Batavia Police Youth Det. Todd Crossett completed his first marathon May 25 in 4 hours and 4 minutes, and it was for a worthy cause.

Crossett ran into the Buffalo Marathon to raise funds for the Royal Rangers, a scouting group of 30 boys supervised by Crossett.

He raised $400, which will help boys participation in the Royal Rangers.  Many would not be able to attend camp outs without the funds, according to a BPD press release.

The micro-enterprise loan/grant program, which has been used by a number of businesses in downtown Batavia over the years to help them get started or expand is now available to any business in Genesee County, the Chamber of Commerce announced today.

The program provides cash for small businesses (five or fewer employees, including the owner) in a loan (75 percent) and grant (25 percent) format so businesses can hire more people, buy new equipment or make other business improvements that will lead to greater employment.

The program is designed to augment private funding sources when traditional loans are either unaffordable or unavailable.

Full press release after the jump:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce announced today the availability of a micro-enterprise loan/grant program (75% loan, 25% grant) for small businesses located in Genesee County.  The program is designed to augment private funding sources when other funding is unaffordable or unavailable.  While standard commercial lending policies will apply, interest rates and repayment terms will feature affordability and flexibility generally not offered by banks.

Eligible borrowers must be micro-enterprise business owners with five employees or fewer (including the owner).  Funds may be used for any legitimate business purpose including, but not limited to, capital equipment, inventory, and working capital. 

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity organization and therefore will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, political affiliation, disability, or any category designated by Federal law. 

For applications and/or program details, contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 210 East Main Street, Batavia, 585-343-7440.

Police are responding to Emory Upton's monument at Ellicott and Main.

A woman is there moving around mulch and fiddling with plants, telling a person there that she is cleaning up her father's grave.

Five great deals today:

Picasso's Pizza, 419 W. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: A great variety of pizza, subs and salads -- and try the wings, too. We have three $5 booklets of $1 gift certificates ($15 value) for $7.50.  The gift certificates can be used collectively or individually).

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St., Batavia, N.Y.: One of O'Lacy's most publisher dishes: Reuben Sandwich. Try it. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Whether you need just the right gift or a memorial or just want to brighten your own home or work place, The Enchanted Florist can put together just the right floral arrangement for you. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: One of Batavia's great stores. Valle carries charming an eye-catching items that are affordable. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Herbly Wonderful, 3701 Pearl St., Batavia, N.Y.: Plants, teas, herbs, mixes, a great place to shop to make your home more cozy and natural. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

A $1 PayPal service fee applies (50 cents on items below $10)

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Valle Jewelers

SOLD

The Enchanted Florist

SOLD

O'Lacy's

SOLD

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Picasso's Pizza

SOLD

State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer attended a weekend open house at Genesee ARC’s newest home for people with disabilities.  The residence on Coe Avenue in the village of Oakfield was open Saturday, June 20, for tours and refreshments giving the community an opportunity to meet the six young women who live in the home and the Genesee ARC Staff who work there. 

The 3,000 square foot home is the local non profit organization’s eleventh residence. It was funded with New York State grant monies targeted at innovative services for individuals with disabilities.  It features an open floor plan and is fully accessible.

Senator Ranzenhofer participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony with one of the residents, Sheryl, and her father, Gary Lemke, of Medina.  The Senator said he has had the opportunity to visit several similar homes throughout his district and presented an official senate certificate in recognition of the home’s opening and ARC’s service to the community.

Genesee ARC has been serving people with disabilities and their families since 1966.  Along with Residential Services, Genesee ARC provides an array of vocational and day program opportunities, service coordination, family support, recreation and transportation. 

Community members wanting to know more about ARC services can call the Administrative offices at 343-1123.

Scott A. Fehr, 34, 8378 Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI. Fehr was reportedly found parked on Galloway Road. Further investigation revealed he allegedly hit a sight while turning left from Route 63 onto Galloway. He then allegedly left the scene without proper notification. He was also charged with a BAC of .08 or more and leaving the scene of a property damage accident without notification.

A 17-year-old employee of Darian Lake is accused of stealing $765 from the theme park. He is charged with petty larceny. The youth is from Strykersville.

Travis Bauer, 20, 4685 Crittenden Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bauer was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana during an investigation of a reported domestic dispute in Alabama.

Debra Farminger, 47, 24 Lewis Road, Akron is accused of pushing and hurting another family member during a domestic dispute in Alabama. She is charged with harassment in the second degree.

Batavia (4-0) pitchers shutout the Crosscutters (3-2) and the Muckdog bats came up with ten hits on the night.

Batavia got on board in the 4th scoring one run after Matt Carpenter doubled and came home on a wild pitch.  They added two more in the 6th.  Devin Goodwin led off the inning with a double.  Two batters later Ryan Jackson singled for the RBI.  Jackson then came home on a sacrifice fly by Xavier Scruggs.

But the Muckdogs weren’t done there.  The team tacked one more on in the 7th after Jack Cawley walked and came home on a fielder’s choice.  The runs kept coming in the 8th when Carpenter singled, Scruggs walked and both were moved up a base on a wild pitch.  Ryde Rodriguez then came up with a base hit to score two.  Another wild pitcher later in the inning scored the Muckdog’s last run.

Williamsport threatened in the top of the first when the first two batters reached on a walk and hit by pitch. Bases were loaded with two outs after Michael Dabbs singled, but Anthony Hewitt followed with a pop out to second base to end the inning.

Deryk Hooker threw four innings in the start with two hits, one walk and four strikeouts.  Tyler Lavigne (1-0) followed him in a strong four innings, letting up only one run with four strikeouts to earn the win.  Dan Richardson pitched a scoreless, winless 9th to end the game.

Wednesday night at 7:00 the Muckdogs go for the sweep to remain perfect.

The three suspects in Thursday's bank heist in Elba have been indicted by the Genesee County Grand Jury on charges of robbery in the first degree, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The trio will be arraigned on July 1.

The men were identifed after the robbery of the M&T Bank in Elba as Dennis M. Abrams, Jr, 26, of 202 Merrimac St., Buffalo; Demone D. Dillon, 25, 128 LaSalle Ave., Buffalo; and, Michael J. Wells, 24, 69 Camp St., Buffalo.

Following the robbery, the three men allegedly fled the scene leading to a massive multi-agency man hunt that lasted more than five hours.

Previously:

• Elba robbery suspects identified, arraigned and held without bail
• Manhunt in progress near Townline and 63
• DA looking at taking robbery case to Grand Jury for indictment
• Suspects didn't know what they were getting into when they chose Genesee County

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.: State police have released the names of the victims in this morning's double fatal vehicle accident on Route 19 in LeRoy.

The victims are Martin Muszak, 64, of Rochester, who drove a Nissan Altima and was struck head on by a Dodge van driven by the other victim, Raymond Sissel, 84, of LeRoy.

Here's what the state Police determined:

A Nissan Altima operated by Muszak was traveling southbound on Route 19. A dump truck operated by Steven W. Ebner, 55, of Hamlin, was traveling southbound behind the Altima. A Dodge van operated by Sissel was traveling northbound on Route 19. 

The Dodge van crossed over into the southbound lane striking the Nissan Altima head on. The Nissan was then pushed into the front of the dump truck and came to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway. After striking the Nissan, the Dodge van then struck the dump truck coming to rest on its driver side on the west shoulder of the roadway.  The driver of the van, Sissel, and the driver of the Nissan, Muszak, were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Genesee County Coroner. The driver of the dump truck, Ebner, was not injured. There were no other passengers in any of the vehicles. The LeRoy and Bergen Fire Departments assisted at the scene of the accident. At this time the investigation ongoing.

UPDATE 10: a.m.: An accident this morning on Route 19 near North Road is confirmed a double fatal by Rebecca Gibbons, spokeswoman for the New York State Police.

The victims have not been identified pending family notifications.

Apparently, a northbound passenger vehicle strayed into the southbound lane striking another passenger vehicle head on.  A dump truck traveling behind the southbound vehicle was also involved in the accident.

The drivers in both passenger vehicles are confirmed dead.

No details on either vehicle are available at this time.

Shortly before the report of the accident came in, there had been numerous calls to Genesee County dispatch of a black van driving recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic, northbound on Route 19.  Gibbons could not confirm that this was the northbound vehicle involved in the accident.

Initial Reports:

Mercy Flight is being dispatched to the scene of a head-on collision on Route 19 near the Thruway in Le Roy. The Bergen Fire Department is being requested to the scene with extraction equipment.

The initial report had two vehicles and a dump truck involved.

Prior to the call, a van driving erratically had been reported in the area.

UPDATE: Mercy Flight was reportedly cancelled.

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Today's Deals:

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: One of Batavia's most popular restaurants with a great menu that goes well beyond just pizza. We have four $5 gift certificates ($20 value) that can be used together or separately for $10.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, N.Y.: When you're looking for a good home town meal in an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, Delavan's is a great spot. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Sport of Kings Family Restaurant, 419 W Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: A favorite locally owned family restaurant that is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. We have TWO $15 gift certificates for $7.50 each (two separate winners).

Jackson St. Grill and Belladessa's Pizzeria, 9 Jackson St., Batavia., N.Y.: Every try to eat one of their giant cheeseburgers? Can you beat the champ, Mark's record time of 7 minutes, 13 seconds. We have TWO $10 gift certificates for $5 each (two separate winners).

A $1 PayPal service fee applies (50 cents on items below $10)

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Jackson St. Grill

Sport of Kings

Delavan's

SOLD

Main St. Pizza Company

SOLD

NOTE: I'm putting a morning time stamp on this so the accident story remains at the top of the page.

Through a special arrangement with Max Pies Furniture, 400 South Jackson St., Batavia, The Batavian is able to extend this special, online-only offer to its readers:

We are able to offer a handsome Spider Lamp through The Batavian at a $101 savings. This lamp normally retails for $199.  You can use the PayPal button below to buy it online now for $98. (Sales tax and a $6 PayPal service fee will be added)

You can't buy this lamp in the store at that price.

The winner of this exclusive item will be able to choose from an in-stock Spider Lamp from World Imports.

Here's a chance to add some contemporary eloquence to your home decor.

There is only one item available at this price and it is exclusive through
The Batavian. The winning purchaser will need to arrange to stop by The Batavian office to pick up a purchase voucher. Final arrangements to take delivery of the lamp are made at the Max Pies location at 400 South Jackson St. This item will be available until it sells and only one at this price is available.

The voucher has no cash value, but can be used toward an upgrade purchase on another item.

Deliver is free in Genesee County.

To purchase this online exclusive from The Batavian and Max Pies Furniture, click the PayPal button below (this is the only way you can make this purchase -- this price is NOT available in the store).

If you're a local business owner and would like to offer The Batavian readers great deals either as part of The Deal of the Day or as an Online Exclusive, call me at 585-260-6970.

Batavia (3-0) was down the entire game until it counted in the bottom of the 9^th as they capitalized on Williamsport’s (2-1) mistakes to win 6-5.

Now that I'm a city resident, there are things (though not many) that bug me a little more than they did in the past.

One of these pet peeves is the weeds in the Salvation Army parking lot on Jackson near Ellicott.  Weeds from the curb to the front door, in every crack, and weeds at the base of the light polls, and weeds along the north side of the parking lot. Not to mention the building hasn't been painted in decades and the front sign polls look like they came off a rusted battle ship. 

I drive past this location every day and feel sorry for the owner of Floral Fantasies, who must try to run an elegant business next to this mess.

It's just plain unsightly.

Apparently, I'm not the only city resident who's had enough of the weeds around town. It turns out City Council members get regular constituent complaints, but the current ordinance is proving ineffective at getting property owners to make their land and buildings a little less ugly.

The proposed changes would give property owners 48 hours to clean up weeds, trash or debris once a notice has been posted on the property. If the work isn't done in 48 hours, outside crews will be brought in to clean up the mess and the property owner will be assessed the price of the clean up and fined $250. A second violation in the same calendar year would yield clean-up costs and a $100 fine.

The only controversial point in the proposed changes is that an alternative penalty is 50 days in jail. The council debated this provision for a good 15 or 20 minutes after Councilman Bill Cox raised an objection to the language.

"This is America it’s not Russia," Cox said. "We don’t put people in jail for not cutting their grass.  We can fine them heavily, but even to to threaten them with jail is not what we do."

Councilman Tim Buckley took an opposing view, saying a violation of the law is a violation of the law and the threaten of jail time would encourage people to pay their fines, rather than let them slide (the city can put a lien against the property, but would have no other recourse to collect unpaid fines and bills).

"Deep in our hearts don’t want to send anybody to jail," Buckley said. Later adding, "I understand where Mr. Cox is coming form. This is America, but in America when you break the law, you pay the penalty."

Several council members, City Attorney George Van Nest and Asst. City Manager Sally Kuzon all said that sending people to jail for not cleaning up their property would only be used in extreme cases.

"I think the judges and the police officers involved would have enough discretion to recognize this is an extreme measure," Councilwoman Marianne Clattenburg said.

Removing jail time from the proposed language failed on a 4-5 vote.

Next, the proposed changes will be the subject of a public hearing.  I didn't write down the date and will update this post as soon as I have it. 

BTW: If somebody wants to organize a clean up crew to help out the Salvation Army, I'll set aside a Saturday to pitch in and whack a few weeds.

The City of Batavia's two-year effort to amend its charter is running head-on into any idea of consolidating the town and the city into a single government in the near future, according to John Roach, chairman of the Charter Review Commission.

Roach said this evening that City Attorney George Van Nest informed the commission that state law prohibits any other measure from being on the same ballot.

That means city officials will need to choose - new charter or push for consolidation.

"If we thought consolidation would pass, we would pull the charter," Roach said.

The Charter Commission's term expires, under state law, on election day. If there is no vote this November, then the city will need to appoint a new Charter Review Commission and the two-year process will start over.

Roach noted there are some issues in the revised charter that will not controversial, are critical. Among them the need to drop the requirement for the city to employee a City Engineer, a position that is currently vacant and is apparently no longer needed.  Also, under state law each member of the seven-member planning board should serve seven-year terms. The commission is recommending reducing the board to only five members so terms will be only five years (yes, that's the way state law works, according to Roach).

City Council President Charlie Mallow, a strong proponent of consolidation said to him there's no question, consolidation should be on the November ballot, not the charter.

Asked about the risk of the town not passing consolidation and then the city would need to start over on the charter, Mallow said, "That's the risk you have to take. That's something as an area we have to reach for."

City Manager Jason Molino, who serves on the consolidation committee, declined to say which choice he favored.

"It's up to the elected officials," Molino said. "If they feel fit to put it forward to the populace then they will."

Fire crews are on scene at 14 Shady Lane, Batavia, off Route 33, where a gas was reportedly broken by somebody digging.

The broken line is apparently a main line.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: National Fuel on scene.

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"Bear" is safe, much to the relief of Robert Zickl, the 11-year-old son of Asst. D.A. Will Zickl.

Young Robert was obviously distressed while firefighters were inside his home at 10 Woodcrest Drive, Batavia.  A paramedic said it was all she could do to keep him from from going into the house.

His father paced the driveway, running his fingers through his hair.

"As I came up, my very first thoughts were Robert, but then I saw him and his buddies over there (in the yard across the street), and I thought, 'that's good,'" Zickl said. "Soon it became an issue about Bear. He's very attached to his dog."

It didn't take long, though, for Bear to come running out of the front door and into the arms of Will Zickl.  Bystanders, including, I think, police, paramedics and firefighters, cheered when Bear came bounding out of the front door of the home.

Firefighters said the dog was hiding in a bedroom.

The fire probably started in the laundry room, according to Chief Ralph Hyde. He said the fire was contained to that area, but there is smoke damage throughout the house, and some water damage. Most of the water damage, he said, came from a water hose on the washer melting and spraying water.

The fire was spotted by a neighbor who alerted Zickl's brother Phil, who was in the back mowing the lawn. "You think that's a problem," the neighbor told Phil.

Phil immediately called 9-1-1 and then went to the house, not sure if Will's wife or his children were still inside.  He said he couldn't see in the house because of the smoke.  He touched the basement door and it was warm, so he stood aside as he opened it, and smoke came billowing out.

The fire was extinguished by city fire crews within 10 minutes of the initial 1 p.m. call.

All members of the Zickl household, including Bear, are safe and accounted for.

Top picture: Will Zickl with Bear. Bottom picture, Robert Zickl and Phil Zickl with Bear.

Fire crews are being dispatched to 10 Woodcrest Drive, where a neighbor reports smoke coming from the residence.

UPDATE: At 1:10 p.m. fire crews report Woodcrest Drive blaze is knocked out.

UPDATE: A boy at the scene seemed obviously distressed and when a dog came running out of the residence, everyone there cheered.

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The state Senate may be at odds over who controls the chamber, but each side signed paperwork last week to ensure they and their staffs got paid.

Amid the chaos over control of the Senate, Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, and dissident Democratic Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, signed paperwork last week so senators and staff were paid.

Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, and Senate secretary Angelo Aponte also signed the necessary paperwork, but separate from the Republicans, according to the state Comptroller’s Office.

The Senate’s presiding officer typically signs off on the payroll, but because that’s in dispute, both sides submitted their own paperwork.

Gov. David Paterson said if they can find a way to work out the payroll, they should find a way to resolve their leadership struggle.

“So there is a power-sharing agreement * but it only includes getting paid,” said spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein. “If the leadership of the Senate can agree on a way to keep getting paid, they can reach an agreement to get back to work for the people of New York.”

But Republicans said the governor’s claims are false: The sides didn’t agree to sign the paperwork together; they did so independently. Each senator gets a base salary of $79,500.

The payroll flap comes as the standoff between Democrats and Republicans went into its 11th day Thursday. Senators went home for the weekend after Republicans held an unsuccessful session where no Democrats other than Espada showed up.

They are expected to return Monday, which is scheduled to be the last day of the legislative session.

The Senate has been at a standstill since June 8, when Republicans and two Democrats led a coup to oust the Democratic majority. Democrats refuse to acknowledge the vote and one of the rogue Democrats, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, rejoined the Democratic conference, putting the Senate in its 31-31 stalemate.

There are more than 100 bills pending in the Legislature that affect county governments and property taxpayers, said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. In particular, 36 counties need to have their sales-tax rates reauthorized.