batavia

Workers this morning carefully dismantled the landmark Batavia Downs sign atop the roof of the grandstand of the legendary racetrack.

The neon sign is being replaced with a more energy efficient and less costly LCD sign that has been fabricated to exactly match the lettering of the old sign.

Ryan Hasenauer, marketing director for Western Regional OTB, said officials plan to keep the B and the D from the old sign and display them in some manner on the property, but the future of the remaining letters of the sign has yet to be determined.

Bottom photo: The first two letters of the new sign, time permitting, will be fitted into place some time today.

A patient, described as combative, is having seizures and is being transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS.

The patient, according to a medic, may have used bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Mercy EMS was initially dispatched to an address on Tracy Avenue for a 25-year-old person having seizures. Upon arrival, medics requested police back-up.

Ashley R. Keene, 24, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Keene is accused of providing bath salts to a juvenile to snort.

Chad E. Merle, 31, of 3225 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged criminal contempt, 1st. Merle is accused of sending multiple text messages to a person protected from contact by a court order.

Jamie E. Andrews, 19, of 15 School St., Batavia, is charged with harassment,1st. Andrews is accused of continually following around her ex-boyfriend and driving by his house repeatedly for no legitimate purpose. Andrews was previously arrested by Batavia PD for allegedly harassing her ex-boyfriend.

Valerie Marie Covill, 23, of Oaklawn Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and unlawful possession of marijuana. Covill was charged following a one-vehicle accident at 12:014 a.m., June 28, at 3064 Galloway Road, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl and Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Peter James Przybyl, 19, of Peachy Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unreasonable speed on a curve. Przybyl was arrested following a motor-vehicle accident at 3:10 a.m., Saturday, on Route 19, Bergen. The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Kelly Elizabeth Howard, 19, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Howard was allegedly observed by loss prevention at Target shoplifting June 8 and July 16. Howard allegedly stole merchandise worth $64.60.

Quentin Israel Humphrey, 20, of East Bethany Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Humphrey is accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Justin Baehr, 21, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Baehr was observed early Sunday morning allegedly driving erratically, swerving in and out of his lane on West Main Street, Village of Le Roy, and operating with a loud exhaust. During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia and other apparent drug paraphernalia. Additional drug charges possible pending the outcome of lab tests.

Michael Perdue, 49, of West Broad Street, Rochester, and Jeffrey L. Hayes, 47, of Meadow Circle, Avon, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Perdue was allegedly operating a vehicle at 4:46 p.m., Sunday, on Route 237 in Byron. Perdue was stopped for allegedly speeding. An ID check revealed Perdue allegedly has 13 prior suspensions on his driving record. Hayes was allegedly found in possession of a crack pipe with residue. Perdue was stopped by Deputy Brad Mazur, who was assisted at the scene by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Matthew James Pietrzykowski, 19, of Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Pietrzykowski was taken into custody following a report of a vehicle in a dith at 1:15 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 3630 Broadway, Alexander. The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

A Batavia resident, along with his passengers, was rescued Sunday afternoon on Lake Conesus in Livingston County after his boat caught fire.

Paul J. Battaglia, 60, and his passengers all got off the boat safely, assisted by emergency personnel and other boaters.

Livingston County Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the north end of Conesus Lake around 2:15 p.m., according to WHAM 13.

Lakeville and Livonia fire departments responded to the blaze.

Police have yet to determine how the fire started, but the boat is considered a total loss.

Police responded at 6:45 a.m. to a report of an erratic driver in the Valu Plaza parking lot after a car slammed into a light pole, according to witnesses, and then the driver tried to continue operating the vehicle.

Witnesses told police once the car wouldn't go any further, the occupants jumped out and ran. One of them threw items onto the roof above Great Kutz, according to police.

A work crew was on scene and provided a ladder for a Sheriff's deputy to get on the roof and reportedly recover beer bottles.

According to a police, the car had pulled into McDonald's and an employee allegedly observed open beer bottles in the car. The driver, according to police, then pulled into the parking lot, the occupants ate their meals and disposed of trash in the parking lot. The car then allegedly sped toward the light pole at about 90 mph.

The occupants were quickly taken into custody and the driver is reportedly facing a DWI charge.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Three Batavia churches were broken into overnight and items were stolen from at least one of the buildings, according to Officer Eric Hill, Batavia PD.

Det. Pat Corona said there was evidence recovered that should help police identify the suspect or suspects.

The first burglary was reported early this morning at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., and Hill and Corona responded to the scene.

Hill didn't release what was stolen from St. James, citing an ongoing investigation.

Corona said the burglar at St. James kicked in a door to gain entry.

While Hill and Corona were tied up at St. James, officials at the First Baptist Church, 306 E. Main St., reported somebody had forced his way into the church building.

Det. Rich Scauff reported for duty to investigate that break-in. Hill said no items have yet been reported stolen at the Baptist church.

As Corona was leaving St. James, officials from St. Mary’s Church, 16 Ellicott St., reported signs of forced entry at their church.

Corona said the suspect or suspects forced their way in through a basement window (photo above) and forced their way into several storage areas but so far nothing is confirmed missing.

No arrests have been made yet. The investigation is continuing.

The suspect in a stabbing that occurred shortly before 1 a.m. today on Lewis Place in Batavia was arrested and jailed without bail. Adante L. Davis, of 218 State St., Apt. 4, Batavia, is charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd.

The victim was treated at UMMC for non-life-threatening injuries and released. Davis was also treated at UMMC for injuries allegedly sustained in the physical altercation. Davis is scheduled to appear in court tommorow at 11:30 a.m.

The case was investigated by Officer Frank Klimjack and Officer Eric Bolles.

(Initial Report)

Two games into his professional career, Alex Mejia came through for the Muckdogs in a big way Saturday night, giving local fans an idea why the Cardinals selected the Pac-12 Player of the Year in the fourth round of June's amateur draft.

Mejia put the Muckdogs on the board in the third inning against the Lowell Spinners with an RBI double. It was Mejia first professional hit (top photo).

The former El Camino Real High School (Sylmar, Calif.) All-City shortstop also flashed some leather that proved solid defensively.

Mejia helped lead the Arizona Wildcats to a College World Series championship and signed with the Cardinals just a week ago at the end of his junior year in college to help his family out financially. He received a $250,000 bonus.

The newest Muckdog comes from a strong baseball family (his father was an All-American at Pepperdine, his sisters play college softball and his cousin is with the Washington National's AAA farm team). 

The 21-year-old Californian put up impressive numbers at Arizona, hitting .357 in 2012 and .335 in 2011.

ESPN featured Mejia in a recent article, and the shortstop received some high praise.

"His passion to succeed, his intangibles, his knowledge of the game ... Alex has it all," Lopez said. "I wouldn't trade him for anyone."

There are some analysts who believe Mejia is the best shortstop in all of college baseball. The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year -- and Defensive Player of the Year -- is hitting .361 and boasts a fielding percentage of .959.

But Mejia wasn't the only player to contribute to the Muckdog's 3-0 win over Lowell in front of 667 loyal Muckdog fans.

David Washington, a fourth-year pro from San Diego, who is showing signs of putting it all together this year and is hitting .322, drove in two key runs in the fourth inning with a two-out double.

Tyler Melling picked up his first in four starts this season, tossing six shutout frames, scatting seven hits and striking out five Lowell batters. Mellin's ERA dropped to 2.05.

Last season's starting shortstop is now the Muckdog's closer, and Yunier Castillo picked up his third save on the year. After eight appearances, Castillo's ERA is 0.80 and he's fanned 12 in 10 innings.

First-round pick Patrick Wisdom continued his solid rookie season with two hits and some impressive defense at third base.

Also collecting a hit was catcher Jesus Montero, who is the top offensive player for the Muckdogs so far this season.

Montero is hitting .407 with three home runs and 12 RBI. His OPS is 1.072.

The fifth-year pro is the brother of Seattle Mariner's catcher Jesus R. Montero (the Seattle catcher is known as Jesus Rafael Montero as opposed to the Muckdog's Jesus Montero). The elder Montero was traded to Seattle by the Yankees, where he was considered one of the top catching prospects in the major leagues.

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A fight involving several subjects was reported on Lewis Place and Batavia PD responded.

Officers are on scene and report there is a stabbing victim at a residence on Lewis Place and possibly one other injured person.

No indication on how serious the injuries are.

Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: Police were told that the victim was at a residence on Lewis, but when officers arrived, they were told the victim had left, so officers are trying to locate the victim. The knife was recovered in front of a neighboring residence. Mercy EMS is on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to Batavia PD headquarters for a report of a male having trouble breathing.

UPDATE 1:04 a.m.: The victim and his brother are going to UMMC ER. Police are interviewing a suspect at HQ. Batavia PD has cleared the scene on Lewis Place.

More than 40 bands and solo performers congregated downtown Saturday, the rain stayed away, and a good time was had by all at the annual Ramble & Arts Fest in Jackson Square.

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Mercy medics are responding to Dwyer Stadium in the City of Batavia where a female behind the third-base line was reportedly struck in the head by a baseball bat. There's a Muckdogs game in progress.

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: The woman is 50 and was struck by a flying bat from 30 feet away. She is said to have head and hand injuries and is arriving at UMMC.

A young child fell off her bike and struck her head on the pavement at 4 Lewis Place in the City of Batavia. She is unconscious. Mercy medics and city fire are en route.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: The girl is 12 years old and lost consciousness for about 30 seconds. She is now conscious, alert and in stable condition. She has elbow and knee pain and pain on her right side. She was not wearing a helmet. Mercy Medic #1 is taking her to UMMC.

Message from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

The County Highway Department will begin a series of repairs to the River Street Bridge next week. The repairs include joint replacements and a full deck mill and fill. The repairs will have a major impact on travel across the bridge as traffic will be reduced to one lane. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes. The repairs are scheduled to start on Tuesday and last for at least two weeks with another closure later this summer to complete the repairs.

Two women are reportedly having a heated argument over clothes at the Golden Coin Laundry on East Main Street in Batavia. Police are responding.

UPDATED 1:14 p.m. with additional information on charges.

A 32-year-old man who clambered on to rooftops in two separate incidents Friday is in jail, being held without bail, after being charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Bradley J. Broadbent, no permanent address, climbed onto a roof and reportedly jumped from roof to roof between homes on Hutchins Street late Friday afternoon.

Police, fire and medical personnel responded to the scene and Broadbent was talked into getting onto a ladder and climbing down.

He was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC for evaluation.

At about 8 p.m., Broadbent reportedly fled UMMC's emergency room and a short time later, police were notified of a person entering a residence on Tracy Avenue.

Broadbent reportedly knows the woman who lives at the residence.

After a search of the residence, officers reportedly located Broadbent on the roof of a neighbor's garage.

Several other charges are pending against Broadbent, according to police.

On Friday, Lt. Jim Henning characterized Broadbent as a person of interest in a case of vandalism at a business building on Swan Street.

At the Hutchins Street incident, Broadbent was observed making repeated head and upper body movements, appearing very jittery. Police described his behavior as "irrational."

The criminal trespass charge stems from the Hutchins Street incident. At Hutchins Street, Broadbent also allegedly kicked in a door of a residence, leading to the criminal mischief charge.

According to Henning, Broadbent will also be charged at his arraignment July 9 with burglary for allegedly entering the Tracy Avenue residence.

Photo: From the Hutchins Street incident Friday. 

The driver of an SUV reportedly drove into some trees an the edge of BJ's Wholesale Club in Batavia. He got out of the vehicle and was obviously angry. No one is sure what happened or why. Sheriff's deputies are responding.

The Ramble Music & Arts Fest, scheduled to start at noon today in Jackson Square, will still take place today, despite this morning's thunderstorm.

The performance schedule will run about an hour behind because of the storm, but all performers are still expected to take the stage.

UPDATE: At 11:45 a.m., singer Brent Persia was already performing on the acoustic stage. The Ramble is under way.

The Ramble Music and Arts Festival is known as a celebration of the musical culture of Genesee County—but to many of the musicians participating, it means so much more.

“I think it’s a very popular event because all the people get to reminisce about the old times,” says Andy Hare, who will participate in the 7th annual festival for the third time this Saturday. “It’s almost like a class reunion for many of the musicians and the people who follow them—the old guys like us, chasing the Sixties.”

The “us” Hare is referring to are the members of the Moonshine Valley Band, his former group that will be reunited Saturday night. The band is one of several from the good old days that is coming together specifically for this occasion.  

“It’s a chance for guys like me to get out and show they’ve got a few kicks left in them,” Hare jokes.

Founder Bill McDonald says that the festival was started to serve that very purpose — to take a walk down memory lane by reuniting all those local musicians who had played together years ago. It has since grown from its humble beginnings — this year’s event will feature 37 acts, several artists, and “many ramblin’ revelers.”

“The purpose has always been to get the current community and folks who once called our area home involved, to share in the fun and keep the music and friendships vibrant,” he explains.

The Ramble is not strictly geared toward the middle-aged crowd — the event attracts people of all ages and generations.

“The festival day and the weeks pre and post have brought many friends, young and old, musical mates, and people in general, together for some fun,” says McDonald.

The festival-goers falling under the “young” category give the Ramble its charm, as the majority are the receivers of a passed torch.

“It shows the young people what’s coming, because many of them are offspring of the performers,” says Hare. “It’s generational entertainment.”

The Ramble Music and Arts Festival will take place from noon to 8 p.m. this Saturday, July 7, in Downtown Batavia. The 37 participating acts will perform on two different stages: the electric acts in Jackson Square, and the acoustic acts on Center Street. A remembrance of past musicians will take place at 4 pm. Admission is free.

Batavia police are on Hutchins Street dealing with a person who is reportedly on a rooftop hallucinating and yelling statements about the police.

Batavia Fire Department is sending over a ladder truck and Mercy EMS is in route.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The person is safely off the roof and is being transported to UMMC for evaluation. Lt. Jim Henning said that the subject asked for water and 10 minutes to gather his thoughts. Once he drank the water, he was ready to climb down the ladder provided by fire personnel. Henning said the subject fits the description of a suspect in an earlier criminal mischief complaint wherein some bathroom fixtures were ripped from the wall in a building on Swan Street.