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Old-Fashioned Picnic in Kiwanis Park sponsored by Town of Batavia GOP Committee, George Forsyth to be honored

By Billie Owens

The Town of Batavia Republican Committee is holding its annual Old-Fashioned Picnic on Friday, June 12th, at the Town of Batavia/Kiwanis Park starting at 5 p.m. and lasting until dark.

Enjoy red and white hots, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips and assorted desserts along with ice tea, lemonade, soda and water. Cost is $10 per person; Children under 12 are $5; and under 5 years old are free. 

Event Date and Time
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Minor bus accident at Lucky Ducky Daycare - no injuries

By Traci Turner

A Student Transportation of America Bus backed into Lucky Ducky Daycare's gas line located on the edge of the daycare's parking lot. There were only a few kids on the bus at the time of the accident and no injuries. The daycare did evacuate for a short time. The gas line should be fixed in a couple hours.

Flag Day celebration planned for VA Center

By Howard B. Owens

There will be a Flag Day celebration starting at 1 p.m., Sunday, at the VA Center in Batavia.

Here's the schedule for the event:

  • 1 p.m.: Prayer and Motorcycle Procession
  • 1:05 p.m.: Western New York Skydivers, led by Bill Ziphel
  • 1:10 p.m.: Flyover, Navy World War II plane, a 1943 Navy SNJ, piloted by Greg Barnhard and Jarod Cummings
  • 1:15 p.m.:  Assemblyman Steve Hawley Presentation
  • 1:30 p.m.: Flags & Students presentation to administration and vets.
  • 1:45 p.m.: 21-Gun Salute -- American Legion, Jim Neider, American Legion
  • 1:50 p.m.: Echo Taps
  • 2 p.m.: Concert with St. Joe’s Brass Ensemble

Photos: Special Olympics torch arrives in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A group of runners, including several members of the local law enforcement community, carried the Special Olympic Torch from Elba to the Genesee ARC building on Walnut Street, Batavia, this morning. Along the way, they stopped at the Batavia School District's fourth-grade track meet on Woodward Field.

Above, Garrett Schmidt and Avelin Tomidy get ready to assist Deputy Joseph Corona in carrying the torch for a lap around the track.

Carl talks about what Special Olympics means to him and how he won three medals at a recent competition.

Dave Chua

The runners approaching Van Detta Stadium.

Completing the lap around the track.

Law and Order: Batavia man charged with criminal mischief and unlawful imprisonment

By Traci Turner

Shane Zimblis, 44, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and unlawful imprisonment. Zimblis allegedly broke several items belonging to another person and refused to let the person leave the location. The domestic incident happened on Hutchins Street, Batavia. He was put in Genesee County Jail.

Jeffrey J. Cervone, 46, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of menacing, 3rd, and one count of petit larceny. The incident occurred at 202 N. Spruce St., City of Batavia. Cervone is accused of threatening two subjects and brandished what the two subjects thought was a knife. He was held on $2,500.

Bilal A. Aljabbouri, 21, of Austin Street, Buffalo, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, possession of cigars with unpaid tax, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, speeding and unlicensed operator. Aljabbouri was pulled over for a traffic stop on Alleghany Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Aljabbouri was allegedly in possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and more than 750 cigars. 

James A. Mckenzie, 61, of River Road, Rome, is charged with attempt to evade taxes on cigarettes, criminal tax fraud and following too closely. Mckenzie is accused of possessing 406 cartons of untaxed cigarettes after being pulled over for an alleged traffic violation by Deputy Lonnie Nati on Alleghany Road, Pembroke.

Robert D. Griffin, 36, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal tampering, 3rd. Griffin allegedly became intoxicated to the point where he was unable to care for three children at a residence on Columbia Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Tylee D. Gaines, 36, of Brown Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant on Overlook Drive, Batavia, for a previous charge. Gaines is originally charged with allegedly intimidating a witness, 3rd, in the Town of Batavia in August 2014. She was held without bail.

Chercal A. Smith, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant on State Street, Batavia. Smith was originally arrested on an assault charge, 3rd, following an incident in January 2015. 

Melissa C. Cicatello, 23, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant on West Main Street, Batavia. Cicatello allegedly failed to appear on charges of operating a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration.

A 17-year-old youth offender of Batavia is charged with disorderly conduct. The youth was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with another student at Batavia High School. The youth's name was withheld by Batavia PD.

Photos: Talent show at Batavia HS

By Howard B. Owens

Photos from last night's Batavia High School Talent Showcase.

Above, Ross Chua performs with three volunteers from the audience, Cara Ranalli, Malik Vascianne and Lindsey Hill.

Ross Chua

Tyzonah Reese

Madison Hoerbelt and Andrea Gilebarto with Mr. Dan Grillo playing the piano. 

Kelli Dumuhosky

Rachel Flint

Kesa Janes and Hannah Bluhm

McKenna Dzieman

Alex Hansen

Laura Guiste

Jerrett Laskett

BHS athletes prepare for state meet in Albany

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia High School track state qualifiers will participate this Friday and Saturday at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association track meet at Albany State College.  The state meet consists of two classifications, with large schools in Class A, AA, and small schools, including Batavia, in classes B, CC, C and D schools. 

I interviewed Coach Dan Geiger, head coach of the girls team, and spoke about this weekend’s itinerary.

“The kids will board for Albany after school Thursday representing section five and arrive for a practice late that evening," Geiger said. "The kids will compete on Friday and then return again on Saturday, and if they qualify they will do what’s called a federation championship in which they combine large, small schools and the public athletic association from NYC area. Every school in New York State will have a chance with that one, but only the top eight schools in the state will compete in those races on Saturday. Depending on how Friday goes we are looking to have all the kids participate Saturday and the goal is to arrive back at BHS Saturday night will lots of medals.

"Just about every year we have sent a couple of each from boys and girls to the state meet. This year we have a much larger group than in the past and it’s always great to get relays in and it’s a lot of fun for the kids. A lot of individuals over the years make it in for various races. This is the first time in history that we will have both boys and girls relay racers go, which is an outstanding accomplishment as a program. Our program has been very strong the last eight years consistently that we have sent a few kids to participate.

"We have had some really strong individuals on our relay teams and had a very difficult choice as to who to pick for our relays and have eight strong 400-meter runners. We can only bring six to the meet, four to participate and two listed as alternates. Two girls I want to recognize -- Reagan Henrici and Aimee Freeman -- who were right there with these girls but unfortunately we could only bring six and not all eight to the meet. We got have some really great depth that have showed it in sectional time on both girls and boys side that will compete with them and hopefully make it on the podium.“

Pictured above from left, first row: freshman Sophie Dinehart (4x4), senior Missa Dispenza (4x4), 100m & 400m hurdles, freshman Kiaya Franklin (4x4), eighth-grader Bri Wormley (4x4), freshman Claire Zickl (4x4), not pictured -- senior Becca Canale (4x4).

Second row, from left: junior Cal Jantzi (4x8), junior Louie Leone (4x8), sophomore Campbell Andersen (4x8), senior Devon Keopp (disc thrower), junior Nick Callisher (4x8), senior Jerrett Laskett (4x8) & 400m hurdles. 

For more information go to: nysphsaa.org

Coffee klatches scheduled at City Hall with council president and ward reps

By Billie Owens

Press release:

City Council President Brooks Hawley will be holding six City Hall meetings over the summer, one for each ward. “Coffee with the City Council President and Councilmember Representative” will be held at City Hall in the Community Room.

These meetings will be used as a direct connection to the President and councilmembers to have a forum with residents to collect thoughts, concerns, ideas or interests from city residents. The meetings will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturdays on the following dates:

  • Ward 1  --  June 13
  • Ward 2  --  June 27
  • Ward 3  --  July 11
  • Ward 4  --  July 18
  • Ward 5  --  Aug. 8
  • Ward 6  --  Aug. 22

“We look forward to meeting and discussing our community issues with concerned and engaging people," Council President Hawley said. "We will find out what we can improve on and what we are doing well as a council and administration to improve the quality of life for Batavians."

If there are any questions, please contact:

City of Batavia
City Council President

One Batavia City Centre Batavia, New York 14020

Phone: (585) 409-9895

Two vehicle accident on corner of Main and Center

By Traci Turner

An accident involving a FedEx tractor-trailer and Toyota Tundra pickup truck happened on the corner of Main and Center. The FedEx tractor-trailer was making a wide right turn and collided with the pickup turning right. There were no injuries.

"What I know so far is the semi hit the truck so were investigating," Officer Jason Davis said.

"It looked like he made a left second turn," said Azem Dobrodoli, driver of the Toyota Tundra, "I didn't notice he was turning right until the last second. I slammed on my brakes and there it was."

Dobrodoli didn't notice if the truck had a left-turn signal on.

Worship in Austin Park

By Lisa Ace

St. Paul Lutheran Church invites you join us for WORSHIP in Austin Park in Batavia, NY on Sunday June 14, 2015 at 10am. Message by Pastor Allen Werk. Patriotic music by E.R. Singers. Music provided by St. Paul Praise Band. Bring your own lawn chair. Celebrate FLAG DAY with us. Wear your red, white and blue.

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GSO to perform special concert Friday in Jackson Square

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is having a full-orchestra concert this Friday, June 12, 7 p.m. at Jackson Square. The GSO musicians are reaching out to our Batavia audience in hopes of having an entertaining concert for all ages. The program will be conducted and led by GSO concertmaster Gregory Docenko. Greg is a phenomenal violinist and will be playing his electric violin while conducting the orchestra through the program.

Greg has designed the program with musical arrangements that will get the audience whistling and clapping. There is a portion of the program that will feature the GSO Jazzers, and Blue Grass Fiddles. Howard Owens will be featured on his typewriter during the "Typewriter" by LeRoy Anderson. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will read the narrative/story of "The Frog Prince" with orchestra accompaniment. "Stars and Stripes Forever" and a brass rendition of "America the Beautiful" will fill our patriotic hearts.

Though Jackson Square concerts are free, the GSO will be accepting donations to support our orchestra for the upcoming 69th season. So, bring your chairs and enjoy our very entertaining hour-long concert. The GSO is proud to continue and support our area's cultural traditions.

Photos by Howard Owens, rehearsal Monday evening in the band room at Batavia HS.

Ricky Palermo presented with Liberty Medal from State Senate

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces that Western New York native Ricky Palermo is the recipient of the New York State Senate Liberty Medal for his contributions to the treatment of spinal cord injuries. The Batavia resident has helped raise more than $1 million for research and awareness.

“Ricky is a lifelong friend and a true inspiration to all New Yorkers,” Gallivan said. “He has dedicated himself to helping others and brings hope to those impacted by spinal cord injuries. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of the Liberty Medal.”

Palermo grew up in the Byron-Bergen Central School District where he was a star athlete, earning MVP honors in three separate sports. In 1981, he was injured in an automobile accident, which left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Over the past 18 years, Palermo’s annual golf tournament has helped raise funds for research, awareness and treatment of paralysis. He also works closely with The Miami Project in its ongoing effort to treat and ultimately cure paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries.

In 1985, Barth A. Green, M.D., and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti helped found The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis after Nick’s son, Marc, sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game. Today, The Miami Project is the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury (SCI) research center, and a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

“Ricky is very deserving of this great honor,” Marc Buoniconti said. “He and the entire Palermo family have been such an integral part of The Miami Project team for so many years, and what they have done in order to advance our research is nothing short of remarkable. The contributions of Ricky and the entire Batavia community are directly changing the course of medical history, and are helping to facilitate cures for paralysis that will someday soon hopefully get me, Ricky and the millions worldwide who are living with paralysis out of their wheelchairs."

Palermo is also active with the YMCA of Genesee County.

“There is no one more deserving of the Liberty Medal than Ricky Palermo,” said Greg Watson, chief financial officer GLOW YMCA in Batavia. “Because of Ricky’s passion for helping others, he led the efforts to bring a specialized bike to the Genesee County YMCA allowing individuals with spinal injuries to exercise. It is the only bike of its kind in the area and is a blessing to the many individuals that have benefited from it. Ricky’s positive attitude is an inspiration to everyone he comes into contact with and we are honored that he is part of our YMCA family.”

“I would like to dedicate this Liberty Award to my incredibly supportive family because none of this would be possible without them,” Palermo said. “I also have a close group of friends, like Senator Gallivan, that I would refer to as family.”

The Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors that a New York resident can receive and it is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.

Photo: Ricky Palermo with (L-R) Sam Pontillo, Jackie Janes, Jim Palermo and Senator Patrick Gallivan. 

Sponsored Post: Don't miss the new p.w. minor 4-hour MEGA sale!

By Lisa Ace

The New p.w. minor 4-Hour-Only MEGA SALE! Saturday June 13th • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
At our retail & outlet store located at 3 Treadeasy Ave. in Batavia. (in the Industrial Park, off Route 33)

  • Shoes starting at $10
  • Discounted 2nd-quality merchandise -- buy 1, get 1 half off. 
  • First Time EVER -- 20% off full-priced shoes and boots
  • Free hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These prices and promotions are valid Saturday, June 13th, 2015 from 9am-1pm ONLY. All discounted 2nd-quality merchandise sold on a "as is" basis and all sales are FINAL!

Two girls from Batavka to compete in first Basic Skills Competition at Cornerstone Arena in Lockport

By Billie Owens

On Saturday, June 13, from 1 to 5 pm, Cornerstone CFCU Arena’s Lockport Skating School will host its first Basic Skills competition, involving competitors from its Figure Skating and Learn to Skate programs, as well as skaters from Western New York, Central New York, and Ontario, Canada. Thirty-one of the 72 competitors train at the Cornerstone CFCU Arena. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.

Among the contestants will be Michelle Dyer and Macy Midla, of Batavia.

The competition will include 37 events beginning with Basic Skills and Hockey Basic Skills, where skaters skate a pre-assigned set of skills based on their most recently completed level, including Snow Plow Sam through level 8. Fourteen compulsory moves events will follow. Competitors in compulsory events also skate a pre-assigned set of moves, though these groups are for more advanced skaters who have moved out of the Learn to Skate program. Finally, eight freestyle events will close the competition. A free program is what fans of figure skating are most used to seeing on television. The programs are set to music and skaters have the entire ice to skate their program. The compulsory and freestyle events include five adult events with 7 adult competitors overall. The youngest Basic Skills competitor is 4 years old.

Saturday’s competition is just the beginning for the expanding Figure Skating and Learn to Skate programs at Cornerstone CFCU Arena.

“We are planning to host multiple events to draw skaters from across the region to Lockport. This event is the first of many,” says Dawn Ahlers, Figure Skating director at Cornerstone CFCU Arena. “I am proud to share the state-of-the-art Cornerstone CFCU Arena with the skating community. We have so much to offer here, including the Skate Ahead training facility which offers off-ice training for both figure skaters and hockey players.”

This summer, Cornerstone CFCU Arena is hosting two week-long kids fun camps (July 20-24 & August 10-14) and 2 week-long figure skating camps (July 13-17 & August 3-7) as well as two Learn to Skate sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings through July and August. More information about these and other programs may be found at www.cornerstoneicearena.com.

Lockport contributors to the event include Tops Markets, McDonald’s, WalMart, Lake Effect Ice Cream, and the Milleville family, as well as many volunteers from the local skating community.

The Cornerstone CFCU Arena features two NHL regulation-size rinks, a pro shop, a performance training center, Skate Ahead, and seating for 630 spectators. The 93,500-square-foot facility at 34 Chestnut St. in Lockport opened its Figure Skating and Learn to Skate programs in October 2014.

Former Notre Dame student to graduate in top 1 percent of 600-member Class of '15 in Lake Orion, Michigan

By Billie Owens

Ariana Margaret Aliasso, daughter of Joseph and Stacey Aliasso and granddaughter of Brian and Sandra Clark, of Batavia, is in the top 1 percent of the 600 students in the Lake Orion High School (Michigan) Class of 2015 where she carries a 4.0 un-weighted average from Notre Dame-Batavia High School, Lake Orion High School and Oakland Community College.

Ariana will graduate Summa Cum Laude with an Honors’ endorsement and has earned 30 college credits through Oakland County Community College. Ariana will be attending Gannon University in the Fall where she was awarded a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. She has been accepted into the honors school with a major in the Physician Assistant accelerated graduate studies program with a minor in Math. While at Gannon, Ariana has been invited to join the Leadership Cadre where she will be completing service opportunities while representing Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

Ariana has been an active member of Mock Trial, Environmental Club, Key Club, Bully Busters and National Honor Society. She has also been part of the Fighting Irish soccer, basketball and softball teams and the Lake Orion swimming, tennis, soccer and cross-country teams earning scholar athlete status in all. She received the Coaches Award in swimming, tennis and basketball and was appointed Genesee Region All-star Honorable Mention status in soccer. She was a constituent of the Mission Club, Ski Club, Drama Club, Jazz/Band and Chorus.

She has been the recipient of the prestigious National Honor Society Service over Self Award/Scholarship, Community Service Award, and Presidential Award for Academic Excellence-Lamp of Learning, and has been named consistently to the high honor roll. She was a delegate to Girls State in Lansing, Mich., and is an active member of the Michigan Impact Soccer Club. During her senior year, Ariana completed internships in Michigan at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pontiac, McLaren Urgent Care in Clarkston, and Lake Orion Nursing Home.

She is employed as a lifeguard, nursing-home attendant and tutors several students.

App makes all the magazine titles in the Richmond Memorial Library available for free

By Howard B. Owens

Leslie DeLooze, Community Services Librarian

Now you can carry a whole library of magazine titles in your hand, wherever you or wherever you go, for free.

In a program set up for the Richmond Memorial Library by the Nioga Library System and the digital magazine clearinghouse Zinio, your library card gives you free digital access to all 65 magazine titles in the reading room of the library.

You just don't have to go to the reading room at library to read the magazines.

You can read your favorite magazines from the collection on your desktop or through the Zinio app on your mobile device.

Zinio also offers paid subscriptions to hundreds of other titles.

To sign up, go to batavialibrary.org Click on the Zinio logo at the bottom of the page and click "create account" in the upper right and complete the registration. Then go to zinio.com and complete the registration there. After you download the app (if you haven't already), all you need to do is log in. You need your library member number at the time of registration.

Here's a list of titles available for free to library members:

100 Best Cookies
100 Decorating Ideas
30 Minute Dinners
Allrecipes
ARTNews
The Atlantic
Better Homes & Gardens
Billboard Magazine
Brides
Car & Driver
Container Gardening
Country Living
Digital Camera World
Do It Yourself
Easy Meals
Eating Light
Eating Well
ESPN
Essential Slowcooker
Everyday with Rachel Ray
Family Fun
Family Handyman
Food Network Magazine
Good Housekeeping
Handcrafted Jewelry
Health & Fitness-Tone Up in 10 Minutes
Health & Fitness Woman’s Guide to Running
HGTV
Hockey News
House Beautiful
Interweave Crochet
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
Kitchen & Bath Scene
Knit Scene

 

Ladies’ Home Journal
Marie Claire
Martha Stewart Living
Men’s Health
Mother Earth News
Mother Jones
National Geographic
National Geographic Traveler
Newsweek
O: Oprah Magazine
OK Magazine
Old House Journal
Outside
Parents
PC World
Popular Photography
Popular Science
Prevention
Quilter’s Companion
Reader’s Digest
Redbook
Rolling Stone
Runner’s World
Scholastic Parent & Child
Seventeen
Slow Cooker
Taste of Home
Taste of Home Holiday
Time
US Weekly
Vanity Fair
Vegetarian Times
Weight Watchers
Woman’s Day
Wood Magazine

Sponsored post: State Street Animal Hospital will be hosting an open house on June 13th!

By Lisa Ace

We’re having an Open House! Join us on June 13th from 10 a.­m - 3 p.m. for a tour of the hospital and to meet our staff. We’ll have ice cream and will feature baby farm animals. Our vendors will be in attendance with information about their products and we will be highlighting some of our new services. Take a tour of the surgery suite, watch a live ultrasound, look at some interesting X­-Rays, and much more! We invite you to spend a fun day learning more about veterinary medicine and State Street Animal Hospital. Gift bags, door prizes and more! We look forward to seeing you there!

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