Richmond Memorial Library's budget vote and trustee election takes place today (Tuesday, May 6) until the library closes at 9 p.m. Voting takes place in the library's Gallery Room. The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.
Any registered voter residing in the Batavia City School district is eligible to vote.
Ducklings waddling across Main Street are creating a dangerous condition. They are by the City Centre. Authorities are responding.
UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: An animal control officer is called to rein in the fowl.
UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: The ducklings, led by Mom, marched straight into the Tonawanda Creek on their own and in their own good time.
Help is sought in locating missing person John Shaughnessy, 38, of Washington Avenue, Batavia. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, gray sweatshirt, black boots. He is 5' 9" 140 pounds, black hair with a mustache and brown eyes. John was riding his bike, a red and white beachcomber style with whitewall tires and a small plate on the back that says John with Las Vegas. His proxy Charity R. Horncastle said that John is disabled with a severe social impairment and mild cognitive impairment. She said he will unknowingly put himself in danger. John has no food or clothing for inclement weather on his person nor a place to stay at night. She can be reached at (585) 813-5975 or call \Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.
UPDATE: Shaughnessy has reportedly shaved off his mustache. He was last seen yesterday at Tops wearing army fatigues.
UPDATE: Mr. Shaughnessy has been located and is safe.
A former Dellinger Avenue resident arrested in November following a string of robberies in Batavia and Oakfield as well as an alleged botched burglary of a local Rent-A-Center was arraigned on a new burglary charge this morning.
Mark J. Maltese, 42, was arraigned in front of Judge Robert C. Noonan in County Court on the seven-count sealed Grand Jury indictment.
The indictment was sealed because it contained the new burglary charge.
Maltese was already charged with three counts of robbery, 2nd, burglary, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 2nd.
He's now being accused of second-degree burglary and grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly breaking into a residence on Hutchins Street on March 26, 2013, and stealing a safe with cash and jewelry worth more than $3,000.
Maltese is accused of committing armed robbery Nov. 21 at the Best Western in Batavia, Nov. 22 at the 7-Eleven in Oakfield and Nov. 24 at the Days Inn in Oakfield.
He was arrested Nov. 27 after he and an alleged cohort broke into the Rent-A-Center in Batavia and allegedly stole a big screen TV. They were tracked to a residence on Colonial Boulevard.
Previously:
Trucks filled with base and binder are on the south end of Cedar Street this morning getting ready for this week's paving job. The south end will be closed until at least Friday. Everything north of Edwards Street remains open, though crews are putting the finishing touches on that street reconstruction project. Businesses on Cedar Street remain open.
City residents are invited to an open house at the Community Garden from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, 10 MacAruthur Drive (behind the Batavia Youth Center, the former wading pool).
Residents can meet the garden staff and learn about square-foot gardening, which provides a way for people looking for locally, grown fresh fruits and vegetables to grow their own in a way that is easier than digging up a plot of land.
There are more than two dozen beds available for residents to rent and applications can be obtained by calling the Youth Bureau at (585) 345-6420. Prices range from $15 for a 4'x4' plot up to $35 for the one 4' x 12' plot.
Plants that might be grown include tomato, green peppers, winter squash, eggplant, cucumber, green beans, basil, parsley and beets.
A gardner could wind up with more than 50 pounds of produce out of a 4' x 4' box.
The gardner provides the seeds or sprouts, waters and cares for his or her own box and brings his or her own tools.
Pictured: Master Gardner Bob Gray.
Press release:
Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) announced today that total wagering at WROTB on Saturday’s Churchill Downs races including the Kentucky Derby topped out at $2,173,378. This beat WROTB’s previous record set in 2012 of $2,007,064. The 2014 number is an 8.8-percent increase over the 2013. Wagers placed at Batavia Downs Gaming totaled $26,000, an increase of 30 percent over last year. Wagering using BataviaBets.com, WROTB’s online Web site, was $97,387 -- a one-day record. Nationally, the handle on the Kentucky Derby was about even with last year. Seven winners across OTB’s branches hit the Superfecta for $7,691 each. One patron at Batavia Downs hit the $2 trifecta five times winning $17,500. Total handle taken in by WROTB on May 3rd was $2,529,197.90, a one-day record for the corporation, celebrating its 40th year of existence this month.
“We’re happy to see such robust numbers," stated WROTB CEO and President Michael Kane. “With national wagering flat, it’s great to see that people in Western New York made it a point to visit our gaming facility, branches and EZ Bets on Saturday to get in on the excitement that the Kentucky Derby brings to viewers. As a public benefit corporation, a percentage of money wagered goes back to the counties that own WROTB meaning higher Derby handle numbers benefit all residents of Western New York.”
TV Ratings showed that Buffalo Ranked 4th nationally among viewership in major cities posting a 16.9 rating and 32 share.
“It’s so exciting to see that interest in the Kentucky Derby is alive and well in Western New York,“ said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing of Batavia Downs and WROTB. “We’re all pulling for a triple-crown contender in California Chrome. All our Branches will be open at 10 a.m. on May 17th, the morning of the Preakness, and we’ll be having another party at Batavia Downs with specials which include food, Free Play and a complimentary Preakness wager like we had for the Derby. There will also be live tellers available.”
Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional OTB is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 30 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility.
Work is beginning today to replace the the 38-year-old cedar shingles on the roof of the Old Courthouse in Batavia. Workers will also repair the wooden cuppola. The county awarded the contract to Joseph Sanders and Son Co., out of Buffalo, in an amount not to exceed $180,000.
Rachel A. Gillespie, 23, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, moving from lane unsafely and driving on the sidewalk. Gillespie was arrested by Officer Marc Lawrence following a report at 2:33 a.m., Friday, of a disabled vehicle in the area of 218 E. Main St., Batavia. Gillespie allegedly drove the vehicle over the curb and onto the sidewalk at East Main and Center streets.
Amber L. Jaczynski, 22, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Jaczynski was arrested by Officer Matthew Lutey following a report at 1:35 a.m., April 27, of a vehicle parked in front of 22 Oak St., Batavia.
Steven M. Hoffere, 38, of Howard Avenue, Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hoffere was arrested by Officer Peter Flanagan after Flanagan stopped at 15 Main St., Batavia, to assist with a disabled vehicle at 2:53 a.m., Saturday.
Dwayne Andrew Pearsall, 23, of Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, was arrested on a warrant. Pearsall was arrested by Hamburg PD and turned over to Batavia PD. He was jailed on $200 bail.
John A. Branscomb, 27, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Branscomb is accused of stealing a bicycle that was left outside the Genesee County Courts facility.
Rae C. Cook, 25, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief. Cook was allegedly involved in an altercation at Billy Goats at 1:50 a.m., April 25.
John E. Jaszko Jr., 28, of Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and trespass. Jaszko was arrested following a report of an alleged incident involving his ex-girlfriend at 10:30 p.m., Thursday.
Steven D. Scroger, 28, of Oak Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Scroger is accused of failing to appear in City Court on a charge of unreasonable noise.
Ryan M. Shrauger, 44, of Hull Park, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged improper parking, 2 to 6 a.m.. Shrauger paid $85 police bail and was released.
Christopher A. Tetrault, 30, of Beaver Street, Albion, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Tetrault is accused of making several phone calls threatening to harm the person being called. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.
Lisa M. Durham, 42, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Durham allegedly had verbal contact with a person in violation of an order of protection.
Elizabeth Erin Hulshoff, 36, of Sokol Road, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Hulshoff is accused of stealing $212.45 in merchandise from Walmart.
Jeremy D. Holmwood, 22, of Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, two counts of menacing, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing and unlawful possession of marijuana. He's also charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Holmwood was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident reported at 2 p.m., Friday, in the Town of Batavia. The criminal contempt charge stems from an alleged incident reported at 9 p.m., Saturday. No further details released. Holmwood was jailed on an undisclosed amount of cash bail.
There was a big crowd for the big race at Batavia Downs.
The Kentucky Derby was won by California Chrome.
This gentleman wanted me to take a picture of his "winning" ticket. I couldn't find him after the race, so I can't confirm that it was indeed a winner.
Today at Terry Hills the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation hosted its annual Derby Day Gala fundraiser.
As expected, there were lots of fancy hats.
Above, Dave Pero.
Emily Branche.
Barb Pierce.
Kevin Carlson created formal portraits of guests.
Anthony Nemi.
Donna Kabel.
The hat of Linda Klips.
Ann Marie Suttell and Nancy Chapman.
Press release:
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office recently filled two vacant correction officer positions with the hiring of East Bethany resident Jeremy J. Cypress and Bergen resident Jason E. Johnston.
The two correction officers graduated in a class of 15 from the Niagara County Basic Corrections five-week Academy earlier this year. Officer Cypress was the Class President.
Training included instruction in the care and custody of inmates, inmate supervision, defensive tactics, firearms training and other topics pertaining to corrections.
Sheriff Gary T. Maha stated, "Correction officers Cypress and Johnston will be great assets to the jail."
Vandals have struck the Elmwood Cemetery for the third time in less than a month, this time knocking down eight headstones and two urns, according to Superintendent Steve Davis.
This time, the urn of the cemetery board president's father was knocked over, destroying a pot of fresh lilies.
According to Davis, a police investigator was able to get a picture of some fresh foot prints left in some dirt.
Previously:
Enjoy a spaghetti dinner at the Generation Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, in recognition of Genesee County Foster Parents Month.
The event is sponsored by the Holland Land Office Museum. Cost is $9 at the door or $8 pre-sale. Mark Graczyk, "Hidden History" columnist and managing editor for the Batavia Daily News, with be the featured speaker. There will be live music by Chordially Yours.
The Generation Center is located at 15 Center St., behind the Masonic Temple building in Downtown Batavia.
Jenicka Baker, 9, of Batavia, plays tug of war with a Genesee Community College student during a kids carnival held in the GCC Forum. The carnival featured a variety of games for children and was organized by students and GCC.
Charles Smith, Kiajia Johnson, 6, and Tahlia Smith, who turned 6 today, at the Frisbee toss.
While waiting for children to come to her game, Seneria Curtis, a GCC student, practiced her ballet.
City Firefighter Mike Dorgan helps Reese Koukides, 3 1/2, into her new car seat at a child car seat safety inspection and installation event in the City Centre Parking lot this morning. The event was sponsored by Tompkins Insurance.
Alex Wallace, Rachel Curtine and Angie Hennessey were among the volunteers this morning at the Batavia Peace Garden helping to plant spring flowers.
Members of the Buffalo 716ers, a professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association, made a personal appearance at T.F. Brown's tonight. Jerry Smith, proprietor of the Showtime Sports Academy in Batavia, organized the event. Smith is taking on several projects to promote basketball locally and throughout the region.
From left are, Darnell Boswell, Devon Dawson, Anthony Hodge, Tawan Slaughter (the team's owner and coach), Jerry Smith Donald Felice (media agent) and Mario Williams.
Press release:
The "Spirit Award" in the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category was awarded to five Genesee Community College students after they presented their "Batavia Loop Trail and Bordering Business Development" plan to a team of judges at the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition in Albany last Friday, April 25, 2014. The annual competition invites students from colleges around the state to submit innovative ideas designed to address a currently unmet need in one of six categories.
The GCC students presenting the Batavia Loop Trail (BLT) included Tara Beckens of Clifton Springs, Danielle Cannella, Richard DelPlato, and Maryssa Peirick, all from Batavia, and Adrienne Payne, of Byron. As members of GCC's CEO or Earth Clubs, they envision developing an 11-mile loop trail that skirts around the edge of the City and Town of Batavia connecting a wide array of businesses and regional resources -- from ice cream shops and restaurants to Batavia's treasure trove of city and county parks.The BLT maximizes the idyllic views of Tonawanda Creek and would provide safer walking and bicycling pathways to GCC, College Village, as well as Batavia High School and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership/BOCES on State Street.
The project builds upon the growing international interest and economy of bicycling tourism, and also on Batavia's proximity to NYS Thruway providing a huge tourist market. BLT also links into the new Ellicott Trail, which was recently awarded $1.5 million through NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund. Students researched state and federal funding resources and were delighted to learn that BLT potentially meets many of the criteria for funds from the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), NYSERDA's Cleaner Greener Communities, and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Lastly, and most importantly to the students – the long-term vision poses excellent hands-on learning opportunities not only for GCC students but for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP/BOCES). Next year, students hope to present a plan to GCC's Board of Trustees sharing their idea of creating a small on-campus business, the Recreational Rental Center, giving both students and the general public the opportunity to rent bicycles for the trail and potentially other equipment such as tennis rackets or soccer balls. The new micro-business will provide future GCC students enrolled in Business Administration, Accounting, Sport Management, Travel & Tourism, Web Design, Digital Arts and Physical Education with excellent co-op, internship and work study opportunities. Equally dynamic is providing GVEP/BOCES students enrolled in Conservation, Welding and Automotive Technology programs the chance to help develop and maintain the trail.
The students say the BLT is a "transformative idea that extends out 11 years," but they divided the overall plan into five phases with the most easily implemented segments of the trail opening in 2018. Before heading off to Albany, they shared the BLT idea with local key officials, including New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and City of Batavia Manager Jason Molino, and were delighted the concept was unanimously well received.
"When Jason Molino called the project a 'home run' and pointed out how it would enhance Batavia's quality of life, the students were smiling from ear to ear," said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's staff advisor for the project. "While they will probably no longer be GCC students when the project becomes a reality, they are excited to pass the torch along to their peers. And, they hope they will be able to use the trail in the future with their own children years down the road -- or perhaps I should say path!"
The New York Business Program Competition is hosted by the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University at Albany's School of Business and Syracuse University. It has become the premier collegiate contest encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York's colleges and universities in the following 10 regional economic zones: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
While making further inquiries into the reported unintended discharge of a police officer firearm April 22, Chief Shawn Heubusch informed us that the investigation into the matter has been closed.
Heubusch:
I will not be releasing any further details other than to say that the investigation has been completed and that there was no criminal negligence in this matter. The matter has been dealt with as a personnel issue.
The Batavian has issued a FOIL request to the city for the incident documents. The City has five days to acknowledge the request.
Previously: Accidental weapon discharge leads to internal police investigation
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