batavia

So tonight I drove out to the Wortendyke Road to the Bontrager Auction house -- not to take pictures (but you know, I always have my camera with me) but to bid on a set of 10 Don Carmichael prints.

If you've ever been in a local business and seen a pen-and-ink drawing of a local historic building, chances are, it's a Don Carmichael print. (Lorie Longhany has also done some wonderful drawings of local buildings).

I had my heart set on winning these at auction tonight, but it turns out it wasn't meant to be.

Still, the auction was great fun and I always enjoy taking pictures.

More pictures after the jump:

A minor-injury accident has been reported on West Main Street in front of Burger King.

Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Lamar T. Anderson, 27, was sentenced in Genesee County Court this afternoon to four years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervision, for raping a Batavia woman last year.

Anderson pled guilty in October.

"At that time, I advised you to cooperate with probation and abide by all other warnings and components," Judge Robert Noonan said to Anderson.

"At a previous meeting for your sentencing, it was evident that Anderson did not get it and refused to get a sexual-offender evaluation and a substance-abuse evaluation as well."

Noonan said that the case has been adjourned several times to obtain those evaluations.

Anderson has since been evaluated and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said today that the report is unlike most other reports he has come across.

"With all due respect... this is not (the kind of) an evaluation I'm used to seeing," he said. "It is woefully inadequate and really doesn't address what is necessary and is of no benefit to this court as far as making a determination."

Anderson's attorney, William Tedford, disagreed.

"To address Mr. Friedman's opinions about (the report) I would respectfully disagree," he said as he flipped through and read a few short excerpts out loud.

Reading from the evaluation, Tedford said, "He (Anderson) makes several impressions that he was cooperative and readily provided information that there is high hope that he can live an offense-free life in the future...he is not a predator-type offender...he acknowledges responsibility for his offenses."

Tedford admitted to Judge Noonan that Anderson has become a client that he is "...the closest with during my year in this office. He is an intelligent and well-mannered individual and he has opened his eyes since you incarcerated him. I hope that you will see that today."

Tedford asked that the year Anderson has already spent behind bars be considered sufficient and if Anderson could be given the opportunity to prove himself through probation only.

When Judge Noonan asked if Anderson had anything to say, Anderson said quietly, "I just know I made a big mistake. I'm doing everything and am trying to get better."

After Anderson spoke, Judge Noonan gave his sentence, saying that he disagreed that Anderson's actions can simply be considered a mistake.

"A mistake is something that is much more transitory and requires much less time and much less absence of judgement," he said.

"You committed a very violent sexual offense for which you do not take responsibility and minimize your involvement...Your attitude at every point during these times tells me that you need to be segregated from society for some period of time."

Noonan imposed a four-year sentence to be followed by a 10-year post-release supervision period. Anderson was also ordered to pay a number of fees. He has the right to appeal the judgement within 30 days.

Yes, it is March 23 and yes, we have snow.

Traditional printmaking is on display at the Senior Center on Bank Street through April 29.

The prints were created by high-school students from Batavia and Le Roy.

These aren't digital, computer-generated prints, but handcrafted original images using silkscreen, linoleum, wood block, collography and stencils to create new works of art.

Well, it looks like the fake angry owls and streamers aren't doing much to keep the gulls from the roof of the former Latina's building.

Batavia and Notre Dame students went head-to-head this evening at the Genesee County Court House in a mock trial competition that brought in teams from throughout the region.

This mock trial was presided over by Judge Robert C. Noonan.

No word on results yet.

Previously: Students compete in mock trials at Genesee County Court House

These photos are available for purchase by clicking here.

Above, Jake Krajawski, BHS, is questioned by a defense attorney. Second photo, Matt Sausner and Eric Lomonoco of Notre Dame.

From left, Sausner, Lomonoco and Megan Zickl.

More pictures after the jump:

Maura Chmielowiec, BHS

Megan Zickl

Rosie Mortellaro

Evan Sutherland

Judge Robert C. Noonan

Matt Sausner

Maura Chmielowiec, Evan Sutherland and Patrick Flynn

Brittany Perzia

Eric Lomonoco

Maura Chmielowiec

Jake Krajawski

Era Reda-Kendrick

Robert Thigpen, 35, of Patriots Landing, Rochester, is charged with two counts of tampering with a witness, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Thigpen was picked up by Batavia Police on a bench warrant and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Thigpen was jailed pending a court appearance today. (For previous coverage of Thigpen, click here.)

Taylor Robert Benjamin, 18, of 139 Christina Drive, North Chili, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, a misdemeanor. Benjamin was arrested by Le Roy police following a complaint of youths gathering under the pedestrian footbridge between Church and Mill streets. As an officer approached, he reportedly observed Benjamin lighting a glass pipe and inhaling the smoke from it.

Ryan T. Daley, 28, of 57 Elizabeth Ave., Hamburg, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test and inadequate lights.  Daley was stopped at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street by Officer Thad Mart.

A 17-year-old resident of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing $42.81 in merchandise from Kmart on Saturday.

Justin Zane Baker, 22, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Baker allegedly pushed a woman several times during a domestic dispute at 6:25 a.m., Sunday.

A 16-year-old resident of Angling Road, East Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol while under 21 with intention to consume. The youth was arrested following a traffic stop at 7:48 p.m. Saturday on Angling Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Eric Thomas Wolford, 18, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child and failure to yield right of way. Wolford was stopped 7:46 p.m., Saturday, on Angling Road, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Craig Edward Blake, 59, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, unauthorized display of amber lights, refusal to take breath test. Blake was stopped at 12:23 a.m. Sunday on Park Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Douglas Westley Green, 54, of Woodlands Way, Brockport, is charged with petit larceny. An investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff into thefts over a period of time at Stan's Harley Davidson led to the identification of Green as a suspect.

Melissa M. Lesage, 31, of 31 Buffalo St., Bergen, is charged with failure to appear in court as directed. Lesage was taken into custody by Rochester Police and turned over to Batavia Police on a warrant from 2007 for failure to appear as directed on an alleged traffic violation. Bail was set at $300.

Lamar Randall, 25, of 266 E. Park St., Albion, is charged with failure to appear in court. Randall was arrested on a bench warrant. Bail was set at $350.

Justin E. Cratsley, 22, of 115 State St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Cratsley is accused of harassing a person he is barred from contacting at the YMCA on Saturday.

Sabrina Zinni, 36, of 219 North Spruce St., Batavia, is accused of showing up for a court ordered work detail under the influence of alcohol. She was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Andrew Z. Perdock, 24, unknown address, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is charged with petit larceny. Perdock was arrested by State Police at 12:53 p.m. Saturday and held on cash bail. No further details released.

Yolanda M. Skeet, 32, of 24 Allegheny Road, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI under Leandra's Law. Skeet was stopped for allegedly speeding on the Thruway by State Police. She allegedly had a 9-year-old child in her car and a BAC of .08 or greater. Skeet was jailed in Ontario County on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Connecticut got a chip shot 40 seconds into the championship game in Portland, Maine, this afternoon and the Batavia Ramparts spent nearly all of three periods chasing the lead.

The Ramparts lost 3-0.

Goal two for Connecticut was a rebound off the goalie, said coach John Zola.

Goal three came on an empty net play at the end of the game.

"Everyone played their heart out," Zola said. "Both teams played very, very hard."

The coach said he doesn't believe a Batavia team has ever advanced as far as the Ramparts did this season. At the age level of the Ramparts, the northeast regional championship would have been as far as they could have advanced.

Shawn Beachy and Ken Beachy led the Beachy Cabinet Maker Wild to a 3-1 championship win over Genesee Orthopedic Blues on Sunday morning.

Both Beachys scored goals, with Shawn picking up two assists and his father Ken getting one.

Ryan DiFilippo also scored for the wild.

The Wild's third goal came with less than a minute into the game when the Blues emptied their goal to put an extra offensive player on the ice.

Dave Holtz, with no assist, scored the Blues only goal.

Blues goalie Jason Molino faced 27 shots and Wild goalie Scott Fauth faced 32.

Molino was named the game's 3rd star, Fauth, 2nd star and Ken Beachy was named MVP.

In the consolation game, Batavia Legal Printing Sharks beat the
Kelly's Holland Inn Stars 7-5.

For the Sharks, Jeff Reuter and Dan Hudson each scored three goals  
and Andy Pfalzer had one.

For the Stars, Nick Bush, Dave Bogue, T.J. Peca, Nick Martell and Cal Rice scored one goal each.

Top photo, Ken Beachy hoists the championship trophy. Third photo, Wild goalie Scott Fauth snags a shot. Bottom photo, Ken and Shawn Beachy.

There are 21 photos with this post and an additional 40 or so available for purchase on our photo purchase page. BUY PHOTOS

More pictures after the jump:

A Batavia resident is in custody tonight after agents of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force allegedly found him in possession of numerous packages of heroin, some marijuana, packaging for narcotics, a gravity knife and $4,000 in cash.

A search warrant was executed Saturday afternoon on the residence and the car of Jarrett James Locicero, 21, of West Main Street.

The warrant was a culmination of an investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin in the Batavia area.

Locicero was located in his car on Clinton Street, Batavia, and stopped by members of the task force and uniformed deputies.

Investigators then searched his residence.

Locicero is charged with possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and misdemeanor counts of criminally possessing drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a weapon as well as a violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Following arraignment in city court, Locicero was jailed without bail.

For the 38th time, the Batavia Jaycees are hosting its annual Home Show. This year, it is once again at Batavia Downs. 

The show is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A couple dozen vendors are on hand to help owners explore options for home improvement.

A two-car motor-vehicle accident is reported in front of 596 East Main St. in the City of Batavia. Injuries are believed to be minor. It is blocking traffic.

Traffic is being rerouted.

City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: One minor injury is reported. Medics told to respond non-emergency mode. The roadway is reopened and traffic is being directed.

Three Erie County residents who worked at the Federal Detention Facility on Federal Drive in Batavia are being accused of selling anabolic steroids in violation of federal law.

It's not clear if the men were allegedly selling steroids at the facility or elsewhere.

UPDATE: The men are not accused of selling to prisoners.

Charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute anabolic steroids, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of anabolic steroids were Richard Eldridge, 35, of West Seneca, and Michael Trautmann, 48, of Cheektowaga.

Richard Lazzaro, 39, of Cheektowaga, is charged with possession with intent to distribute, and distribuiton of anabolic steroids.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine of $500,000 or both.

Eldridge and Trautmann allegedly engaged in the sales and distribution from Oct. 13 to Nov. 30, 2010.

According to the indictment, they are suspected of distributing nandrolone deconoate, oxymetholone and oxandrolone.

Lazzaro is accused of distributing testosterone enathate, boldenone undecylenate, testosterone propionate and methandrostanolone in January.

Eldridge is an immigration enforcement agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Trautmann and Lazzaro were detention officers working as federal contract employees.

The indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory Null.

Good times once again in Downtown Batavia for St. Patrick's Day. I stopped by Center Street Smoke House -- where McMahon Dance School students performed traditional Irish dances -- and O'Lacy's, and then one more quick stop at Center Street on the way back to the office.

Prints of these pictures available for purchase by clicking here.

More pictures after the jump:

A program to benefit Genesee County's military veterans is in the works. It will computerize discharge papers filed with the Clerk's Office. It will also provide money-saving opportunities for veterans at participating businesses when they show their photo ID card.

Dubbed "Return the FAVOR" (Find & Assist Vets of Record), it began about two years ago in Putnam County and since then has been implemented in about a dozen counties statewide.

Currently, Genesee County stores the record of discharge papers, called Form DD-214, on paper only. Veterans voluntarily submit their DD-214 to the clerk of record in their community as a safeguard procedure so it can be replaced if need be or replicated.

In a few months, the paper trail comes to a virtual end and the data goes online.

"Paper is fragile," said Clerk Don Read.

Not mention inefficient and cumbersome to keep up to date. The county probably has about 30,000 gun permits archived since 1934 when permits were first issued. But how many are active, valid permits is unknown.

Those who have implemented "Return the FAVOR" rave about what a good idea it is, Read said.

David Bellavia -- a highly decorated combat veteran petitioning to run as an independent for Congress in New York's 26th District -- issued a press release today thanking Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul for bringing "Return the FAVOR" to that county.

He praised her leadership in the program, which he termed "an appreciated salute to veterans," adding that it should be a statewide standard.

(His kind words are perhaps notable because Hochul is widely regarded as the likely Democrat canidate in the 26th District and will be a Bellavia opponent if he makes the ballot. Bellavia recently launched a petition drive to get on the ballot.)

Read said his office looked into providing "Return the FAVOR" here last year but the cost was prohibitive. The computer software and plastic ID cards, etc., was estimated to cost $30,000 and that money was not in the budget.

But last fall, the county negotiated with a computer company which was contracted to begin computerizing records of pistol permits on Jan. 1. They found out the company could also do the veterans record/ID card program using the same tools employed for pistol permits at, according to Read, no additional cost.

"The first thing is to perfect the pistol-permit program," Read said, adding that his office is looking at a launch date of May 1 and the veterans program would begin sometime afterward.

"We are contacting officials and asking how they would like the (new) pistol permit to be formatted," Read said.

County Judge Robert C. Noonan heads up the Handgun and Pistol Permit Program. District Attorney Lawrence Friedman is also being consulted along with law enforcement.

"This will benefit the Sheriff's Office because deputies will be able to access the database on our Web site," Read said. "When they are going to an address, they can find out who has a pistol permit and what kind of weapons they have before they get there."

Regarding "Return the FAVOR," Read said they are communicating with other counties to possibly extend the discount benefits across county lines. For example, a veteran with an ID card from Genesee County could get a dinner deal at a participating restaurant in Erie or Wyoming County.

The estimated cost to the veteran applicant at the Clerk's Office would be a one-time fee in the $5 to $10 range.

Read said his office plans to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans Service Agency to get businesses to support the discounts-for-veterans program.

But since the Veterans Service Agency lost a full-time worker due to budget cuts,  Read said he expects his office will have to do more of the "ground work."

A 25-year-old Batavia resident accused of biting a police sergeant will take his case to a jury.

Donald F. Stillwagon II, of 142 Pearl St., charged with a assault in the second degree, appeared in Genesee County Court today to either accept or reject a plea offer from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The offer, six months "shock probation" -- a short time in jail followed by a term of probation. The alternative, if convicted by a jury, is a possible seven-year stint in state prison.

Judge Robert C. Noonan made it clear that after today there will be no chance for Stillwagon to accept a negotiated plea. Stillwagon said he understood that.

Stillwagon is accused of biting Sgt. John Peck, Batavia PD, in the arm after Peck arrived at his house in response to a domestic disturbance.

Reportedly, a male there was choking another person, which prompted the police response. The alleged incident occurred Oct. 1.

Peck sustained a minor injury and was treated and released at UMMC.

The trial date is April 18.