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Smoke in residence reported in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A possible electrical problem is reportedly creating smoke in the house at 32 Canterbury Lane, Bergen.

Bergen Fire and Le Roy's ladder truck are being dispatched.

Mutual aid requested from Churchville.


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Police Beat: Woman accused of not waiting for son at bus stop

By Howard B. Owens

Michele Case, 45, of North Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Case is accused of failing to provide supervision for her juvenile son when he got off the bus at his residence.

John H. Holliday, 47, of Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing. Holliday was charged by State Police for an alleged incident on July 21. No further details were released.

Ray E. Baker, 46, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI. Baker was stopped by State Police at 8:38 p.m., Sunday, in Stafford.

Photos: Batavia Concert Band nearing season's end

By Howard B. Owens

The 86th season for the Batavia Concert Band is drawing to a close. Tonight, the group of experienced professionals and enthusiastic amatuers presented its second-to-last show of the summer at Centennial Park.

More than 200 people were on hand in the warm, beautiful evening to hear a mix of classic and popular tunes.

The Concert Band performs its finale of the season at 7 p.m. next Wednesday in Centennial Park.

Store owner helps catch man who allegedly tried to steal adult DVDs

By Howard B. Owens

An apparent attempt to steal DVDs from an adult product store on Ellicott Street led to a search of the Buell Street neighborhood this afternoon.

A Batavia Police officer believed the man ran into a wooded area near train tracks off of Edward Street and the search was called off. 

A short time later, the owner of Pandora's Boxxx, 4818 Ellicott St., Batavia, drove down Edward and spotted a man fitting the description of the suspect.

The store owner remained in his car, called 9-1-1 and followed the suspect down Edward and into the Elmwood/St. Joseph Cemetery.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers from the Sheriff's Office and the Batavia Police Department arrived on scene and at about that time the suspect decided to try to run.

He was apprehended quickly.

The man is identified as Micahel J. Piasta, 30, of East Main Street, Batavia.

He is charged with attempted petit larceny.

The store owner praised his employee for providing an exact description of the suspect to Deputy Chris Parker, who handled the investigation.

(initial report)

Photo: Sign of the end times

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia resident Frank VanApeldoorn was positioned on Ellicott Street this afternoon with his religious sign. VanApeldoorn said today wasn't the first time he's stood in front of the former Dellapenna building with his sign. He's also travelled around the region, and even around the country, with his sign. VanApeldoorn, a member of Calvary Baptist Church on Galloway Road, said he likes the Dellapenna's location because it's visible, but still out of people's way and, "It's where God put me."

Coppola 'disappointed' by Ranzenhofer's leadership regarding UB

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from Democrat Marc A. Coppola, candidate for New York State Senate’s 61st District.

Marc Coppola claims Senator Mike Ranzenhofer is MIA -- Missing in Action -- in the battle for University of Buffalo 20/20, the largest employer in the 61st District.

Coppola said today that he is very disappointed that the New York State Legislature did not pass the bill that would have given UB certain powers to control its own destiny.

Passing the bill would create a world-class university and economic stimulus that Western New York so desperately needs.

“Failure to pass this legislation, as needed, is just another reason that Western New Yorker’s are frustrated with Albany and have lost confidence in our government," Cappola said. "And Senator Ranzenhofer’s partisan politics didn’t help the situation."

Coppola claims that Ranzenhofer provided no leadership or support, choosing instead to play political blame games and stick with his Albany leaders rather than the residents of the 61st District who elected him.

“Senator Ranzenhofer doesn’t know how to reach across the aisle in order to deliver for his constituents. He would rather put his head in the sand and point fingers than get something accomplished.”

Coppola says he has a track record of working with all parties to deliver for his constituents and he will do the same if given the opportunity to serve the residents of the 61st District.

“If something is good for New Yorkers, especially my district, I will support it. It doesn’t matter to me whose idea it is, as long as it gets done.”

He maintains Ranzenhofer has been so partisan in his more than 20 years as an elected official, that he rarely votes for anything that is sponsored by the other party, even if it’s good for his district, and "this is why he has been so ineffective."

Man accused of raping girl and taking pictures

By Howard B. Owens

A 21-year-old Holland Avenue resident has been arrested by Batavia Police and accused of rape.

Detectives say Michael Lanham had consensual (see clarification below) sex one time with a 15-year-old girl, and on another occasion forced himself on her.

Both incidents occurred in July, according to Det. Kevin Czora and Det. Todd Crossett.

Lanham is also accused of taking and possessing explicit pictures of the girl.

He is charged with rape, 1st, rape, 3rd, promoting sexual performance with a child and possessing sexual performance with a child.

Lanham is being held in Genesee County Jail without bail.

CLARIFICATION: The original press release said one of the sex acts was "without consent," and I changed that into "consensual," which legally means something different. The girl, being underage, can't have consensual sex. Det. Czora clarified it this way: "On one occasion, there was no 'force' used, and the charge was based on the ages of the defendant and the victim. On a second occasion, she was considered legally 'physically helpless' and her age was not a contributing factor."

Car and person in accident on Ellicott Street

By Billie Owens

A motor vehicle accident involving either a pedestrian or bicyclist is reported on Ellicott Street in front of the courthouse.

Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS have responded.

The person who wasn't in a vehicle is walking and complains of knee pain.

Police searching for subject between Ellicott and Cedar streets

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Police are looking for a subject in the area of Buell Street, west of Cedar Street.

The subject may have committed a petit larceny at Pandora's Boxxx on Ellicott Street.

A partial description, a white male with a tanned complexion wearing a plaid shirt and gray undershirt.

UPDATE (3:25 p.m.): The owner of Pandora's Boxxx reportedly spotted the suspect and followed him down Edward Street, where he ran into Elmwood/St. Joseph Cemetery. Police arrived and he tried to escape but appeared to run out of energy, or willpower, and was quickly apprehended.

Car and truck wreck in Darien, unknown injuries

By Billie Owens

A car and truck collision is reported at 2269 Broadway (Route 20) in Darien, east of Smithley Road.

Darien fire and an ambulance are being dispatched. Injuries, if any, are unknown at this time. The truck is reportedly leaking fluids.

UPDATE (1:05 p.m.): Emergency personnel on scene reported there are no injuries.

UPDATE (1:09 p.m.): The truck involved is a tractor-trailer.

Batavia wallet thief enters guilty plea

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man who stole a wallet from a car on Gateway Drive and used credit cards to make purchases at stores on Veterans Memorial Drive is facing two to four years in prison after pleading guilty in Genesee County Court today.

Kyle C. Monroe admitted in court that he stole the wallet and removed a credit card and a debit card, he also admitted to a violation of probation.

Monroe was convicted of possession of stolen property, 4th, on March 9 and is now considered a second felony offender for purposes of sentencing.

Defense Attorney Jerry Ader asked that his client be released under supervision so that Monroe can take care of some personal matters before going away to prison. Ader said that Monroe has been living with his girlfriend on State Street Road and started classes at GCC before his last arrest.

"I won’t forgo the possibility of release, but that doesn’t sound like a promising plan," Judge Robert Noonan said.

Bail on the larceny case is set at $5,000 and bail on the probation violation is $10,000.

Sentencing was set for Sept. 23.

Previous coverage:

Budget Round Up: Albany comes to budget agreement 123 days late

By Howard B. Owens

Parents, do your back-to-school shopping now.

Starting in October, under the 123-day-late budget passed by the Senate last night, clothing priced at under $110 will once again be assessed a 4-percent sales tax.

That's one of the provisions to increase revenue.

Even so, Associated Press reports that budget isn't balanced and Republicans complain that it both raises taxes and increases spending (Gothamist).

The revenue package is expected to generate $1.5 billion dollars and was approved by the Senate on a 32-28 vote.

A soda tax was not included in the bill.

The total budget: $136 billion.

Buffalo News: New financing provision for UB not included in budget.

New York Times: With Connecticut trying to woo hedge funds, the budget doesn't include a change in state law that would have taxed bonuses as ordinary income.

Albany Times-Union: Statement from Gov. Paterson's office.

LoHud.com: Senate is planning property tax cap.

Police Beat: Drug charges filed against former Hutchins Street residents

By Howard B. Owens

Eric D. Johnston, 32, no permanent address, and Lisa M. Rugh, 37, no permanent address, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Johnston and Rugh were charged in connection with a search warrant executed on March 11 at 13 Hutchins St., Batavia. Charges were pending while awaiting lab results from Monroe County. Johnston and Rugh were issued appearance tickets. (Also, Johnston was reportedly a resident at 13 Ross St. in February where a suspected small meth lab was found.)

Joseph Arthur Ababurko, 35, of Military Road, Niagara Falls, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ababurko was allegedly found in possession of marijuana while at Darien Lake Theme Park.

A 17-year-old Batavia resident is charged with sexual misconduct. He is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl.

Muckdogs continue to pile up wins

By Howard B. Owens

The Muckdogs continue to rip through the NY Penn League, shredding Mahoning Valley yesterday 8-1 for the team's 12th win in its last 14 contests.

The victory put Batavia back in first place, a half game ahead of Williamsville.

Jon Rodriguez homered in his third straight game, giving him six on the year. He had three hits, two RBIs and scored twice.

Infielder Joey Bergman brought his season average back up over .300 with another multi-hit game, going 2-4 and scoring three runs.

Starter Chris Corrigan picked up his third win, going five innings and giving up one run on three hits.

The Muckdogs are in Brooklyn tonight for the start of a three-game series. After three games in Vermont, they return to Dwyer on Tuesday to face Aberdeen.

Photos: National Night Out at Austin Park

By Howard B. Owens

Community members young and old came to Austin Park tonight for Batavia's "National Night Out," a chance for residents to mingle together, see old friends, make new ones, learn about public safety issues, have their children receive ID cards and play a few games and enjoy some local music.

More pictures after the jump:

Oakfield volunteer ambulance responds to call in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

An interesting situation arose tonight that's just kind of worth noting for the record: Mercy EMS ran out of ambulances.

When a girl fell from a scooter on Summit Street at about 10:45 p.m., just a block from UMMC, a dispatcher asked Batavia City Fire who should respond. The city asked for Oakfield.

Seconds later, a Mercy EMS ambulance noted they were in service (meaning free to take a call). The dispatcher asked city fire if Mercy EMS should respond. City fire responded that it was only a "BLS call" (basic life support).

Dispatch informed the Mercy EMS unit that Oakfield was responding. The unit, with a siren blaring in the background, informed dispatch it was only three minutes out. The dispatcher responded that the agency with jurisdiction had already requested Oakfield.

Oakfield's ambulance was on scene within minutes and had the patient quickly transported to UMMC.

I can't think of another time in which I've personally heard a volunteer ambulance service responding to a call in the city since Mercy took over ambulance service.

Photos: Batavia from atop Ladder 15

By Howard B. Owens

At National Night Out in Austin Park this evening, Batavia City Fire Department was on hand with Ladder 15. My joke, pointing to the top, "What's the price of the ride?"

That evolved into permission to get an actual ride high over Batavia aboard the platform of Ladder 15.

Thank you to city fire for letting me get a view of Batavia from such a great vantage point.

Firefighter Bob Fix drove the rig up and back down, and I know he was laughing under his breath when he said, "You know you can let go of the railing. You're wearing a harness."

The wind and any movement causing the bucket to sway wasn't frightful so much as it was disconcerting. I politely declined his offer to not keep one hand on the railing to steady myself.

More pictures after the jump (and more pictures from National Night Out T/K):

 

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