batavia

Press release:

The City’s Republicans have given incumbent Councilman Adam Tabelski their unanimous endorsement for the council-at-large seat that’s up for election this fall. Tabelski was appointed by City Council to succeed John Deleo who was elected to the County Legislature last fall.

“Adam was selected to fill Mr. Deleo’s term because of his past experience in government and he’s already proven that was the right decision,” said Committee Chair David Saleh. “He’s has done a great job representing the City’s residents and the Committee is excited to support his election to finish John’s term.”

Tabelski, 36, is an account manager at Wendel Engineering, and served several years as trustee and mayor in the Village of Medina before moving to Batavia early last year.

Tabelski said he’s honored to receive the Republican Committee’s support and looks forward to the campaign this summer and fall. “I enjoy public service and look forward to my election so I can continue my efforts to enhance our neighborhoods and make Batavia a better place to live and work.”

Multiple law enforcement units, along with a helicopter and a K-9, are searching the Seven Springs Road area for a reported missing person.

We'll provide more information if it becomes available.

UPDATE 10:11 p.m.: The focus of the search, "a vulnerable adult female," has been located and is being returned home. "She is in good spirits and is refusing EMS," says a responder.

UPDATE 6:43 a.m.: The 76-year-old woman who was subject of the search lived on Haven Lane, according to the Sheriff's Office, which is where the search began at 8:15 p.m. The woman was locatec by a Batavia PD officer at 9:58 p.m. at an unspecified location and returned home safely. 

More than 400 people turned out yesterday at Sacred Heart to help raise money to support Michael Tenebruso (above), who beat colon cancer four years ago and is now faced with stage IV lung cancer.

Tenebruso recently became a principal in the Buffalo school district and hasn't been in the job long enough to received extended paid leave, so friends are working to raise enough money to enable him to take time off work for treatments.

Yesterday's fundraiser included food, 130-basket chance auction and a live auction.

Those who wish to make a donation can send a check in Michael Tenebruso's name to Big Pauly's Pizza, 314 Ellicott St, Batavia, NY 14020.

Pictured below, Paul Bernardini, Michael Tenebruso and Jessica Radam. Bernardini and Radam helped organize the event.

Top photo, sister and brother Heidi Richmond and Dale Banfield by their unique new sign, made with love in Elba. Above, a sampling of fare offered at a private party Friday at the new restaurant.

Authentic Texas-style barbecue is what you'll find at a new restaurant that officially opens at 11 a.m. Monday at 8282 Park Road in Batavia. If you've never had it, you're in for a treat. If you've had a hankerin' for it based on past experience, here's your chance to enjoy anew.

The Waggin Wheel Restaurant & Lounge is located where the former 10-Cent Millionaire Tavern used to be. (Yes Waggin, not Wagon.) It's been freshly painted throughout, and the kitchen expanded and upgraded with new equipment.

Beef is the key menu item here, not pork. Sliced BBQ beef sandwiches on fresh kaiser rolls, "no Walmart buns." Dry-rubbed ribs. And for steaks, that means Angus beef, a premium, buttery smooth variety cooked over charcoal on specially made outdoor grills (crafted at Tri-County Welding in Batavia).

General Manager Dale Banfield, who runs the new eatery along with his sister, Heidi Richmond, compared Angus vs. regular beef to car buying.

"You can't go out and buy a Scion and think it's a Cadillac," he said. "You can't find Angus beef around here. It's the best there is. They're going to be amazed."

Premium meat properly cooked equals delicious.

"We're going for the quality," Banfield said.

Brisket was among the items sampled Friday at a private party to kick off the "soft opening" next week (starting at 11 a.m. Monday). It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, juicy and flavorful. It was smoked in a large two-door portable smoker on the premises (nothing artificial here).

Texans, of course, like their barbecue sauce red. At each table, diners can choose a style of homemade sauce to their liking -- Texas, St. Louis, South Carolina -- which are kept in small squirt bottles.

There will also be fresh Italian sausage smoked over cherrywood for just a touch of sweetness, and pork.

Smoked pork chops are sublime, according to Banfield.

Sides are Southern-style. That means slow-simmered beans, cornbread that tastes like cornbread and not cake, hot macaroni and cheese, and piquant cole slaw: "I don't like a sweet slaw," Banfield said earnestly. Plus, greens, corn on the cob, all as locally sourced as possible.

Fresh-cut Cajun fries, a tuna-macaroni salad, and a creamy potato salad with chunks of red and green bell pepper and onion were also menu items sampled yesterday.

"Y'all come on and line up," Banfield told the hungry crowd. "We're gonna be bringing out some steaks and brisket and wings..."

"Y'all?" someone piped up.

"Yea, y'all," he replied jokingly. "And if y'all don't like it -- there's 'the doh' or as they say in Texas, 'the der.' "

A big grand opening with lots of fanfare will take place sometime in the next couple of weeks.

They plan to offer live entertainment on weekends. Eventually, they want to have live outdoor music on the property, which has a huge open area on one side of the 2,800-square-foot restaurant.

Inside, the 43-foot loooong, curved bar has been redone with raw pallet wood thickly coated in shiny resin. The full-liquor license should be in place anyday now, but until then there's soda pop ("...and the dancin's free..."). Eight large flat-screen TVs hang on the walls. Seating consists of small tables, upholstered fold-up chairs and plastic red-and-white gingham tablecloths.

Kids will feel at home in the family-friendly atmosphere.

Banfield was in the restaurant business in the Lone Star State for years (Dallas) before relocating to the Empire State for a job in 2004; some family members live here, too.

He likes what he does for a living and missed it when he was away from it.

"I like meeting the people and seeing the smiles on their faces from (eating) good food," he said.

Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. / Dinner 4 to 10 p.m. -- Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays. Off-site catering is available.

Phone is 201-7680. E-mail:   opbminc@gmail.com

Batavia PD is investigating something, but we can't get any information. We spotted city firefighters atop the roof of the former Santy's Tires building and found Deputy Chris Erion with K-9 Destro doing a search, but Officer Kevin DeFelice said he couldn't release any information. He said there would be a press release later.

There were also patrol vehicles at Jackson Street and Highland Avenue.

State Troopers were handling a separate, unrelated case, at the same time on Liberty Street.

Service dogs play a vital role in helping veterans deal with medical issues, including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But when the dogs stay with veterans at the PTSD clinic at the VA Center in Batavia, there hasn't been a place for them to relax, play and run, which service dogs need to do when they're not working.

Until recently, veterans who entered in-patient care at the clinic weren't allowed to bring their dogs, but now that they can; there needs to be facilities to accommodate the canines.

The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association heard about the problem and raised more than $1,400 (mostly from their own members, but the Rotary Club and Home Depot also contributed) to build a dog run behind the clinic.

Today, that fenced-in dog run was built, giving the service dogs a place of their own when they're not working.

The work was made possible through the cooperation of the CVMA, led by Frank Grillo, of Buffalo, and Brian Stiller, Medical Center director for the WNY Medical Healthcare System.

While there have been a lot of complaints nationally about the VA, Grillo noted the VA in WNY seems pretty responsive to veterans and he praised Stiller for his cooperation.

"You hear a lot of people talking a lot of bad stuff about the VA, but then you get a guy who is a veteran himself leading a portion of the VA, and it's kind of inspirational to see somebody who cares actually stepping up and helping us do what we need to do to help our fellow veterans," Grillo said.

Stiller said he could help because the current secretary of the VA has said principles should come before rules.

"We can pull this off by having somebody who has a can-do attitude and this group of veterans," Stiller said. "This is something that has happened real quick and it shows how the community can come together and do a simple, real good thing right on time. It speaks volumes for the commitment and caring that is going on."

Batavia High School held its fourth annual Mr. Batavia Competition Friday evening. Twelve seniors participated in four categories – talent, swimsuit, lip sync and tux walk, with their efforts being scored by a four-member panel of judges.

Contestants were Alex Canty, Ross Chua (pictured above), Adonis Davis, Noah Dobbertin, Dwayne Fonda, Tyler Hale, Michael Hughes, Jake Kasmarek, Josh Kurtz, Zach Lee, Alex Mott and Trevor Sherwood.

Tuxedos provided by Charles Men's Shop, sunglasses by Reed Eye Associates, crew T-shirts by Extreme Streetwear, with additional support from Big Pauly’s Pizza.

The judges are pictured below, from left, are BSCD Board Member Shawna Murphy, Reed Eye Associates Dr. Kim Rosati, Batavia City Police Officer Pete Flanagan and Thompkins Insurance Agency VP Joe Teresi.

Nearly 700 people attended the event and proceeds set a new record high of $4,000. Second place was a tie between Mike Hughes, who donated to Habitat for Humanity, and Dwayne Fonda, who gave to the American Red Cross. They each will give 25 percent to their sponsors. Half (50 percent) goes to Autism Research on behalf of Ross Chua who won the event. All three winners received a $25 Amazon gift card.

For more photos: Steve Ognibene Photography

Jeff Freeman was the high bidder this morning at an auction by the city of a house at 109 Walnut St.

Freeman agreed to pay $33,000, beating out three or four other bidders.

The purchase must be approved by the City Council before it is final.

Freeman said he plans to complete renovations on the house and then provide it as rental.

It is a single-family home and auctioneer Todd Jantzi, of Bontrager's, noted that the city sold the house once before at auction, in 2011. That buyer subsequently sold the property and the new buyer began renovations, and got very far along before abandoning the project for unknown reasons.

The house has been painted upstairs and down, has new carpeting and flooring throughout and a new kitchen, but lacks fixtures.

The city foreclosed on the property to satisfy unpaid taxes.

City staff has proposed using the auction money to fund Vibrant Batavia for another year, but that would require City Council approval first.

Photos by Howard Owens, story by Jeff Donahue, WBTA.

Genesee Justice held its Annual Celebration of Survivors at the Old County Courthouse Friday evening. Genesee County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg presented a Legislative Proclamation to Theresa Asmus-Roth, program coordinator of Genesee Justice.

The keynote speaker was retired Genesee County Court Judge Robert Noonan, who reflected on how victim services have changed over the years.

Noonan also spoke on the many cases he had been involved in over the years, including the Lynden Goodell drunken driving case back in the late 1980s.

Ellen Bachorski, president of the Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden, presented a multicolored ribbon symbolizing the different kinds of abuse suffered by crime victims, which participants carried on their walk from the Old Courthouse to the Peace Garden.

The crime victims Service Award was presented to the members of the Genesee County District Attorney's Office and the Katheryn Seymour Memorial Award was presented to Cynthia Richmond for her courage in identifying a man who attempted to break into her home.

About 50 people contacted the Sheriff's Office dispatch center around 9:36 p.m. to report a loud explosion that in some cases caused houses to rattle, and after an investigation, deputies believed they found the cause.

A group of people on Dodgeson Road reportedly mixed from 14 to 60 pounds of a legal compound called Tannerite.

Tannerite comes in two parts and when mixed properly, is used for small, explosive targets for shooting.

There were no injuries reported.

A group of people were found at the location of the explosion and interviewed. No arrests have been made, but the Sheriff's Office reports that the investigation is continuing. It is being conducted by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Assisting at the scene was Trooper Chad Bea.

Dispatchers received calls from Fisher Road, Oakfield, Morganville Road, Stafford, Warner Road, Darien as well as from the Village of Le Roy, Alexander and the City of Batavia.

Previously: Callers report loud boom in Wortendyke area

Callers report hearing a big loud boom that caused houses to shake in the area of Pearl Street Road and Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

Law enforcement dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: A deputy is checking a residence on Pike Road where apparently there has been a prior complaint, but the residence is quiet. A trooper reports that he was told it sounded like it was further south than Pike Road.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: A deputy on Dodgson says, "you can actually smell it."  

UPDATE 9:57 p.m.: A witness has told the trooper he actually saw the explosion.

UPDATE 10:09 p.m.: A deputy tells dispatchers, "We're all set. We've got the individuals responsible." No details shared at this time.

A group of Bernie Sanders supporters are carrying signs and waving flags at the Upton Monument this evening.

The city would like to remind residents that the house at 109 Walnut St. will be auctioned off tomorrow, April 16. The previous start time provided by the city of 10 a.m. is NOT correct.

The auction starts at 9 a.m.

The property will be open one hour prior to auction for walk-through.   

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

Office of the City Clerk

One Batavia City Centre

Batavia, New York 14020

Phone:   (585) 345-6305, option 5, option 1

Fax:     (585) 343-9221

E-mail:   hparker@batavianewyork.com

Joseph M. Dispenza is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 17 in the Town of Batavia that Dispenza drove a 2006 Pontiac on Route 63 while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that he had a BAC of .18 percent at the time. In count three, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for driving while knowing, or having reason to know, that his license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities, and doing so while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.

Cordell E. Libbett is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 4 in the Town of Stafford that Libbett drove a 2015 Dodge with Mississippi plates on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford while knowing, or having reason to know, that his license to operate a motor vehicle in this state was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities. It is further alleged that he had in effect 10 or more suspensions, imposed on at least 10 separate dates for failure to answer or pay a fine. These are cited as having occurred in the following places on these dates: Dec. 25, 2008, Town of Wayland, Steuben County; Oct. 11, 2013, Town of Irondequoit, Monroe County; and in the City of Rochester, Monroe County, on Aug. 31 and Nov. 22, 2006; and Jan. 29. and March 19, 2007; Jan. 22, March 7, March 28, May 6, Sept. 27, Oct. 10, Oct. 18, and Nov. 20, 2008; April 24, June 26, Dec. 29, 2012; March 5, Oct. 1 and Dec. 3, 2013; and March 19, 2014.

James R. Kosiorek (pictured left), 23, who has no permanent address and is currently residing in the Genesee County Jail, was arrested by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with a second residential burglary where guns were allegedly involved. Kosiorek was initially charged for burglarizing a residence March 17 on Lake Street in LeRoy and attempting to steal guns from inside. During that alleged burglary, the homeowner interrupted the burglary finding Kosiorek inside at which time Kosiorek allegedly fled the scene, leaving the guns. While conducting that investigation, information was received alleging Kosiorek committed a different but similar burglary on Genesee Street in Le Roy. A subsequent investigation into the Genesee Street burglary alleged that on March 13 Kosiorek forced entry to an acquaintances apartment at which time Kosiorek removed two shotguns from the apartment. It is alleged that Kosiorek was again interrupted by the tenant and fled the scene. The shotguns were recovered by the tenant in the back yard. Kosiorek was charged Thursday with one count of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony, and one count of third-degree criminal mischief, also a Class E felony. Kosiorek was arraigned before the Hon. Michael Welsh of the Le Roy Town Court and released on his own recognizance as he was already being held on bail for the Lake Street burglary.

Amelia Rose Witkowski, 30, of Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree burglary, making a punishable false written statement and petit larceny. She was arrested for allegedly entering a resident on Main Road in Pembroke at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 and stealing property from within. She also allegedly provided a written deposition to a Sheriff's deputy which contained false information. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Graff, assisted by Deputy Christopher Erion.

Kimberly M. Zeiner, 48, of Caroline Street, Albion, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and driving without headlights following a traffic stop at 3 p.m. April 6 on West Main Street, Batavia. Zeiner was subsequently arrested on April 14 on an outstanding bench warrant on those charges issued out of City of Batavia Court. The defendant was jailed in lieu of $250 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Nicholas Adam Dubois, 18, of Shady Lane, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Dubois was arrested following an investigation of theft of stone from two locations in the Town of Byron. He was released with appearance tickets. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Fleming, assisted by Deputy Michael Lute.

A 17-year-old is charged with two counts of petit larceny. The youth was arrested following an investigation of theft of stone from two locations in the Town of Byron. The subject was released with appearance tickets. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Fleming, assisted by Deputy Michael Lute.

County planners expected a detailed discussion last night about a proposed Arby's restaurant at 8364 Lewiston Road, Town of Batavia, but the applicant withdrew the application earlier in the day.

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari said he expects the proposal to come back to the planning board at a later date, perhaps as soon as the meeting next month.

There are a few variances needed for a 2,000-square-foot fast-food restaurant at the location, which is across from Kmart where a used car lot is now and next to Jerry Arena's Pizza.

The zoning code for the town requires a 40,000-square-foot lot for such an establishment, but the lot size at this location is only 29,664 square feet.

The builders are proposing parking spaces of 9x18 feet, instead of the required 10x20 feet.

The restaurant will also require three signs instead of the permitted two, with one being a bit larger than the sign ordinance allows.

The owner listed on planning documents is Bill Meland, with a business address of the current Arby's location on West Main Street in the City of Batavia.

In other matters brought to the board Thursday night:

• The Chamber of Commerce received approval plans to remodel 8276 Park Road, Batavia, which will become the new headquarters for the chamber and the visitors' bureau once it's completed. The project includes a building addition, facade renovations, a new roof and a new accessible ramp.
• Richard Mistretta is planning to open a record store at 220 E. Main St., Batavia, and received approval for his sign.
• The Town of Batavia is planning to revise its zoning code to remove the requirement that certain properties in industrial parks be directly accessed from a state highway. The town has granted three variances in recent years and since there might be addition variance requests that would likely be granted, the town is seeking to remove the requirement altogether.
• The Town of Alabama is extending its moratorium on commercial development for 12 months. This is the third extension sought by the town.
• Daniel Miller and Padrna Kasthurirangan were approved for a windmill at 10021 Simonds Road, Corfu. The windmill will stand 121 feet tall.
• The new Waggin (sic) Wheel Restaurant at 8282 Park Road, Batavia, was approved for outdoor cooking and a change to the commercial sign.
• Suzanne Schultz received permission to hold craft classes at 57 Main St., Oakfield.

The county planning board is not the final word on application approvals. Their approvals are recommendations. Final decisions rest with the planning or zoning boards in each jurisdiction.

A cake-cutting ceremony was held at 11 this morning in honor of Founding Day at Genesee Community College. The 50th Anniversary of the campus will be celebrated over the coming 18 months, with a number of events plants to commemorate a variety of milestones.

Students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and friends gathered in the William W. Stuart Forum for today's ceremony. A specially prepared historical photo show is running continuously until 2 p.m. and all visitors will have the chance to be part of a pending time capsule by briefly answer the inquiry: “What I found at GCC.”

Edited responses to this inquiry will be added to the soon-to-be launched 50th Anniversary Web site. WGCC, the College’s radio station is broadcasting live, and the GCC Cougar mascot is posing for photos.

Also, the College is officially releasing the new 50th Anniversary logo featuring a creative blue and gold flame matching the College’s colors that date back to the late 1960s with the insignia “The True-Blue Past – Our Golden Future.”

The next big College event is the official Groundbreaking Ceremony at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, for the new Student Success Center and the Event Center. College and community leaders will gather to recognize the start of construction for these two new facilities, collectively valued at more than $21million and totaling 75,000 square feet.

Genesee Community College President James Sunser.

The smell of natural gas inside the City Centre has prompted the building to be evacuated. City firefighters are on scene investigating.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: City command reports the odor is not natural gas, but there is a smell and they are investigating.

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: The assignment is back in service.

Photo by Howard Owens.

WBTA provided the interview on which this story is based.

Verizon workers were out protesting on Lewiston Road this afternoon. They are members of Communication Workers of American Local 1117.

Spokesman Phil Rudnick, executive vice president of the union, said a middle-class way of life here and in other states is at stake as the group battles against jobs being shipped overseas and major cuts in pay, benefits and security. They have been in contract negotiations with Verizon since June 2015.

"Corporate greed is the biggest complaint," Rudnick said, "and the retrogressive demands they are looking for are astronomical."

All the while, profits have never been healthier.

He said Verizon made $1.5 billion in profits each month last year; they are beating those figures so far this year, with monthly profits of $1.8 billion for January, February and March.

Verizon wants to send call center jobs overseas, and force outdoor technicians to work a couple of hundred miles away from home for months at a time, plus cut pay and benefits, and obliterate job security.

The workers with the most skin in the game to lose are the ones who built the money-making behemoth one landline at a time.

"We built the infrastructure that gave them the profitability to go into the wireless department," Rudnick said, "and they're making billions of dollars on wireless as well."

The work done by those represented by CWA 1117 feeds all the cell towers the phones work off of, the data networks and DSL files. Now Verizon wants to lay off landline techs and bring in contractors.

"We're just looking for fair, middle-class, stable jobs that we've had not to be taken away," Rudnick said.

The union's concession in millions of dollars in health-care costs was deemed "not good enough" in recent negotiations.

On the line are jobs here, in Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany, as well as other states.

Local politicians have been supportive of the union's plight, the union leader said.