batavia

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently voiced his support for the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and its successful efforts to attract a Dick’s Sporting Goods store to Towne Centre Mall in Batavia. The group was able to secure the store’s move through pro-business tax incentives, which will create local employment opportunities and increase sales tax revenue to support local programs and services. Hawley defended GCEDC against attacks from Buffalo-area Assemblyman Sean Ryan, who has publicly criticized the local economic development effort.

“Here in Batavia and across Genesee County, we deserve access to both consumer choice and employment opportunities. By attracting Dick’s to Towne Centre Mall, GCEDC has helped bolster both,” Hawley said. “Assemblyman Ryan’s attacks on our local economy are completely uncalled for. While he purports to be concerned with the use of state tax dollars, surely he would agree that one of the highest-taxed states in the nation has bigger fish to fry than Genesee County’s legal ability to strengthen its own economy. I believe it is in the best interests of all involved that assembly members focus on their own constituents and that he focuses on revitalizing Buffalo’s economy.”

“The GCEDC was created to help increase the tax base, create new jobs as well as bring new investment and revenues into our community. This project fulfills all of these criteria and without our assistance, these benefits would not be realized,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “The project will create jobs, increase sales tax revenue, bring new goods and services into the community, and reinvigorate what is currently a large, vacant space located at the gateway of our community off of I-90.”

Hawley noted the crucial role the GCEDC has played in attracting job creators to Genesee County and keeping them here long-term.

“Between the Genesee Valley Agri-business Park, Oakta Hills and countless other projects, GCEDC has long been at the forefront of job creation and economic development in our community,” Hawley said. “Throughout my time in the Assembly, we have worked diligently to revitalize our local economy, and GCEDC has my full support in its effort to bring jobs to our community.”

Batavia PD is looking for the public's assistance in identifying a hit-and-run driver who struck a parked car in front of 19 Vine St., Batavia, at 8:24 a.m., Thursday.

Both vehicles were damaged in the accident.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark colored compact. It is missing its right side view mirror. It was last seen heading southbound on Vine Street.

Anybody with information to share can reach out to Officer Thad Mart, (585) 345-6450.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported on Ellicott Street Road, near Shepard Road, Town of Batavia.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A chief on scene reports the vehicle is on the shoulder and on its wheels.

UPDATE 7:08 a.m.: Town of Batavia back in service.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 21 Richmond Ave. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding. There are believed to be only minor injuries.

Residents on Trumbull Parkway between Farwell Street and North Street are asked not to park on the street at any point on Friday before 7 p.m.

City crews will spend the day repairing a pipeline.

Residents and businesses in the area may experience limited and delayed access to their property during the hours of operations, which start at 8 a.m.

Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes.

Sarah Della Penna takes walks with her Great Danes out on a piece of property off Creek Road, Batavia, and always takes her camera. She sent in some of her recent pictures.

When I showed up at the park between County Building #1 and the Old Courthouse, I spotted a new directional sign near the main county administration building.

A structure fire is reported at 109 Oak Street, Batavia. Fire and smoke are reportedly coming from an electrical power outlet. City fire is en route.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: City Engine 11 and Ladder 15 are there and the chief reports no smoke or fire. Investigating further.

UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: City assignment is back in service.

Batavia's Business Improvement District kicked off its promotional campaign, "More Feet Downtown," today.

Banners were hung at light poles downtown to help spread the word.

Pictured are Amy Worthington, left, Jeff Gillard, Don Burkel, Paul Marchese, Mary Valle, Beth Kemp and Lusanne Simard.

More than 600 National Grid customers in Genesee County are with out power this afternoon, including 590 in Batavia, as high winds play havoc with trees and power lines.

A tree came down on Clinton Street, which is what knocked out power around East Main and Clinton, including the intersection lights.

About 90 customers in Pembroke are also without power and there are a couple of small outages elsewhere in the county.

Power should be restored in Batavia by 4:45 p.m. and in Pembroke by 3:45 p.m.

There is a hazardous weather outlook in place because of strong winds into tonight. Winds are hitting 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Law enforcement will be closing Clinton Street at East Main Street to traffic until wires and tree branches in the roadway by Grandview Cemetery can be safely removed.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The traffic lights are out at that intersection, too.

Press release:

Lauralee Pacer, 28, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Pacer was stopped by Deputy Joseph Corona for alleged equipment violation and found to be wanted on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court for alleged disorderly conduct (fighting/violent behavior), and she was allegedly driving without a license. Bail was set at $200.

Eric J. Martin, 41, of Caledonia, is charged with DWI, speeding and failure to submit to chemical test. Martin was arrested by by Le Roy PD.

Former Batavia PD lieutenant Eugene Jankowski was honored Monday night by the Batavia City Council for his 34 years of service to the city.

Among Jankowski's many accomplishments was creating the Emergency Response Team (commonly referred to in other jurisdictions as SWAT).

Jankowski was forced to retire earlier this year when the lieutenant positions were eliminated from the Batavia police force.

Two weeks ago, the City GOP committee endorsed Jankowski for one of the three at-large council positions up for election in November.

Two four-wheel ATVs have been stolen from a residence in East Pembroke and the owner is offering a cash reward for their return.

They belong to Parker Dean, who has been racing motocross and flat track on the local and national circuit for eight years. The theft comes at a particularly bad time -- the start of the season.

One is a blue 2001 Yamaha Raptor 660 with ITP Holeshot  front tires and ITP mud lite rear tires, DG front bumper, TCS front shocks with black PEP shock covers and carbon fiber hand guards.

The other ATV is green Suzuki Ltr 450 with a custom black and green Quadtech seat, gunmetal hinson clutch cover, Quadtech carbon fiber shock guards, 127 number plate.

The reward will be paid upon return of the quads and "conviction of the scum who sold them," according to the flyer we were sent.

Call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000 with any information that may assist in the investigation.

Tonisha Price has a growing little bakery business -- so much so that she needed to move Sweet Ecstasy out of her cramped shop in Stafford and find a space closer to her growing customer base in Batavia.

While going through the city's grant process, she had a meeting at Seymour Place, the former Batavia Club building at Main and Bank streets that is home to GO ART!

She'd already scouted several locations in Batavia, but immediately recognized Seymour Place as the perfect quaint locale for what she wanted to do -- expand her bakery business, but also provide a cozy setting for lunches and catered affairs.

"As we were going through the approval process, we ran across this place," Price said. "This wasn't our first choice, but once we saw it, we fell in love and here we are today."

Besides sweet treats, Sweet Ecstasy will offer grilled sandwiches, quiches and soup on a daily basis for lunch. Every Friday is "fresh bread Friday."

Price is also planning "supper clubs," where one night a month, there will be a special dinner served. The first one -- date to be announced -- will feature sushi.

The new location opened Friday and Price has already booked five special events that take advantage of the unique space at Seymour Place and she's looking to book more bridal showers, receptions, birthday parties, tea parties, office parties and other such events.

Sweet Ecstasy is also applying for a liquor license so they can serve wines and craft beers.

Photo: Price, Jean Robbins, and Tonisha's mother Carla Price, seated.

As promised, Paul Berardini opened his new pizza shop today, Big Pauly's. It's in the same location as the former Pauly's Pizza (314 Ellicott St., Batavia).

Chantal M. Lord, 32, of 82 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with two counts of grand larceny, 4th, and two counts of petit larceny. Lord was charged following a Le Roy PD investigation into missing money from a relative's bank account. Lord is accused of using the relative's debit card on two separate occasions without permission to make withdrawals from the relative's bank account. Lord was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Joshua M. Banick, 22, of 3 McIntosh St., Liverpool, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and alcohol, failure to keep right and unsafe backing. Banick allegedly had a near head-on collision with a Batavia PD patrol vehicle in the area of 509 East Main St., Batavia, at 1:40 a.m., Thursday. Banick then allegedly backed up and through the 7-11 parking lot and over a concrete parking space bumper, coming to rest on the sidewalk near the front entrance. Banick was transported back to College Village following his arrest.

Morgan B. Mikolajczyk, 19, of 328 S. Jackson St., Batavia, was arrested at Tim Horton's on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court on an unreasonable noise charge.

Douglas G. Goodwin Jr., 22, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, turned himself in on an arrest warrant out of City Court related to an alleged parking violation for parking facing the wrong way.

Michael J. Carroll, 21, of 16 Harvester Ave., Batavia, was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff's and turned over to Batavia PD on a warrant out of City Court related to a charged of possession of alcohol under age 21.

Shaneeka R. Wroten, 20, of 16 Central Ave., rear, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Wroten was arrested on a warrant out of City Court related to the listed charges.

Samantha L. Tennity, 18, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Tennity is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General.

Jeremy M. Denton, 27, of Brockport, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unreasonable speed, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, driving left of pavement markings and moving from lane unsafely. Denton was allegedly involved in a single-car accident at 1:23 a.m., Friday, on Route 19, Bergen. He allegedly fled the scene was was later located. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Jeffrey Louis Deats, 26, of Olyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Deats is accused of making threatening phone calls to a woman.

Destiny S. Milroy, 16, of Le Roy, is charged with assault, 3rd. Milroy was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 8:28 a.m., May 1, in the Town of Le Roy. No further details released.