batavia

Most of the people who built Batavia are buried in Batavia Cemetery, from Joseph Ellicott and Dean Richmond to banker Trumbull Cary and writer John Yates, along with war heroes, merchants and politicians, as well as the wives, mothers and children who died too young.

The Batavia Cemetery Association provides a pamphlet for self-guided tours that plots the sites for 35 of the most prominent people buried under the giant, century-old trees that make the cemetery so photogenic.

I started taking photos for this project on Thursday with the idea of doing a post in advance of the Ghost Tour, but the overcast days weren't great for photographing fall leaves, so I couldn't finish up until Saturday morning.

More pictures after the jump:

Batavia history comes alive every October with local historians and history buffs setting up tours that focus on the past and the dead. This October is no exception.

The Batavia Cemetery Association conducted its first 2010 Candlelight Tour of the historic Batavia Cemetery on Saturday night, with another group of tours scheduled for this coming Saturday. Tours begin at 7 p.m. and continue every 15 minutes until 8:30.

On Friday, a tour called "Murder, Mystery & Mayhem" begins at 8 p.m. at the Engine House (3 West Main St., Batavia), with additional tours at 8:15 and 8:30 and again on Oct. 29 at 8, 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.

Also on the Halloween calendar, St. James Episcopal Church presents a "Special Halloween Spooktacular" at 7 p.m., Oct. 30. It will feature the silent movie "Phantom of the Opera," with accompanying organ music by Charles Bradley. Tickets are $10 and proceeds benefit the bell tower restoration.

More pictures from the Ghost Tour after the jump

Here are five pictures I took yesterday, after getting back into Genesee County, on my return from the Pembroke game in Holley.

The first two are in the area of Transit Road and Chapel Road, Byron. The barn below is on Towerhill Road, Byron, and the pumpkin house is on Bank Street Road. The final picture is Centennial Park, Batavia.

Tonight and Sunday afternoon, Norm Argulski will perform the role of a lifetime -- for the second time in five months.

He portrays esteemed professor Morrie Schwartz, the title character in the two-man show "Tuesdays with Morrie," based on the book of the same name. The play, which will be performed at St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia, tells the true story of Mitch Albom, a sports reporter who decides to contact a favorite former college professor after seeing him on television.

Despite the fact that the professor, Morrie, is dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a close friendship blossoms between the two as he teaches Mitch many valuable lessons about life and love.

"I think it was a mixture of guilt and a sense of duty [that brought Mitch back to see Morrie]," says Jesse Conklin, who plays Mitch. "He had lost touch with him, after promising to keep in touch, and he felt it would be inhuman not to visit him when he heard that he was dying.

"Like Mitch says in the show, he thought going back to see him that first time would just be a one-shot deal. I think it's ambiguous in the play, what his original reasons were."

Although tonight will be the first performance in months, it is not the true opening night in this area. The Wyoming County Bicentennial Singers' cast made its debut in May at the Warsaw Grange.

This time, though, the profits will be going toward the St. James Restoration Fund. And with luck, Sunday's matinee will not be the last performance: the show was adjudicated in May for the Theater Association of New York State (TANYS) and, if selected, will be performed again in November at the TANYS festival at Genesee Community College.

Director Kathy Dodge says that the three weeks' worth of rehearsals prior to this weekend have been spent mostly just polishing the show, as both actors remembered their parts well. The only differences between the performances in May and the performances this weekend, Dodge says, will be technical.

"I actually remembered most of my lines," says Conklin. "The parts I'm shaky on now are the same parts that I was shaky on before. I would say the hardest thing is getting emotionally back into it. I have to really focus to not go on autopilot this time."

The emotional transition back into the role was smoother for Argulski, who says that the rehearsals for the reprise "seemed like what we had always been doing. What's funny is that the more we do this, the more I talk to Mitch, the less I find myself feeling like Norm."

"I have played so many wonderful roles that I enjoyed, but I just had to play this one," Argulski says. "It's truly the role of a lifetime. Morrie is one of the most interesting characters that you will ever see on stage. You'll like him from the first time that you see him. And even at the end, even though you know he's dying, you still feel good about him."

It seems only natural that Argulski should have the role of Morrie because of the similarities between the two.

"The way that we both think about life and view other people is very close," he explains. "So many of his values are my values."

Argulski is also a retired schoolteacher, something that influenced him greatly in understanding the character.

"Being a teacher was probably the biggest plus that I brought to being Morrie because I know how he felt," he says. "I had so many wonderful students, and I'm still in touch with many of them."

Dodge says she initially chose the show because of the book:

"I read the book years ago, multiple times actually. It's one of my favorites, so I was interested in the play. I really love that it's a true story."

Conklin, on the other hand, had never heard of the show or book before auditioning.

"I heard the name and was like, 'Tuesdays with what? Is it a musical?'" he laughs.

"It is such a unique situation, because in most dramatic works there is a villain, or at least an unsavory person of some sort," Argulski said. "However, this is a story about two wonderful characters, and seeing this is seeing two wonderful men in what they do as their relationship grows."

Is there a message in the show? Director Dodge thinks so: "To make sure you say what you want to people that you love, because you never know when you won't be able to say it to them. Make time for people. The show also brings ALS and hospice front and forward."

Argulski says that the characters have deepened his appreciation of life: "At one point in the show Morrie says, 'I wish I had been aware of death every day of my life.' Of course no one wants to be aware of death every day, but that was really the turning point in his life. I've never known anyone who celebrated death, or who looked at death as it really is. I would really like to talk to him about that."

Tonight's performance is at 7:30 and tomorrow it's at 2 p.m. The ticket price of $15 includes dessert and coffee with the actors after the show. The church is located at 405 E. Main St. in Batavia. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 343-6802.

We received an inquiry from a reader who said there was an outbreak of whooping cough -- or, pertussis -- at Genesee Community College.

We contacted Randy Garney, interim director of the Genesee County Health Department, who said no cases have been reported in Genesee County. However, he was aware of a case being reported in Wyoming County.

Laura Paolucci, public health administrator for Wyoming County, issued the following statement:

The Wyoming County Health Department has confirmed a case of pertussis for an individual that is a resident of Wyoming County and a student at GCC. The individual received appropriate treatment. The GCC Health Services Office was notified, provided information on pertussis and instructed to contact the health department with questions or concerns. There have been no further cases reported or identified.

Physicians are required to report diagnosed cases of pertussis to county health officials.

City Fire is being dispatched to Washington Avenue in the area of Summit Street, where a transformer reportedly sparked and is now smoking.

UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: No fire, but there is a problem with a wire. National Grid requested to the scene.

A few years as a Town of Batavia volunteer firefighter convinced Notre Dame graduate Mark Sacheli that he wanted to land a full-time job in the fire services.

This month, after 11 weeks of training at the New York State Fire Academy, things turned out for Sacheli better than he'd hoped -- now not only is he a career firefighter, he's serving in Batavia.

"I feel extremely fortunate to get a job doing what I love in my hometown," Sacheli said.

The 27-year-old bachelor was attending SUNY Brockport working toward a degree in physical education when his father suggested he would serve himself well by getting some EMT training and joining a volunteer department.

"After a few years I decided I didn't want to be a phys ed teacher," Sacheli said. "This is what I wanted to do. This is a career."

He said firefighting is an exciting job.

"Everything meshes well to make it a well-rounded job," Sacheli said. "Every day is different."

When he's not in uniform, Sacheli said he enjoys staying active. He described himself as an avid sports enthusiast who plays golf, softball, basketball and skies.

That fits in well with finding a job at home, where all of his friends live. He wanted to stay close to friends and family.

"The community is full of good people," Sacheli said.

Justin E. Cratsley, 22, of 8348 Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cratsley is accused of pushing a woman during an argument at 5:35 p.m., Oct. 7.

Kenneth M. Burns, 53, of Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Burns was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident that was reported at 8:45 p.m., Monday. No further details were released.

A Batavia mother is in jail tonight accused of delivering drugs to her son, who was being held in the Genesee County Jail.

Kathleen Catino, 59, of Seven Springs Road, allegedly handed her son some oxycodone during a jail visit.

Cain Catino, 39, also of Seven Springs Road, is being held on a robbery charge. He is accused of entering the Oakfield Pharmacy on Sept. 20 and demanding hydrocodone.

The mother is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, promoting prison contraband, 2nd, and possession of a controlled substance by ultimate user's original container.

Son is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband.

Jail officers reportedly witnessed the transaction in the visitation area and immediately seized the alleged contraband.

Kathleen Catino was jailed without bail.

A fire with flames showing is reported at 214 East Main St. in the City of Batavia. It's at the rear of Topline Shirt Co. and an owner reports it's an oven fire. City fire and Mercy EMS are on site.

UPDATE (6:40 p.m.): City fire command reports fire is out.

A tractor-trailer has reportedly snagged a power line or otherwise hit a utility pole causing it to shear off in the area of 4050 South Main Road, Batavia.

The wires are still up and the pole remains upright.

Town of Batavia Fire is responding. National Grid has been notified.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: The scene was cleared some time ago. As for the picture above, it's a bit hard to see, but in the center foreground is a bit of a wire sticking up. It's attached to the base of the utility pole, barely visible. The rest of the utility pole is clear to the left of the picture. It's a very old, very short utility pole. The driver, making his first delivery to Batavia, thought he was on West Main Street Road, not South Main Road. He was making a turn into what he thought was a local business to deliver a supply of camper shells. There's a barn on the property. The cable and phone wires were lower than he thought. No citations were issued.

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Rick Segel , an author and nationally recognized expert on small-business marketing gave a dynamic presentation to about 50 small-business owners or their representatives today. Comedy is part of Segel's pitch and he generated quite a few laughs during the first session. The program went from 9 a.m. 1 p.m. and was sponsored by the Business Improvement District and the Chamber of Commerce.

A Batavia man who tried to outrun law enforcement from Avon to Le Roy will serve one- to three-years in state prison, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled this morning.

Randy S. Rumble, 27, of State Street, entered a guilty plea at the end of August to felony DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation. On Aug. 1, Rumble led cops from Avon and deputies from Genesee County on a high-speed chase until he ran out of gas and was taken into custody by a Le Roy police officer.

Defense attorney William Tedford described Rumble as the nicest client he has represented.

He's a nice guy who makes poor decisions when he drinks," Tedford said.

"I have no reason to think you’re not a nice guy, but as people in court have heard me say 100 times, if you get killed by a drunk driver it doesn’t matter if it's Mother Teresa or Charles Manson at the wheel," Noonan said.

"You're lucky you're not standing here responsible for the deaths of other people or buried in the ground yourself. This conduct is way beyond anything that’s acceptable in this society."

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini argued for a stiff prison sentence.

"It was a dangerous situation," Cianfrini said. "He only stopped when he ran out of gas. He didn't stop voluntarily. He then ran into a hedgerow, further hampering law enforcement."

As for a statement to Noonan, Rumble apologized.

I respect whatever sentence you give me," Rumble said, then hung his head. "And that’s it."

Rumble will also be required to pay a $2,000 fine and have an interlock-ignition device on whatever vehicles he has access to upon his release from prison.

Previously: Batavia man allegedly tried to outrun law enforcement, until he ran out of gas

A car into bicycle accident is reported on East Main Street and Trumbull Parkway. A woman is lying on the ground, conscious. City fire, police and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE (11:34 a.m.): The patient refused medical treatment. The driver of the car was not injured. Authorities are clearing, or have cleared the scene, and are filing a report.

Gena Lorane Ellis, 24, of West Ridge Road, Brockport, is charged with petit larceny. Ellis is accused of stealing $124.13 worth of merchandise from Target by hiding the items under her child in her shopping cart.

Amanda Darlene Clemons, 26, of Ridge Road, Holley, is charged with petit larceny. Clemons is accused of trying to steal $211.86 worth of clothing, boots and other merchandise from Target by hiding the items under a blanket in her shopping cart.

David M. Saylor, 26, of 9431 Summit St. Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, no seat belt and unsafe tires. Saylor was allegedly involved in an accident on North Street. He is accused of striking a parked car at 12:26 a.m. and causing significant damage to both vehicles.

A drug investigation that began five months ago in Orleans County led to a search of three Genesee County dwellings Tuesday and the arrest of a Batavia man.

Taken into custody was Edgar Perez, 25, of 110 Jackson St., upper. Perez was arraigned in the Town of Barre Court and jailed in Orleans County on $100,000 bail.

In all, four search warrants were executed by law enforcement Tuesday, including one on a car stopped in Barre where investigators reportedly uncovered eight pounds of marijuana.

Perez was reportedly driving the car.

Search warrants were also executed at 110 Jackson St., Batavia and 32 and 33 Sunset Parkway, Oakfield.

Additional suspects from Genesee County are still being sought according to Orleans County investigator Joe Sacco.

Sacco said Tuesday's arrest and searches were unrelated to another recent drug investigation in Orleans County that grabbed regional media attention.

In the raids, investigators reportedly seized some quantity of marijuana, scales, packaging material and other drug paraphenalia at each search location.

Assisting Orleans County's Major Felony Crime Task Force was the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force and the City of Batavia's Emergency Response Team.

For the record, while we expected to receive a copy of a press release from Orleans County on this matter, we have not. This report combines our interview with Joe Sacco this afternoon and the press release published on WIVB's web site (click through for a picture, apparently, of the marijuana seized).

Investigators have yet to determine what sparked a fire that destroyed a rooming house Monday at 433 E. Main St., Batavia.

With no cause uncovered at this point, it's hard to say when investigators will be able to determine how the fire started, according to Lt. Jay Steinbrenner of the Batavia Fire Department.

The investigation remains ongoing.

There's no further information available on the investigation at this time.

It's "Make a Difference Day," and as part of the effort, four Batavia High School students were in downtown this morning picking up trash on the sidewalks and flower beds. Above, Donald Fagan, a senior at BHS, patrols for litter in a flower bed on East Main Street.