batavia

Benjamin Santiago Jr.

A man accused of entering an apartment on Ellicott Street and attacking the resident with a hammer before stealing property and a credit card and then stealing a truck from another person appeared in Genesee County Court today and accepted a plea bargain he had previously turned down.

With the guilty plea in the assault and robbery case, Benjamin Santiago Jr., 30, is facing a prison term of eight to 20 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

At 9:15 p.m., June 2, Santiago entered the apartment of a person he knew on Ellicott Street and demanded money. When he didn't get it, he attacked the man with a hammer, then stole items and fled on a bicycle he had stolen earlier in the day from a location on Bank Street.

He then located a 2010 Ford F150 Lariat super cab truck belonging to a third victim and fled to Rochester, where he was located and arrested by police there.

Santiago had rejected a similar plea offer before the case was referred to the grand jury.

He came into court facing an eight-count indictment, including first-degree robbery and a first-degree assault, and with the previous plea offer no longer on the table; however, after a conference with Judge Charles Zambito, Santiago was allowed to enter the plea under the same conditions as the previous offer.

Santiago has been arrested previously in and around Batavia, including a case involving problems at a local hotel that led to a multi-agency manhunt 2011. The two brothers in the case were later accused of trying to hire somebody to kill Santiago. Eventually, that case led to a prison term for Santiago. He was most recently accused of stealing $800 in tools from Crocker's Ace Hardware in Le Roy.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider approving incentives for two capital investment projects in the Town of Le Roy and an application for incentives for a project in the City of Batavia at the board’s Oct. 31^st meeting tomorrow.

Wright Associates is requesting incentives for a proposed $9.5 million capital project that would include the purchase of an existing 139,000-square-foot building on Wright Avenue in Le Roy. The beverage distribution company based in Rochester in seeking approximately $854,452 in mortgage, sales and property taxes. (Previously, Wright's project was estimated to cost $8.9 million, but additional costs in the final application pushed the projected total to $9.5 million.)

The project would create 125 new full-time jobs in Genesee County.

Wendt Propane Gas Service is requesting incentives in order to build a new 9,600-square-foot facility at the corner of Route 19 and North Road in the Town of Le Roy. The company will be expanding its propane service to local residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. The company is seeking approximately $120,000 in mortgage, sales and property taxes.

The project would create four new jobs.

The GCEDC board also will consider accepting an application for incentives from Fraser-Branche Property LLC, which is seeking to purchase and renovate the YWCA building on North Street in the City of Batavia.

The company will renovate approximately 67 percent of the 13,000-square-foot facility and is proposing to lease back the remainder of the facility to the YWCA and two other existing tenants.

The total project capital investment is $1.4 million. Fraser-Branche Property LLC is seeking approximately $105,000 in mortgage, sales and property taxes. The project will be part of the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (BP2) program.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday at its offices at 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia. The meeting is open to the public.

A hazardous weather outlook was issued shortly after 3 p.m. today by the National Weather Service in Buffalo for portions of Western New York, including Genesee County and specifically the City of Batavia.

There's a high wind watch in effect from Thursday evening through Friday evening.

Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph are expected with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Given the wet antecedent conditions that will be in place, shallow rooted pines will be most vulnerable.

Widespread power outages will be possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of winds.

A man on Cherry Street in the city called emergency dispatch to report that his neighbor "came onto his property and cut down his tree." The complainant wishes to speak with an officer, so one is en route.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is looking for residents of the City of Batavia to fill seats on the Deer Committee.

The City of Batavia and City Manager Martin Moore, Ph.D., are seeking interested candidates to join this committee in an effort to develop a workable deer management plan to mitigate the deer issue in the City. 

“We expect the work of this committee to take about six (6) months,” Moore said. “Once the deer management plan is completed, it will be presented to the City Council, and ultimately New York State for approval, in order to further our mitigation efforts.”   

Applicants must be residents of the City of Batavia. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office or online here.

Harper Ferris, a third-grader at St. Joseph School, got to ride to school in a City of Batavia fire truck because she was one of the winners in the City Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention Poster Coloring Contest.

Over the next week, two more poster contest winners will get to ride to school in a fire truck.

Richmond Memorial Library hosted a trick-or-treat party Monday night with Batavia police officers offering parents safety tips and reading a story to the children, who then trick-or-treated through the library.

Top photo: Det. Matthew Wojtaszczyk and Officer Kevin DeFelice with little officer Aiden Scott, age 3.

David Olsen, former chairman of the Genesee County Libertarian Party, lost a bet on the Yankees so he had to wear a Statue of Liberty Costume on Main Street in Batavia yesterday, which he did, waving a sign that said "Vote Libertarian."

Joining him was Deborah Kerr Rosenbeck, a City Council candidate.

Raymond Dennis Bieganski, 66, of Main Street, Corfu, a NYS Level 2 registered sex offender, is charged with failure to register an email address. He was arrested for violating NYS Correction Law by failing to register an email address on July 22. He was issued an appearance ticket for Nov. 4 in Village of Corfu Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Justin David Spilberg, 31, of Salt Works Road, Medina, is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; and speeding. Spilberg was arrested at 7:54 p.m. on Oct. 26 on North Lake Road in Bergen after a traffic stop for speeding. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Bergen Town Court on Nov. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Cameron James Demaison, 23, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and DWI. He was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Oct. 17 on North Street in Batavia following a traffic complaint. Demaison was released on appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Joseph M. Dispenza, 46, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and DWI. On Oct. 26, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Dispenza on the charges following an investigation into a one-vehicle accident involving a motorcycle on Bank Street in the city at 10:22 p.m. on Aug. 4. Dispenza was given uniform traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 6. Post was assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

Brian Keith Dyer, 53, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Dyer was arrested following an incident in which he allegedly pushed someone at 9:29 p.m. Oct. 22 on North Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on Oct. 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Another fall day in Batavia, NY, USA...

Photos and information submitted by Kathy Ferrara.

Batavia's Original and the Kiwanis Club of Batavia held their second annual Halloween Parade on Sunday.

Their trek through wind and rain from Dan's Tire to the pizzeria at Harvester Avenue and East Main Street was rewarded with food, games, a magician, a costume contest and prizes. Of course there was plenty of candy!

Judges were Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr., Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr., city fire Capt. Greg Ireland and city fire's EMS Program coordinator Tom Douglas.

Kindred spirits, wild and woolly...

A gruesome twosome...

Fishing...sorta...

The morbid wedding party...

It was magical...or was it?

Spiderman was a boy once, with regular folks and a little sis -- it was enough to make him want to climb the walls...

By Marilyn Dickinson, Board Secretary, St. Jerome Guild Board of Directors

The St. Jerome Guild Inc., annual "Noel Nook" will take place at The Jerome Center at 16 Bank St., Batavia, on Friday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. All customers will enjoy a 10-percent discount on the entire order (some exclusions apply).

The Guild, a not-for-profit volunteer organization has been serving the healthcare community for decades and celebrated their 100-year jubilee a few years ago. The Guild continues to be an active organization donating vital equipment to UMMC.

The Guild operates the Jerome Center Gift Shop at the Bank Street Campus and we invite the community to enjoy punch and cookies and browse our new Christmas and holiday items in the Shop and in the enormous "Nook" room.

If you like home goods then you will find bar and wine accessories, eclectic and wine caddies depicting doctors, golfers, nurses, firefighters, musicians, athletes, and gardeners are customer favorites.

You will love the expressions of wall and counter art, kitchen towels, spatula sets, mugs, aprons, Santas, snowmen, crystal candle holders and warmers, angels, elegant glittered and country trees, hundreds of ornaments, cardinals, llamas, holiday wreaths, flags, hundreds of ornaments, throws, centerpieces, night lights, jams and jellies.

Gift cards are also available.

‘Tis the season to wear customer favorites of stylish ponchos and shawls, woven caplets, fur-trimmed and wool hats and gloves, gorgeous scarves, and headbands. Petite Ginger Snaps, that are interchangeable with bracelets, necklaces and rings come in a variety of colors, shapes, and stones.

We continue to carry our selection of stylish handbags. Our reasonably priced "Jerome Jewelry Collection" includes rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces sets, some with semi-precious stones, and a wide assortment of watches, and children’s jewelry.

Other popular items are cozy baby jackets in blue, pink and leopard, oneses, tummy blankets, picture frames, milestone items, and a variety of children's toys and plush animals.

You will be surprised at the price point of our Famous Beekman Brothers’ products of hand creams, soaps and lip balms. We offer Warm Buddies, too, which include anti-stress spa mist, and eye masks.

The St. Jerome Guild Inc., has fulfilled pledges of well over $100,000 to the UMMC facilities expansions and initiatives, and supports the UMMC Foundation projects as a major sponsor.

Last spring, the annual fashion show and basket raffle proceeds purchased a needed Accuvein illuminator for the Maternity Department, and the year prior fashion show proceeds purchased four neonatal basinets from the hospital wish list.

For years, the Guild offers to UMMC employees pursuing educational careers, our annual Health Professional Scholarships.

Children who visit the Jerome Center Urgent Care are comforted with plush animals and cancer patients receive care bags of personal items.

The Guild sponsors the Jerome Center Annual Employee Recognition Day in thanks for their efforts serving the community.

Guild members donate thousands of volunteer hours working at the Shop and for UMMC events, including the Teddy Bear Clinic.

St. Jerome Gift Shop business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, managed and operated only by Guild volunteers.

New members are welcome to join the Guild throughout the year and a membership tea is held in September. Members attend regular monthly meetings that include a program and guest speakers.

The Guild also manages a monthly lottery and the community is invited to participate. Please join our Facebook page to view our inventory at: St. Jerome Gift Shop.

(Submitted photo.)

St. Joseph School will host the "Popcorn Ball" from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

The school is located at 2 Summit St. in the City of Batavia.

Food will be catered by Eli Fish Brewing Co.

Live music will be performed from 7 to 10 p.m. Dance to the sounds of "Groove."

Plus there will be a euchre tournament, ticket raffle, and lottery.

For more information, contact the school at 343-6154.

Today, firefighters from the City of Batavia Fire Department hosted a luncheon for the winners of this year's Fire Prevention Coloring Contest and their families at the fire headquarters on Evans Street.

The contest theme for 2019's Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-12) was: “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and Practice your Escape.”

The seventh annual coloring competition was open to Batavia schoolchildren in kindergarten through fifth grade.

At a date to be determined, the first-place winners will get a ride to school in a city fire engine.

The winners, announced and posted on The Batavian Wednesday, are:

Honorable Mention: Harmony Warner – John Kennedy School, Miss Carpenter, Fourth Grade

Honorable Mention: Azaria Burnett – Batavia Middle School, Mrs. Korzelius, Fifth Grade

(Photos courtesy of the City of Batavia Fire Department.)

This past wednesday night was the YMCA second annual Fall Pickleball Tournament. First place went to Mike Lear and Steve Ognibene, pictured center. Second place went to Josephine Fallado and Mike Ianni, pictured far left. Third place went to Larry Riegel and Art Smith, pictured far right.

The event was organized by the Pickleball Club Committee -- Sue Lewis, Karen Spiotta, Chloe Budenhagen and Becky Swanson. The tournament was a fun night with lots of excellent pickleball play. 

If you would like to learn how to play, come to the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9. You do not have to be a YMCA member to play and can purchase a pickleball card at the front desk or ask to try it out for the day.