A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Lewiston and Park roads in front of Town of Batavia Fire Station. Four vehicles were involved. "All the vehicles are clear; there's just a lot of debris in the roadway."
Injuries are reported; one victim is a 12-year-old child. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested for a victim with a knee injury.
The message of a community meeting Thursday night at St. Anthony's on Liberty Street in Batavia was clear: The Southside community needs to pull together if residents want to reduce the risk of a repeat of what happened on Central Avenue the night of May 17 when one man was stabbed to death and another man was wounded by a bullet from a handgun.
The meeting was put together by Councilwoman Kathy Briggs with the participation of Batavia PD and more than three dozen people attended.
"Believe me when I tell you, we're doing something about this problem," Briggs said. "We're doing whatever we can, working with the police. We are going to eliminate this problem."
Before residents spoke, Chief Shawn Heubusch, Det. Kevin Czora and Assitant Chief Todd Crossett briefed people on what the police are doing and what has been done to address issues with disturbances on the Southside, especially recent hotspots on Central, Jackson, Watson, Thorpe, and Maple.
There are increased patrols, including foot and bike patrols, a camera on Central -- and the chief is asking the city to purchase more cameras -- and more support from the Sheriff's Office for increasing the frequency of patrols around Central Avenue.
There is brighter lighting on Central Avenue and Heubusch told residents that if there is a trouble spot and lighting needs to be increased, call the police department. He said National Grid has been responsive and helpful to requests for more lighting.
A primary message of Heubusch, Czora, and Crossett: If you see or hear something, say something. The police operate more successfully with community support.
"It takes people to step up and become part of the solution," Czora said.
Crossett said citizens sometimes see new problem areas before police.
"If you do not see patrols and are seeing problems, let us know," Crossett said. "We can expand the patrol area."
He also encouraged residents to call police if they know a person is on probation or parole and it appears they're not abiding by their terms of supervision.
Landlords were a big part of the discussion. Most landlords are cooperative, Heubusch said, but in response to residents who would like to see landlords get punished for the bad behavior of tenants, Heubusch said there's only so much the police can do.
The City has no say in who a landlord rents to, but in most cases, it's not the tenant causing the problems. It's the people visiting the area that cause the most problems.
That makes it hard to hold a landlord accountable. If a landlord is knowingly allowing criminal activity on his or her property, the landlord can be charged with criminal nuisance but that can be a hard case to make and sustain.
"The people causing problems are not the tenants of the property," Heubusch said. "They are visitors so it is hard to connect those dots."
Somebody suggested that landlords be fined if police are being called too frequently to a property but Heubusch said that expense or resulting hardship would roll back to tenants and discourage them from calling police when they need help. It might discourage, for example, calls for domestic incidents.
"We don't want to dissuade people from calling the police," Heubusch said.
He did mention that landlords have resources through the city to help them manage their properties better. For a fee, Batavia PD will run a background check on a potential tenant. For free, through a FOIL request, landlords can track police calls to the properties they own to see how much police activity their tenants are generating.
"For the most part, the landlords will deal with problems and are very willing to work with us," Heubusch said.
If citizens want troublemakers arrested, however, eyewitness accounts are critical to solving crimes and getting convictions.
"If there's a large disturbance a lot of times the parties involved don't want to cooperate," Heubusch said. "If there are third-party witnesses there is a better chance we can make an arrest. We go to these calls all the time where the victim won't cooperate. When it comes to prevention, we need eyewitnesses."
He said if a citizen sees something and wants to tell police, they can arrange with a dispatcher to meet an officer at the police station or for a phone interview to avoid people seeing an officer knock on a residence's door.
Councilman Bob Bialkowski asked what kind of incident should citizens report, and used an example of a large group walking down the street.
Heubusch said report criminal activity. If something seems suspicious, police will come and check it out, but that large group walking down the street could be just a bunch of kids talking loud.
Bernie Thompson suggested everybody can do their part to help the neighborhood. He had a problem with kids cutting across his yard, so he put a fence around his property and if they jump the fence, he said, "I've got two hungry bull mastiffs."
He said people shouldn't be afraid to call the police.
Carol Pietryzykowski said she is a landlord and takes care of her properties. She said the city needs to do more to take care of the Southside -- taking care of sidewalks, cleaning up streets, picking up trash at the parks.
"I think the city needs to take a little more pride in the Southside," Pietryzykowski said.
Debra Smith said there is also a role for parents to play.
"Some of these parents need to be responsible for their children," Smith said.
Residents expressed concern about local children growing up with parents who have criminal records and have spent, or are spending, time in jail and whether those children are getting sufficient direction in their lives.
One of the last speakers was Pastor Marty Macdonald, from City Church, owner of the St. Anthony's property now.
He talked about his own childhood, being homeless at 17, and growing up without parents, and the adults who influenced him not to give up. He said that's why St. Anthony's exist. He said every Tuesday there are 150 to 200 kids taking part in recreational activities at St. Anthony's and getting a free meal, courtesy of donations from Genesee County businesses.
"If we all paid a little more attention to these children, we would get great results," Macdonald said. "We have to change the culture. We have to be the leaders in our community.
He added later, "Instead of looking down, we need to lift their heads up and tell them, 'you're going to make it.' "
The sixth annual Batavia Football Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, July 21, at Batavia Country Club. It is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia.
Cost is $90 per golfer / $360 per foursome.
There's a shotgun start format starting at 8 a.m.; registration is 7:15-7:45 a.m.
Price includes:
Questions? Contact Brennan Briggs at 409-5557.
If you would like to sponsor a hole or make a donation for the raffle, please contact Brennan Briggs.
Payment and registration is due by July 13. Please provide names of players and preferred T-shirt size.
Make checks payable to: Blue Devils Touchdown Club.
Mail to:
Brennan Briggs
8 Woodland Drive
Batavia, NY 14020
Press release:
The Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County is seeking donations for their current community project of Personal Care Packages being assembled for both victims of domestic violence and for female veterans.
Items needed to complete care packages are: Full-size shampoo, full-size conditioner, lotions, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, female sanitary items, tissues, journals, socks, nail polish, hairbrushes/combs, and shower loofahs. Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee’s goal is to assemble a total of 100-200 care packages.
Items may be dropped off to Beth Kemp at T-Shirts Etc., 37 Center St., Batavia, by June 15th. For further details and/or questions regarding the personal care packages contact Beth Kemp at 585-993-7747 or bkemp@downtownbataviany.com.
About Zonta: Founded in 1919, Zonta International seeks to empower women worldwide by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local levels through service and advocacy.
With the generosity and collective action of Zontians and friends around the world, Zonta International has supported projects in 57 countries, provided scholarships and awards to women around the world, and been a powerful advocate for change in our local and international communities.
Press release:
The Batavia Rotary Club’s popular annual Fly-in Breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, June 17, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Genesee County Airport, 4701 Saile Drive, Batavia.
As in years past, the event is expected to attract more than 1,500 guests from across Western New York, as well as numerous private aircraft pilots from across the state and beyond. Residents throughout Western New York are invited to enjoy breakfast, meet the pilots, and view their aircraft.
The Fly-in Breakfast menu will feature sausage, eggs and omelets, pancakes, and beverages. Adult tickets are $8. Tickets for children ages 4 through 12 are $5. Children under the age of 4 are admitted free.
Tickets for the event may be obtained from any member of the Batavia Rotary Club or at the door.
Saile Drive is located just north of the City of Batavia and the Batavia exit of the New York State Thruway, off Route 98.
Over the years, members of the Batavia Rotary Club have turned the event into a well-oiled machine. Co-chair Edmund Leising and a team of almost 50 Rotarians will check people in, cook and serve a delicious breakfast, and clean tables after guests leave, all quickly and efficiently.
The event attracts families celebrating Father’s Day, people coming from church, or area residents wanting to enjoy breakfast in an unusual location. The event also attracts many people curious about aircraft. Guests can see airplanes landing and taking off up close, and talk with the pilots.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Batavia Rotary Club’s youth programs. The Batavia Rotary Club, founded in 1919, provides financial and volunteer support to numerous community service organizations, with a special emphasis on service to young people.
Jess DiSalvo shared this picture taken at 5:40 a.m. of a rainbow over the Willow Group building on Clinton Street, Batavia.
A caller reports a dog locked in a white Ford Escape parked for at least 30 minutes in front of Alberty's Drug Store on Main Street in Batavia.
Batavia PD responding.
The current temperature is 84 degrees. The south side of Main Street is in the shade this time of day.
The Public Market located at Bank Street and Alva Place parking lot will welcome back more than 20 vendors again this summer and fall, along with some brand-new vendors. Market hours will continue on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s market will host a special Kids Day on Aug 10th.
If you are interested in being a vendor at the Downtown Batavia Public Market please contact Mike Bakos at MBakos@rochester.rr.com or 716.866.4958. Follow “Genesee Country Farmer’s Market” on Facebook for updates on produce and specialty items available.
Batavia High School teacher Caryn Wood has woven together songs from three musicals, "Wicked," "The Wiz," and "The Wizard of Oz," to create a new production for the Drama Club that will serve as a fundraiser for the program.
Wood said the songs are pulled together in a single timeline to tell the Wizard of Oz story.
"All three are very different musical styles, but we took some of the most well-known songs from each," Wood said.
Wood described the story:
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba & Glinda and their unlikely friendship that gets turned upside down when the young girl, Dorothy drops from the sky into Munchkin Land. Unfortunately, during a cyclone, Dorothy's house lands on a kills the Wicked Witch of the East who in Wicked you learn is really Nessa, Elphaba's younger sister.
Both The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz pick up the story at that point and follow Dorothy and her band of three friends (Scarecrow, Tinman, & Lion) as they travel the yellow brick road through Oz. In the Emerald City, they meet the Wizard who sends them on a mission to free the land from the grips of The Wicked Witch of the West.
But in Wicked the question is also asked...who really is the "Wicked Witch?" Perhaps the answer isn't quite as simple as you might think.
"The music from these shows is amazing and memorable, and our students have loved bringing all three of them to life," Wood said.
The price of admission: Whatever you are willing to donate to the program.
The performance is tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Seating is limited.
Featured cast includes:
There are also six returning alumni participating in the production.
Jeffrey Fischer is vocal director and accompanist, Jane E. Haggett is on keyboard/synthesizer and Wood is the director and producer.
Top Photo: Tanner Kolb, Eryn Dunn, AT Thatcher, and Cameron Bontrager.
Evan Bellavia
Madison Hoebelt and Madeline Keenan
Daniel E. Wells, 29, of Royalton, is charged with criminally negligent homicide. Wells was charged following an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Niagara County Drug Task Force. Wells is accused being with his sister, Christyna Wells, 34, of Oakfield, in the City of Niagara Falls Nov. 10 when she overdosed on an unspecified drug. Wells then drove his sister to the 9400 block of Ridge Road in Royalton before summoning medical assistance. Wells is currently being held in the Niagara County Jail without bail on unrelated charges.
Edward Ryan Loper, 30, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd. Loper allegedly stole money from a victim while being aided by another person who caused physical injury to the victim. The incident was reported at 5:47 p.m. Sunday. Loper was jailed on $20,000 bail.
Brianna Renee Button, 22, of King Street, Albion, is charged with robbery, 2nd, and assault, 3rd. Button allegedly hurt a victim while working with another person to steal money from the victim. The incident was reported at 5:47 p.m. Sunday. Button was jailed on $10,000 bail.
William John Velky, 36, of Macomber Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Velky is accused of stealing firewood from another person on Macomber Road, Oakfield.
The height of the buildings at Oatka Milk Products at Cedar and Ellicott Streets, Batavia, proved to be the perfect place today for members of the Batavia Fire Department to train with NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
A car vs. pedestrian accident near Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant is reported in the City of Batavia. A female is down in the roadway at 12 Ellicott St. City Fire Department Engine #11 is on scene and Mercy medics are responding. A first responder reports the pedestrian is complaining of leg pain.
UPDATE 7:37 p.m.: A teenage girl was running across Ellicott Street from the area of the Upton Monument when she was struck by a vehicle with the right of way. She suffered an ankle inury and is being transported to UMMC. The driver was not cited.
A fawn was rescued and reunited with its mother Saturday night after four local men heard the fawn's plaintive cries in a storm drain and decided to grab their rubber boots and flashlights and try to help it out of the storm drain.
Tyler Hale first became aware of the fawn's plight earlier in the day when he saw a doe hovering near a storm drain grate on Holmes Avenue. After a while, the doe went into the woods and Hale walked over to the grate and he could see the fawn. Hale spent a couple of hours trying to get the fawn out of the storm drain but the little guy just went further into the storm drain.
That night, his friends -- Joe Canzeroni, Kyle Maniace, and Chris Grammatico -- went over to Hale's house for a bonfire. When one of them went behind a shed to get more firewood, he could hear the fawn's cries.
The cries "sounded almost like a baby," Maniace said.
That's when the four men decided they should try again to rescue the fawn.
The four of them each went to different drains and storm drain openings to try and figure out where the animal was.
Maniace went down into the storm drain and found the fawn about 150 to 200 yards down a pipe.
"After I got a little further around the bend I could see its eyes flashing at me, pretty much like a deer in the headlights -- just standing there and not knowing what to do," Maniace said.
He grabbed the fawn.
"We heard Kyle say a few streets over -- 'I got him!' " said Canzeroni, who shot the video of Maniace bringing the fawn out of the storm drain.
Kyle used his shirt to wrap the fawn in and keep him warm.
The group then brought the fawn to the fire, warmed up him and dried him off. When the fawn regained its strength to walk on its own, they put him back where the mother had last been seen. About two hours later, mother returned and retrieved her baby.
The Batavian's news partner 13WHAM contributed to this story.
Submitted photos and press release:
Speak Up Toastmasters had a successful open house on May 22nd at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, located at 190 Oak St., Batavia.
They held a motivating meeting and took applications for new memberships.
Denise Hull's creative ice-breaker speech explained the acronyms that describe who she is. The audience was delighted by the unique way she introduce herself to the club.
Dave Licata's chosen speech was on the importance of taking kids fishing. He gave us some excellent pointers on how to make sure kids have fun and keep their interest in this timeless sport.
The table topics portion of the meeting gave everyone a chance to participate on something they know best, something unique that no one else knows about them. Everyone had fun with that.
The speech evaluators, tasked with finding the high points of the speeches, had glowing remarks for our speakers.
If you would like to participate in an uplifting and motivating meeting such as this and learn leadership skills, visit the website SpeakUpToastmasters.org, call 585-993-0515 or send an email to leslieagmarino@yahoo.com. It's free to visit a club meeting.
The University at Buffalo Bulls are loading up on Batavia track stars with the signing yesterday of Kiaya Franklin to the Division I school.
Last month, Anthony "Butchie" Ray signed with UB.
Franklin has been a member of the varsity track team since eighth grade. She holds school records in the 200 meter, the 60 meter, the 300 meter, the 400-meter indoor, the 400-meter outdoor, the 4x4 relay indoor.
She won her first state medal in 2015 and won three more in 2016 and three more in 2017.
She's been first team Monroe County All-League each of the past four years and won the Section V Devin Snyder 2016 Outdoor Female Award.
She has 16 sectional title patches, including five for the indoor team, three for the outdoor team, and eight individual patches.
Photo by Frank Capuano.
Paul D. Rutherford is indicted for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 14 in the Town of Alabama, that Rutherford stole property exceeding a value of $1,000 -- a 2017 Eagle American 20-foot trailer.
Timothy O. Lee is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 28 in the Town of Le Roy that Lee knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with intent to sell it. In count two, he is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged in count two that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparation, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug and these had an aggregate weight of one-eighth of an ounce or more. In count three, the defendant is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that on Nov. 28 in the Town of Le Roy that he knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child under age 17. In count four, he is accused of the same crime as in count three, involving a second child less than 17 years of age.
Gary D. Burney is indicted for the crie of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that in the late evening on April 20 or early morning on April 21 that he knowingly entered or remained unlawfully inside a dwelling on North Spruce Street in the City of Batavia with intent to commit a crime.
Edward J. White is accused of the crime of promoting prison contraband, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 26 in the Genesee County Jail that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed dangerous contraband -- alcohol. In count two, he is accused of the same crime for allegedly possessing a Bic lighter on Dec. 29. In count three, he is accused of the same crime again on Dec. 29 for allegedly possessing alcohol, two Gabapentin pills, four Strattera pills and four bupropion hydrochloride pills.
Brian T. Resch is indicted for the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 10 in the Genesee County Jail that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sold an unspecified narcotic preparation.
Rebecca S. Hensel is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 29 in the Town of Batavia that she drove a 2010 Chevrolet on West Main Street Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, she is accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or greater at the time. In count three, Hensel is accused of speeding at the time, a violation of vehicle and traffic law. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney's Office, she is accused of having been convicted of misdemeanor DWI on June 15, 2011, in Batavia City Court and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes allegd in the current indictment.
Press release:
Beginning in the fall of 2018, the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center will offer a new career and technical education program, which will be available to high school juniors and seniors.
A Diesel Mechanics Program will help students on their path to becoming college or career ready. The program is made possible through a partnership with Daimler Trucks North America.
Once the facility is completed, there will be a classroom and service bay located at Daimler’s facility next to the Batavia CTE Center on State Street in Batavia.
The Diesel Mechanics Program is a two-year certified program for juniors and seniors who are interested in working with machines in the construction and agriculture industries. Prospective students could also have an interest in auto/diesel machining, trucking, the lawn and garden industry, welding, and the Armed Forces.
"The Diesel Mechanics Program is a welcome addition to the diverse career and technical program offerings available at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center," said Jon Sanfratello, executive principal, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Batavia Campus. "Our region has a rich agricultural presence which offers many opportunities for students to be successful upon graduation. By offering this new program, it’s one more way we are providing our students with college and career readiness."
The program was first introduced at the Mount Morris CTE Center in September and is offered at Marquart Repair and Equipment Sales in Gainesville. Steve Jacoby is the instructor.
Students will work on trucks of varying sizes including, tractors, forklifts, backhoes, bulldozers, lawnmowers, and small engines.
Class work includes small group as well as individual instruction for engine and transmission teardown, and overhaul and failure analysis. The hands-on course work will require students to test and rebuild fuel system components and machine cylinder heads and blocks for rebuilding.
Additional program highlights include heavy-duty preventative maintenance, air and hydraulic brake systems, air conditioning and climate controls, and hydraulic hose and fitting identification.
For more information about the Diesel Mechanics Program contact: Sarah Luczak, Student Services coordinator, Batavia CTE Center at (585) 344-7716 or Jane Rahn, Student Services coordinator, Mount Morris CTE Center at (585) 658-7805.
About the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center
The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York state.
A dog is barking inside a van in the Tops market that has its windows up, according to a caller to dispatch. The vehicle is said to be closer to Main Street in the parking lot.
An animal control officer is responding. It's 90 degrees in Batavia.
UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: "I checked that white van; there's no dog in the vehicle," says the responding officer before clearing the scene.
From Dave Olsen, chairman of the Genesee County Libertarian Party:
The 2018 GCLP convention will be Monday June 4, at 6:30 p.m.; we will meet in the side room at T.F. Brown’s Restaurant, 214 Main St.
There are a couple things of note for you to think about between now and then.
We will be electing a new Chairperson for sure. I shall be resigning as soon as the next chair is elected.
We will be electing or re-electing the Vice-Chair. The Secretary position is also up for election. Jim Rosenbeck has served in that capacity in addition to his duties as Vice-Chair of the LPNY for three years. He has now been elected as the LPNY Chair and would rather someone else take over the duties of Secretary. That is understandable as state chair is a time-consuming post. Many thanks to Jim for all his hard work and dedication to the GCLP and all the great things to come.
Please consider if you would be willing to serve the GCLP as Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary. In my five years with this party, the board has always worked together as a team and I expect that would continue. You will have lots of help. Please let me know if you are interested, so I can nominate you.
LPNY chairman Jim Rosenbeck has asked that each county chapter designate a county coordinator for petitioning efforts which will begin on July 10 for statewide offices. Fifteen thousand signatures are the minimum required to get our Governor candidate on the ballot. We usually like to see at least 50-percent more to reduce the chance of a challenge knocking us off the ballot.
Mark Glogowski, the local NY Assembly candidate, will need a minimum of 3,000 signatures; he wants to double that. The more petition signatures gotten by volunteers reduces the amount of paid petitioners the LPNY will need to hire. Finances are slim and every opportunity for savings is important.
This also gives us all an opportunity to continue the outreach the GCLP has designated as our primary mission; you get to talk to registered voters about Larry Sharpe and Mark Glogowski along with the other statewide candidates and spread the message of liberty!
Serving as the GCLP coordinator will not be overly time consuming. You will be the liaison to volunteers who may need guidance or tips on how to petition. We will provide the resources you need. The petitioners will submit their completed petitions to you for a quality review and then you would mail them to our master petitioning operation in Albany. Petitions will be electronically distributed by the LPNY communications division. If this interests you, please let me know.
Our convention speakers will be: Andrew Hollister, Libertarian for New York Lt. Governor, Mark Glogowski, Libertarian for NY Assembly, and James Rosenbeck, Libertarian Party of New York Chairman.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone again on Monday! Bring a friend, tell others.
Genesee County conducted an auction of properties with tax liens at Bontrager's in Batavia on May 20. Here are the results of the auction.
Jurisdiction Address Sale Price Amount Owed Town of Batavia 3526 Galloway Road $15,000.00 $22,328.48 Town of Batavia Arena Parkway $4,800.00 $3,154.64 Town of Elba 4954 Barrville Road $59,000.00 $14,979.52 Town of Pavilion 11061 S. Lake Road $37,000.00 $7,682.82 Village of Alexander 3292 Buffalo St. $32,000.00 $15,980.95 Village of Le Roy 25 Lincoln Ave. $35,000.00 $10,432.54 Village of Le Roy 30 Lake St. $38,000.00 $6,028.49 Town of Bethany 10513 Bethany Center Road $76,000.00 $26,773.12 Village of Le Roy 20 1/2 Pleasant St.* $1,900.00 $3,780.63 Village of Le Roy 22 Pleasant St.* $4,000.00 $3,743.57 Village of Le Roy 23 Mill St.* $300.00 $212.24 Village of Le Roy 25 Mill St.* $300.00 $348.59*The previous owner of these properties turned over title to these properties to the county voluntarialy.
At the same auction, the City of Batavia auctioned off three properties:
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