batavia

Tomcats, alley cats, stray cats, may strut around howling at the moon, but don't call them feral.

They're community cats and a community problem.

The Batavia City Council will be asked tonight to look at a possible community cat ordinance that has reportedly worked well elsewhere to help reduce the unowned cat population and made them less of a nuisance.

The proposal is the result of research into the issue by Assistant City Manager Gretchen DiFante.

The most successful method for deal with stray cats, tail in the air and otherwise, is the trap, neuter, vaccinate and release method, according to a written report provided to the council.

"Properly managed sterilization-vaccination programs do not create cat overpopulation -- the cats are already there," according to the report, prepared by the Humane Society. "The choice is between making progress or continuing to experience an unmanaged problem. Well-designed and implemented community cat programs are in line with public opinion and can mobilize an army of compassionate, dedicated people who care about cats, wildlife and their communities."

Also on the agenda for tonight's 7 o'clock meeting:

• City fire has an opportunity to receive a $515,000 Homeland Security grant to fully fund six firefighters for two years. The funding will help fill vacancies that have increased over time as City fire has struggled with unfilled openings. The grant fully funds the positions for those two years, but the city will responsible for the expense once the grants expire.
• The council will receive an update on the city's efforts to deal with vacant and abandoned properties.
• Councilman Eugene Jankowski has requested a council discussion on the process for adopting budget resolutions.
• The water plant needs a roof replacement.

The steel frame for the new Oliver's sign was anchored in place today.  The concrete foundation needs to set for as much as four weeks before the new sign is put on the frame. The same day the new sign is installed, the old Oliver's sign will be removed and taken to storage.

Previously: Oliver's Candies planning new neon sign with message board

Batavia City School teachers held what they dubbed a "positive picket" outside Batavia Middle School for about 30 minutes this morning as students were arriving for classes to call attention to their concerns with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal for education spending.

Union President Mary Ann Marley said the governor's proposals are hurting local school districts since aid to schools hasn't been increased and Cuomo is withholding funds as leverage to change teacher evaluations.

The governor isn't even giving school districts an estimate of anticipated aid, Marley said.

"Our district is having a hard time establishing a budget for next year when they don't know what numbers to work with," Marley said.

A two-car accident is reported at Ellicott and Liberty streets. City fire and mercy medics are on scene. Everyone is out of the vehicles. Initially, there was entrapment.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: Each vehicle had a driver and passenger; one passenger was transported to UMMC with a head laceration. Northbound traffic is blocked. Police on scene have requested a second ambulance to respond non-emergency mode.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries reported at West Main Street and Oak Street, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

A car fire with flames showing is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 394.4 and it is causing a traffic jam. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. Traffic is said to be backed up to exit 48A.

UPDATE 4:57 p.m.: Fire is knocked down. Responders en route told to take it easy.

A Sheriff's deputy is on scene at Kmart after a call to dispatch that "multiple females were exposing body parts to each other that shouldn't be exposed in public."

The Crossroads House hosted a basket raffle today to help raise money for the hospice.

CORRECTION: This event was a vendor blender. More than 35 local crafters, artisans, and small businesses were featured.

Photos by Rebecca Grela.

The Daughters of the American Civil War sponsored a Civil War Ball on Friday evening at the Clarion Hotel.

The event commemorated:

• 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812
• 200th Anniversary of the Holland Land Purchase
• 150th Anniversary of the End of the Civil War
• 100th Anniversary of the City of Batavia

The Batavia Muckdogs Boosters held their annual Hot Stove Dinner Saturday night at Sacred Heart.

Club President Brian Paris gave a state-of-baseball-and-the-Muckdogs speech and talked about his trip recently to the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame in Kansas City.

The trip, he said, had him reflecting on the major transition baseball went through in the 1950s as Negro League stars and rising stars were finally admitted into Major League Baseball, and the transition facing baseball now as it tries to appeal to younger generations.

The way to ensure continued interest in the game is to bring children to baseball games. As an act of symbolism he surprised his son Zach with a gift from the Negro Museum, a jacket, that he said represented both baseball's past and its future by honoring its past in a memorable way.  

Bill Kauffman discussed Bill Dougherty's book about the history of baseball in Batavia.

Previously: Batavia's rich baseball history recalled in new book by Bill Dougherty

Hal Mitchell, representing the boosters and local Vietnam vets, along with Paris for the Muckdogs board, made donations to the PTSD program for women at the VA Hospital. Accepting the donations was Caryn DiLandro, the program manager.

Todd Jantzi, owner of Bontrager's Auctions, conducted the live auction.

A possible structure fire is reported at 337 Waldon Creek Drive, an apartment complex, City of Batavia.

There is smoke coming from the residence.

Engine 11 is on scene.

The caller reports the it's probable there is nobody home at this time.

City Fire dispatched. The second and fourth platoons are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: Fire is knocked down.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: City Fire is back in service.

The Annual St Joe’s Penny Carnival was this afternoon. There was a lot for the community to enjoy. Raffle baskets, cakes and snacks for all, and after the long winter some much needed play for the children. Lots of games, face painting, and a bounce house seemed to make the kids all more than happy.

Elli and Owen show off the fish they won.

Allison scores in the beanbag toss.

Eddie plays a B-Ball game his sister Lizzy made in school for the carnival.

Chelsea and her father roll a golf ball to hopefully win a great prize. 

The First Presbyterian Church in Batavia held their annual pancake breakfast this morning. As usual the Easter Bunny hopped on by to greet the children and pose for pictures.

Brian took pictures and made prints for the parrents.

Randy was the chef for the pancake feast.

Ben, Tommy, Melissa and Chelsea enjoy the breakfast.

Peyton gets her face painted.

Addison and Lilly color eggs. 

Stella picks a duck to win a prize.

Kirk Arnold Thomas Jr., 30, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and escape, 1st. Thomas was the subject of an investigation by Le Roy PD and the subject of a Town of Batavia Court warrant and was located by Batavia PD at Days Inn. At the time of his arrest he allegedly possessed a large quantity of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Peter John Olander, 41, of Rochester Street, Bergen, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd, and resisting arrest. Olander was arrested after deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the Village of Bergen. Olander allegedly failed to comply with numerous lawful orders and/or warnings from deputies and physically resisted arrest when they attempted to place him in custody. Olander was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Christopher M. Colantonio, 35, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and petit larceny. Colantonio was arrested as a result of an investigation in April 2014 into a complaint of stolen, forged and cashed checks. Colantonio is also charged with criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th. The charges stem from a criminal complaint in November 2013 in which a family member reported a gun was stolen and sold.

Bryon Gilbert Keller, 20, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Keller was allegedly involved in an altercation with a family member, which was also a violation of a court order. Keller was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Samantha Jean Glendhill, 24, of Chapel Street, Mt. Morris, is charged with petit larceny and possession of burglar tools. Glendhill is accused of shoplifting from Kmart and using a bag to conceal the stolen items.

A 17-year-old resident of York Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly struck another person during an argument.

Erick Antonio Castaneda, 18, of Redman Road, Brockport, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Castaneda is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's.

Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 10th Annual Batavia Antique Show & Sale at Batavia Downs.

The event continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

From The Batavian's news partner, WBTA:

Batavia City School District is looking at a reduction in their budget in comparison to last year’s. Benefit costs to retirement systems have decreased, allowing the school to save money in those areas.

Business Manager Scott Rozanski says the school is changing their philosophy on savings since their current reserve is expiring.

"The board has authorized the creation of a new capital reserve and has set the level at a 10-year reserve for $7.5 million. That's the maximum amount of money that can go into it. It's not how much it's going to be funded or funded initially. It will be funded through surplus or future-year budgetary appropriations," says Rozanski.

If the school has a surplus of money, it will be stored in the fund.

Rozanski says the board wants a flat tax levy.

In terms of administration, the school does not anticipate any major changes outside of three expiring board seats.

The budget vote will occur May 19th.

There was a big turnout for the Mexican-themed Family Night at Batavia Middle School, which featured a Mexican food feast (until the tacos ran out), crafts around Mexican themes, along with a raffle (prizes donated by local businesses) and community group booths and activities.

Tonight for the third year in a row the Batavia High School, National Honor Society sponsored a benefit "Going bald for Cancer"  All of the proceeds this evening went to Anna's Wish.  Mr. McKinney Pictured above (speaking far right) with his daughter Molly is the Founder and President of Anna's Wish.  

Scott Gillard (above) watching his daughter Tori Gillard, a 10th grade student at BHS (pictured below) getting her head shaved by Charlene Shultz from Total Image Salon.  Tori was the only girl who participated.  She raised $530.00 for the event.

National Honor Society Advisor Jillian Thomas spoke about the success of the money raised annually. For more information go to: http://www.annaswish.org/about/

Pictured below from left to right:

Sophmore Alex Snell, Teacher Nate Korzelius, Sophmore Tori Gillard, Sophmore Johnathan Currier, Sophmore Josh Franks, Senior Samir Jain, Teacher, President & Founder of Anna's Wish Jeff McKinney, Principal Scott Wilson

 For more photos go to: 

https://www.facebook.com/SteveOgnibenePhotography