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Calling hours tomorrow for Kathy Owen, who died Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Calling hours for Kathy Owen will be tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m. at J. Leonard McAndrew Funeral Home, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia.

Owen, 73, an active participant in the Batavia community throughout her life, died Thursday and is survived by her brother Jim Owen.

A 1963 graduate of Batavia High School, she was active over the past 55 years in maintaining the close-knit relationship of her classmates. She was also a graduate of Alfred State College.

A photographer, animal and nature lover, Owen was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Batavia Muckdogs. Her most recent job was at Attica Bus Service and for many years she worked at the dental office of L.L. Mulcahy Jr., DDS.

Click here for her full obituary.

Take a trip back in time with the music of Old Hippies at HLOM June 6

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Thursday, June 6th, the Holland Land Office Museum is proud to present the Old Hippies.

At 7 p.m., Bill and Kay MacDonald and their accompanying local musicians will put on an acoustic rock show featuring hits from the golden years of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, as well as, many original songs and other favorites mixed in.

The local favorites have played all over Western New York and Florida during the winter. Let the nostalgia flow as their classic vocal harmonies take you back in time for those who remember. And for those who did not, experience the era through the music with a little more realism than you have experienced before.

Tickets for the concert are $5; and $4 for museum members.

RSVPs can be made with the museum by calling at 585-343- 4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Law and Order: Miller Avenue man accused of violating order of protection jailed without bail

By Billie Owens

Zachary V.D. Seeley, 22, of Miller Avenue, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that at 9:12 p.m. on May 25 that Seeley was in violation of an order of protection. He was arrested, arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Angela Louise Flowers, 48, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment. At 6:15 p.m. on May 26, Flowers allegedly pushed another person, who had an order of protection against her. She was arrested, arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. She is due back in court today (May 28). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

A 17-year-old male was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief after an incident at 6:20 p.m. on Hewitt Place in Batavia in which he allegedly damaged a city police car. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or bond. He is to return to court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Offcer Stephen Quider, assisted by Det. Eric Hill.

Frank James Falcone, 33, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Bethany, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; failure to dim headlights; operating an unregistered motor vehicle; refusal to take a breath test; and open container in a motor vehicle. Falcone was arrested at 2:28 a.m. on May 26 on Lewiston Road in Batavia. After his arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance and is due in Batavia Town Court on June 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein.

Jamie L. Edenholm, 32, of Gabbey Road, Corfu, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance; unlicensed operator; and following too closely. At 1:06 p.m. on May 25, after the investigation of a property damage accident on Main Street in Batavia, Edenholm was arrested on these charges. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court to answer the charges on June 5. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Robert James Patnode, 50, of Bishop Street, Warsaw, is charged with driving while intoxicated; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or higher, and moving from lane unsafely. Patnode was arrested at 7:54 p.m. on May 26 on Route 238 in Darien. He was issued an appearance ticket for June 20 in Darien Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Saile, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Jordan Scott Thomas, 20, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. At 3:59 p.m. on May 25, Thomas was arrested after allegedly stealing merchandise from Kohl's department store on Veterans Memorial Drive at 12:12 p.m. on May 21. Thomas was released on an appearance ticket for June 3 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Quinn M. Pritchard, 28, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Pritchard was arrested after a shoplifting complaint at the Dollar General on East Main Street in Batavia at 12:23 p.m. on May 24. The defendant was released with an appearance ticket for June 4 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post.

Shane Zimblis, 48, of South Swan Street, Batavia was arrested on May 27 on a bench warrant. Zimblis was located at his residence after police arrived for an unrelated complaint. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. Zimblis is due back in court today (May 28). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison.

Two people injured in accident Sunday on Galloway Road, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A 29-year-old driver from Batavia is accused of failing to stop for a stop sign on Galloway Road leading to a two-car accident that sent two people, including a child, to the hospital at 12:31 p.m., Sunday.

Valerie Covill, of West Main Street Road, was cited by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, who investigated the accident. 

Covill was reportedly westbound on Galloway Road in a 2016 Hyundai sedan when she allegedly failed to stop for a stop sign at Slusser Road.

The Hyundai struck at 2015 Toyota sedan driven by Kyle A. Olmstead, 32, of Byron Holly Road, Byron.

Olmstead wasn't injured but his passenger, 41-year-old Jessica Alexyn, was transported to UMMC by ambulance for a complaint of stomach pain.

One of Covill's passengers, Brenden Delmastro, age 2, was also taken to UMMC for evaluation. 

Another passenger in Covill's car, 5-year-old Caleb Delmastro, was not injured.

Photos: Batman at Foxprowl

By Howard B. Owens

Batman doesn't smile. He doesn't smile when posing with Bill and Joy Hume. He doesn't smile when he has a new book out. He doesn't smile while making a public appearance on a Saturday at Foxprowl Collectables.

In this case, Batman is cosplay specialist, public speaker, and author William Lorenz Jr., of Buffalo, and his new book is "The Ballad of Buffalo's Best Batman."

Girl Scouts from Alexander and Havenwood residents donate handmade stuffed animals to first responders

By Howard B. Owens

 

Submitted photo and information.

Girl Scouts from Alexander troops 42031 and 42103 along with residents of Havenwood Apartments made 150 stuffed animals over the past few months for first responders to give to children whose families are experiencing stressful difficulties.

The idea began with Marilyn, a resident of Havenwood who passed away but had told the Erin Saile, service coordinator at Havenwood, that she used to make stuff animals in Florida for first responders there. Saile is the wife of Sgt. Jason Saile, Sheriff's Office, so she immediately thought it would be a good project to undertake locally. 

Saile contacted Meghan Ripstein, a Girl Scout leader in Alexander, to enlist Girl Scouts into the effort. Several donations from the community also helped make the project possible.

On Friday, the stuff animals were presented to the Sheriff's Office, City fire, and Batavia PD.

Previously:

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Video: Memorial Day Parade in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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Video: Memorial Day in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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Memorial Day ceremonies in Batavia.

Possible serious injury accident reported on Thruway involved truck and passenger vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly run under the back of a semi-truck on the Thruway in the westbound lane at about mile marker 388.4 and a female is reportedly trapped in the vehicle that is under the semi.

Extrication will reportedly be required.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. 

UPDATE 10 p.m.: The victim has self-extricated with minor injuries.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight cancelled. Fire crews needed for fluid spills.

Rich Schauf ends 32-year law enforcement career in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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Press release:

Youth Detective Rich Schauf retired today after 32 years of dedicated service to the City of Batavia and City of Batavia Police Department.

Schauf started his law enforcement career in June of 1983 as a Jailor at the Genesee County Jail. He was hired by the City of Batavia Police Department on Jan. 25, 1987, and promoted to Youth Detective on Oct. 20, 2003.

Schauf spent the majority of a career dedicated to the youth of the City. He was an integral part in the creation of several organizations designed to provide support services to the youth of the community.

A luncheon was held at City Hall to honor Schauf ’s 32 years of service and to wish him well in his retirement.

NET detail snags pair of suspected drug dealers from Rochester

By Howard B. Owens
 Germayne Sessions    Shakerra Walker

A traffic stop in the City of Batavia last night by police officers working a Neighborhood Enforcement Team detail yielded a cache of drugs and a pair of felony arrests.

Germayne D. Sessions, 25, of Cummings Street, Rochester, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th; unlawful possession of marijuana; promoting prison contraband, 1st; falsify business records, 1st; criminal impersonation, 2nd; driving without a license; and a license plate violation.

Sessions was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and marijuana during the traffic stop. At the jail, he was allegedly found in possession of nine bags of heroin. He is also accused of providing police officers with a false identification.

Shakerra B. Walker, 18, of North Goodman Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. She was allegedly found in possession of 35 baggies of crack cocaine.

Both Sessions and Walker were jailed without bail.

Participating in the traffic stop, along with Batavia PD, were the Sheriff's Office and members of the Local Drug Task Force.

Law and Order: Walnut Street man arraigned on new burglary and larceny charges

By Billie Owens

TeeSean T. Ayala, 20, (inset left file photo) of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for a series of burglaries, which occurred in the towns of Batavia and Stafford last fall.

Ayala is charged with: first-degree burglary; two counts of second-degree burglary; three counts of third-degree grand larceny; and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance on all charges.

He remains in the custody of the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges.

Laqueasha M. Taylor, 25, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal obstruction of breathing; endangering the walfare of a child; and second-degree harassment. She was arrested on May 19. She was allegedly involved in a fight with another person at 5:39 p.m. on May 18 on Bank Street at Northside Meadows apartments. Taylor was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on May 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Sgt. Matthew Lutey.

Robert Oliver Taft, 45, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree. At 2:39 p.m. on May 15, Taft was taken into custody on a sealed indictment warrant returnable to Genesee County Court. He was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia during the course of his arrest Taft was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is still currently being held in jail without bail on the charges in the sealed indictment. The case was handled by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Kaleb James Bobzien, 21, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree coercion, criminal obstruction of breathing, and second-degree harassment following the investigation of a domestic dispute on Dellinger Avenue at 10 a.m. on May 17. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or bond. He was due back in city court on May 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Tiesha D. Smith, 32, of Prune Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 1 p.m. on May 19 after allegedly shoplifting from the 7-Eleven convenience store on East Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on May 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Mark B. Skeet, 65, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree -- mandatory suspension. On May 20, Skeet was arrested for allegedly driving outside of the parameters of his driver's license at 2:06 p.m. on May 17 on Evans Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision. He was due back in court on May 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

'Crosswalk Day' to highlight crosswalk safety and proper use to be held on Bank Street Wednesday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

To highlight the importance of crosswalk safety and the proper use of a crosswalk, not only for pedestrians but motorists as well, there will be a Crosswalk Day on Wednesday, May 29, at the Bank Street crosswalk in front of the Office for the Aging and YMCA.

The event is sponsored by the City of Batavia in conjunction with the City of Batavia Police Department, City of Batavia Fire Department, City of Batavia Youth Bureau, Genesee County, Genesee County Office for the Aging, Genesee County Youth Bureau, Batavia YMCA, Boys Scouts of America, Rochester Regional Health (UMMC) and GO ART!

There will be a morning session taking place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and an afternoon session taking place from 3 to 5 p.m.

There will be volunteers from the YMCA, Rochester Regional Health (UMMC), Boy Scouts of America and Office for the Aging assisting throughout the day.

GO ART! is providing the sidewalk chalk art for the event. The new signs and striping have been provided by City of Batavia Public Works and Genesee County. Also, City of Batavia Police and Fire Department will be assisting with the event.

Sponsored Post: Open House this Saturday - 5 Holmes Ave., Batavia

By Lisa Ace


Open House Saturday 11a.m. - 1 p.m.: 5 Holmes Ave., Batavia. Here's one to see! This midcentury modern home is superbly built, lovingly maintained, and well cared for. The layout to this almost 2,400-square-foot home is spacious and well planned. There's a spot/space for everything and everyone!

The lower family room area with wet bar and sliding doors opens to sweet backyard, a beautiful and bright front living room that really outdoes itself, leading to formal dining area with gorgeous built-in hutch.

Kitchen is large and more cupboards then most use these days. Upper level offers three large bedrooms, two with beautiful hardwood floors and an oversized master bedroom with half bath and large walk-in cedar closet.

Basement has poured walls, an extra shower stall, should someone need it, and loads of storage space. Garage has been used for workshop/puttering area!

Call Lynn Bezon today, 585-344-HOME or click here for more information on this listing.

Video: Muckdogs hold National Anthem auditions for 2019 season

By Howard B. Owens

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The Batavia Muckdogs hosted auditions Thursday for community members to sing the National Anthem at the start of a ballgame sometime this season. In this video, Jessica Beal, of Batavia, auditions and Kerri Schmidt, director of sales and marketing for the Muckdogs, explains a little about the process.

Muckdogs groundskeeper already busy getting field ready for 2019

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Last year, the Batavia Muckdogs hired Cooper Thomson, trained in Australia, as new head groundskeeper. But visa issues delayed his arrival in Batavia, so he didn't get to work on the field the two months before the season that is ideal for getting it ready for professional ballplayers.

This year, he's back, and he's here early. He said both the players and the fans will be pleased with the field in 2019.

Previously: Muckdogs hire minor league groundskeeper with major league dreams

Video: United Way Day of Caring in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Thursday was United Way's annual Day of Caring, where people volunteer for various projects around the county.

Video: Teddy Bear Clinic at UMMC

By Howard B. Owens
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UMMC's annual Teddy Bear Clinic was Wednesday in Batavia. Here's a video for you (warning: cute kids).

Video: The Memphis Belle, tour and departure from Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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The movie version of the Memphis Belle is based at the Warplane Museum in Geneseo but it often flies to other parts of the country for airshows, like one recently in Virginia. The airfield in Geneseo is grass, so when it returned to Western New York, it landed in Batavia because the field in Geneseo was soggy.

While it was at the Genesee County Aiport, several people asked me to go out to the airport and take pictures of it.  On Tuesday, while driving down East Saile Drive, I thought, I have a little time, I should stop.

Good timing. The pilots showed up while I was setting up my camera for video.  They were there to fly it back to Geneseo. I got a tour of the plane, an interview with Craig Wadsworth, and shots of it departing. 

Other news the past couple of days delayed my efforts to edit the video but here it is.

Mobile app users can tap here to view the video on YouTube.

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