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This year's Oatka Fest Duck Derby will be a bit different

By Howard B. Owens

High, fast waters of the Oatka Creek are forcing organizers to run the annual Duck Derby a little differently this year.

Instead of floating the rubber duckies across the water, from the west bank to the east bank, volunteers will blow the ducks down the road with leaf blowers.

The Duck Derby, a fundraiser for both the Oatka Festival and a local charity, will take place at 5 p.m.

Home invasion assault reported in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A 73-year-old man in Bethany was asaulted tonight in his home by an intruder and is being transported to UMMC by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. 

The intruder awoke the man and struck him several times with an unknown object. He also sprayed him with an unknown substance. 

The suspect was not on scene when deputies arrived and law enforcement has no description at this time. 

The initial 9-1-1 call was just before 9 p.m.

Report of kids playing on tracks holds up train

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reported seeing kids playing on train tracks near Wortendyke Road, Batavia, including lying on the tracks while a train was coming. 

Deputies are dispatched. 

CSX is now holding a train to give deputies a chance to search the area. 

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A person in law enforcement informs dispatch about a graduation party in the area and kids from the party going up to the tracks.

Sponsored Post: This adorable Cape Cod is a must see! Call Nancy Crocker today

By Lisa Ace

So adorable-spacious Cape Cod in town of Batavia. Three bedroom, one and a half bath, first floor master bedroom and bath, large living room with fireplace, country kitchen, dining room overlooks private back yard-detached 2 car garage. Beautiful three season room-patio. New siding, windows and roof in last 2 years, new bathroom, built in fire-pit, spacious throughout. Remarkable condition-first floor laundry. Truly a must see! Public water and sewer. Workshop in basement is everyone's dream! Call Nancy Crocker today to see this one-of-a-kind listing, or click here for more information.

Public notice issued for hearing on CBGD funding grant application for HP Hood expansion

By Howard B. Owens

Public Notice:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Genesee County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the submission of an application for Community Development Block Grant funding from the New York State Office of Community Renewal to provide financing to assist in the establishment of milk processing operations at the former Muller Quaker Dairy facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in the Town of Batavia, New York by HP Hood LLC.  More detailed information regarding the project will be presented at the hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the public hearing will be held at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY on the 19th day of July, 2017 at 5:30 PM. All persons who wish to speak will be heard. Written comments are invited and will be accepted upon delivery to: Clerk, Genesee County Legislature, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 prior to the hearing. The hearing location is in compliance with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Batavia Downs donating Lee Greenwood tickets to local veterans groups

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that they will be donating 800 tickets to the upcoming Lee Greenwood concert to local Veteran Organizations. The concert takes place on Friday, July 21st.

“Lee Greenwood and his song 'God Bless the USA' are synonymous with our great country and we’re honored to have him play here," stated Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel President & CEO, Henry Wojtaszek.

“We work closely with other veteran agencies in the area and wanted to give back to all the local veterans who have fought to defend our freedoms.”

The tickets will be handed to representatives from various local Veterans agencies in a brief ceremony on Monday, July 17th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Batavia Downs Lobby by their Made in America satellite store.

Tickets to the Lee Greenwood show can be purchased at Bataviaconcerts.com or in person at the Made in America store in the Batavia Downs Lobby.

Three opening acts will play beginning at 5 p.m., including country recording artist Ricky Lee, Alyssa Trahan, and the band Gypsy Souls. Doors open at 4 p.m.

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." (Abraham Lincoln)

City repairing water main break on Walnut Street, service disrupted in area

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is on location of a water main break in front of 129 Walnut St. The water has been turned off on Walnut Street from the railroad tracks to the City line, and also on Law Street. We appreciate your understanding while this repair is made. City crews will make every attempt to restore water as soon as possible.

Possible structure fire reported on Oak Street

By Billie Owens

A possible structure fire is reported in the area of 167 Oak St. in the city. Heavy black smoke is reported in the area. City fire is responding. A firefighter in the vicinity reports nothing visible.

UPDATE 8:42 a.m.: Firefighters are at the scene investigating, but on initial search can see no smoke or fire.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: All units back in service.

Photos: Sunset and a rainbow

By Howard B. Owens

Frank Capuano sent in the sunset picture and the rainbow picture was submitted by a reader.

Tonawanda water level appears to be receding

By Howard B. Owens

The water level on the Tonawanda Creek, as measured by the station behind the Genesee County Courthouse, peaked at just under 10 feet at about 8 p.m. and started to recede by 9 p.m., according to measurements captured by the USGS.

A flood alert remains in effect until Saturday morning.

Driver charged with DWI following accident on Kenney Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A 23-year-old Le Roy man was charged with DWI after a report last night that a car he was driving went off the roadway on Kenney Road, into a swamp and struck a tree.

Kodey Richard Mills, of Myrtle Street, is also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and driving without insurance.

The accident was reported at 10:02 p.m.

Mills was released on an appearance ticket.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Stack.

Collins supports defense spending bill

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today proudly voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY18.

“Today’s strong bipartisan effort provides our servicemen and women with the resources and funding they need to defend our nation here at home and abroad,” Congressman Collins said.

“The NDAA for fiscal year 2018 will enhance our missile defense research efforts, rebuild our military, and deliver a well-deserved pay raise for military members and their families. This bill ensures we’re taking care of our armed forces and also sends a strong message to the world — we’ll do whatever is necessary to keep America safe.”

The NDAA for FY18 funds a number of the national defense priorities outlined in President Trump’s FY18 Budget request, including:

  • Authorizes $621.5 billion for base national defense spending;
  • Increases missile defense funding by $2.5 billion;
  • Provides a 2.4-percent pay increase for military members;
  • Includes an additional $10 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding;
  • Answers the Army, Air Force, and Navy’s request for thousands of additional personnel;
  • Ends the defense sequester.

For more information on H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act of FY18, click here.

Accident with unknown injuries at West Main and Lewiston, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported at West Main Street and Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: Minor injuries. Traffic is blocked.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m. Vehicles have been moved to a parking lot. Once firefighters clear up a little debris, traffic should return to normal.

Combine fire reported on Bloomingdale Road

By Billie Owens

A combine is on fire inside a building at 193 Bloomingdale Road, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with another engine from Pembroke; Akron is asked to fill in at the fire hall.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: Akron Engine 4 is on scene. "Pretty much the fire is out already," says command.

UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: A subject inside the building has possibly suffered some smoke inhalation. A Mercy medic unit is called to respond in non-emergency mode.

Batavia engineer says Tonawanda Creek will crest within the hour at 10.4 feet

By Billie Owens

This photo of the nearly cresting Tonawanda Creek was taken about 20 minutes ago on Law Street by Howard from his cell phone.

The creek has been rising all day. The National Weather Service predicted earlier today that the Tonawanda would crest at 9.4 feet this afternnoon. Flood stage is considered to be 9 feet.

Tom Lichtenthal, assistant engineer for Town of Batavia, was also out at the Law Street bridge and reported that the water level now is 9.85 feet and it is expected to crest within the hour at 10.4 feet. Afterward, the waters will start to recede.

He said no major flooding problems are expected. 

But he said engineers are concerned about a large tree trunk that is floating, but lodged in the creek. They are concerned that it could wedge free and float downstream to where the River Street Bridge project is underway.

A natural gas main under the bridge has been lowered by three feet to accommodate summer construction, when rains this heavy are not typical. There's some worry that large floating debris -- like a big tree trunk -- could strike and damage the gas line. So a crew from National Fuel is on scene now, working to raise the gas line to where it normally would be, says Lichtenthal.

Impacted areas of flooding also include Kibbe Park and Walnut Street. Below are photos taken a few minutes ago at Kibbe Park. 

 

Three more pictures added -- River Street Bridge area and behind the courthouse.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Town Court Clerk Below are two lists: one details the myriad responsibilities that fall within the purview of the court clerk; the other summarizes the knowledge and abilities that court clerks possess or acquire through training. These lists are provided so that a judge and municipality can intelligently discuss the benefits that a court clerk can provide. The items below can also form the basis for a list of job duties should a municipality need to fill a vacancy in a court clerk position. Primary Responsibilities A. Maintain confidentiality of records and information when required to do so B. Prepare court calendar C. Collect monies, reconcile daily receipts, deposit receipts, prepare reports for monthly disbursements, reconcile bank accounts, and prepare administrative reports D. Enter convictions on drivers' licenses and prepare conviction reports electronically transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles E. Enter criminal conviction on NCIC reports and electronically send same to Division of Criminal Justice Services F. Respond to inquiries-in person, by phone, by e-mail and by mail-and provide assistance to lawyers, litigants, media, and members of the public G. Prepare monthly reports that are electronically sent to the Office of the State Comptroller H. Prepare orders, summonses, warrants and other court forms i. Communicate with outside agencies in order to coordinate the Court's activities and provide services to litigants. Such agencies include: ii. Law enforcement agencies, such as local police departments, New York State Police, Sheriffs office, FBI and CIA, US Armed Forces, and the Office of the District Attorney; I. Other courts, including superior courts and other local town and village courts; and i. Miscellaneous county agencies, such as Community Service, Community Dispute Resolution Center, Pre-trial Release, Probation, Stop DWI program, Victim Impact Panel, and Youth Court. ii. State agencies that require periodic reporting, including the New York State Unified Court System, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of the State Comptroller, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the Office of Court Record Retention. J. Examine court documents to ensure their accuracy and completeness K. Receive and file summonses, traffic tickets and other documents for court proceedings i. Assist the Justice at the bench during all Court proceedings Knowledge of: 1. The functions and organization of the Unified Court System ii. Basic legal terminology, codes and abbreviations iii. Court forms, practices and procedures, including those set forth in the Uniform Justice Court Act and the Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts (22 NYCRR Part 214) 2. Ability to: i. Prepare judicial orders and decisions ii. Effectively communicate information orally and in writing iii. File and retrieve materials, extract data from various sources for entry onto court form iv. Research and interpret laws outlined in court documents and litigants' motions and other papers v. Perform mathematical tasks in order to compile court activity reports, total receipts, accept payments, and verify bills vi. Refer to appropriate documents, statutes, citations or other sources in order to respond to specific questions from attorneys, litigants and members of the general public vii. Interpret policies, statutes, rules and regulations and apply them in specific contexts viii. Establish work priorities ix. Constructively manage conflict with court users Qualifications: Highschool diploma recognized by the NYS Dept of Education or appropriate equivalent. Along with 4 years of college, specialization in criminal justice, law, business administration or related field. -OR- 2 years college with specialization in Business Administration or related field. Please email your resume to abrownell@townofbatavia.com no later than 12/16/2024. Pay is based on experience.
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