batavia

Seniors at Batavia High School this year will not only be afforded the privilege of reserved parking spaces in the student lot, they will be able to paint their designated spot with just about any design they like.

Overall, board members for the City School District loved the idea, presented by the executive council of the Class of 2018, but requested some modifications from the original idea before approving it.

"With a personalized parking spot, the students are able to reserve their spots and then express their individuality, which is really meaningful as maturing young adults," said student Mikey Lullo.

The students said there would be three options for students. The first costs the student nothing -- they get an assigned spot that will remain black asphalt throughout the year. The second option allows them to reserve a spot for $10, but they can't personalize it. The sweet spot, painted and personalized, would be $15.

The project is a fundraiser for the Class of 2018.

The original proposal would make all options available to all students who drive to school and students paying $15 would be able to select three possible spots, which would then be assigned randomly from those choices.

Because it's the first year, the board thought painted spots should be reserved for seniors and all spots should be selected at random.

"I love this kind of stuff," Board Member Peter Cecere said. "I think the finished product looks amazing."

Then he raised concerns about how slots would be selected.

"While I'd like to give everybody at least one of their top three choices, that's just not going to work," Cecere said. "Inevitably you're going to have a kid complaining because 'hey this kid's got this and I paid the same amount of money.' "

Trustee Shawna Murphy wondered if the privilege might be tied to academic performance or attendance, but the feeling was that would add another level of complication. She also expressed concern that in this climate, the painted slots would look dingy over the course of the year.

The students said they researched schools in similar climates and found with the right paint, it hasn't been a problem. They also said the paint acts as a sealant, which helps protect the surface of the parking lot.

At the end of the year, the students would be responsible for painting over, with black paint, the customized student spots.

While students who wish to personalize parking spots must get a sketch approved by school administrators, the council said they will also help watch over the parking lot.

Cecere expressed concern about vandalism and bullying associated with customized slots. The students hope security cameras and their vigilance will help tap down these issues.

"We're going to be there and we take it upon ourselves to monitor everything, us being the executive council," said Lauren Leone. "We are there to check everyone's paint and make sure it's being respectful."

Murphy asked how the council knew this was something they knew their fellow students wanted.

Lullo said the idea has been a big hit on social media.

"This has gone around multiple times and there has been positive feedback from pretty much the majority of the school who is on social media saying 'oh we wish we have this' and 'this would be so cool,' " Lullo said. "They said, 'this is so great, we want this.' So we kind of took it and ran with it."

Top Photo: Lauren Leone.  Bottom photo: Kiara Cherry, Amand Patel and Mikey Lullo.

Video about a similar program at a high school in Lebanon, Ind.

Wednesday, July 19th - “Children’s Day - 4-H Family Night” Kids ride special $5 wrist bands 1-4pm

• 9am Open Draft Horse Show - Halter Class (Horse Ring)
• 10am 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest (4-H Dairy Barn)
• 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 10am-2pm Home Depot Kid’s DYI Workshop (Entertainment Tent)
• 12pm 4-H Sheep Show (Show Ring)
• 12:30pm Small Fry Tractor Pill (Exhibition Building)
• 1pm Open Draft Horse Show - Hitch Class (Horse Ring)
• 1-4pm Midway Opens for Special Kid’s Day - $5 Ride Wrist Bands (Amusement Area)
• 2-4pm Balloon Animal Demonstrations (Exhibition Building)
• 4-10pm Midway Open (Amusement Area)
• 5pm 4-H Hog Show (Show Ring) 
  Open Swine Show to follow 4-H (Show Ring)
• 6pm Fair Queen Pageant (Entertainment Tent Stage)
• 6pm 4-H Poultry (Merton Building)
• 7:30pm 4-H Barn Dance (Show Ring)
• 10pm - Exhibit halls & buildings close

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.​

UPDATED at 9:47 p.m.

Batavia PD investigators took less than a day to identify a suspect in a knife attack on a person overnight on East Main Street.

Arrested this afternoon was JW Hardy III, 30, of 216 Liberty St., Batavia.

He is charged with assault in the first degree and gang assault, 1st.

He was jailed without bail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Under NYS Penal Code, the charge of gang assault does not mean that the person charged is a member of an organized, ongoing, criminal enterprise. It does mean that the police suspect was aided by two or more other people in perpetrating an attack that caused serious physical injury.

Chief Shawn Heubusch said that right now police believe there was at least more than one person involved.

As for any possible actual gang membership for Hardy, Heubusch said, "There is no reason to believe he is involved in any organized criminal enterprise."

The attack was reported at 1 a.m. in the area of 318 E. Main St., Batavia.

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim who had a severe laceration to his upper arm, lying on the ground.

The victim was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. He reportedly had serious injuries.

Based on evidence and witness statements at the scene, police said earlier today that the victim had been beaten and slashed with a knife by at least one person.

Police reported at the time of the release that one person was being questioned in connection with the attack.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department Detective Bureau at (585) 345-6350 or the Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370.

(Photo of HP Hood Chairman John A. Kaneb taken this afternoon at his company's new processing facility in Batavia's Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.)

With existing plants at capacity and demand growing, HP Hood was looking for a facility the company could get up and running quickly for long-shelf-life dairy and nondairy products, said its Chairman John A. Kaneb today in an exclusive interview with The Batavian at the company's new processing facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. 

The plant was built in 2012 for $206 million as a joint venture between PepsiCo and Theo Muller Group and became known as the Quaker Muller Dairy plant.

Now, it's the HP Hood plant, which Hood acquired June 30 from Dairy Farmers of America for $54 million.

Kaneb said Hood knows Upstate New York well -- with four existing plants -- and knew the area had a good supply of raw milk, so when the plant became available, Hood took a keen interest.

"This plant happens to be located fairly well for us -- not ideally -- but fairly well," Kaneb said.  "The availability of the plant, that overcame a lot of, let's say, whatever reluctance we would have because we have to do a lot of very expensive repurposing here. We're moving from a plant that was designed for mass production of lots of yogurt to two fluid products. So that there were some warts and such, but we're very happy to be here."

The staff at Genesee County Economic Development Center made the whole process easy, understood it needed to be expedited, and that added to Hood's interest in locating in Genesee County, Kaneb said.

"Your economic development people here are superb," Kaneb said. "I mean they really are good and they're knowledgeable and they're friendly to business. Hopefully, we will not disappoint them."

Scott Blake, senior vice president of operations for HP Hood, added that the GCEDC staff provided a wealth of information on the area, businesses, and people, which helped them get comfortable with the decision to open a plant here.

HP Hood has committed to creating 230 jobs at the plant. They will take on the original PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) agreement signed by Muller Quaker to receive $7 million in tax abatements over 10 years. The state is also providing a $2 million capital grant from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

If employment goals are met, Hood is also eligible for $5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits. 

The 170-year-old, Lynnfield, Mass.-based company is adding 100,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space to the plant, which is already 363,000 square feet. After the expansion, with retooling the plant, and the purchase price, Hood will have sunk nearly $200 million into the new facility by the time it goes into production in early 2019.

There has been a rumor recently that the Hood plant could eventually employ 500 people. That's too far down the road to think about, Kaneb said, and he doesn't want to promise that level of growth. He believes they will hit the 230 employee target, but in the first priority is hiring 140 people over the next 12 months.

"I think we're we're confident that it will be reached, but I don't want to get into when we get to 230 or 250 or whatever," Kaneb said. "As far as going beyond that, I hope so. I will tell you that the only other situation that's halfway comparable to this is a greenfield plant we built from the ground up in Winchester, Virginia. We built that in basically 2000 to 2001. Today, 17 years later, here it is employing about 600 people. This plant has the acreage and, et cetera, et cetera, to do something like that, but that took 17 years."

(For photos of the Winchester plant, click here.)

Kaneb is a former Navy man. He graduated from Harvard in 1956, before joining the Navy, with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He acquired a controlling interest in Gulf Oil, tripled its sales to $4.5 billion, and got out of the business in 2005.

The Kaneb family acquired HP Hood in 1985.

It was almost happenstance that the family got into the dairy business, Kaneb said. The only way to grow the oil business was through acquisition, and with growth opportunities limited, they were sitting on excess capital that needed to be put to work. Hood was a great brand and as a native New Englander, Kaneb grew up drinking HP Hood milk. So did his children. But the company had fallen on hard times.

"(Hood) was a company with a great reputation and a great name," Kaneb said. "It was in some difficulty. In fact, a lot of difficulty. As we looked at we thought it might benefit from management that was highly motivated and with energy, et cetera. We thought we could bring some money to the table. We said, 'you know this isn't the business we know but it doesn't look like a complex business. It looks like a basic blocking and tackling business.' "

Since the acquisition, HP Hood has grown to $2 billion in annual sales and has opened new facilities around the Northeast and around the country, such as Virginia, California and Minnesota.

Hood’s portfolio includes its own brands and licensed products. The familiar names include Crowley Foods, Simply Smart Milk, Heluva Good!, Lactaid, Baileys Coffee Creamers, Hershey's Milk and Milkshakes, and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze.

When the Kaneb family took over Hood, they replaced much of the management, though they also identified some bright young talent, such as Blake, Kaneb said. Since then, Hood's executive team has been stable.

"(Blake) is certainly one of those stars who could take on more responsibility," Kaneb said. "We found those who had the skills that have helped us build the company into what it is today," Kaneb said. "It's really common sense, frankly, having a true partnership with your employees. If you want to put a motto on it, how we as owners look at the business and the employees, is that 'You take care of us, we take care of you.' Very simple."

Kaneb said he thinks that approach has been good for the company and it's what potential employees can expect in Batavia.

"You take care of us, we take care of you," Kaneb repeated when asked about company culture. "I mean, do your job and do it well and then you'll find the company will appreciate it and take care of you. We prize low turnover and we have low turnover, I would say, very low turnover, at every level."

As for the kind of corporate citizen Hood will be in Batavia, Kaneb said getting involved in the community is something Hood will strive to do, but the first order of business is getting the plant into production.

"First of all, get our business set up," Kaneb said. "We need to get to the level of employees we need to get going. I would call that, from my Navy days, as the shakedown period. Then we can be open to being a reasonably active corporate citizen. I don't think it's a great idea for us to do anything but get ourselves comfortable here, with the employees we need, and get our production going and so on. That should be our sole activity for the foreseeable future."

Press release:

Officials at Genesee Community College would like to remind local citizens that the deadline for the New York State Excelsior Scholarship Program is this Friday, July 21, with all applications for the 2017-2018 academic year due.

Qualified students interested in taking advantage of the program for the upcoming fall semester must:

• Be residents of New York State;
• Plan to attend a SUNY (or CUNY) two- or four-year degree program;
• Maintain good academic standing;
• Complete 30 credits per year and make timely progress toward graduation;
• Be on track to graduate with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years.

To apply, new or returning college students must have copies of their 2015 New York State income tax return(s), current unofficial academic transcript showing credits earned each year, and the most recent financial aid package and/or 2017-2018 Student Aid Report (SAR) available will aid in the application process.

When fully implemented, the Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, is expected to allow 200,000 students to attend a State University of New York (SUNY) college tuition free. Tuition-free college can begin this fall 2017 semester for students whose families make up to $100,000 annually and extend to those making $125,000 annually by 2019.

To apply for the Excelsior Scholarship or obtain further information, visit www.HESC.ny.gov.

Alternatively, the new Student Success Center at GCC's Batavia Campus is now OPEN! New students can also attend a START (Student Testing Advisement Registration Tuition) Day to take care of all of the necessary steps to gain admittance to GCC. Students can meet with one of the College's new success coaches who offer assistance every step of the way! Anyone in need of assistance filing for FAFSA should bring 2015 tax information.

START Days are scheduled every Monday and Wednesday through July 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. at all GCC campus locations. To schedule an appointment, call the Student Success Center at (585) 345-6805 or the campus location nearest to you.

The fall semester at GCC officially begins on Monday, Aug. 21! The full semester of courses runs for 16 weeks, and classes are available at all of GCC's seven campus locations, as well as online.

• Albion, 456 West Ave. /585-589-4936
• Arcade, 25 Edward St. / 585-492-5265
• Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800
• Dansville, 31 Clara Barton St. / 585-335-7820
• Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226
• Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688
• Warsaw, 115 Linwood Ave. / 585-786-3010
• Online, gcconline@genesee.edu, www.genesee.edu/offices/online/ / 585-345-6969

With GCC's extensive offering of class times and locations, students of all ages can pick the right time, day or place that meets their needs and suits their schedules.

To apply online for classes at any Genesee Community College campus location, students can go to the College's Admission Web page at http://www.genesee.edu/Admissions or call the Admissions office at 585-345-6800.

Press release from the City of Batavia Police Department:

On  Tuesday, July 18th, at approximately 1 a.m., officers responded to 318 E. Main St. for the report of a subject outside who had been assaulted.

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim who had a severe laceration to his upper arm, lying on the ground.

Officers rendered aid by applying a tourniquet to the victim until EMS arrived. 

The subject was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with serious injuries.

Officers were able to obtain statements from witnesses and evidence that indicated the victim was stabbed by another male subject and beaten by at least one other person during the altercation.

It is not yet known how or why the altercation began and officers are currently interviewing witnesses and completing follow-up investigations.

The investigation into this incident is active with at least one person being interviewed at this time as a possible suspect.

The victim is listed in serious condition at Strong Memorial Hospital at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department Detective Bureau at (585) 345-6350 or the Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370.

Information can also be submitted via the Police Department website by clicking here.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Blue Devils Head Coach Brennan Briggs has been leading a two-day summer football camp for young players in grades one through eight at Batavia High School. The camp features various offensive and defensive drills to help the kids learn football fundamentals.

Today winds up with a flag football game, pizza and a T-shirt for each participant.

UPDATE: Submitted group photo from the end of the camp

Lauren Brick says "Tucker" is just like part of the family and she's missing him terribly since he went missing yesterday in the Slusser Road area of East Pembroke.

He's super friendly, she said, and doesn't bark. He has a pizza collar. Call Lauren at (585) 300-8795 if you can help find Tucker.

The 178th annual Genesee County Fairgrounds turn out to be a great showing on opening night for the grand parade that marched through the grounds.  

For a complete schedule of daily events click here: http://gcfair.com/Home/FairInformation/DailySchedule.aspx

Tuesday, July 18th Senior Citizens Day/Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center

• 9am 4-H Horse Show—Western Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9am 4-H Market Hog Show (Show Ring)
• 10am Open Class Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 11am-1pm Home Depot Veterans DYI Workshop (Entertainment Tent)
• 12pm 4-H Market Lamb Show (Show Ring)
• 5-10pm Midway Opens (Amusement Area)
• 4-10pm Faith at the Fair - Christian Music (Entertainment Ring)
• 6pm North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch (Horse Ring)
• 6pm 4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 6:30pm 4-H Market Steer Show (Show Ring)
• 10pm Exhibit halls & buildings close

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.​

Dalton C. Kelley, 19, of Chase Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Kelly allegedly damaged garage windows and pushed or threatened to harm other individuals during a disturbance on Chase Park at 6:55 p.m., Saturday. Kelley was also charged with harassment, 2nd, for allegedly striking a person at the same location at 4:42 p.m., Sunday.

Matthew D. Novak, 28, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, criminal mischief, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd. Novak was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident reported at 1:30 a.m., April 12. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Darazian W. Williams, 24, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Williams was arrested following a traffic stop at 6:30 p.m. July 9 on Law Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Melvin C. Tolbert-McDonald, 21, of Seward Street, Rochester, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Tolbert-McDonald is accused of striking another person several times and choking that person during a disturbance reported at 6:31 p.m. Saturday at a location on Pearl Street, Batavia.

Bonnie L. Cortright, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Police responded at 11:15 p.m. to 122 Summit St., Batavia, for a report of people being inside a vacant home. Also charged were Sabrina Higgins, 22, and Thomas Preedom, 29. Preedom, a parolee, was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Casey J. Halsey, 37, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Police responded to a report of a disturbance on Redfield Parkway at 4:34 a.m., Saturday. Halsey allegedly refused to leave a residence. He was jailed on $7,500 bail.

Willie Frank Irvin II, 35, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, speeding in zone, and tailgating. Irvin was stopped at 2:37 a.m. Sunday on East Main Street, by Officer Arick Perkins.

A fight involving about a dozen people is reported on Summit Street between Washington Avenue and East Main Street. City police just arrived on scene.

Chris Kaboingo, 28, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th. Kaboingo was arrested following a property damage accident at 7:29 p.m. May 25 on Alexander Road, Alexander. He was allegedly found in possession of amphetamine pills. He was arraigned July 11 and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also charged was Darazian Willie Paul Williams, 24, of West Main Street, Batavia. Williams was also cited for alleged failure to keep right.

Alexander Albert Chandler, 25, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate plate lamp. Chandler was stopped at 9:50 p.m. Friday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Michael Lute.

Riley Kristine Davis, 20, of Gilbert Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. Davis is accused of shoplifting from a business on Veterans Memorial Drive at 12:11 p.m. on July 10. Davis allegedly stole jewelry. 

Nasir Chalee Nathan, 21, of Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Nathan was allegedly found in possession marijuana while in a parking lot off Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 12:43 p.m. on July 10 by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jessica Ann Shiltz, 33, Claybed Road, Filmore, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. At 12:27 a.m., July 13, Deputy Ryan DeLong observed a vehicle stopped at the side of the road on Colby Road, Darien. Upon investigation, Shiltz was found to be allegedly driving drunk. She was jailed on $250 bail.

Jay'von D Spivey, 18, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and resisting arrest. Spivey is accused of stealing a bicycle. He allegedly pulled away and resisted when police attempted to place him in custody. He was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Gregory Seppe, 59, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, burglary, 2nd, and conspiracy, 4th. Gregory Seppe was arrested with Brandon Seppe, 33, when the two men were allegedly found leaving the area of a reported burglary. Both were held without bail.

Olivia J. Paganin, 28, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and motor vehicle with lights that do not meet standards. Paganin was stopped at 1:15 a.m., July 1, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Sheryl A. Jeffery, 58, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Jeffery allegedly struck a registered nurse while being treated at UMMC.

A 38-year-old Batavia man is being accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on three separate occasions.

Jason M. Giuliani, of Oak Street, was arrested at the Genesee County Jail, where he is being held on unrelated charged.

Giuliani is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges are Class B felonies.

Bail was set for Giuliani on these charges at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

MONDAY, JULY 17th “Emergency Responder Night” 

• 9am 4-H Horse Show—English Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9am Goat Show (Show Ring)
• 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 11am 4-H Beef Cattle Show (Show Ring)
• 12pm Open Beef Show (Show Ring)
• 12pm 4-H Dairy Cattle Fitting Clinic & Contest (4-H Dairy Barn)
• 5:30pm PARADE LINE-UP – Genesee Speedway Pits (Fairgrounds)
• 6:30pm GENESEE CO. FAIR GRAND PARADE through the Fairgrounds
• 7pm - Karaoke (Entertainment Tent)
• 9pm Outdoor Movie (Hill behind Parmelee Building)

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.​

A "physical disturbance" is reported in the area of 110 Evans St. City police are responding.

A caller reported seeing kids playing on train tracks near Wortendyke Road, Batavia, including lying on the tracks while a train was coming. 

Deputies are dispatched. 

CSX is now holding a train to give deputies a chance to search the area. 

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A person in law enforcement informs dispatch about a graduation party in the area and kids from the party going up to the tracks.

Public Notice:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Genesee County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the submission of an application for Community Development Block Grant funding from the New York State Office of Community Renewal to provide financing to assist in the establishment of milk processing operations at the former Muller Quaker Dairy facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in the Town of Batavia, New York by HP Hood LLC.  More detailed information regarding the project will be presented at the hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the public hearing will be held at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY on the 19^th day of July, 2017 at 5:30 PM. All persons who wish to speak will be heard. Written comments are invited and will be accepted upon delivery to: Clerk, Genesee County Legislature, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 prior to the hearing. The hearing location is in compliance with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is on location of a water main break in front of 129 Walnut St. The water has been turned off on Walnut Street from the railroad tracks to the City line, and also on Law Street. We appreciate your understanding while this repair is made. City crews will make every attempt to restore water as soon as possible.