batavia

Photos submitted by Brandon Lewis.

More photos from today's March for Justice in Batavia by Philip Casper.

A physical fight among about a dozen people in the 100 to 200 block of Ross Street in the city is reported. Police are responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Police are on scene.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: Police report the situation is under control.

Photos by Jim Burns, taken this morning at the protest "March for Justice" in Downtown Batavia.

A blue Honda Odyssey and a red Chevrolet SUV collided at East Main and Bank streets in Downtown Batavia, partially blocking traffic. No words on injuries.

Batavia police, fire and Mercy medics responded.

Police are asking for assistance with traffic control at West Main and Ellicott streets Downtown.

UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: Police ask for two patrol cars to shut down eastbound traffic at Main and Ellicott streets.

UPDATE 11:19 a.m.: Organizers can be heard on our livestream saying it's time to go and the crowd is dispersing.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: Pizza! Pizza! Now all are invited to "eat as much pizza as you want" -- courtesy of Main Street Pizza Company, from boxes stacked in the back of an organizer's vehicle.

Here's the plan: I'm going to attempt to periodically livestream today's events. It won't be a constant stream. This player, if it works right, will show streaming content when I'm streaming, and show as unavailable when I'm not. I believe if you just keep the stream open, in play mode, it will start playing for you whenever I'm streaming.

Vic Marchese, owner of Main St. Pizza Company on East Main Street, Batavia, works on a "Black Lives Matter" sign on boards he had placed over a large window on the outside of his restaurant.

Marchese said he doesn't believe anybody locally would harm his business and he doubts agitators from outside our community will come to Batavia for tomorrow's protest, but the window he covered was custom made for his shop and was very expensive. He thought it best to be prepared if there is trouble following the protest.

Main St. Pizza is one of about a dozen businesses in Batavia that decided to board up their windows and doors for Sunday.

The protest gathering begins at City Hall at 8 a.m. The march from City Hall to the Batavia PD headquarters is scheduled for 11 a.m.

A turtle is reported to be in the roadway at Oak Street and Park Road in the city. Police are responding.

Teachers at Batavia Middle School volunteered to hand deliver end-of-the-year academic awards to their fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-grade students.

Alex's Place is participating in Stock the Freezer and WNY Feeds the Frontlines, delivering prepared frozen meals to front line workers and people in need.

This week, Alex's delivered 120 meals to the VA Hospital in Batavia.

Donors can purchase meals to purchase meals for frontline workers or people in need. Customers can also purchase meals for themselves.

To order, visit wnyfeedsthefrontline.org or alexsribs.com

Press release:

Have you ever wondered how Genesee County came to be? What was the Holland Land Purchase? What is a Gibbet? If any of these questions peak your curiosity among many others, then volunteering at the Holland Land Office might be perfect for you.

The museum is reaching out to anyone with an interest in local history who would like to volunteer. Any amount of time that can be given is welcome, even an hour a week can make a great difference.

Volunteers can work in many different areas, and interests and strengths will be used to the most optimum affect.

Areas of need include: cleaning, gift shop, docent/tour guide, documenting of artifacts, exhibits and displays, landscaping, etc.

Volunteer hours would be during the normal hours of operation of the museum are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

If you have an interest in volunteering with the Holland Land Office Museum, please contact Director Ryan Duffy at (585) 343-4727 or email him at:   hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Information can also be found at the museum’s website.

It was a perfect summer day for the opening of the Downtown Public Market in Batavia. Of course, rules were in place requiring masks and social distancing.

Photo by Jim Burns.

Batavia employees of Rochester Regional Health / United Memorial Medical Center take a knee at the War Memorial at Jerome Center at 8:46 this morning.

The time of 8:46 signifies the length of time a white police officer in Minneapolis, Derek Chauvin, knelt on the neck of George Floyd May 25, killing him. The police were called after a store clerk suspected Floyd of using a counterfeit $20 bill at the store. Three other officers at the scene are also charged in the case: J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.

A message from Rochester Regional Health President and CEO Eric Bieber, M.D.:

"Today, we as healers at Rochester Regional Health stand with you for healing. The events we have witnessed in our nation and community these past few days are almost unbearable to describe. Already frayed by fighting COVID-19, we witnessed the brutal death of George Floyd — a horrific repeat of too many deaths gone before. Then in our own Rochester community, a peaceful protest devolved into violence.

"Each member of our Rochester Regional Health team is touched by these tragedies—more than 17,000 souls, along with our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and families. And of course, you, our patients. Many of you were born and raised in Rochester. Others hail from every continent on earth. We are diverse in every possible way — race, ethnicity, job description, cultural background, and religion.

"While diversity is our strength, there is more work to be done to bridge the divide. Today we are united in our grief and our resolve. All throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have been telling you that we will get through this together. Those words mean more now than ever. Together is the way we will get through this to mend our hearts and community.

"Thank you, each of you, for your precious differences and united spirit."

A car reportedly struck a pedestrian at North Street and Bank Street in the city. The pedestrian was able to get up and is conscious and alert. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Northgate Pastor John Keller gets some grooming.

Submitted photos and press release:

Beginning in October of 2019, Northgate Pastor John Keller began a process many of our readers can relate to. He grew a beard. After an eight-month progression and the absence of winter temperatures, Pastor Keller made the decision to potentially lose a part of him which he had grown fondly of.

As a member of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army in Batavia, Keller put a wager on the community and Northgate congregants through Facebook to raise money in exchange for a fresh shave.  

The original post asked for the community to donate $500 to The Salvation Army of Batavia. Unbeknownst to him, the community rallied around his fundraising efforts and raised that amount in only an hour and a half.

Quick on his feet, Keller amended the goal to $1,000, saying that if he reached the new amount, he would let his three daughters shave his beard. Once again, the congregants and community spoke. Three hours after the original post, the total had surpassed $1,000.

Over the course of the five-day fundraiser, 53 people donated for a combined total of $2,215.  

This financial fundraiser will remain local and will help to fight food scarcity in Genesee County.

Keller said “Truthfully, a beard that long with a mask and the higher temperatures just wasn’t comfortable. So, I was probably going to shave it anyway, but I thought we could have a little fun with it and raise some money for a great cause. I had no idea that people would respond in such an awesome way! Our local Salvation Army is so well run and does such an incredible job loving and serving our community. I’m so glad to have been able to have a part in helping them do that great work!” 

Northgate church continues to partner with The Salvation Army of Batavia, as they have for years. During the COVID-19 closures, they have hosted local food collections each Monday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at their North Campus (8160 Bank Street Road).

They have also teamed up with The Salvation Army and Foodlink to conduct drive-thru food distributions every other Wednesday. This past Wednesday, they were able to distribute food to 413 vehicles that passed through their parking lot.

If you are interested in assisting the local community, food deliveries can be delivered during the hours listed above, or directly to The Salvation Army during their hours of operation.

Below, Pastor Keller before and after.

Bottom, photo from this Wednesday's food giveaway at Northgate church featuring featuring fresh meat, produce and dairy products.

Statement from Chief Shawn Heubusch, Batavia PD:

Due to the ongoing events that are unfolding across our country and within our region I have received questions about the Department's use of force policy and what is done to ensure that our police officers do not abuse their authority or use excessive force.

Attached is the Department's Use of Force Policy that every member of the City of Batavia Police Department receives training on annually. The policy adheres to all Local, State and Federal laws, guidelines and follows best practices. The policy puts human life above everything and ensures that every member has a duty to intercede in situations where the use of force of another officer is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances present at that time. Each situation is unique and officers are asked to make split second decisions to keep the public safe.

I am proud of each member of our Department, they discharge their duties in a professional, compassionate manner each and every day. Your police officers are well trained, well equipped, caring community-oriented individuals that work extremely hard to bring peace to chaotic situations and serve the public with the utmost. I am also very grateful for the community support that we receive from the vast majority of our residents and business owners. Together we make the City of Batavia a better place to live, work and play.

Take Care!
Shawn Heubusch
Police Chief

Use of Force Policy (PDF)

Also, we discussed the use of force policy in this interview:

Police were dispatched to Ellsworth Avenue in the City of Batavia for the report of a large fight.

The initial dispatched included a report of "shots fire" but a responding police officer, once on scene, said, "no firearms involved."

Ellsworth is between Ross and Summit streets.

In a bankruptcy filing, JCPenney has announced its closing 30 percent of its 856 stores, including its Batavia location.

The company, which has been struggling financially for years, filed bankruptcy in Federal Court on May 15.

The stores that are closing -- which presumably include the Batavia store -- will hold liquidation sales once pandemic-related regulations are lifted.

Other stores closing in New York:

• Auburn: Clark Street Road
• Oswego: State Route 104
• New Hartford: Sangertown Square
• Rome: Erie Boulevard West
• Canandaigua: State Route 364
• Syracuse: Destiny USA Drive

For more: USA Today.