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Law and Order: Jailed Batavia man accused of punching another inmate in the face

By Billie Owens

Wayne Daniel Potter, 37, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree assault. At 3:13 p.m. on Feb. 16, members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into an assault on an inmate that occurred in the Genesee County Jail in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Potter punched another inmate in the face, causing physical injury, while incarcerated at the jail. Potter was arraigned in city court and is due back there on Feb. 25. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Norman E. Bastedo, 46, of Batavia (no address provided), was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Feb. 18 by Troopers out of NYSP Warsaw Barracks. He is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, and moving from lane unsafely. Bastedo was located on East Bethany Road in the Town of Middlebury after he drove off the roadway into a snow embankment. After allegedly failing multiple field sobriety tests, he was arrrested and taken to the Warsaw Barracks for processing. His BAC was allegedly .21 percent. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Town of Middlebury Court next month.

Justine Danae Wood, 34, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Feb. 15 at 9:52 p.m. Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to Walmart in Batavia for a larceny complaint. Following an investigation, Wood was arrested. It is alleged that the defendant stole $130.13 worth of merchandise from the store, passing all points of purchase. Wood is due in Town of Batavia Court on April 15. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

COVID cases wash out three games for Ice Devils

By Howard B. Owens

Two members of the Ice Devils, the hockey team that represents Batavia, Le Roy, Alexander, Elba, and Oakfield-Alabama, tested positive for COVID-19, meaning all players and coaches must quarantine at home until Feb. 24.

Three regular-season games have been canceled and won't be rescheduled.

Batavia Athletic Director Michael Bromley said one person tested positive last week and after consulting with the health department and the school's medical director, they would quarantine the team if a second person tested positive. That positive test came in on Tuesday.

This is only the second time a Batavia-affiliated team has been required to quarantine during the regular season. It happened previously with the Alpine Ski team.

Bromley said he can't emphasize enough how important it is for a parent to keep a child home from practice and games if a player is showing any symptoms because it can affect the whole team.

The Ice Devils were 0-4 on the season. The three missed games will be counted as "no contest." There will be five games left in the regular season once the team returns to the ice. Bromley said it will take multiple wins in those final five games for the team to reach the playoffs.

Water line break reported on Bogue Avenue, Batavia

By Press Release

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is investigating a water break in front of 2-4 Bogue Ave.

Residents on Bogue Avenue should expect the possibility of the water being turned off. We will do our best to keep this to a minimum.

There is a possibility of discolored water; laundry should be avoided if possible.

We thank the residents for their patience and understanding.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: Water service has been restored.

LIVE: Jackson Square DRI Public Input Meeting

By Howard B. Owens
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Jackson Square DRI Public Input Meeting

Batavia's Taylor McKenzie named to dean's list at Ohio University

By Billie Owens

Ohio University College of Fine Arts student Taylor McKenzie, from Batavia, has been named to Ohio University's Fall 2020 dean's list.

More than 8,400 students qualified for the fall semester 2020 dean's list at Ohio University, including main and regional campuses.

More than 40 states were represented on the dean's list, including: Arizona, Connecticut, California, Florida, Illinois, Rhode Island, Texas and Ohio. Students also represented Ireland, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and many other countries.

Due to COVID-19, O-U students who earned 12 semester hours of credit, including at least six hours attempted for letter grades, with a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.5 achieved this distinction.

About Ohio University

Ohio University strives to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America, where students realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence, and alumni become global leaders. O-U is committed to fostering, embracing, and celebrating diversity in all its forms.

Our Athens Campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation's most picturesque academic settings. Additional campuses and centers serve students across the state, and online programs further advance the University's commitment to providing educational access and opportunity. Visit www.ohio.edu for more information.

32 GC students named to fall 2020 dean's list at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2020 Fall Semester.

Undergraduate students are eligible for Dean's List if their GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40 for nine credit hours of traditionally graded coursework; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete," NE, D, or F; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Nicholas Kelly, of Byron, who is in the Software Engineering program.

Celia Mercovich, of Bergen, who is in the Physics program.

Erik Scharlau, of Alexander, who is in the Physician Assistant program.

Andrew Pickard, of Batavia, who is in the Software Engineering program.

Ava Vescovi, of Le Roy, who is in the Business Administration-Marketing program.

Bethany Zwolinski, of Corfu, who is in the Biomedical Sciences program.

Sophia Zwolinski, of Corfu, who is in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Tyler Henry, of Bergen, who is in the Illustration program.

Haley Scripp, of Le Roy, who is in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

Taylor Schofield, of Pavilion, who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Lauren Burke, of Bergen, who is in the applied mathematics program.

Amelia Pestillo, of Batavia, who is in the management information systems program.

Maddi Howard, of Elba, who is in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.

Cambria Kinkelaar, of Bergen, who is in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Alex Warren, of Corfu, who is in the Computer Science program.

Alex Rosse, of Byron, who is in the Computing Security program.

Grace Vogler, of Corfu, who is in the Business Administration-Management program.

Lily Mercovich, of Bergen, who is in the Film and Animation program.

Charlie Stevens, of Le Roy, who is in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

Melissa Mountain, of Batavia, who is in the Interior Design program.

David Lapierre, of Oakfield, who is in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

Rachel Schauf, of Batavia, who is in the Applied Arts and Sciences Program.

Brett Lubberts, of Linwood, who is in the Computer Science program.

Ella Frank-Doyle, of Batavia, who is in the Medical Illustration program.

Molly Huber, of Batavia, who is in the Robotics and Manufacturing Engineering Technology program.

Will Palmer, of Batavia, who is in the New Media Design program.

John Mercovich, of Bergen, who is in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Chase Roth, of Alexander, who is in the Mobile App Development program.

Charles Carroll, of Oakfield, who is in the Chemistry program.

Ethan Stone, of Batavia, who is in the Computer Engineering program.

Colin Hunt, of Batavia, who is in the Packaging Science program.

Matthew Pencille, of Le Roy, who is in the Biomedical Engineering program.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education programis one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

Tractor-trailer rear-ends big rig at Jackson and Ellicott streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A big rig just rear-ended another big rig at Jackson and Ellicott streets in the city and law enforcement is responding. One person is complaining of chest pain. Batavia fire Ladder #15 is on scene. Mercy medics are also responding.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: Fluids are leaking and Speedy Dry is called for; Engine #11 is en route with it.

UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: The city assignment is back in service.

Photo: Trucker Anthony Haught, from Texas, talks with someone from his company after being involved in the accident. 

LIVE: Interview with Batavia Muckdogs Manager Joey Martinez

By Howard B. Owens
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Interview with Batavia Muckdogs Manager Joey Martinez.

UPDATE: This interview went very well. Joey Martinez is clearly excited about the upcoming season and he revealed the three local players who will be part of the 2021 Batavia Muckdogs.

Caller complains dog on Hutchins Street left without food and shelter most of today

By Billie Owens

A police officer is responding to 100-200 block of Hutchins Street in the city for a complaint of a dog left outside for most of the day without food or shelter. It's 18 degrees outside and there has been light snow flurries off and on during the day.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: The officer located the canine and calls for an animal control officer to be dispatched to the scene. 

City Bureau of Inspection releases list of city plumbers who renewed their licenses for 2021

By Press Release

From the City Bureau of Inspection:

The following is the list of City of Batavia Plumbers who have obtained their 2021 Plumbing Renewal License to do plumbing in the City of Batavia:

Arthur Allen / (P) 382-3130
2927 Cuylerville Road, Leicester, NY 14481

Richard Biegasiewicz -- Biegasiewicz Plumbing / (P) 344-0051
2 Burke Drive, Batavia, NY 14020

Jason Brownlie / (P) 325-1290
100 Nassau St., Rochester, NY 14605

Anthony Cellino / (P) (716) 675-1111631
Bullis Road, Elma, NY 14059

Henry H. Cook Inc. / (P) 345-0915
3298 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Christopher Cook / (P) 345-0915
3298 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

James J. DeWald Mollenberg Betz / (P) (716) 614-7473
300 Scott Road, Buffalo, NY 14204

Douglas Diegelman -- Diegelman Plumbing LLC / (P) 356-3438
4995 Ellicott St., Batavia, New York 14020

Michael Dollendorf / (P) (716) 873-5000
140 Cooper Ave., Tonawanda, NY 44150

James Ficarella / (P) 409-5256
9531 Putnam Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Timothy Fortin & JW Danforth / (P) (716) 832-1940
300 Colvin Woods Parkway, Tonawanda, NY 14150

Joseph Grasso -- Hollingworth Enterprises / (P) (716) 913-0572
10891 Delevan Elton Road, Delevan, NY 14042

Ricky Hale -- Genesee Plumbing / (P) 343-3805
28 Swan St., Batavia, NY 14020

Warren Herdic -- Bath Fitter / (P) Office: (716) 839-6570 / (P) Cell (716) 913-5721
2851 Broadway St., #800, Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Jonathan Hlavaty -- Jon The Plumber LLC / (P) (716) 748-1123
1572 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209

Daniel Johnston / (P) (716) 474-0556
P.O. Box 728, Stafford, NY 14143

Matthew Kandefer / (P) (716) 893-8376
79 Fillmore St., Tonawanda, NY 14151

Richard Lovria / (P) 343-4852
150 Ross St., Batavia, NY 14020

Michael Mager / (P) 343-2678
8939 Alexander Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Robert Marvin -- Tradestar Mechanical / (P) 330-0356
195 Dewey Ave., Rochester, NY 14608

Patrick McBride
6110 Lake Ave., Wolcott, NY 15490

Carl McQuillen / (P) 768-2322
8171 E. Main Road, Le Roy, NY 14482

Fredrick Mruczek
1 Valle Drive, Batavia, NY 14020

Thomas Mruczek / (P) (716) 560-1913
3 Valle Drive, Batavia, NY 14020

Dave Muskopf -- MLP Plumbing & Mechanical / (P) (716) 681-6997
3198 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Mark Napoleone -- Napoleone Plumbing & Carpentry / (P) (716) 525-2781
6976 Kinne Road, Lockport, NY 14094

William J. Penepent -- Waters Plumbing / (P) Work 762-8687 / (P) Cell 409-6583
7182 Kenyon Ave., Basom, NY 14013

David Pero -- Charles R. Pero & Sons / (P) 343-7011
121 Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, NY 14020

John Pestillo -- Pestillo Plumbing Enterprises / (P) 469-1114
8486 Seven Springs Road, Batavia, NY 1402

Erich K. Postler / (P) 546-7450
615 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14620

Stephen Reddy -- Niagara Plumbing and Mechanical / (P) (716) 957-390415
Hazelwood Drive, Suite 108, Amherst, NY 14228

Alfred Rosemark / (P) 757-9291
27 West Ave., Elba, NY 14058

Brandon Seliger
2980 Pearl Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Gabriel Sepi Jr.
25 Ganson Ave., Batavia, NY 14020

Walter Szczesny -- WTS Plumbing / (P) 345-1697
3 Harrold Square, Batavia, NY 14020

Mark Taylor / (P) (716) 913-2023
8734 Stahley Road, East Amherst, NY 14051

Larry W. Toal / (P) 344-3839
3670 S. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Ryan Toal / (P) 344-3839
3670 S. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Joel Tucciarone -- The Plumber / (P) (716) 260-2389
77 Oriskany Drive, Suite C, Tonawanda, NY 14150

Francis Willett
180 Genesee St., Corfu, NY 14036

Farwell Drive resident, a 73-year-old veteran, keeps all of his neighbors' drives plowed

By Howard B. Owens

James Tillery is proud to know Mr. Wirt Fuller. Fuller is a veteran, and to Tillery, "a hero and an honest man."

The 73-year-old Fuller is also the guy who plows all of his neighbor's drives on Farwell Drive and some on Elm Avenue, too, Tillery said.

Tillary moved to Farwell Drive in 2016 and Fuller has been plowing the drives on Farwell every winter since at least then.

"He does it and puts pride into doing it and never asks for anything in return," Tillery said. "The best neighbor! It can be a total of zero visibility and he still braves the elements to make sure we are all clear of heavy snow and ice.

"Mr. Fuller has gone up and beyond just being a neighbor," Tillery added. "He is considered a personal friend to all of us in the Farwell neighborhood."

Photo submitted by James Tillery.

LIVE: Interview with Shawn Heubusch, chief of police, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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Interview with Shawn Heubusch, chief of police, Batavia.

Report of heavy smoke in Hickory Lodge at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

A possible structure fire, with heavy smoke, is reported at Hickory Lodge, College Village, 8170 Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

Town of Batavia fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: The apartment requires ventilation.

Photos: Around Batavia after overnight snowstorm

By Howard B. Owens

Three-year-old Matthew helps his father, Tom Cunningham, shovel snow on Kibbe Avenue.

Kathy Ferrara clears the sidewalk outside her business on East Main, Batavia's Original Pizzeria.

Dave Graney shoveling snow on Ellicott Avenue.

Elmwood Cemetery

Kibbe Park

Ellicott Street at Liberty Street

East Main Street

Snowman on Ganson Avenue

Law and Order: Woman of accused of brandishing knife at officer, man accused of forcibly touching a person

By Billie Owens

Alicia M. Lyons, 41, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: petit larceny; menacing a police officer; and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Lyons was arrested on Feb. 5 following an investigation of a larceny that occurred at 5:37 p.m. that day at the Kwik Fill on Jackson Street in the city. When confronted by law enforcement, Lyons allegedly brandished a knife toward a police officer. She was arrainged in city court and was due there on Feb. 10. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer John Gombos, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Lucas H. Benjamin, 69, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. He was arrested at about 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 28 after allegedly inappropriately touching an employee at a business on Bank Street in the city. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on March 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens.

Jason L. Jones, 49, of 76 Road, Brooktondale, is charged with: trespass; first-degree reckless endangerment; second-degree assault; and operating a vehicle with suspended registration. On Feb. 8, Jones was located on Jefferson Avenue in the City of Batavia and taken into custody without incident on an arrest warrant out of city colurt. The warrant stems from an incident on Dewey Avenue in Batavia that occurred at 5:25 a.m. Dec. 16. It is alleged that Jones struck a female with his vehicle during a domestic incident, causing injury to the victim. Jones was arraigned and put in jail on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond or $8,000 partially secured bond. Jones is due in city court March 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Alexander L. Baldwin, 32, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. He was arrested Feb. 8 after a fraud complaint on North Street in the city alleging that he was paid money for a construction job he never began. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is due back in court April 15. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer John Gombos.

James Erick James, 41, of West Creek Drive, Webster, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. He was arrested Feb. 12 on a warrant out of Town of Bergen Court and transported to Genesee County Court for virtual arraignment. His case stems from an incident (unspecified) that occurred at 4:43 p.m. on Dec. 14 on Route 33 in Bergen. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Daniel Myles Macleod, 33, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree; driving while intoxicated -- with a previous offense; circumventing a required ignition interlock device; refusal to take a breath test; speed not reasonable and prudent; and operating an unregistered motorcycle. Macleod was arrested Feb. 13 at 4:22 p.m. after an investigation of a  motor-vehicle accident that occurred at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 27 on Alleghany Road in Darien. Macleod was issued traffic tickets and is due in Town of Darien Court on April 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Patrick Thomas Fuhr, 61, of Union Street, Cheektowaga, is charged with: reckless driving; obstructing governmental administration in the second degree; failure to signal, operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a public highway; and aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree. At 4 p.m. on Jan. 29, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies attempted to contact Fuhr on Buffalo Road in Bergen, and he allegedly tried to flee the scene once they made contact. He is due in Bergen Town Court on March 3. The case was handled by Deputy Ryan Young.

Brandon C. Smart, 43, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with: harassment in the second degree; criminal trespass in the second degree; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Smart was arrested after a domestic incident on Liberty Street that occurred at 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 8. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due in city court on March 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Shaun Marquise Dukes, 39, of Elba Street, Rochester, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle in the first degree; unregistered motor vehicle; and uninspected motor vehicle. On Feb. 12 Dukes was arrested at 8:43 a.m. on Route 33 in Stafford after a traffic stop. It is alleged that Dukes was operating a motor vehicle and had a revoked non-driver indentification card with 27 suspensions/revocations. Dukes was released with appearance tickets and is due in Stafford Town Court on March 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Randy L. Ridd, 63, of Williams Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested after an investigation of an incident that occurred at a business on East Main Street in Batavia at 11:28 a.m. on Feb. 7. It is alleged Ridd took laundry detergent pods from a store without paying for them. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on April 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Alicia M. Lyons, 41, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested after an investigation of a larceny that occurred at 3:11 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Kwik Fill on Jackson Street in the city. She was released with an appearance ticket to be in city court April 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer John Gombos, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Cameron Jacob Sokolowski, 28, of River Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested Feb. 5 after a shoplifting complaint at a store on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia at 10:58 a.m. It is alleged he stole items from the store. He was taken to jail then released on an appearance ticket to be in Batavia Town Court on March 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Mathew Clor.

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