batavia

A motorcycle accident, with minor injuries, is reported at Lewiston and Galloway roads. Mercy medics and Town of Batavia Fire Department are called to respond.

City police are in the parking lot by JCPenney, tasked with locating a 2008 black vehicle out of compliance with the law. "Our caller feels the need to inform us that (it) has an expired inspection sticker," says the dispatcher.

Emisha Marie Milton, 19, of Thurston Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Milton is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Jacob Lamar Jenkins, 32, of Manitou Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Jenkins is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Christopher Brian King, 22, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. King is accused of contacting a person by phone after being told not to contact that person.

A Dellinger Avenue resident has been arrested and accused of dealing crack cocaine.

Amanda J. Slack, 26, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, following a nine-month investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Slack is accused of selling a quantity of crack to an undercover agent.

A grand jury issued a sealed indictment and Slack was arrested yesterday and jailed on $10,000 bail.

Usually, a second career is something you do later in life. For Richard Calkins the second career came first and now it's time to go back to his first career.

Today was Calkins worked his final shift as a senior corrections officer in the Genesee County Jail.

"I enjoyed everything that happened, but I'm going back to my original profession," Calkins said. Even though it might be 31 years late, I'm going back to what I originally went to school for."

Calkins is going to become, once again, a diesel mechanic.

After mechanic school in Ohio, Calkins moved to Kentucky to start his career, but family circumstances brought him back to Batavia.

Sgt. Bill Scott and the late Dick Dietzman helped Calkins get his first job with the Sheriff's Office, as a part-time animal control officer. He started Nov. 11, 1982. In 1983, he transferred to the jail and was promoted to senior corrections officer in 1987.

Sheriff Gary Maha praised Calkins in a statement for his dedication to his job and willingness to take on additional tasks, such as contributing to jail renovation and maintaining the jail's records. During his career, Calkins received three commendation awards and a meritorious award for continuous service.

“Senior Correction Officer Calkins has been a valued employee for 30 years with the Sheriff’s Office and everyone here wishes him all the best for his future,” Maha said.

It was a challenge sometimes, Calkins said, dealing with some of the people who come through the jail, but it was also a rewarding job.

"It was something where you always think you could make a difference in somebody's life and you strive to make a difference in people's lives," Calkins said.

He said he couldn't thank enough Scott and Dietzman for opening the door to him for his second career. Now to begin the first.

If you're heading north, be aware that Oak Street heading north has been mired in traffic jams all day.

Road reconstruction at Oak and Park seems to be the cause for the delays.

Currently, traffic is piled up from Park all the way to Richmond and at times even to Main Street.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: Southbound Route 98 is being shut down at West Saile Drive because of traffic congestion.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: Howard spoke with the construction supervisor on duty who said the work is supposed to be done at nighttime, but the temperature must be 50 degrees or higher. With colder nights lately, they had to do the work during the day to keep the project schedule on track.

Leon C. Bloom, 31, of 122 State St., Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, strangulation, 2nd, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bloom is accused of unlawfully entering a dwelling of a family member Sept. 22 and assaulting and strangling the victim while children were present.

David Lee Langdon, 27, of 219 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment. Langdon was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. No further details released. Langdon was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Trevor M. Rich, 32, of 13 Clay St., Le Roy, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Rich is accused of violating an order of protection.

Terry L. Ritchey, 41, of 8927 Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritchey was stopped at 11:50 p.m. Wednesdayon Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Davis.

Carla L. Spikes, 23, 39 S. Pearl St., Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Spikes is accused of being involved in a domestic incident with a city resident.

William Edward Atherton, 62, of Pearl Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged violation of probation. Atherton was arrested in Warsaw and arraigned in County Court then released to County Probation.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 33, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Henning allegedly stole $40.85 in merchandise from Walmart.

Devon L. Heveron, 21, of Medina, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Heveron was stopped at 2 p.m. Tuesday on Route 63, Town of Pavilion, by State Police.

Carrie A. Stewart, 33, of Attica, is charged with petit larceny, criminal trespass, 3rd, and false personation. Stewart was arrested by State Police Batavia at Target. No further details released.

Ten adults living in rental property on Ellicott Street, Batavia, were displaced tonight after a sewage leak was discovered in the basement of their apartment building.

City fire was called to 665 Ellicott St., Batavia, at 7:45 p.m. for a pump detail, but when firefighters arrived what they discovered wasn't just water in the basement, but sewage as well.

The cause of the sewage leak wasn't determined, said fire Capt. Greg Shilvok, adding that many times such leaks can be minor and easy to repair, but until it is, the residents need to be evacuated.

The landlord will repair the leak in the morning.

In the meantime, the Red Cross assisted with relocating the residents to temporary shelter and the landlord was also able to provide overnight accommodations to some of his tenants, Shilvok said.

City fire cleared the scene at 10 p.m.

A possible house fire is reported at 7635 Telephone Road. The homeowner called dispatch and said the house was full of smoke. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy. The location is between South Street Road and Asbury Road.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The first responder says "I've got a lot of smoke." A second platoon is called.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy medics are also called along with mutual aid from Stafford, which is sending a tanker to the scene and a fill-in crew at Pavilion Fire Hall. The occupants are out of the home. The first floor is fully involved.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Bethany is responding, too. National Grid is called. A power line is down and dangerously close to firefighters -- "about five feet away."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Bergen is called as well as Town of Batavia. Caledonia, which is to fill in for Le Roy, will also be asked to help access or set up apparatus to aid the firefighters.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: National Grid is asked to expedite the response because "there are power lines down all over the place.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: National Grid has a 15-minute ETA. Firefighters can't access part of the structure until power is shut off. "There's a power line right in front of it, can't access the east side at all."

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Wyoming County dispatched Perry to the scene. The power is cut off.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Firefighters are told there is gunpowder inside the home along with guns and propane cylinders.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Alexander is on scene.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: The American Red Cross is called to provide emergency assistance to one adult. Churchville is called to fill in at Le Roy's Fire Hall.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m.: Inmates from the Wyoming Correctional Facility are being transported to the scene to help.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Brothers James Lawrence Bearce and Kenneth Vincent Bearce lived in the house, along with a couple of dogs, which they saved. Along with brother Jack, they were traveling musicians years ago and had a recording studio in the structure. Ken said he's not sure how much of their inventory of recording tapes are salvageable, ditto for tools that were kept in the basement.

It was a long sales process, but Kate Gonzalez is now officially the owner of Clor's Meat Market.

She's happy to finally get the deal done, even though she's already been working 15-hour days during the transition.

It's been worth it, she said, because Clor's is already experiencing business growth.

"We've added pizza and wings," Gonzalez said "Sometimes at night, it seems like we've become just a pizza and wing shop. The pizza and wing business has grown astronomically. Sometimes we can hardly keep up with it."

All the good stuff about Clor's -- the fresh meat, the chicken BBQ recipe -- all stay the same, she said.

Chuck Gugel, who acquired Clor's from Bud Clor in 1999, has moved to the Southwest with his wife, who needed to go to a drier climate for health reasons. His sons, Ryan, Aaron and Kyle, have stayed on with the business, as has Janis Lear as store manager.

Gonzalez has also hired a full-time baker and some of the store's counter space is now filled with fresh baked goods. The catering menu has also been expanded.

"I think the business is just going to keep growing and growing," Gonzalez said.

More than a year ago, Gonzalez acquired The Enchanted Florist on East Main Street, and her son Curtis Heatherman now runs it (and helps with Clor's). Kate's daughter Rachael Heatherman is helping to run Clor's.

Part of her motiviation for buying and expanding these businesses, Gonzalez said, is to create a legacy for her son and daughter and grandsons so they can benefit from successful local businesses someday. 

Pictured: Rachael Heatherman, Janis Lear, Curtis Heatherman, Michael Hyde Jr., and Kate Gonzalez.

Each June, one of the most stunning sights in Batavia came as you made a corner on West Main Street and were confronted with the sight of a giant Catalpa tree in full flower near Colonial Boulevard.

A blue sky and a shock of white flowers made for a beautiful scene, even amid cars, trucks and business signs.

The tree came down this morning to make way for retail development next to a planned new Tim Horton's between West Main and Lewiston Road.

I can't think of any place else in Genesee County that has a Catalpa tree in easy view of the public. There's apparently no tree museum around, either.

Previously: Photos: Tree on West Main Street, Batavia

A tourist from Holland who was injured and had his bike damaged by a hit-and-run driver Oct. 5 found out Sunday that despite the mishap there are good people in Genesee County who will lend a helping hand.

Rich Ohlson only knows the rider as Bert, but when Det. Todd Crossett, Batavia PD, called Olhson to tell him what he had learned about Bert, Ohlson was more than happy to help.

Bert was hospitalized with minor injuries, but his bicycle was damaged enough that he wouldn't be able to finish his journey through Upstate New York.

The trip began in Canada and would end in Toronto, where Bert would catch a flight back to Holland.

He was alone in a foreign country with no way of continuing as long as his bike was damaged.

"If I was in a jam like that on a Sunday with no bike shops open, I would hope somebody would help me," Ohlson said. "That's what our ministry is all about -- being a servant."

Ohlson heads up Ride to Recovery, an Oakfield-based ministry that uses bicycles as a way to lead people to Christ.

On Sunday, Ohlson went to the motel where Bert was staying after being released from UMMC and brought along his parts and tools trailer for bicycle repair -- Ohlson often tunes up bikes in Austin Park when Care-A-Van is there. It so happened, Ohlson had all the right spare parts, including a back wheel that fit and a luggage rack much like the one destroyed in the accident.

Bert wasn't too interested in Ohlson talking about salvation, so Ohlson said he just went about the business of repairing the bike, hoping that his deeds would speak louder than his words. He did give Bert a Bible to take with him.

"As a fellow bicyclist, he's doing what I would love to do," Ohlson said.

The car that hit Bert is believed to be a small red car with glass missing from the passenger-side mirror as a result of the accident. Anybody with information about the car or the driver can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 345-5000.

Press release:

This year's Fabulous Females Committee has decided that there are too many good women and young ladies in Genesee County to ignore. So the 2013 event will include an award each for females aged 12 to 17; 18 to 30; an overall 2013 recipient and someone chosen out of the pool of prior recipients for continuing her contributions to the community.

The awards lunch is set for noon Saturday, Nov. 16 at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road. Deadline for nominations is now Oct. 18. (It was moved up from Oct. 8).

All of the awards fit into this year's theme that is based on Chinese folklore about red thread. Invisible threads connect a newborn child's spirit to all of the people who will be important in the child's life. So it is with this community, and how each award recipient serves to pull all of the pieces together.

Hosted by YWCA of Genesee County, this event is to include a light-hearted afternoon of lunch, entertainment and awards. Based on the beauty of nature, awards range from the Seedling to Bouquet to capture each stage of development.

Recipients for all but one of the awards will be announced before the event. The Bouquet Award will be kept secret for a surprise unveiling that day.

"This event has evolved over the years, and we really hope to create a memorable day for not only the award recipients but those family, friends and colleagues in attendance," YW Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. "Much in the way a flower develops from a seedling into a full-blown blossom, these recipients have demonstrated their own unique beauty. And the legacy winner will be the celebration of a bouquet of accomplishments!"

Before any awards can be handed out, though, people need to submit their chosen candidates by Oct. 18. Here is the criteria for each category:

• The 2013 Fabulous Female Seedling Award will go to a young lady between 12 and 17 who has demonstrated perseverance and gumption through adversity and a willingness to help out the community. Her growth is evident despite her age. The ideal candidate is not your typical all-star athlete or honor society member, but someone who shines behind the scenes.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Petal Award is for a woman from 18 to 30 who has shown her spirit through volunteer, professional and personal efforts to improve the community in some way.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Blossom Award is for that special woman who has become an integral member of society in the way she works, serves, speaks and behaves.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Bouquet Award is a nod to the legacy to be left by a former Fabulous Female for her continuing efforts and contributions to the community.

Nomination forms may be obtained online at www.ywcagenesee.org or at YWCA, 301 North St.

Tickets for the event are $25 each and may be purchased at YWCA or Bank of Castile. There are also opportunities to sponsor a table with special promotional perks.

For more information, call 343-5808.

Dispatchers informed Batavia patrols that at least three callers reported hearing three or four gunshots in the area of Jackson and Central.

A minute later, a Batavia officer reported pulling over a vehicle that had just "blown through" a stop sign at Sumner and Swan. There were three individuals in the vehicle. Two took off heading south and were reportedly wearing red.

A minute later, a caller reported more gunshots on Jackson Street.

Multiple Batavia PD units are responding to Jackson and Central as well as Swan and Sumner.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m.: A caller on South Swan reports two black males running through a back yard. One wearing a red sweatshirt and the other wearing a tan sweatshirt.

UPDATE 10:16 p.m.: An officer reports a .45 casing has been found on Jackson. A possible suspect vehicle is a white Jeep.

UPDATE 10:53 p. m.: Jackson Street is currently closed to all through traffic. 

UPDATE 11:45 p.m.: Jackson Street is clear.

Not only was Michael C. Kraatz hauled off to jail today in handcuffs, his car was impounded as well as part of a Batavia PD investigation into a Sunday morning strong-arm robbery of the 7-11 store on East Main Street.

Kraatz is charged with robbery, 3rd, grand larceny, 4th, and resisting arrest. He was jailed without bail pending his next court appearance.

The 34-year-old Batavia resident is accused of entering the 7-11 at 4:04 a.m., Sunday, grabbing a clerk and demanding money.

The suspect fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

When asked about the robbery this morning, Chief Shawn Heubusch characterized the case as "a very active investigation."

Three hours after Heubusch made that statement, police were knocking on the door of a residence on North Spruce Street.

Officers reported over the radio that the suspect was fleeing -- Kraatz allegedly jumped out of a rear window -- and minutes later an officer reported that he was "15" (code for making an arrest) with the suspect in the parking lot behind the apartments at 20 N. Spruce St.

As part of the investigation, police identified a late model Mercedes Benz as a suspect vehicle, which may have helped lead them to Kraatz. The vehicle was impounded shortly after Kraatz was taken into custody.

The Sheriff's Office and State Police, along with Genesee County Jail personnel, assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Kraatz.

Investigating the case from Batavia PD were: officers Arick Perkins and Matt Lutey; detectives Paul Caffo, Kevin Czora and Charles Dudek; Det. Sgt. Pat Corona, Todd Crossett and Sgt. Dan Coffey.

In New York, a person is guilty of fourth-degree grand larceny when the value of the property stolen exceeds $1,000.

CLARIFICATION and UPDATE: While one subdivision of grand larceny 4th states a theft of property worth $1,000 or more, there's also a subdivision that covers the alleged use of extortion and the threat of physical harm during the course of the theft.  That is why Kraatz was charged with grand larceny 4th.  However, it turns out, that the same set of circumstances can also lead to a charge of grand larceny 2nd and the charge against Kraatz are scheduled to be upgraded today to grand larceny 2nd.

Previously: Police nab suspect in robbery of 7-11

Batavia police have apprehended a suspect in a Sunday morning robbery of the 7-11 convenience store on East Main Street (former Wilson Farms location).

The robbery occurred at 4:04 a.m. Sunday and investigators believe the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

After tracking down a series of leads, city police closed in on a residence on North Spruce Street late this morning. The suspect tried to flee but was captured after a brief foot chase. No further information is being released at this time.

Melissa A. Williams, 43, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Williams is accused of shoplifting at Tops in Le Roy.

Jerry Lee Eleczko, 25, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operator, failure to keep right and driving without insurance. Eleczko was stopped at 1:15 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Karl Edward Vattes, 39, of Habgood Road, Black Creek, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and promoting prison contraband. Vattes was allegedly found in possession of suboxone while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail.

Richard Blaine Nichols IV, 19, of Townline Road, North Tonawanda, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Nichols is accused of stealing scrap metal from Batavia Driving Academy property.

Donald Eugene Campbell, 55, of Church Street, Dansville, is charged with petit larceny. Campbell is accused of stealing $24.98 in merchandise from Kmart.

Patrick John Coffey, 48, of Beck Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings in no passing zone, uninspected motor vehicle and insufficient tail lights. Coffey was stopped at 1:38 a.m. Saturday on Chick Road, Darien, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Justin Virgil Easterbrook, 31, of Gray Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Easterbrook was stopped at 4:23 a.m. Saturday on Fisher Road, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Douglas G. Goodwin Jr., 22, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd. Goodwin is accused of pushing a woman out of a moving vehicle during an argument over property. The woman suffered an injury.

Patricia A. Dulmage, 19, of 20 1/2 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dulmage is accused of shoplifting at Dollar Tree.

Gerald E. Nicholson, 46, of 128 1/2 State St., Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation. Nicholson was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Joseph G. Sumeriski, 21, of Warsaw, and Justin M. Johnson, 23, no permenant address, are charged with petit larceny. Sumeriski and Johnson were arrested by State Police for an alleged crime reported at 7:07 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Town of Pavilion. No further details released.

Press release:

As the leaves begin to fall and gardens/ yards are cleaned, city residents are provided the opportunity to bring yard waste – “green” matter (i.e. grass, leaves, branches) to the yard waste station on Law Street. The yard waste station is open from April 15th till the beginning of December. This year the yard waste station is scheduled to close Saturday, Dec. 7 for the season. The normal hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, noon till 6 p.m. (April 15 – Oct. 19) and when the days get shorter we are open Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. (Oct. 21 – Dec. 7).

Unfortunately we cannot accept other refuse such as garbage, fill or building materials.

In addition to the yard waste station, the City will begin citywide leaf collection on Oct. 28. Residents of most city streets can rake their leaves to the curbline on this date.

Residents of the following streets can rake to the parkway but do not place in the street; these streets are: Clinton Street, Oak Street, Main Street (including East and West Main Street), Pearl Street, South Main Street (between Oak and Walnut),Walnut Street Richmond Avenue (between Oak St and Prospect Avenue. If your street has a route number (i.e. Route 5, Route 33, Route 63 and Route 98), then please keep leaves out of the roadway.

Leaf operations typically start with one crew on River Street moving east in areas south of Main Street and a second crew will begin on Grandview Terrace moving west north of Main Street. It takes about a week and half to go through the entire city. Leaf collection operations will end Nov. 27. Any resident with leaves after this date can bring them to the yard waste station until it closes for the season.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF COLLECTION

• Leaf piles must be clear of sticks and other debris. 
• Leaves should not block traffic.
• Leaves should not be piled near intersection corners. This causes sight issues for motorists/ bicyclists/ pedestrians.
• Keep leaf piles clear of drainage ways and catch basins. Blocked drainage leads to localized flooding.  
• Leaves should not be piled around mailboxes, power poles, fences, fire hydrants or other obstacles.  
• Do not park on leaf piles. The heat from a vehicle exhaust system could start a fire.
• Do not wait to get your leaves out. We will normally collect leaves twice within the month of leaf collection.
• If it is snowing, we plow first.
• There is no leaf pickup in the spring.