batavia

City announcement:

On June 26th the City of Batavia Police Department joined by the Genesee County Drug Task Force, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Genesee County Probation and New York State Police participated in a series of neighborhood enforcement details. The purpose of these details was to systematically approach known problem areas within the City and target criminal activity.

The benefits of participating in the joint operation are to provide continual support amongst the agencies, increase familiarity with working with each other, thereby enhancing the ability to curb criminal actvity.

Sixteen law enforcement personnel from four different agencies were partnered in a focused enforcement detail of eight separate locations in the central and south sides of the City. Due to ongoing investigations the exact locations are not being disclosed at this time. This approach to neighborhood sweeps/enforcement was identified in the City’s Strategic Plan with the goal of providing additional resources to focus on quality-of-life concerns for City residents. The following are preliminary results of this year’s first detail:

• 59 data runs
• 19 traffic stops
• 16 probation visits
• 5 traffic citations issued
• 3 drug-related arrests, including marijuana and crack cocaine
• 1 parole violation
• 1 probation violation
• 1 drug court violation
• 1 disturbance call, 2 suspicious activity calls and 1 foot pursuit

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said “The City of Batavia Police Department is grateful for the assistance provided by the other participating agencies during this special detail. The residents of this City should know that every resource is being utilized to its fullest extent to weed out criminal activity within their neighborhoods. No one should have to feel oppressed in their own home or on their own street; therefore the Police Department is committed to using whatever resources are necessary to curb illegal activity.”

Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha added “This is a fine example of corporation between the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, City of Batavia Police and other law enforcement agencies to improve the quality of life within our community.  We must continue to pool our law enforcement resources to meet citizen expectations and to benefit the taxpayer."

Major Michael J. Cerretto, Troop A commander, New York State Police, continued by stating "In these days of fiscal restraint, it is very important that police agencies work together. The success of this community-policing initiative in the City of Batavia shows how important this cooperation is to the citizens of Genesee County. The relationship between the Batavia PD, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the State Police has never been better."

Neighborhood Sweeps/Enforcement Details were outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan as part of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts. They include dedicated patrols for targeted enforcement with the goal of intercepting and interrupting the flow of illegal drugs, weapons and other contraband as well as locating and arresting wanted persons. All agencies involved expect to continue joint law enforcement efforts in the future. These details are not advertised prior to taking place and locations are selected based on criminal data, the presence of nuisance and illegal behavior and ongoing investigations.

If you see criminal activity or know about a crime that has occurred please contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350 or the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

Press release:

The City Manager is seeking city residents who are interested in volunteering as a member of the following:

• Batavia Housing Authority
• Planning and Development Committee

Residents interested in applying can obtain an application from the City Clerk's Office or can visit our Web site at www.batavianewyork.com and download a Committee/Board Volunteer Application under Documents.

Applications are due to the City Clerk's Office by Friday, July 18.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

Office of the City Manager

One Batavia City Centre

Batavia, NY 14020

Phone: (585) 345-6330

FAX: (585) 343-8182

E-mail: jmolina@batavianewyork.com

Notice from the city Department of Public Works:

National Grid will be replacing a large power pole on Center Street on Thursday, July 10th. This work will require Center Street to be closed to traffic between Main Street and School Street from approximately 9 to 11 a.m.

Batavia's annual basketball camp opened this week with sessions at Batavia Middle School and John Kennedy School.

Conducted by Batavia High School head Coach Buddy Brasky and assistants, the camp provides instruction ball handling, shooting, defense and game-play situations, among other skills.

There were sessions today for high school boys at the middle school and younger players at JK. Tomorrow, the girls will have camp day.

The camp runs through Aug. 15.

This is the last in a series of articles about the other communities, located east of the Rocky Mountains, that are named “Batavia.” This one is about Batavia, Arkansas, an unincorporated collection of houses and other buildings west of Harrison in Batavia Township, Boone County. It is nestled in a beautiful area of the Ozark Mountains.

At one time, Batavia, Ark., was an incorporated community. It had a post office, stores, hotels, a canning factory, a train depot, a stockyard, mills, a blacksmith shop, a school, and churches. Today, the railroad is gone, the post office closed, and only houses, three churches, and a small repair business still exist. A convenience store and the bar and grill into which it had recently been converted, were both out of business in the spring of this year.

The local historians assert that the community was named about 1880 by Rowell Underwood who became the first postmaster and named the town after his hometown of Batavia, N.Y. They also claim that Underwood had worked for four years in Genesee County as a surveyor for the Holland Land Co. The latter claim seems improbable because the Holland Land Co. had ceased its operations in Western New York in the mid-1830s. If the claim were true, it would make Underwood at least 70 years old at the time he became postmaster in Arkansas.

A person is stuck in an elevator at 172 1/2 S. Main St. City fire is responding. The location is The Meadows senior apartment complex.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: The person is safely out of the elevator.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: City Ladder #15 is returning to service.

Young, aspiring basketball players are invited to a youth basketball camp Aug. 11-15 at the Jackson School Gym in the City of Batavia.

The camp is sponsored by Batavia Boys Basketball Boosters and is open to boys and girls entering grades 3 through 7.

The cost is $65 and includes a camp T-shirt.

Coach Jim Fazio, youth director for Batavia Junior Blue Devils, will lead the camp, with assistance from other coaches and current Blue Devil basketball players.

The camp will focus on the offensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, and ball handling, with a major emphasis on shooting. There will be daily contests with full-court and half-court games.

For more information and the registration form, click here.

This is the sixth in a series of articles about the other communities, located east of the Rocky Mountains, that are named “Batavia.” This one is about Batavia, Iowa, an incorporated city of around 500 people located west of Fairfield in Jefferson County. The city (no, that is not a typo) is governed by a mayor and five councilmen.

According to local records, Batavia, Iowa, was laid out in 1846 by David Switzer, a county surveyor, for William McKee, Henry Crease, and Elijah O’Bannor, proprietors. Besides the proprietors, other early settlers included Henry Punnybecker, Joseph Crease, and Benjamin Abbertson. At that time, the community was named “Creaseville (or Creeseville)."

Seven years later, in 1853, in response to a petition presented to the State by William Hambrick with the unanimous consent of the people in the town, the name of Creaseville was changed to “Batavia.” Who Hambrick was, where he came from, and how he persuaded fellow residents to change the name is lost in history.

In a later Federal census, the same apparent Hambrick shows up in Western Iowa. In this census, he is identified as a German immigrant. This leads to the speculation that William Hambrick may have been a native of Passau, Germany, a city once named “Batavia” after the Batavii, the same Germanic tribe that temporarily gave its name to the Netherlands and, thus, indirectly to Batavia, N.Y. If this is correct, it would explain why Hambrick liked the name, but it still leaves a major mystery. How did Hambrick persuade the residents of Creaseville to change the name of their town, named after two of the first settlers, to the former name of a city in Germany?

Press release:

Nationally award-winning balloon artist Janice Spagnola will be appearing this year at the Genesee County Fair, July 15th-19th. Janice transforms thousands of latex balloons into works of art. “I call what I do air sculpture” says Janice.

This year marks the Genesee County Fair’s 175th year, and in commemoration Janice will take her inspiration for this large art display straight from the Genesee County Fair logo. Featured will be a large Ferris wheel. This installation will take thousands of balloons to complete. Fairgoers are should stop by often to view the progress and take pictures.

In addition, Janice will be offering two demonstrations each day during the fair. The installation will be completed by the last day of the fair to ensure guests are able to view the finished piece.

Besides balloon fun, the fair offers a variety of agricultural experiences, exhibitors and interactive activities as well as traditional fair fun! People who have attended the fair recently are finding it a fun family place to spend time together. Where else can an entire family go to spend a day enjoying exhibitors, demonstrations, animal and agricultural exhibits for just $5 per carload? This fee includes parking, entry for everyone in the vehicle to the fair and a show program.

So what’s going on at the fair in 2014?

There will be a new midway for 2014. Midway Rides of Utica will be providing quality rides for fairgoers to enjoy. There will be several featured performances this year in the grandstands. Grandstand events include: a Monster Truck & Thrill Show on Tuesday night; Special Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing on Thursday night; The Grand Demolition Derby on Friday night; and ESP Tractor Pulls on Saturday night.

Other featured events include: The Grand Parade; Day one of our two-day Fair Queen and Princess Pageant; and karaoke on Tuesday night; an all day Draft horse show on Wednesday; Day two of our Fair Queen and Princess Pageant Wednesday night; and “Genesee’s Got Talent” Show on Thursday night. Don’t forget about the Livestock Exhibits and Kids Corner going on all day every day of the fair.

For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit gcfair.com
If you are interested in volunteering, or becoming an exhibitor of the fair, go to the fair’s Web site gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact info. We would like to make the 175th fair special. In order for us to do this, we need your help!

Jamie A. Dutton, 22, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a forged instrument, 3rd, and grand larceny, 3rd. Dutton is accused of cashing multiple forged checks. He was jailed on $50,000 bail.

Randy L. Haughton, 56, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Haughton was allegedly speeding in the Village of Le Roy when he was stopped by Le Roy PD. Haughton was jailed on $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond.

Dealmond T. Robinson, 28, of Le Roy, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Robinson was allegedly involved in a domestic disturbance. He was jailed on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

Diane L. Powell, 42, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and failure to signal lane change. Powell was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:49 a.m., July 1, on West Main Street Road by Officer Matt Lutey.

Mark Walter Grabowski, 56, Chestnut Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Grabowski was allegedly involved in an incident (no details provided) at Batavia Downs on June 27.

Peter A. Conway, 28, of North Maple Street, Warsaw, is charged with issuing a bad check. Conway was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $500 bail.

Robert J. Barnes, 24, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Barnes was allegedly involved in a disturbance at a residence on Watson Street at 2:58 p.m. Friday.

William C Welch Jr., 25, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Welch is accused of possessing a stolen BMX bike.

Tyrone N. Thigpen, 37, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Thigpen is accused of threatening another person with physical harm during an alleged incident on Maple Street at 4 p.m. July 1.

Amy L. Munnings, 37, of Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or higher. Munnings was stopped at 10:08 p.m. Saturday on Wortendyke Road and Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by a State trooper.

Vincent Di Risio hit his first grand slam home run Saturday in a 10-and-under Little League All-Star game against Le Roy. Batavia won 12-1.

I saw this on Facebook and asked Leanna Di Risio for a copy so we could post it on The Batavian as well.

A car vs. motorcycle accident is reported on Cedar Street near Ellicott Street. A law enforcement officer on scene says the motorcycle rider is "up and walking around." City fire is on scene and Mercy medics are responding.

This is the fifth in a series of articles about the other communities, located east of the Rocky Mountains, that are named “Batavia.” This one is about Batavia, Wisconsin, an unincorporated collection of houses and other buildings southwest of Sheboygan in Sheboygan County.

Local historians regard 1851 as the year in which Batavia, Wis., was founded, although there appear to have been settlers beginning in 1846. They claim that the name originated from the many early settlers who came from near Batavia, N.Y. However, unlike other communities, the process by which this naming came about is not recorded.

Batavia, Wis., grew into a fair-sized village. By 1900, there were two dry good stores, one furniture store, one hardware store, a carriage and wagon factory, a hotel, a dance hall, two blacksmith shops, a tin shop, a boot and shoe store, two churches, two schools, a sawmill, a grist mill, a cheese factory, an undertaker, a seamstress, a cigar factory, an egg flume (egg-shaped water conduit), an ice house, and a butcher shop.

Over time, this Batavia shrunk to the status of a hamlet. The one remaining school, an elementary school, had recently closed as of 2013. Most of the businesses and other enterprises listed above are gone. Nevertheless, the homes are generally well kept and the residents, who now generally find employment in other communities, appear to be reasonably prosperous.

However, for the most part, Batavia, Wis., is one of those places where, if you blink, you’ll miss it. Although there are two or three side streets, the community mainly consists of a single main street. One descends a grade to a small creek, Batavia Creek, and then ascends another grade while leaving town.

A car vs. motorcycle wreck with injuries is reported at 3904 Pearl Street Road. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on ground standby at the Batavia hangar. The location of the accident is between Donohue Road and Treadeasy Avenue.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting one patient to the hangar. A second ambulance is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: The second ambulance is cancelled and the first rig will transport two patients to ECMC. Mercy Flight was cancelled.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. (by Howard): According to Deputy Joseph Graff, it appears at this point in the investigation, that a Harley-Davidson and a Mercury Sable were both westbound on Route 33. The car slowed and proceeded to make a left-hand turn into a driveway and the motorcycle appears to have attempted to pass the car on the left. The driver of the motorcycle reportedly told deputies that the car had pulled to the shoulder before turning left. The car was turning into the driver's in-laws' residence and a neighbor said the driver had been to the residence many times. The motorcycle struck the driver's side front fender and sheared off the front bumper. It proceeded westbound into a drainage ditch on the southside of the road, struck a culvert and dislodged a piece of rebar that became caught on the bike's handlebars. The bike came to rest just inches short of a fire hydrant. The female passenger reportedly suffered a serious leg injury. The male driver reportedly asked to be a sign-off, but was transported to ECMC with his passenger as a precaution. The names of those involved have not yet been released.

Joseph Gottstine found four $1 coins in the front yard of his mother-in-law, Stacy Lynn Neureuther, Saturday afternoon. What makes them such a neat find, is three of them are silver dollars from the 1880s. One is a silver dollar from 1971.

Gottstine's metal detector tells him if the hunk of metal under the ground is likely a penny, nickel, dime, quarter or silver dollar. Neureuther's yard on Elm Street is apparently filled with coins, though Gottstine only dug out the dollars.

Neureuther is curious how the coins got there. The house was built in 1910. Could construction workers have lost them? Or did they just accumulate over time.

She looked up the value of the coins online and the 19th Century pieces may be worth about $65 apiece.  

Gottstine said he took up the hobby of metal detecting about a year ago and this is probably his most exciting find yet.

A hit-and-run accident was just reported on West Main Street, Batavia.

The suspect vehicle is a Red RAV4 last seen southbound on River Street.

Batavia PD is on scene.

UPDATE 1 a.m.: The vehicle is said to have a trailer hitch and handicap Florida plates.

UPDATE 1:02 a.m.: Correction on the RAV4. The vehicle does not have Florida plates

UPDATE 1:10 a.m.: A vehicle has been stopped at Route 33 and Dewey Avenue.

UPDATE 1:18 a.m.: Another potental matching vehicle was found at another location in the area, but there's no damage and the engine is cold. It doesn't sound like the first vehicle is considered a suspect vehicle at this time.

It would be impossible to get better conditions for an outdoor music festival than the blue skies, mild temperature and gentle breeze we experienced in Batavia on Saturday.

Two stages jammed with tunes and hundreds of music fans turned out for the annual event.

Sue Cappiello Copp and Anne Crotzer were collecting donations in support of Paul Tydelski, a local business and music booster, who has been ill.  The guitar, signed by Ramble musicians, was donated by Roxy's Music and will be given to Tydelski as a gift.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.