Press release:

The United Way of Genesee County is happy to announce that Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Tom Turnbull will chair the 2015 United Way Campaign. Tom is a lifelong Genesee County resident and former publisher of The Daily News. Tom has been a member of the United Way Board of Directors for a dozen years and has been a longtime advocate for the United Way.

“We are extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to chair our 2015 Campaign. His passion for United Way and our community is second to none. His leadership will be valuable as we continue to grow our impact in Genesee County,” said United Way Director Erik Fix.

The 2014 United Way Campaign raised more than $364,000. The organization is in the process of strategically redefining its funding structure to better meet the needs of the community. Currently the United Way funds 15 dynamic nonprofit agencies in Genesee County. In addition, it operates the Genesee County Backpack Program and recently completed its 7^th Annual Day of Caring.

Turnbull credits the direction of the agency as a reason for volunteering.

“The past success of the United Way coupled with our exciting future is what led to my decision to chair this year’s campaign," he said. "I am excited about the direction the organization is heading and look forward to helping make this year’s campaign a huge success.”

If you would like more information about the United Way or are interested in giving, volunteering or advocating for the agency, contact Regional Director Erik Fix at 585-343-8141 or go to www.uwgeneseecounty.org.

Christine Lamkin lost her pet tortoise last night in the area of Brooklyn Avenue and South Main Street.

"His name is Nikko," says Christine. "He has a girlfriend that looks just like him and her name is Shelby. They were getting ready to mate. For the last five years, we've put them out on our deck to get some exercise in the summer months. We are confident that he slipped off the deck and wandered away. He has such a huge personality...we are truly heartbroken."

The tortoise is about 8 inches long and 6 inches wide. The shell is black with yellow spots. Head and limbs have faint orange areas.

Christine says "the tortoise needs special and precise care in order to survive as it is a tropical tortoise." Offering reward for safe return.

If found, please call Christine at 585.409.0909 or e-mail her at <cplamkin@msn.com>

UPDATE: Christine says: "WE HAVE NIKKO BACK! A neighbor across the street spotted him in her back yard (Friday) walking around about 5:20 p.m. and immediately called me. Thank goodness in looking for him all last night we put the word out to neighbors on our street. Boy are we lucky! ...Thanks...BIG LESSON LEARNED!"

(We bet Shelby is pleased as well...)

Timothy Robert King, 23, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of stealing $361 from an employer in Le Roy.

Zachary Wayne Morlock, 22, of Gary Lane, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Morlock was stopped at 12:26 a.m. on Alleghany Road, Darien, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Sherri Colleen Butler, 54, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Butler was arrested on a Town of Batavia Court bench warrant.

Jerald A. Shuler Jr., 52, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Shuler allegedly threatened to hit a roommate and threw a cup of coffee. Shuler was ordered to stay away from his roommate.

Lisa M. Sequerth, 44, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sequerth is accused of sending an ex-boyfriend 34 unwanted text messages after previously being warned not to contact her ex-boyfriend.

The following people were arrested during the Fall Out Boy concert at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.

Jemel Cannon, 36, of Crotona Park, Bronx, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Erica A. Price, 28, of Park Street, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being directed to do so several times. Price was remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

Lily J. Walton, 20, of Maple Avenue, Elmira, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal trespass, 3rd. Walton allegedly punched a concert security officer while being escorted out of the concert. An appearance ticket was issued for the harassment, 2nd, and Walton was released. Walton then reentered the concert venue after being told she could not return. Walton was arraigned on the criminal trespass, 3rd, charge and remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of $200 bail.

Jordan J. Ruday, 22, of Livingston Street, Elmira, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after he was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana cigarettes. Ruday was issued an appearance ticket and released. Ruday then reentered the concert venue after being told not to return. Ruday was arraigned on the charge of criminal trespass, 3rd, and remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of $200 bail.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: The Sheriff's Office just released this list of alleged ABC violations at last night's concert.

Robert B. Dugan, 18, of Lake Road, North East, Pa.
Samantha D. Oriani, 19, of Broadway, Grand Island
Jordan J. H. Storch, 17, of Marlin Drive, West Seneca
Brandon R. Borzillire, 18, of Casum Court, Niagara Falls
Kelsey J. Wiskup, 18, of Matteson Corners, Holland
Kaylee A. Gutschow, 18, of Chatham Road, Medina, Ohio
Danielle N. Pinelli, 18, of French Road, Cheektowaga
Carly B. Polisoto, 20, of East Main Street, Fredonia
Erin E. Johnson, 18, of Sunset Creek Drive, West Seneca
Emily N. Kasprzyk, 18, of Sweet Road, East Aurora
Grace M. Wisner, 19, of Main Street, West Seneca

A man already in custody after allegedly trying to flee from a deputy following a traffic stop has been arrested on a trio of City Court warrants containing more than a dozen criminal charges.

On the first warrant, James T. Saddler III, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child, assault, 3rd, menacing, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd. The charges stem from an alleged incident reported at 4 p.m. Nov. 21 on State St., Batavia. He is also charged with two counts of aggravated family offense.

Related to an alleged incident reported at 8:15 p.m. April 1 on Olyn Avenue, Batavia, Saddler is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. 

The third warrant covers endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of harassment second. The alleged incident was reported at 2:50 p.m. April 12 at a location on Olyn Avenue, Batavia.

Saddler was picked up just after midnight Wednesday following an attempted traffic stop by Deputy Joseph Corona on Park Road. Saddler allegedly tried to flee from Corona on foot. He is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and driving with a suspended registration.

The Sheriff's Office listed Saddler's residence in Rochester. Batavia PD lists Saddler as "no permanent address" in Batavia.

The defendant is being held in Genesee County Jail without bail.

Pew Poll Question Results

The Batavia Concert Band kicked off its 2014 summer season at Centennial Park this evening. 

The season has been dedicated to the late Wayne A. Burilson, conductor, who died March 26 at age 37.

The guest conductor tonight was John Kresse.

Shows this year are scheduled for 7 p.m. in the park on July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30 (all Wednesdays).

The band will also play Friday, July 4, at GO ART!'s Picnic in the Park, which runs from noon to 5 p.m.

Speaking of Picnic in the Park and music, also performing are Stephanie Pietrzak, “America’s Polka Sweetheart,” at 1 p.m., and at 2:30 p.m. is “Trilogy,” a four-piece classic rock and roll band, followed at 4 p.m. by Gan Ainm, playing Irish and Irish American traditional music, led by John Ryan.

And speaking of live music in Batavia, the Ramble Music at Arts Festival is this Saturday in Jackson Square. The opening ceremony is at 11:15 a.m.

There was an open house this afternoon for the new mixed-use complex in Jackson Square.  

The former Carr's Department Store Warehouse is now four apartments and a downstairs office space.

One of the apartments is already rented. Thermory, a company that installs thermo-treated wood decks, has moved into the office space.

The building was purchased by developer Paul Thompson and partners, who invested more than $500,000 of their own money as well as leveraged $115,000 in state grants to complete the conversion project.

Features of the building include exposed original beams, industrial-grade wood floors and brick walls.

Some of the shelter volunteers call him "Boyfriend," which tells you something about how "Foxer" has won the hearts of the people who care for him every day.

The white and brown pit bull is sweet, kind and gentle and gets along well with the other dogs and people he meets.

The only serious issue for Foxer these days seems to be a question of how much longer he's going to be confined at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Officially, he's "evidence." 

Foxer, also known around the shelter as "Skully," is caught in a legal battle between his owner, Nina Kelso, and the government that is prosecuting her for allegedly mistreating him.

Kelso's case has been pending in Batavia City Court since Feb. 4 when she was charged with torturing or injuring an animal; failure to provide sustenance; and owning/harboring an unlicensed dog. 

The 29-year-old Batavia resident had another court appearance scheduled last week, but as with her previous court appearances, her case was continued, so Foxer's fate remains unresolved.

According to Batavia's Animal Control Officer James Sheflin, Kelso won't sign Foxer over to the shelter so he can be adopted, and since Kelso's case is still pending, the shelter has no choice but to keep him confined.

He can't even go to a foster home because he's considered evidence. Until his status changes he has to remain in the supervision and custody of the shelter.

And he's getting a little stir crazy.

During those hours he's confined to his cage, Foxer doesn't do much other than spin in circles. 

"In the kennel I think he gets a little bit of anxiety, but as you can see, as soon as he gets around humans he's happy and ready to go," Sheflin said. "I can't speak to how he was before we got him, whether he had a lot of human contact before, so I don't know if it's a separation-anxiety type thing."

Volunteer Brenda Cromwell said Foxer is walked daily and even gets a car ride from time to time, but still he spends about 23 hours a day in his cage.

Healthwise, he's doing much better. When he first came into the shelter (see picture below), he weighed 49 pounds. Today, he weighs 75 pounds.

He was treated by a vet for gastroenteritis. 

"He is food-obsessed and looks forward, anxiously, to his next meal," Cromwell said.

Another dog brought to the shelter a couple of weeks before Foxer was Nessa, owned by Lauren K. Pellegrino. Pellegrino's case, like Kelso's, is still pending, so Nessa remains confined to the shelter, but has adjusted to shelter life better than Foxer. Nessa displays no anxiety issues, but is as comfortable and happy around people as Foxer.

Photo of Foxer taken Feb. 4.

Nessa, above, today, and below, when she was first brought to the shelter.

A two-car accident is reported on East Main Street and the vehicles involved are now in the west parking lot of Oliver's Candies. A 12-year-old reportedly has a head injury. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: This was a fender-bender. No one was transported. Responders clearing the scene. One person complained of pain, but waived medical treatment.

The Genesee County AmeriCorps Program, in collaboration with the Genesee County and Batavia youth bureaus, is planning the annual Safe Summer Children’s Carnival open to the public to take place on Thursday, July 31.

It will be from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Falleti Ice Arena, 22 Evans St. in the City Batavia. One dollar buys a ticket to play 10 games, and children can win “funny money” to redeem for prizes.

Entertainment by “Charlie and Checkers” is scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and the games will run from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. There will also be several community agency booths.

The grand prize for this event is sponsored by the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, which are Beats by Dre Solo Headphones that can be won by visiting the booths.

For more information on the carnival please contact Chelsea at the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960.

Chelsea Dillon Program Assistant
Youth Court Coordinator
Genesee-Orleans County Youth Bureau
2 Bank St.
Batavia NY 14020
Phone: 585-344-3960
Fax: 585-345-3063

Photos and story by City Historian Larry D. Barnes.

This is the second in a series of articles about the other communities, located east of the Rocky Mountains, that are named “Batavia.” This one is about Batavia, Ohio, an incorporated village of around 1,500 people located east of nearby Cincinnati in Clermont County, Ohio. The village is governed by a mayor and six-member village council.

George Ely is regarded as the founder of Batavia, Ohio. The community was laid out in 1814 by David Bryan and George Ely on land owned by Ely. Bryan was County Clerk at the time. Ely was a founding Mason and also served in several other prominent roles including those of County Sheriff and newspaper editor.

Eight years earlier and prior to laying out the community, George Ely erected a cabin on the bank of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, a stream that flows on the western boundary of present-day Batavia. He also built a water mill there, the first of its kind in the county. Later, he added a tavern and store.

George Ely is credited with naming Batavia, Ohio, but the historical record provides no direct indication of how he came up with the name. However, an educated guess can be made. Ely and his wife emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio in 1804. Their New Jersey home was close to Philadelphia and both of them were from wealthy families in that area. It is quite possible, therefore, that they knew Paolo Busti, head of the Holland Land Company’s American headquarters in Philadelphia. It is also quite possible that they knew James Stevens, head clerk of the Holland Land Company office in Batavia, N.Y., given that he was from the same area of New Jersey as the Elys. Furthermore, it is conceivable that they knew Joseph Ellicott and many others who, by 1804, had come from the greater Philadelphia area to reside in Batavia, N.Y. Given these likely associations, the name “Batavia,” was probably well known to George Ely. Perhaps he simply found the name attractive and chose it for that reason alone.

A driver involved in an accident yesterday that sent one person to the hospital has been charged with driving under the influence of a drug.

Keith Allen Hackett, 48, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, was also cited for alleged failure to yield right of way.

Hackett was reportedly parked at 80 South Pearl St. in the greenway at 1:30 p.m. when he pulled left into traffic to initiate a U-turn.

His 2003 Ford sedan was struck by a car driven by Shelly G. Bucci, 53, of Knowsville Road, Oakfield.

Bucci was transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Her passenger, 84-year-old Lorraine E. Balduf, was uninjured.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker.

(Initial Report)

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 903 Broadway Road. Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Warner and Harlow roads.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: A responder reports injuries are very minor and advises medics to continue non-emergency.

James T. Saddler III, 32, of Jerold Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and driving with a suspended registration. Deputy Joseph Corona attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 12:03 a.m. on Park Road for alleged traffic violations. Saddler was allegedly observed fleeing from the vehicle after it stopped in an attempt to escape apprehension. Once apprehended, Saddler allegedly provided false information about his identity. Saddler was jailed on $2,500 cash bail. Saddler is also wanted on unrelated warrants out of City of Batavia Court.

John Albert Snook, 26, of Gillette Road, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Snook is accused of violating an order of protection which prohibited any contact with the protected party. Snook allegedly slapped or punched the protected person. Snook was jailed without bail.

Melissa G. Betances, 33, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Betances is accused of a violation of probation. She was jailed on $25,000 bail.

It's been a while since I went on an early morning drive around Genesee County looking for photos to make, so I got up this morning at the crack of dawn and went for a drive. There was a lot more cloud cover most of the morning than I would like, but I did come back with these two pictures. Above, three horses at Baskin Livestock on Creek Road, and below, a fallen barn on Silver Road.

USA Today: It's World UFO Day

Batavia, N.Y., was founded in 1801 by Joseph Ellicott, surveyor and land agent for the Holland Land Company. Batavia was named after the homeland of the Holland Land Company investors who owned most of Western New York. At that time, their nation, the Netherlands, was called The Republic of Batavia.

Since then, at least eight other American communities have come into existence with the name, “Batavia.” They are located in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Montana and California. However, none of these other communities had any connection to the Holland Land Company.

As City Historian for our Batavia, I am in the process of visiting the other Batavias to learn their history, visit with residents, discuss the origin of their name, and to take photographs. My first such trip was to Batavia, Ill., in the spring of 2011. Since then, I have also visited the other five Batavias east of the Rocky Mountains.

In the next few days, thebatavian.com will carry a brief article and a few pictures pertaining to each of these places. As the reader will see, the other Batavias range from an incorporated community with 27,000 people to an unincorporated community with only a “handful” of people. As it has turned out, four of the six have direct historical links to Batavia, N.Y.

Larry D. Barnes

Batavia City Historian

June 2014

Press release:

YWCA of Genesee County extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Nicole Sheehan, a 29-year-old Batavia native who died from an apparent domestic violence shooting a week ago in Lancaster.

This tragic incident is another painful reminder that domestic violence is about so much more than arguments and debates; it can have grave consequences, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

As a gentle reminder that YWCA is here to help with Domestic Violence Crisis & Prevention Services, the agency will be lighting its walkway this week at 301 North St. as a visual display that there is hope, Walton said. Victims can always confidentially call YWCA for guidance, help and referrals to appropriate avenues that will take them out of a potentially harmful situation and into safety.

"We ask that people join us in spirit as we light up our walkway in Nicole's memory," Walton said. "And to please help -- through your increased awareness -- those others who may be struggling with a domestic violence situation. We offer advocacy, safe housing and, perhaps most importantly, a 24-hour hotline so that everyone has opportunity to reach out for help when needed."

Domestic Violence Crisis & Prevention Services Director Cindy Earl said there is usually a Domestic Violence Services office in each county. If you're unsure about where to turn for help or guidance, call the hotline at (585) 343-7513.

"Everybody's mission is to find a safe location for a potential victim if they think the person's abuser is going to do something harmful," Earl said. "We take them very seriously and will do everything we can to put them in a safe location."

Sometimes abuse is not evident to friends, family and coworkers, she said. If you even suspect that something like that is going on in someone's life, reach out for help. And if you are in a relationship that makes you feel threatened in any way, make the call. It's free and confidential.