batavia

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be holding a ceremony to remember Capt. Loren J. Michel, who died after helping fight a house fire 50 years ago.

The memorial ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the City of Batavia Fire Headquarters on Evans Street. A new station plaque donated by the firefighters' association will be dedicated. Members of Firefighters Local 896 organized the ceremony to honor Capt. Michel's sacrifice.

Capt. Michel was the only city of Batavia firefighter to die in the line of duty.

Marty Phelps, firefighter, remembers getting the call for a house fire at 402 Bank St. around 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, 1965. Phelps was in the truck going down Ellicott Street on his way to the scene and saw Capt. Michel pointing to the sky.  

"It looked like Pearl Harbor," Phelps said. "The whole sky was black from black smoke and we knew we had a real serious fire."

When they arrived at the scene, a lady almost knocked Phelps down and screamed that her two boys were trapped inside the house. No one knew the boys were watching firefighters battle the blaze from the backyard.

Firefighters started fighting the fire and cut a hole in the roof. According to Phelps, an explosion occured and a "massive fireball" came from the first floor of the house and down the stairway over two firefighters. They couldn't get into the house.

"Capt. Michels was standing in the doorway when the fire came down over the top of two of the firefighters," Phelps said. "The fire was so intense it flipped him and he inhaled the fire, burning his lungs."

Michels was not wearing an air pack and staggered out of the house to get some oxygen. Wilbur Hinz, president of the Western New York Volunteer Firemen's Association, helped Michels walk to the truck.

Phelps recalls the last thing he heard Capt. Michel say before Hinz drove him to Genesee Memorial Hospital.

"He flipped his face back and you could see his face was burned and his eyes were red," Phelps said. "He was gurgling and said, 'I want to see my wife and daughter.' "

Thirty minutes later Capt. Michel collapsed in the emergency room and died due to smoke inhalation. Hinz had gone to tell Michel's wife, Carol, that he was receiving oxygen at the hospital but would be home soon. Hinz returned to find Michel's dead. An autopsy confirmed his cause of death as pulmonary edema.

Capt. Michels served the department for 24 years. In March 1965, he was awarded "Fireman of the Year" for his role as a Genesee County mutual aid instructor for 17 years. 

Currently, a plaque honoring him is outside the fire department. The plaque will be moved inside when the new one is dedicated Wednesday morning.

From the city's Bureau of Maintenance:

Gateway Drive will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 4, between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. for cold milling operations.

Residents and businesses are not to park on the roadway during cold milling operations.

Residents and businesses of Gateway Drive will have limited access to their properties and should expect delays when milling operations are ongoing. If work is postponed by weather, work will be rescheduled for the next calendar day.

Read more http://www.batavianewyork.com/home/news/gateway-drive-closed-on-tuesday-84

Suzanne Corona, infamous because of her 2010 arrest on an adultery charge, and who's been in and out of trouble with the law ever since, admitted this morning to her first felony conviction.

In Genesee County Court, as part of a plea deal, Corona entered a guilty plea to a single count of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, a Class E felony.

As a result, she faces up to one-and-a-half years in jail, but as a first-time felony offender, and no limitation on her sentence as part of the deal, Judge Robert C. Noonan will have latitude to give her a shorter jail term or even probation.

She is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m., Sept. 29.

Corona admitted to selling an amount of suboxone to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in May 2014.

As part of the plea deal, she agreed to restitution to the county of $60.

The story of Suzanne Corona made international tabloids in June 2010 after a Batavia police officer responded to a complaint in Farrall Park of a couple engaged in sexual activity. The officer, knowing Corona and knowing the man she was with wasn't her husband, charged her with adultery, a seldom used criminal charge in the State of New York. In the following months and years, Corona was arrested on a series of petty theft charges, and then didn't make the news for a long time prior to this arrest.

She was initially charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Photo: file photo.

Jenea M. Macleod, 31, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. Richard T. Garlock, 33, of Newstead, is also charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. The subjects were pulled over by Deputy Joseph Corona for a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Bergen when they were allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, crack cocaine, hypodermic needles and items associated with the use of the controlled substances. Macleod was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Garlock was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail. 

Herbert C. Smith, 52, of Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia and was allegedly banned from the store due to a previous incident. He was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Tacalla N. White, 42, from Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass, 3rd. Linda M. Floyd, 48, and Tamara Rouse, 22, both from Rochester, are also charged with petit larceny. The subjects are accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia. White was allegedly previously banned from Walmart.

Virginia E. Glazier, 29, of Caswell Road, Byron, and Teryl A. Havel, 55, from Tennessee, are charged with petit larceny after they allegedly stole corn from a roadside crop stand on Batavia Elba Townline Road. Glazier and Havel are accused of taking corn without paying from an unattended farmer's produce stand, which uses the honor system for depositing payments. 

Christina R. Keels, 29, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, following an investigation into a domestic incident that happened on Judge Road. Keels allegedly hit a motor vehicle several times with a metal garden rake causing damage to the windshield and hood.

James P. Belliveau, 53, of Lockport, is charged with aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, DWI, and failure to keep right following a traffic stop by Deputy Chad Cummings on Alleghany Road in Alabama.

Michael R. McNamara, 34, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and failure to keep right. State police pulled over McNarmara for a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien.

Demetrius A. Gibson, 38, of Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, unlicensed operation and tinted windows. State police pulled over Gibson for a traffic stop on Main Street in Batavia.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 24, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by the City of Batavia Police Department. Williams allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled court date. 

Anthony M. Rodriguez, 22, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Rodriguez was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana in a parking lot during the Incubus concert at Darien Lake.

A car has reportedly hit a bicyclist on South Swan Street, Batavia.

A minor injury is reported.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Dozens of families attended the first local synchronized breastfeeding event at the Jerome Center this morning.

The Big Latch On was hosted by the United Memorial Medical Center and Oak Orchard Health WIC program to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1-7. The week is celebrated in 120 countries. The first Big Latch On took place in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 2005 and was held in Portland, Ore., in 2010.

Today's Big Latch On was the first local breastfeeding event in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Thirty-one nursing moms and a few dads with their children attended the event to show their support for breastfeeding. Families were entered into a raffle for a Vera Bradley diaper bag and other giveaways. The City of Batavia Fire Department also offered free car seat safety checks.

Maria Dentino, Oak Orchard Health WIC breastfeeding coordinator, gave out recognition awards to businesses that support breastfeeding families. The workplaces that received awards were Genesee County Court, Lucky Ducky Daycare, Lifetime Assistance, Wegmans in Brockport, Target in Greece, and the Greater Rochester International Airport. All of the recipients were nominated by local women.

"The goal is to celebrate Global Breast Feeding Week and raise awareness for the health benefits of breastfeeding," said Colleen Flynn, director of community relations at UMMC.

Breastfeeding has many health benefits some of which include reducing the risk of infant morbidity and mortality, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to the event, UMMC's Baby Cafe is celebrating its one year anniversary. The educational support program for nursing moms and their children is held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Moms can ask lactation counselors questions and socialize with other moms. So far, 80 moms and their children have attended the program.

Kevin M. Waleski Jr., 27, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, breath test refusal, unlawful operation of an ATV and operating an ATV without a helmet following an investigation into a disturbance on June 6. Waleski allegedly crashed the ATV near the Oakfield Hotel and refused a roadside breath test. He was jailed without bail.

William J. Bick, 26, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or greater; DWI; moving from a lane unsafely; and failing to keep right, following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident on Dodgeson Road in Darien.

Earlier this week, City firefighters paid a visit to the History Heroes summer education program at the Holland Land Office Museum.

Photos submitted by Jeffrey M. Fischer, assistant director.

The United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol presented awards in a ceremony Thursday evening at The Northgate Free Methodist, 350 Bank St., Batavia.

The CAP Cadet Program introduces thousands of young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to aviation, and offers them summer programs, including some that offer an opportunity to solo in a light airplane at low cost. The CAP Cadet Program is designed to motivate and develop well-rounded young people, who in turn will become model citizens and the future leaders of our nation.

CAP cadets progress at their own pace through a 15-step program that includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership. Cadets can compete for academic scholarships to further their studies in such areas as engineering, science, aircraft mechanics and aerospace medicine. They can also compete for scholarships leading to solo flight training. Cadets have an opportunity to go overseas in exchange programs; some of these exchange cadets get a chance to fly with foreign air forces.

Photo from left is: Cadet Commander C/Capt. Kristen Stewart (Batavia Composite Squadron), Lt. Col. Charles Miller, NY Wing Cadet Programs Officer who presented the awards, C/Capt. Alex Dougherty (Condor Composite Squadron, Perry/Warsaw), and Cadet Deputy Commander  C/Capt. Andersen Campbell (Batavia Composite Squadron) for earning their Amelia Earhart Award.

Not pictured but who earned the General Billy Mitchell Award is C/Capt. Kristen Blue (Condor Composite Squadron, Perry/Warsaw).   

For more information to join the Batavia Composite Squadron , contact Commander 1st Lt. John H. VanderSypen http://falcons253.weebly.com or the Perry location contact: Commander Captain Michael Akey http://www.nywcap.org/CONDOR

Tomorrow is Don Burkel's last day as the executive director of the Batavia Business Improvement District.

Burkel just has to tidy up his desk before he passes the torch to incoming director Laurie Oltramari.

Burkel was the first director of the BID and has been leading the not-for-profit organization for almost 17 years. He has witnessed Downtown Batavia undergo many changes.

"When I started as the director, there was a variety of retail businesses in the city," Burkel said. "Now there are fewer businesses and properties are harder to fill with retail."

Although there has been a decline in the number of businesses, Burkel has overseen many positive changes as well. Some of his favorite projects include the transformation of buildings on Main Street and Jackson Street.

"I will miss working with the people of Downtown Batavia and seeing various projects completed," Burkel said.

Burkel believes people should focus on the positive aspects of Downtown Batavia and all of the potential small business opportunities it has to offer. In the future, he foresees development of the old Carr building and the construction of a boutique hotel. He also predicts more pop-up businesses will come to Downtown.

"I want to thank everyone Downtown for supporting me," Burkel said. "I know the BID's Board of Directors and committees will continue to further the vision for Downtown Batavia. I look forward to their accomplishments in the future and as I always say 'Shop Downtown!' "

To kick off his retirement, he is traveling to Maine with his wife to do some kayaking. He also plans to continue his photography and expand his collection.

(Picture from Barclay Oudersluys's Facebook page.)

A 23-year-old Michigan man stopped in Batavia for a rest last night on his journey across the United States to raise money for charity.

Barclay Oudersluys is running to benefit the Hall STEPS Foundation, a runner-related organization that aims to fight global poverty. Currently he has raised about $8,000 for the foundation. His goal is $10,000. 

"The money will be used to build a well in a village in Mozambique that does not have easy access to clean water," Oudersluys said.

Oudersluys named his fundraiser Project Gump after his favorite movie "Forrest Gump." He based his route on the movie and started his marathon at the Santa Monica Pier in California on May 9. He plans to finish at the Marshall Point Lighthouse in Rockland, Maine, on Aug. 15.

By the end of the marathon, he will have ran 3,200 miles across 15 states in less than 100 days.

Oudersluys runs approximately 31 miles each day. He starts running at 6 a.m. and stops around noon. He has ran in all kinds of weather conditions including snow, thunderstorms and extreme heat. 

Finding a place to stay every night has been a challenge. His friends follow behind him in a minivan with water, food and his gear. 

So far, Oudersluys has ran through 12 states. He has about a quarter of the marathon left to finish.

"I have met a lot of cool people and seen many sites along the way," Oudersluys said. "Running is fun and relaxing for me."

After he completes the marathon, he has one week to rest up before he starts law school at the University of California, Berkeley.

A 9-year-old-child is reportedly stuck in a swing set at Lambert Park, 100 Verona Ave. City firefighters just arrived on scene to extricate the child.

UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: The child is safely out of the swing now.

Officials with the Batavia Bulldawgs, a youth football program with about 150 participants, were surprised recently to learn from city officials that they wouldn't have full use of Kibbe Park for practices, said John Reigle, Bulldawgs president.

Reigle said the four age-bracketed teams need a lot of space and a lot of parking for parents and coaches on practice days and only Kibbe Park provides enough space.

A newly formed men's softball league reserved the ball field at Kibbe, creating a scheduling conflict between the two uses.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city has seen an increase in the number of organized groups looking to use city parks over the past couple of years and that means the city needs to find a way to juggle the interests of all those groups.

"It's a new issue," Molino said. "It's not a bad issue. It's a good issue. There are multiple different organizations wanting to use the parks. In the past, the parks were available on a first-come, first-served basis, but as we get different organizations, football, softball, tennis, it creates conflicts. We need to figure out a way to get with all parties and work out a schedule."

Reigle said the Bulldawgs were a little caught off-guard by change in park use. For several years, going back at least 10 years if you include Batavia Youth Football, local youth football programs have used Kibbe Park for practice without reservations. Reigle said he wishes city officials had informed the Bulldawgs it needed to reserve the space for the first time before giving the time and space to another group.

This season, the Bulldawgs will practice where they play, at Lion's Park.

That's not an ideal situation because of limited parking in the area.

Riegle fears the increase in traffic four days a week will have a negative impact on residents on Wallace Street.

"On Saturday game days, as a courtesy to the neighbors, we put out cones in front of their front yards and driveways so people won't park there," Riegle said. "It's a small street and traffic flow in and out of the park is difficult."

Molino offered the team a city-owned field on Cedar Street, in front of the County Highway Department, but that field hasn't been used in years. At one time, before Batavia Sports Park, it was used for youth soccer. It hasn't been maintained since and Riegle said the ground is too hard and rutted now to be used safely for practice.

Which brings up another issue Molino said the city is facing as recreational sports use of the parks increases -- field prep and maintenance.

The city doesn't have a recreation department and doesn't have the resources to perform the kind of prep work that might be common for recreational leagues in other cities.

"In a way, this comes up at a good time," Molino said. "Our strategic plan outlines the need to do a recreational needs assessment. That can be done through the comprehensive planning process. We can look at what the needs are and develop that into the comprehensive plan so we know what these services cost and what it will take to fund them. It's a good public process that will help us understand the needs and demands on our parks."

Molino said he realizes Reigle isn't 100-percent satisfied with the outcome of their discussions about the situation, but both men are open to exploring the use of the field on Cedar Street for next season.

"The Bulldawgs are committed to continue providing a great program for the kids," Reigle said. "We'll make do with what's best for the safety of the kids."

The American Red Cross is closing its Downtown Batavia location Aug. 15.

The office was used primarily for storage and meetings, said Joseph Bonafede, chief communications officer for the ARC in WNY. It has been staffed exclusively by volunteers since November.

The Red Cross is working with other community groups to provide meeting space in the future, Bonafede said. He doesn't anticipate any reduction of service for the residents of Genesee County.

Volunteer response to fires, disasters and other emergencies along with health and safety training, services for military members and blood services have always been performed by volunteers in the field, with no need for a local office, Bonafede said.

Wyoming County hasn't had an office for years, Bonafede said, and, as an example for maintaining a high level of service to local residents, Bonafede used the recent flooding in Warsaw.

"Our volunteers were able to have a shelter ready shortly after being contacted by local emergency officials," Bonafede said. "While the shelter didn’t end up being necessary, our volunteers met with several families that were affected, providing temporary housing for one person and making sure others had the help they needed. They also distributed clean-up kits in the days immediately following the floods, helping neighbors in their recovery process."

The closure is part of a reorganization by American Red Cross in WNY that will help it better service its clients, Bonafede said.

"The reorganization allows us to provide additional services to the community by eliminating duplicate back-end functions and making more efficient use of our donor dollars," he said.

(Laurie Oltramari, Derick Kane, Stephanie Crean, and Corey Wolcott)

The Ellicottville Brewing Company accepted its Beertavia plaque for its famous Blueberry Wheat Beer at Angotti's Beers of the World this morning.

The brewing company's Blueberry Wheat Beer won "2015 Western New York's Brew of the Year" for the best brew at the Beertavia event held on May 16, hosted by the Batavia Business Improvement District.

"It's fantastic to be receiving the award today," said Stephanie Crean, brewery sales representative. "Ellicottville Brewing Company is celebrating its 20-year anniversary and we have been making the Blueberry Wheat Beer for 15 years. The beer is one of our customers' favorites."

Corey Wolcott, manager at Angotti's Beers of the World, said the Blueberry Wheat Beer is a crowd favorite among the locals as well and sells out fast.

According to Laurie Oltramari, the incoming executive director of the BID, Beertavia was a huge success and she plans to make it an annual event. More than 14 craft brewers attended the event and two breweries are looking at spaces Downtown.

Two teens were arrested after they allegedly went through vehicles in the T.F. Brown's parking lot and stole items including change. A 17-year-old male from Batavia is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. A 16-year-old male from Oakfield is charged with petit larceny, obstruction of governmental administration and conspiracy, 6th. The 16-year-old male is accused of leading Batavia Police on a bicycle pursuit and a brief foot pursuit after being advised that he was under arrest and refusing to adhere to verbal commands. Both subjects were put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Kishonti D. Williams, 23, of Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Williams was allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia during an investigation into an unrelated incident on Pearl Street in Batavia.

Frank L. Morrison, 33, of South Byron Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and obstructed view following a traffic stop by officer Mitchell Cowen on Clinton Street in Batavia. Morrison was allegedly driving on a revoked non-driver ID with other active suspensions. He was held on bail in the Genesee County Jail.

Timothy A. Banks, 24, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with an open container. Banks was allegedly found in possession of an open container of alcohol on Summit Street. An hour later, Banks was arrested again for allegedly having an open container on Columbia Avenue. He was released on his own recognizance.

Cynthia Abounader, 64, of Knapp Road, Akron, is charged with petit larceny. Abounader allegedly stole $318 worth of grocery items from Tops Market in Batavia.

James E. Wroten, 48, of Olyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th, following an alleged domestic incident.

More than 40 local businesses and 670 runners and walkers are already registered for the GLOW Corporate Cup on Aug. 6.

This year the Merrill Lynch team in Batavia, the premiere sponsor of the event, has been working hard to increase sponsorship and the number of runners. Joshua Dent, vice president and planning committee member, expects at least 100 more runners will sign up before the race. Businesses can form teams and register online for the race until the day of the Corporate Cup.

Runners will take their mark at 6 p.m. at Centennial Park to compete in the 5K race. The team with the lowest combined time will be awarded the GLOW Corporate Cup. First Niagara Bank's team won last year.

All the proceeds from the race go directly to GLOW YMCA, which serves the communities of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Last year, the Glow Corporate Cup raised $18,000 for the GLOW YMCA. The Merrill Lynch team hopes to exceed that amount this year.

"The GLOW YMCA was a natural fit to give back to because they provide fitness and health programs to the communities that we work and live in," Dent said.

The AfterGLOW, the county's largest office party, will immediately follow the race. To support runners, local businesses are invited to set up tents in the park and bring food to celebrate. The after-party is a social event where employees can mingle with other companies and enjoy music from a local band.

John Riter, senior financial advisor, first came up with the idea of hosting a Corporate Cup after attending the Corporate Challenge in Buffalo. Riter said he thought it would be a great way to build the community and introduced his vision to the team. The team has been working to plan and host the event ever since.

In the future, the team would like to encourage more local businesses from surrounding counties to participate in the Glow Corporate Cup. 

"The primary geographic location of the businesses participating right now is Genesee County," Dent said. "We really want to make it a regional event and we are working hard to promote it to surrounding counties."

Photo: Joshua Dent on Ellicott Avenue, at the point of the finish line for the GLOW Corporate Cup with the Cup. John Riter and Steve Tufts, co-organizers, were unavailable for a photo today. Photo by Howard Owens.

In addition to the dozens of women's shoes in Oakfield, shoes are nailed to utility poles on sections of Galloway Road and North Pembroke Road in Batavia. Much like the residents on Hutton Road, the Batavia residents said they have no idea where the shoes came from or what they mean. Whoever is responsible must have nailed all the shoes up around the same time because neighbors said they started noticing them about three weeks ago, too. I also found a sneaker and a slipper in Batavia that matched the ones in Oakfield.

Colin Hart, all of 1-and-a-half years old, experienced the Spray Park in Austin Park on this hot day for the first time. He was a little unsure of the whole splashing water thing. He was with mom Jill.

Today, off duty city firefighters, members of Local 896, are volunteering their time to help work on the Habitat for Humanity house on Oak Street.