested by officers Frank Klimjack and Eric Hill, who responded to Elm Street following a report of a disturbance at 7 a.m., Sunday.  Officers reportedly deployed a Taser to help subdue Johns.

Jessie Marie Cramer, 25, of South Lyons Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cramer is accused of shoplifting $153.53 in merchandise from Kmart.

Sath Paul Dhanda, 31, of Lake Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated criminal contempt. Dhanda allegedly went to his mother's home in Bethany in violation of a court order. Dhanda was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Andrew Ziemba Perdock, 24, of Dowd Road, Filmore, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused fo stealing a quantity of prescription medication from another person in Bethany.

Bryan E. Benson, 22, of 7 Chestnut St., Batavia, is charged with unnecessary noise. Benson was charged following a complaint of loud music coming from his residence at 1:27 a.m., Saturday.

Passiona C. McConnell, 33, of 23 Harvester Ave., Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. McConnell was cited Friday for allegedly allowing her dog to run at large. Officer Matt Flemming reports that she had previously been warned against such action.

Lesha Vetter, 18, of 3243 Royce Road, Varysburg, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Vetter is accused of sending unwanted text messages to a person in Batavia.

Power line down at 700 Ellicott St., Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

City Fire responded to a report of a power line arcing near the stoplight at 700 Ellicott St.

A power line is reported down at that location.

National Grid has been notified and is en route.

UPDATE: City fire went back in service about 8:15 a.m. after National Grid arrived on scene.

GCC men's baseball team looking to continue winning ways in 2010

By Howard B. Owens

A team that has won at least 40 games in each of its last three seasons, swept Ithaca College at GCC on Saturday, giving the Cougars seven straight wins and an overall 10-5 record to start the spring.

Head Coach Skip Sherman said the program has been successful both at winning and helping players move onto higher levels.  

Three players over the past five years have been selected in the professional draft: Ryan Gugal (Phillies) of Batavia, Yimy Rodriguez (Dodgers) of Rochester and Chris Page (Reds) of Batavia. Page did not sign and is playing at Emery Riddle College in Florida.

Over the past five years, 32 GCC players have received baseball scholarships.

On the current roster, three players have already signed with four-year colleges, and more are expected to sign before the end of the season. John Polonius has signed a letter of intent to play at West Virginia next year and is expected to be drafted in June. Manny Hernandez has signed a letter of intent to play at Canisius College in Buffalo and John Broll has signed a letter of intent to play at Ashland University in Ohio.

"Keep an eye on Shaun Slemko who looks like he will have a great spring," Sherman said.

Three freshmen to watch, according to Sherman: Adam Grace, Tyler Koronas and Dan Sharpe. 

The team features six first-team all conference players: Pitcher Greg Rapp, Catcher Adam Grace, SS John Polonius, 2B Manny Hernandez, OF Jacob Featherstone, and DH John Broll.

The Cougars next game is at 1 p.m., Thursday, at Dwyer Stadium. For the full schedule, click here.

Big crowd turns out at St. Joe's for fundraiser for Brooklyn Sputore

By Howard B. Owens

More than 1,200 spaghetti dinners were served today at St. Joe's in support of Brooklyn Sputore, who has had five surgeries to correct a rare medical condition, Vein of Galen Brain Malformation, and who faces more surgeries.

Her grandfather, Paul Sputore, said he's handling the medical bills for the family and so far they total more than $100,000. He said the family and more than 150 volunteers were hoping to raise from $15,000 to $20,000 today.

The community support for Brooklyn has been outstanding, Sputore said, including many anonymous donations delivered to his house.

"It's more than I ever could have imagined from the community," Sputore said. "Everybody has just been fantastic."

Local businesses and individuals donated more than 250 gift baskets for a Chinese auction at today's lunch/dinner.

Above, Brooklynn, 7, and Portia, 7, talk with Brooklyn's mom, Julie, while delivering a donation of $439.25 raised by local Girl Scouts yesterday.

More pictures after the jump:

Hochul calls on opponents to support Sabres in playoffs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from the Kathy Hochul campaign:

“Now that the regular season is officially over, I congratulate the Sabres on an amazing 40th season and look forward to watching them in the playoffs.  Since my opponents – Republican, Jane Corwin, and Tea Party-endorsed candidate, Jack Davis – have refused to take a position on Congress’s budget compromise, I now call on them to immediately join me in rooting on the Sabres in their run for the Stanley Cup.”

Photos: 2010 Chamber Awards Dinner

By Howard B. Owens

Joe Teresi, above, accepts his 2010 Geneseean of the Year award from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce during the its annual awards dinner Saturday at the Clarion Hotel.

Below, the articles we previously published about each of the award winners.

Ron Weiler, Sterling Tents, Business of the Year.

Robert Bennett, winner of Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award.

More pictures after the jump:

MC, Dan Fischer, WBTA.

Jeff Boshart, chairman of the chamber board.

Chamber President Lynn Freeman.

Stu Steiner accepting the chamber's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Stu Steiner.

Daniel "Pudgie" Riner, owner of Triple P Farms, 2010 Agricultural Business of the Year.

 

ATV rollover accident in Bergen.

By Billie Owens

A rollover ATV accident is reported in the backyard of 6687 W. Sweden Road in Bergen.

The location is between Swamp and Evans roads.

Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

The victim is a 60-year-old man.

Photo: Bergen fire open house

By Howard B. Owens

I got out to the Bergen Fire Department's open house a little later than I would have liked yesterday due to other coverage, but I was told there was a big turnout -- more than 300 people. I did get there in time to find Grace, a little unsure about the whole thing, checking out a firetruck for the first time.

Photos: GCC women's softball

By Howard B. Owens

While I was up at GCC for the Eco-Fest, I noticed both the women's softball team and men's baseball team had games going.

This post contains a few shots from the softball games and I'll have a post later with the baseball photos along with more information about the 2011 men's team.

The Cougars split their double-header with Hudson Valley CC 2-5 and 10-5. The women's team is 4-9 overall on the season and 3-0 in its conference.

More pictures after the jump:

 

Photos: Cool Kids Eco-Fest at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

Hundreds of residents drove up to Genesee Community College CC on Saturday to drop off old computers, monitors, printers, TVs and other household electronics so they could dispose of the broken, outdated technology in a safe, environmentally friendly way.

While there, Todd Sloat, of Sloat Tires, would check the air pressure on the motorists' tires, if they wished.

Photos: Civil War reenactors at HLOM

By Howard B. Owens

Among the many things to do in Genesee County on Saturday was to stop by the Holland Land Office Museum and meet some Civil War reenactors and see some of their guns, swords and household items.

Driver reportedly involved in hit-and-run on Vine turns himself in

By Howard B. Owens

A 60-year-old Elba resident turned himself into police today, reportedly admitting he was the driver involved in a minor-injury, hit-and-run accident on Vine Street on Thursday night.

Craig Yunker, 60, of 6464 Transit Road, Elba, was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and moving from lane unsafely.

Yesterday, Batavia Police issued a request for help in identifying the driver of a white pickup truck involved in an accident at 9:40 p.m., Thursday. The truck reportedly suffered heavy front-end damage in the head-on crash, but was reportedly able to drive from the scene.

The unidentified driver of the other car was transported with minor injuries to UMMC.

After turning himself in, Yunker was issued citations and ordered to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date.

Driver in fatal car accident reportedly not wearing a seat belt

By Howard B. Owens

A driver who died in a one-car accident on Little Canada Road, Bethany, this afternoon was reportedly not wearing a seat belt, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

Suzanne M. Stratton, 51, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Donald Coleman.

Her passenger, 16-year-old Peter C. Couch, also of Clipnock Road, was wearing a seatbelt. He was transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Stratton was driving at 1998 Dodge Stratus westbound on Little Canada Road just before 3:30 p.m. when she apparently failed to negotiate a curve. Her car flew off the roadway and overturned several times before coming to rest on its wheels in a field.

Stratton was ejected from the car.

The investigation is continuing and is being conducted by Deputy Cory Mower, Sgt. Greg Walker and Deputy Ron Meides.

Alcohol is not considered a factor.

Assisting at the scene were the Bethany Fire Department, Mercy EMS and State Police.

Gas tank falls off vehicle on Summit Street

By Billie Owens

A gas tank has fallen off a vehicle and is leaking in the roadway on Summit Street, near North Street.

Batavia City Fire Department is responding.

Dan's Tire is en route with a flatbed tow truck.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: City fire crew is returning to quarters.

SUV on fire in Darien

By Billie Owens

An SUV is reportedly on fire at the junction of Sumner and Fargo roads in Darien.

Darien Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:47 p.m.: Fire is out. Darien crew back in service.

Serious accident, Mercy Flight headed to Little Canada Road

By Billie Owens

A serious rollover accident is reported at 5751 Little Canada Road in Bethany. There is a person outside of a vehicle, unconscious.

Mercy Flight is en route and will land at the scene.

Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Stafford Fire Department is called to standby in its hall for possible mutual aid.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Stafford is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: A "second passenger" is reported to be out of the vehicle and walking around. Little Canada Road is being shut down to traffic at Fargo Road by fire police. Mercy Flight has been cancelled.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Bethany fire has cancelled mutual aid from Stafford.

UPDATE 4:05 p.m.: The front-seat passenger suffered minor injuries and is being transported by Mercy medics to UMMC.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: All emergency personnel are released from the scene with the exception of fire police to control traffic.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: Little Canada Road has been reopened.

Top Items on Batavia's List

City of Batavia, NY Position: Full-time Building Maintenance Worker. Salary: $20.60 - $24.45/hour. The City of Batavia is accepting applications for one full-time Building Maintenance Worker. The work involves a variety of mechanical and other building maintenance tasks. Applicant must have a minimum of two years of full-time paid experience in general building construction or maintenance work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience indicating ability to perform the duties of the job. Civil Service applications may be obtained at City Hall in the Human Resource Department. Please send completed applications to Teri Dean, Employee Payroll/Insurance Clerk, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY, or via email to tdean@batavianewyork.com by September 20, 2024. Background check, psychological assessment, and physical/drug testing required. Candidate must become a resident of the County of Genesee or any adjacent town to the County of Genesee within 6 months of the date of conclusion of the probationary period for the City of Batavia. EEO
Tags: Jobs offered

Authentically Local