Press release:
The water department will be repairing a water line on West Avenue this morning. This work may affect water service for residents on West Avenue, and Woodrow Road from Main Street to West Avenue during the repair. This work may also cause a period of discolored water in the immediate area so residents are advised to avoid activities such as laundry until water clarity has returned.
UPDATE 11 a.m.: The break is repaired.
Here's a little fact about Genesee County you may not know: Batavia's largest food processing plant is kosher.
Kosher, as in certified by a rabbi.
That means no animal -- except fish -- products are used in the plant's food production, as in no cow or pig parts to make gelatin.
A few days ago as I passed through the Tops check-out line with six containers of Frut Up (I really wish they would sell this in a six-pack container), the cashier said, "did you know there's tilapia in this?"
Heck, up to that point, I didn't even know what tilapia was. Some sort of fish, I recalled dimly.
When I got home, I read the label a little closer. Yup, tilapia is listed. So is "kosher gelatin."
If you know your history of Jell-O (and who doesn't in Genesee County), you know gelatin was originally made with from pork and pork skins, horses, and cattle bones or cattle hides.
Those are all animals that in a kosher kitchen can't mix, even a single molecule.
As it turns out, you can also make gelatin from tilapia, and since observant Jews can mix fish and dairy, if you want fruity gelatin with your yogurt, and you want it to be kosher, you need tilapia to do it.
Rabbi Doctor David Sheinkopf inspected the Muller Quaker plant in Batavia and as a result, the yogurt products Frut Up and Corner can be sold as "Certified Kosher," according to Scott Gilmore, spokesman for PepsiCo.
"Taste is important and we use the best ingredients," Gilmore said. "We aim to make the best tasting yogurt on the market, but consumers told us it (kosher yogurt) was important to them and we wanted to honor that request."
Batavia residents Will Jakes II and Julio Morales were outside the Pok-A-Dot this afternoon belting out a few tunes. It was a beautiful day. There's a bench outside the restaurant, so it seemed to them like a good place to hang out and jam.
BTW: Jakes recently welcomed his grandson into the world, Will Jakes IV.
Just three weeks after being released from state prison, John J. Saddler, 26, has been accused of attempting to rape a young woman while in a motel room on West Main Street Road, Batavia.
According to state police, the young woman had been hanging out at the motel with friends and relatives Saturday evening when she joined a group of other women who were talking with Saddler in his room.
After awhile, the other women left, leaving the alleged victim alone with Saddler. He allegedly locked the door and tried to force himself on her.
Saddler is charged with attempted rape, 1st, criminal obstruction of breathing, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment.
While Saddler was allegedly trying to rape the young woman, a group of people who had been with her and Saddler returned to the room and found the door locked.
That was apparently a violation of the motel's rules, according state police, so Saddler opened the door and "acted nonchalant."
The alleged victim later told another woman what happened, but didn't go to the State Police barracks on West Saile Drive until the next day.
According to state police, the woman was hesitant to come forward for fear of reprisals from Saddler's family.
Saddler is being held on bail in the Genesee County Jail.
On Aug. 11, Saddler was released from the Collins Correctional Facility after serving nearly six years on a pair of felony assault charges.
One of the assault charges stemmed from an incident in October 2006. Saddler was accused of assaulting a Batavia police officer and damaging a police vehicle by jumping on top of it after an officer found he possessed marijuana.
Press release and photos submitted by Douglas R Mellentine:
The "Ghost Riders Drum & Bugle Corps" based in Batavia, NY, took home the coveted "1st Place World Title" in the "Mini Corps" competition. The Drum Corps Associates World Championships were held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this past Labor Day weekend in Annapolis, Md.
The "Ghost Riders" were formed in 1996 to compete in the "DCA World Championships." This is the 18th consecutive appearance for the "Ghost Riders" -- a record that may never be broken by anyone else. They own two 1st Place titles, the first in 2000 and now again 2013.
Many hours of preparation went into achieving this goal. They defeated the reigning Champion "Star United" from Indianapolis, an undefeated corps, who has held the title for the past six years. This year was no exception for them, "Star United" was on their game as well.
Special mention must go to the following for their contributions to this achievement.
First, a Huge Thank You to the membership who have worked so hard to make this a reality.
Second, special thanks to The Salvation Army of Batavia, who allow us to use their facility for winter rehearsals.
Third, Thank You to Donny Allen our music arranger and instructor, who painstakingly gets us to a level we need to be, in order to achieve such a lofty goal.
And finally, thanks to the neighborhood near Clinton Street and Grandview Terrace, who through the summer months, hear the sounds of music coming from GRC (Ghost Riders Central) in the backyard at 63 Clinton St.
As director and founder of "Ghost Riders Drum & Bugle Corps," I could not be happier. Not only to win this title, but to observe the friendships and camaraderie this fine group of individuals has developed throughout the years. As we always say "GO GHOST"!!!
Bonnie S. Olsandi, 44, of 31 Montclair Ave., Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting information about an actual offense/incident. Olsandi is accused of providing false information to police about an actual incident in an attempt to have the wrong person arrested for the alleged crime.
Haley H. Humphrey, 19, of 21 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing and falsely reporting an emergency. Humphrey is accused of falsely reporting a domestic incident.
Melissa A. Broadbent, 35, of 52 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with obligation of a parent or guardian. Broadbent was arrested because of alleged curfew violations after her 15-year-old son was apprehended following an investigation of a report that two males were attempting to break into cars near the fire hall. The alleged incident was reported at 11:26 p.m., Sunday. Also charged was Priscilla M. Aiken, 40, of 2 Miller Ave., Batavia.
Joshua R. Hofer, 17, of 67 Mechanic St., Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Hofer was arrested following an investigation by Batavia PD into a reported disabled vehicle on Walnut Street at 4:07 a.m., Saturday.
Lena M. Evans, 26, of 46 Washington Ave., upper, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting at Tops.
Micahel L. Kennedy, 26, of 45 Prospect Ave., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and driving a vehicle without an interlock device. Kennedy was stopped at 1:05 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street by Officer Felicia Degroot.
Ted E. Kingsley, 40, of 119 State St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kingsley is accused of stealing an 18-pack of beer from Tops.
Douglas A. Porter, 43, of Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Porter was stopped by Deputy A.J. Previty of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday on Route 354, Town of Bennington. Previty responded to a report of an erratic driver coming into Wyoming County from Erie County. Porter was jailed on $500 bail.
Elan B. Pire, 24, of Elba, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. Pire was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 8:51 p.m. Saturday in the Town of Byron. No further details released.
A passerby reports seeing a resident at 693 E. Main St., Batavia, trying to put out a porch fire with either a garden hose or a pan of water.
City fire responding.
The location is just within city limits. A first responder reports the fire is out, but smoldering.
UPDATE 11:31 p.m.: Fire is out. Ventilating.
If you've driven down West Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, recently you might have seen this peacock off the side of the road.
It's the creation of Mike Cleveland, town justice. He's started decorating his yard for fall. The idea was inspired by a trip he and his wife made to Maine last year where they saw several yards creatively decorated using bales of straw. He said that since farmers are often willing to loan out straw, he's hoping other residents will catch onto the idea.
It took nearly three hours for Benjamin Muntz to find out that Judge Robert C. Noonan would be tacking another two to four years onto his prison term.
In the arcane labyrinth of our judicial system's sentencing guidelines, there was no clear cut answer on what to do with Muntz's case.
It's that complicated.
In January, Muntz entered guilty pleas to counts of burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Rather than show up for his sentencing in March, he flew south. He also became a suspect in another burglary and was charged with another felony.
Eventually, he was caught and returned to Genesee County.
He was sentenced in April by Noonan to three and a half to seven years in state prison and charged with bail jumping.
If the only charges against Muntz were those earlier felonies and the bail jumping, the sentencing guidelines are clear: Any sentence Muntz received on bail jumping would need to be served consecutively (not at the same time, or concurrently) with his other sentence.
As part of a plea deal, Muntz had received a one and a third to three year sentence cap on the bail jumping charge.
The curve for Noonan was that newer burglary, 3rd, charge.
If Noonan gave Muntz another three and a half to seven on that charge, could the bail jumping sentence be concurrent with that sentence, or would it need to be served consecutively?
Noonan didn't have the answer. The attorneys for the prosecution and the defense didn't have the answer. The prison guards who transported Muntz in his DOCs green jumpsuit to County Court today certainly didn't have the answer.
After consulting his law books and case law in chambers and conferring with attorneys -- in between hearing other cases -- Noonan concluded that if the second burglary sentence was consecutive then the bail jumping sentence would be consecutive to that.
In other words, Muntz would be looking at more than eight years and up to 17 years in prison.
Through his attorney, Thomas Burns, Noonan offered Muntz a deal: waive his sentence cap on the bail jumping conviction so Noonan could sentence him at two to four years and Noonan would make his other burglary charge, at three and a half to seven, concurrent with his prior sentence.
Once Burns got it all thoroughly explained to Muntz, with a little assistance from one of the prison guards, Muntz agreed to the arrangement.
For prior coverage on Muntz, click here.
Honor, duty, country. For Jason M. Jewett, those words were more than platitudes, said family and friends following his funeral today in North Pembroke.
His coffin was draped in stars and stripes when it arrived at the cemetery after a procession of more than 100 cars through Batavia and East Pembroke. Two honor guards, with white cotton gloves and golden aiguillettes, removed the flag from the casket and with solemn precision folded it into a razor-sharp triangle.
A guard raised his white-gloved hand toward the deep blue sky. Honor, duty, country, he pronounced loudly enough for God to hear.
"For a young man, he was very patriotic," said his mother, Joyce Jewett, after the service. "He loved his country. He loved his fellow man. He helped people in need everywhere he saw people in need. For a young man with a short career, he accomplished a lot in a short time."
Jewett was an agent with ICE and helped train the agency's Special Response Team.
Team members traveled from as far away as Texas to honor their comrade, who died Friday in a traffic accident on East Eden Road, Eden, in Erie County.
More than 250 people attended his funeral.
The Oakfield native touched many lives, making friends instantly with everybody he met, regardless of race or background or means, said longtime friend Nathan Fix.
"He could walk into a room and, even though you never met him, you would smile," Fix said. "He would smile. He had no enemies."
Deputy Joseph Corona counted Jewett as his best friend.
It was Jewett who lured Corona into law enforcement.
"Law enforcement is a path we both enjoyed," Corona said. "He made me passionate about it and made me want to strive for more. He opened doors for me when I had turmoil in my life and uncertainty, and he always led me on the right path."
The outpouring of love for Jewett following his death came from all quarters and from around the country. It showed, said Corona, what a special man he was.
"I'm happy that he was so loved," Corona said. "Everything that he represented was represented here today."
Joyce Jewett said the funeral was not an end, but a transition.
"Right now, we don't consider him gone," Joyce said. "We consider him onto the next mission. God has a mission for him."
Jewett received a 21-gun salute, taps on a trumpet and "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. His perfectly folded American flag was presented by a member of the SRT to Joyce and his father Joe. The gloves that folded the flag were laid to rest on the casket.
One-by-one, members of SRT placed their division patches on top of the casket. The INS guards filed through the tent where family sat and each gave each member of the family a hug. Then Jason's parents walked over to the line of SRT members and the line of Sheriff's deputies and officers and hugged each of them. Joe Jewett had a private word with each man. Men and women in the assembled gathering sniffled and cried.
"Jason deserved this," Joyce said. "He worked hard and he loved his job."
Fix said in their long friendship, they never drifted apart even as their careers took different paths.
"No matter what Jason did, it was always the right thing," said Fix, who first met Jewett when they were security offices together at Darien Lake years and years ago. Jewett helped Fix when he needed it most and they were neighbors in Oakfield for awhile.
"It was an honor to be at the funeral today," Fix said. "He was like a true guardian angel."
Everything happens for a reason, Joyce said. God has a plan. He brought Corona and her son together and built a special bond between them. That friendship helped form new relationships between ICE and the Sheriff's Office, she said (and Fix, who is a dispatcher and volunteer firefighter agreed). Before, agents and deputies might talk on the phone, but now they know each other personally, Joyce said. That relationship will improve both agencies, she said.
Corona said will never forget his friend.
"He is buried here in a part of a town that I patrol and I'll be here every day that I can be to pay my respects," Corona said. "He'll always be remembered as my best friend."
Joyce Jewett found a few bullet hole stickers among her son's belongings, so she gave them to SRT members and Joseph Corona. Jewett like a good practical joke, she said, and putting the stickers on his casket is the kind of thing he'd appreciate, she said.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday Sept. 4, and Thursday Sept. 5, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area north of West Main Street and west of Bank Street.
Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.
Here are the results from the Batavia Area Jaycees 5K held on Labor Day.
By age, female:
By age, male:
When you sit down for a meal at Pasquales, Mama Fasano wants it to be just like you're coming over to her house for dinner.
Every dish with be based on family recipes and the ambiance and decor will be designed to give diners an old-time, family Italian restaurant feel.
The Fasano family purchased the red brick, two-story building at the corner of Swan and Ellicott streets at the city's tax lien auction a couple of months ago with the specific intention to open a restaurant.
They've had to completely gut the place and entirely remodel it -- including putting in a new kitchen. The restaurant won't open until late fall, but they're ready to talk about their plans.
Joan Fasano has been in the restaurant and catering business for 40 years and at Pasquales the whole family is joining in.
"Many Batavians and Genesee County residents have been familiar with the Fasano name in conjunction with great food over the years," Maggie Fasano said. "Joan and her husband Jim catered many, many weddings, anniversaries, graduations and other events."
The menu will include homemade ravioli, chicken cacciatore, tripe, pasta fazool, along with other old-country recipes, and once every two weeks, a polish dish.
People go crazy over the polish dishes," Rachel Fasano said. "You can’t get them anywhere."
The kitchen is being designed and set up by Karl Klein, who recently closed his restaurant in Le Roy.
The Fasanos and Ganson have been close friends for 30 years.
Every once in awhile he'll work as a guest chef, making special dishes for the day.
Though the building was most recently a bar, the Fasanos are not setting up a tavern. It's an eatery. There will be beer and wine to go with dinner, but the bar won't be a place to come and sit and just drink.
Meals will be affordable.
"We want people to be able come and enjoy dinner and not empty their pockets, so to speak," Dave Fasno said. "Our menu will be based on good Italian food, what Mom likes to call peasant food."
Family photos and old photos of Italian immigrants will hang on the walls.
"We want people, when they walk in, to feel like the restaurant's been here forever," Joan said.
Photo: Rachel, Joan, Maggie in the front and David and Jimmy John behind the bar.
Press release from Batavia PD:
Due to the malfunctioning traffic light at Richmond Avenue and State Street, the Batavia Police Department will be assigning an officer for traffic control at that intersection on Friday, Sept. 6 during school morning admission and afternoon dismissal periods.
This will be to alleviate traffic congestion and assist with students crossing at that intersection. If you are traveling in the area please be aware and use caution during these times.
Local business adding new services!
Local businessman Eric von Kramer is adding new services to complement his low-pressure roof cleaning business. We will now be offering low pressure house washing, gutter clean-out and gutter whitening.Our main business remains low-pressure roof cleaning to safely melt away the black streaks, algae and moss, that is often seen on area roofs.
This problem is caused by a hearty form of airborne algae that actually feeds off the limestone in shingles. We use the low-pressure process recommended by the shingle manufacturers. The results are immediate and stunning and all work is guaranteed.
It is seldom necessary to use a high pressure washer to clean vinyl, aluminum or painted wood siding, von Kramer states. Our low pressure cleaning is designed to gently clean without damaging your roof or siding. Our patented gutter whitening will bring your gutters back to the "like new" look! We can also clean out the tennis balls, Frisbees, and little maple trees to keep your gutters and downspouts operating properly. All services are offered separately, but as I have seen on TV, it is usually better to "bundle."
Call for an onsite inspection and price. All work is guaranteed to please. Visit our Web site for more information. www.roofcleaningbatavia.com or call (585) 762-9075 or (716) 474-0938.
More than 300 people showed up this evening for calling hours at the Gilmartin Funeral Home on West Main Street, Batavia, to pay respects to the memory and the family of Jason M. Jewett.
Among the mourners were about three dozen members of a nationwide car club that was proud to include Jason among its members.
Jewett, 31, of South Byron and originally from Oakfield, died Friday in a car crash in Erie County.
The car club members who attended tonight came from throughout the Northeast, but the majority were from Rochester. They represented three teams within the club: Style by Choice, Sunworks and Street Kings.
Any hardcore car enthusiast, regardless of make or model the member owns, is welcome into the club.
Jewett was all in once he became passionate about cars, according to Kyle McGuckin, team leader of Style by Choice.
His car was a black and yellow Mitsubishi Evolution club members called Pikachu.
"Jay loved his car and everybody knew his car," McGuckin said. "It was bright yellow. You could not miss it."
There's a tight bond between club members, McGuckin said. It just happens to bring them together.
"We wouldn't have known any of these guys without cars," McGuckin said. "We're definitely more about family than just a car crew."
Also honoring Jewett tonight were several members of the local law enforcement community, where Jewett had many friends. He was an agent at the Immigration Customs Enforcement & Deportation facility in Batavia along with being one of 13 instructors for the Special Response Team.
He had worked in and around law enforcement in Genesee County much of his adult life.
Calling hours will continue tomorrow from 3 to 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia. Interment will be in North Pembroke Cemetery.
Click here for Jewett's obituary.
Jason's nephew Nate Jewett, also a car club member, with his BMW. Nate is active duty Navy currently stationed at Port Hueneme in Ventura County, California.
Besides his car, Jason owned a gray Dodge Ram 1500 that he was proud of. A friend brought it to the wake. With it are Nate Jewett, Zach Hallatt and Huseyin Damlar.
I am a Christian was the title of a recent sermon I heard that got my attention. What exactly is a Christian? A Christian is a person who believes with their heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. It is a person who confesses their sin to God in prayer and asks for His forgiveness (Romans 10:9-10). It is a person who desires to live a life pleasing to God. It is a person who denies himself to become a follower of Christ (Luke 9:23). What does it mean to become a follower of Christ?
Two females and one male are reportedly brawling in front of 121 Liberty St. Police are now on scene.
UPDATE 2:48 p.m.: The parties involved say it was only a verbal altercation.
UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: The police say they are being uncooperative.
Jason Daniel Lang, 29, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Lang is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart during two separate visits. Lang was jailed on $2,500 bail. (For previous coverage of Jason Lang, click here).
Donald William Schulz, 34, of Garden Springs Drive, Mount Sterling, Ky., was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Schulz is accused of failing to pay a fine or restitution on a manslaughter charge. Schulz was extradited and returned to Genesee County and is being held in Genesee County Jail pending arraignment in County Court.
Daniel Johnston Duryea, 32, of Grant Avenue, Humbolt, Neb., is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, moving from lane unsafely, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement markings in no passing zone. Duryea was stopped at 12:33 a.m., Sunday, on Route 238 in Alexander by Deputy Jason Saile.
Marc Harry Rice, 35, of Judith Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and failure to keep right. Rice was stopped at 8:13 p.m. Saturday on South Alleghany Road, Corfu, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.
MacKenzie Douglas Barrett, 17, of Eagle St., Medina, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Barrett is accused of stealing about $2,000 in cash since June while employed at Darien Lake Theme Park.
Wesley C. Burgess, 29, of Jefferson Street, Attica, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Burgess allegedly possessed a bag of marijuana and a pipe with marijuana residue while passing through a checkpoint at 12:08 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street Road, Batavia.
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