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Genesee Community College is pleased to announce that Benjamin J. Bonarigo Sr., Esq. will be the 55th commencement speaker for the college's graduating class of 2023. Mr. Bonarigo, a former trustee of GCC and a first-generation college graduate, will share his experiences and insights with the graduates during the ceremony which will take place on May 20 at 1 p.m. in the Richard C. Call Arena.

Born and raised in Batavia, Ben Bonarigo graduated from Batavia High School in 1975. He attained an Associate of Science Degree in Business from Genesee Community College (1977), a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo (1979), and his Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo (1982).

After passing the bar exam, he returned to his hometown and was the founding and managing partner of the Bonarigo & McCutcheon Law Firm, where he practiced law for 40 years and held various positions, including the attorney for the City and Towns of Batavia and the Village of Oakfield.

Ben was deeply involved in the betterment of his profession as President of the Genesee County Bar Association, a delegate to the N.Y.S Bar Association, a member of the Attorney Grievance Committee that governed the ethical behavior of attorneys, and a member of the Judicial Qualification Commission that screened and gave ratings to prospective judges.

Ben was an active member of his local community, serving on the boards of many civic organizations, including Notre Dame High School, Paulo Busti Cultural Foundation, Literacy Volunteers, Batavia Youth Football and the Holland Land Office Museum. He also coached little league baseball and football.

From 2011 to 2020, Ben served as a member of the Board of Trustees at GCC, where he was instrumental in the Capital campaign that raised over $5M that helped fund the college's Student Success Center, Richard C. Call Arena and numerous scholarships. He also advocated for a multi-phase renovation plan to College Village, GCC's apartment-style student residence.

Having retired from practice in 2020, Mr. Bonarigo resides in Batavia and Rushford Lake, NY and in Palm Harbor, Florida. He enjoys spending time with his wife of forty years, Diane, his three children and their spouses, and most of all, with his five grandchildren.

"I am honored to be speaking at Genesee Community College's commencement ceremony and to share my experiences with the graduating class of 2023," said Mr. Bonarigo. "I am proud of what the college has accomplished over the years, and I look forward to seeing the impact that these graduates will have in the future."

GCC President Dr. James M. Sunser stated, "We are thrilled to have Mr. Bonarigo as our 55th commencement speaker. His commitment to education and his contributions to GCC and the community make him an ideal choice for this special occasion."

A 21-year-old Batavia man accused of possessing a loaded firearm on school grounds turned over a short video -- under court order -- to the District Attorney on Wednesday that his attorney says will exonerate him.

The attorney, Zack Baisley, with an office in Gates, said his client authorized him to share information about the case with The Batavian after The Batavian reported his Grand Jury indictment on Thursday.

"My client is tired of seeing his name dragged through the mud for something he didn't do," Baisley said.

Delonta Rashid Sharif Curry was arrested in relation to an incident reported on Feb. 22, 2022, at 31 Washington Ave., Batavia, the location of St. Paul Lutheran School.  

Baisley was assigned to the case through the county's assigned counsel program (used when a public defender isn't available) to represent Curry.

Chief Shawn Heubusch declined to comment on the case given the ongoing nature of the investigation and pending criminal prosecution, and so far, Bataiva police have released little information about the case, so this narrative of events is based on information provided by Baisley without verification by Batavia PD.

At 8:30 p.m., according to Baisley, two girls went to the school grounds to fight, and there was a group of people there observing.  Two people, including his client, used their phones to video record the fight.

During the fight, somebody fired a weapon toward a group of people.  A person in that group, wearing a mask, returned fire.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Batavia PD investigators arrested Curry in October, and a grand jury indicted him this month on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C violent felony, and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a Class E felony. 

Baisley said his client had offered a snippet of the video he claims to have recorded during the incident, but police asked for the entire one-minute and 36-second video.  Curry declined to share the entire clip. In response to a subpoena, Curry and Baisley provided the entire video to the District Attorney.  Baisley believes Investigator Jason Ivison has since received the video and is reviewing it for evidence.

The video will show, Baisley said, along with a corroborating surveillance video from the school, that Curry was clearly not the person in the crowd with a gun.  He said Curry's voice can be heard on the video, and another person can be seen talking with him.  The surveillance, which was taken some distance from the incident, shows two people with phones making videos, and neither is the shooter. 

"I believe, ultimately, the DA will wind up dropping the case against my client," Baisley said.

Also arrested in connection with the incident was Lorenzo J. Baker, 19, of Batavia. Baker is facing a Grand Jury indictment on counts of attempted first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment.

He was arrested in April following a traffic stop that was followed by an Emergency Response Team raid of his residence at 36 Dellinger Ave. Officers reportedly found a loaded .32 caliber revolver in his possession.

City school taxes are expected to go up again this year.

School officials and board members seemed relieved that the increase was brought down from over 3 percent to a 1 percent increase, but it still potentially means an extra $22 a year in property taxes on a home assessed at $125,000.

The Batavia school board approved the proposed 2023-24 budget of $58.9 million with a tax levy of $19,888,991 during its meeting earlier this week. That levy is below the tax cap limit, and the budget is $4.1 million more than the 2022-23 budget, or 7.6 percent.

The Batavian asked Superintendent Jason Smith why the district has an increase at all, given nearly $4 million of additional revenues and recouping state Foundation aid after its absence the last couple of years.

“For context, our allowable tax cap is 8.42 percent, and the preliminary budget presented last week had just over a 3 percent levy increase.  Based on board feedback, the proposed levy has now been reduced to just over 1 percent.  There were a few factors driving this decision.  First, this budget calls for the addition of three school buses from our transportation contractor, which, if drivers can be hired, will reduce the time for our students (to be) on buses, which has been a source of community and family concerns and one which we have listened to,” Smith said.  “Second, our transportation contract will not be renewed at the end of next year, which means the entire contract is up for renewal and is subject to price increases.  We also fully expect the state mandate of electric buses and the related costs with this requirement to be passed down to districts by our future transportation contractor, further increasing costs. The district needs to plan carefully both now and for the future for these increased costs.”

“Additionally, we expect our tax cap for the 2024-25 budget to be negative, which would yield a tax decrease and reduced revenue, and the board and I are not interested in asking our voters to override the tax cap, which would require a 60 percent approval of voters, as opposed to a simple majority,” he said. “Seeking a just over 1 percent levy increase for the 23-24 budget will provide revenue for both the current and future needs of the district.

During this week’s board meeting, Rozanski brought up the option of leaving one or more of the six buses in the budget or removing them. He cut out three to show the cost savings and explained their need to the district. They would be helpful to alleviate some overcrowding on the current buses and, as Smith said, reduce the amount of time that students are on buses to and from school.

Board member Jennifer Lendvay questioned the validity of buying the buses if there aren’t drivers available for them, as Rozanski also indicated. As with employee shortages elsewhere, drivers have been difficult to find as well, he said. There were six buses in the initial budget, and three have been cut out for a reduction of $281,268.

The group ended up voting to accept the budget, which will be presented during a public hearing at 6 p.m. May 8 in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at BHS, 260 State St., Batavia.  District residents will then be able to vote on the budget, three propositions, and two board candidate seats up for election from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 16 at your designated polling site.

A 1 percent tax levy increase was made by cutting $427,746 from the preliminary levy of $20,316,737 through attrition of not replacing four retirements (saving $209,478) and the reduction of three bus purchases, for a total levy of $19,888,991.

Personnel expenses are to increase by $736,084 from last year to $20,845,750, and teacher support is to increase by $587,644 to $7,049,255. According to 2022 data, the average teacher salary is $61,263, plus benefits.

Total contractual costs (general support and teaching, operations/maintenance, interscholastic athletic) are slated to increase by $1 million, for a total of 5,481,864; debt service payments are going up by $781,547; and Rozanski also put 8 percent inflationary costs on the hook for overall increases. Total salaries for the district for 2023-24 are $27,894,975.

“So these 8 percent numbers are big numbers, but they’ve been pretty consistent,” he said. “We also had three to six STA extra buses in the first draft of the budget, to go back to pre-COVID levels where Jackson buses were just servicing Jackson students, and John Kennedy buses, John Kennedy students, all contingent upon their drivers being available. We’re still in trouble, we still struggle to find drivers, not only with STA but our other contractors. So this is an area that was looked at as a possible reduction. So we took out three buses and what's presented tonight, buses and monitors, each cost about $70-some thousand.”

The third proposition of the May vote is to establish a capital improvement reserve fund for the purpose of financing in whole or in part the “acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, renovation, alteration, and improvement of building, facilities, sites and real property” by the district for not greater than $10 million.

“This budget also addresses smart and conservative financial planning for future capital construction and maintenance needs for all of our buildings, Smith said. “Finally, and most importantly, this budget preserves our academic and extra-curricular programs.”

File photo of Student Transportation of America, the bus company serving Batavia City School District, by Howard Owens.

A two-car accident is reported at North Street and Bank Street, Batavia.

A police officer, first on scene, reports all occupants out of the vehicles and walking.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: No injuries.

Jessica L. Holtz, 39, of Austin Street, Rochester, was arrested on two bench warrants out of City Court. The first bench warrant stems from a petit larceny charge at Kwik Fill, 99 Jackson St., on Nov. 18, 2021. She was issued an appearance ticket at the time of her arrest on Nov. 27, 2021. She was subsequently arrested for alleged failure to appear on Feb. 2, 2022. She was arraigned in City Court and released. She was subsequently arrested on May 1 for alleged failure to appear. She was arrested again on Jan. 29 for alleged failure to appear and arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court, release status unknown.   The second warrant stems from a petit larceny from a church on South Swan Street on Nov. 27, 2021. She was arrested on a warrant on Feb. 2, 2022, arraigned in City Court and released. She was arrested on May 1 and on Jan. 29 for alleged failure to appear on that charge. She was again arrested on March 11 on both warrants. She was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court. Her release status is unknown.

Alexandro Rodriguez, 26,  of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Rodriguez allegedly violated an order of protection during a disturbance at a location on East Main Street on March 9 at an undisclosed time. He was arraigned in City Court on his own recognizance.

James N. Laurich, 37, of Buffalo Road, East Aurora, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, unlicensed driver, and open alcohol container in a motor vehicle. Laurich was arrested by Officer John Gombos on March 11 following an investigation into a disturbance at an undisclosed location and an undisclosed time. Laurich was stopped on Washington Avenue. He allegedly failed a field sobriety test. He was processed at Batavia PD and issued traffic tickets.

Carolyn L. Kurek, 80, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Kurek is accused of shoving another person during a disturbance on State Street at an undisclosed time on March 10. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Shawn Lewis Anderson, 42, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, unregistered motor vehicle, unlicensed operation, uninspected motor vehicle, and moving from lane unsafely.  Anderson was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Travis Demuth into a single-vehicle rollover accident on Linwood Road at 1:51 p.m. on March 14. Anderson was issued traffic tickets.

Steven Andrew Wasielewski, 39, of Phelps Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal contempt 1st and assault 3rd. Wasielewski is accused of violating an order of protection and hitting another person, causing an injury at 10:07 p.m. on March 19 at a location on Phelps Road in Pembroke. His release status was not provided.

Mark Samuel Robbins, 41, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd.  Robbins is accused of shoving one person and striking another during a disturbance reported at 9:44 p.m. on March 16 at a location on South Lake Avenue, Bergen.  Robbins was issued an appearance ticket.

Delonta R. Curry is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C violent felony, and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a Class E felony. Curry is accused of possessing a weapon on school grounds in the City of Batavia on Feb. 22 with the intent to use the weapon against another person.

James J. Santiago Jr., is indicted on one count of failure to register a change of address as a sex offender, a Class E felony. Santiago is accused of failure to notify the NYS Division of Criminal Justice of a change of address within the required 10 days for a registered sex offender in July.

Isaac C. King is indicted on counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony and aggravated family offense, a Class E felony. King is accused of making repeated phone calls to a victim in violation of a court order in December in the Town of Pembroke.

Jarrod K. Fotathis is indicted on counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of personal identification in the third degree., a Class A misdemeanor. Fotathis is accused of stealing a credit card in the City of Batavia on Sept. 2. He is also accused of stealing cash from the same victim. In a second indictment, Fotathis is indicted on counts of identity theft in the second degree, a Class E felony and petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Sometime on Feb. 3 or Feb. 4, Fotathis allegedly used a person's identity of a second victim to make purchases of $670.77 using that person's debit card. He also allegedly stole an Amazon Fire Stick. 

Jeffrey A. Hewitt is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. On Sept. 25, Hewitt was allegedly found in possession of a metal knuckle knife. On that date, he was allegedly driving a 2009 Infinity while his driving privileges were suspended or revoked. He was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. 

Rufus G. Johnson is indicted on a count of burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, and two counts of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Johnson is accused of entering Walmart at 4133 Veterans Memorial Drive on Oct. 8 with the intent to commit a crime inside the building. He is accused of stealing property while inside the store.

Johnnie M. Waston is indicted on a count of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony. Waston is accused of damaging the windshield of a 2017 Nissan Murano belonging to another person on July 21.

Jason S. Neth is indicted on counts of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, a Class E felony, and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, a Class E felony.  Neth is accused of restraining a person under circumstances that exposed the person to risk of serious physical injury in the Town of Darien on June 11. He is accused of operating a motor vehicle and having caused serious physical injury to another person and leaving the scene.

Seven months after approving the acquisition of property between Tonawanda Creek and Evans Street, Batavia Development Corporation received the word it hoped for: yes.

A somewhat unusual sale, this one involved the Town of Batavia, which owned the 4.26-acre parcel tucked behind and alongside the McCarthy ice arena.

Batavia Town Board approved the sale of land this week, and agreed to sell it to BDC for $1. It falls under the name Creek Park LLC, which is a subdivision of BDC, and will be marketed for land development. That is, after the  unknowns are known, she said.

“First step after closing is to initiate the Phase II sampling, which is necessary for determining if there is a presence of any pollutants,” Hathaway said Wednesday. “Once results of the sampling are received, the BDC will have a pathway to whether the parcel is to be marketed as a Greenfield or a Brownfield; each offering different developer incentives.”

An example is Savarino Companies, which went through Creek Park LLC for its Ellicott Station housing project. BDC worked to get that project into a Brownfield development, which is identified as potentially needing remediation to remove toxic materials, and also comes with financial incentives for doing so.

As for the town property, the BDC has not yet closed on it.

“The conveyance was approved by the Town of Batavia and is currently in the Permissive Referendum period,” she said. “This period will expire on April 18; an anticipated closing is to follow as soon as can be scheduled.”

BDC uses the city of Batavia’s planning initiatives “as our roadmap,” Hathaway said, and one is the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) study and program. Since the Creek Park area is vacant and underutilized, she said, the BOA has identified it as a “prime area” for redevelopment.

“The BOA program focuses on adaptive re-use of a site through environmental assessments, followed by clean-up efforts should the parcel be determined a Brownfield,” she said. “The Creek Park acquisition follows the mission of the BDC to encourage reuse of underutilized real estate.”

BDC voted to pursue purchasing the town property in August 2022.

Map provided by BDC.

When it comes to springtime fun in Batavia, everyone seems to be, ahem, hopping on board.

Batavia First Presbyterian Church recently announced its annual Easter egg hunt, brunch and visit from the Easter bunny beginning at 11 a.m. April 1 at 300 East Main St., Batavia.

And then, the church, led by Rev. Roula Alkhouri, and organizers of the Batavia Development Corporation Indoor Market, led by Director Tammy Hathaway, partnered to double the fun.

The market will be open with assorted vendors inside the City Centre concourse, plus there will be family-friendly activities such as face painting, a coloring contest, multiple games, and a bounce house.

The Easter Bunny is planning to look dapper and have pictures taken with visiting families, and perhaps also play some games. Easter Bunny fun begins at 11 a.m. at both venues and ends at 12:30 p.m.

Both sites will offer a passport for children to find specific Easter Bunny helpers to obtain stamps on their passports. Each stamp will earn the child an entry ticket for a chance to win an Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle shop gift certificate, Hathaway said.

Vendors are collaborating on a basket to raffle off during the event, and tickets and more details will be available that day at the market information table.

Pat Burk of Batavia Players, whose home theater is at City Centre, jumped on board as well. He said that he invited the Boy Scouts to participate and conduct their candy sale, and “I think we are doing popcorn and something else that day as well,” Burk said.

Add in some enthusiastic shoppers and energetic kids, and it’s “a recipe for a fantastically fun Saturday,” Hathaway said.

The indoor market’s hours are 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Batavia City Centre. 

File photo of the Easter Bunny during a past visit to Main Street, Batavia. 

You live and work and hope to be healthy enough to remain at home in those disputable golden years.

Yet, it far too often becomes a conundrum of finances if you’re not. How do you afford to hire a home health aide, and if you can, will there be one available?

New York State reportedly has the largest shortage of these aides in the country, and there’s been an ongoing battle of wages that’s not likely to go away. Yes, Gov. Kathy Hochul granted a much-needed $3 increase in last year’s budget in an effort to catch up with the flagging workers’ wages from a few stagnant years.

And in this year’s budget, advocates and agencies are rearing the bullhorns once again to appeal Hochul’s proposal to eventually prevent home health aides’ wages from ever exceeding a maximum, thereby remaining as a bottom minimum wage earner.

Hochul’s budget plan calls for the minimum wage, which is currently $14.20, to be indexed to inflation and capped at 3 percent annually. Home care advocates argue if the minimum wage reaches $18, direct care jobs would once again become low-wage positions and make it difficult for the state to attract new workers to the field. 

Issued from the New York Caring Majority: “As New York’s population ages and the home care worker shortage grows, Governor Hochul is throwing gasoline on a fire” the organization said in a statement. “This budget will ensure the state’s home care shortage will only deepen in the years to come.”

While that’s an umbrella agency for the state, the issue is not any less crucial right here in Genesee County. Office for the Aging Director Diana Fox has said previously that low wages and the demands of the job have meant waiting lists for her agency’s clients.

Home care workers perform a variety of tasks, including personal care such as bathing, assisting with toileting, dressing, food prep, some housekeeping, and maybe errands, it depends on the person’s needs, Fox said.

Those needs are only growing, she said.

“Fair pay for home care workers is a very important issue as the amount that workers currently make is not fair considering the responsibilities that they have and the vulnerable population they are assisting,” Fox said to The Batavian. “Locally, statewide and nationally, there are not enough home care workers to cover the demand. The Genesee County Office for the Aging provides casework staff that do assessments for people that utilize our services to determine if someone is eligible for such assistance, and we have a waitlist for home health workers.

“Given that, our aging population is continuing to increase. I don’t see the need likely to go down. I think that it takes special, committed people to do this kind of work, and while wages alone may not draw people to the field, it is important for people to have a livable wage and to be compensated in a way that supports them to stay in the field.”

And there’s the conundrum: A growing older population in need of care and the need for a larger workforce to care for them. A group of older adults visited Albany on Monday to deliver more than 8,000 letters demanding that the House and Senate reject the governor’s proposed budget and instead move to raise home care wages.

There was not a local contingent in Albany, but OFA has signed on to be part of advocacy efforts, Fox said. So there’s an avenue to help support the cause for aging.

There is also the other end of having to pay for workers, which becomes an issue of having enough personal savings or using insurance, if anything will even cover this need (many will not). And then build a network to find workers because they won’t just be waiting for you. This is not something to be left for those golden years, as decisions only become harder.

Often it will take a crisis to force the decision, and being proactive is really the better way to go. This reporter knows all about it, and the situation can be sad, scary, confusing, and even maddening at times. Prepare. Research. Get answers. Have a plan.

There are programs and resources available at OFA, YMCA GLOW, Richmond Memorial Library, AARP, Alzheimer’s Association, and your medical practitioner for maintaining one’s mental, financial and physical health.

For more information from OFA, call 585-343-1611.

File Photo of a senior home visit program through Genesee County OFA.

A suspect in a five-hour standoff at 46 Walnut St., Batavia, on Monday night,  is accused of taking a hostage and wielding a knife while barricading himself in an apartment he didn't live in.

Anthony Armstrong Jr., 34, of Rochester, is charged with burglary in the first degree, a Class B felony, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, a Class E felony, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a prior conviction) a Class D felony, menacing in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

The incident began at 5:08 p.m. with a hang-up 9-1-1 call.

When officers arrived at the location of the call, they learned Armstrong and a tenant in the complex were arguing and the tenant wanted Armstrong removed. While officers were interviewing the caller, Armstrong entered another apartment without permission of the resident and barricaded himself inside, holding the resident against the person's will. 

Armstong is accused of being armed with a knife. He reportedly made threats to harm himself and placed the victim in fear.

While inside, he allegedly damaged property and refused to allow the victim to call for help.

The Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiations Team were dispatched, and Sheriff's deputies responded to assist.

The New York State Police assisted, and the SWAT unit from Monroe County was requested to the scene.

An ERT member began making regular announcements over the unit's loudspeaker system, informing the suspect that he was under arrest and needed to exit the building with his hands in the air.

The victim managed to escape the apartment through an upstairs window and was helped to safety by officers.

Shortly after 10 p.m., officers were able to enter the apartment and take Armstrong into custody.

Armstrong was taken to a Mercy EMS ambulance and transported to UMMC for evaluation.  He was then taken into police custody and arraigned in City Court. He was ordered held in the Genesee County Jail.

A statement from police reads, "The City of Batavia Police Department wishes to thank the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County 911 Center, Mercy EMS, City of Batavia Fire Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, Genesee County Office of Emergency Management and Genesee County Mental Health for their assistance in helping to bring this situation to a safe resolution."

Previously: ER Team on site issuing an arrest to person inside Batavia residence

An Emergency Response Team is on-site at a residence on Walnut Street in Batavia and has issued repeated warnings to an occupant that "you are under arrest."

"Exit the residence immediately," a member of the team said through a public address system around 8:40 p.m. Monday. 

The occupant cannot be seen inside the property.

Law Street and the roundabout are closed to traffic. 

UPDATE 10:26 p.m.: Press Release

Currently the City of Batavia  Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, are investigating an incident on Walnut Street that began at approximately 5 p.m.

Initial call to the Genesee County 911 Center was a 911 hang-up call. Upon investigation by our officer it was determined that a crime was in progress. Officers attempted to interview an individual, however the individual retreated into an apartment and barricaded themself inside. The individual was armed with a weapon at the time of contact.

At this time all tenants of the apartment house have been evacuated and there is no threat to the general public. Officers are actively trying to negotiate with the individual to get them to surrender peacefully. All residents in the area are asked to remain indoors until the incident is resolved.

Further information will be released when the incident is brought to a resolution.

UPDATE 10:28 p.m.: Suspect is in custody and being treated in an ambulance on site. 

UPDATE 10:35 p.m.: Press Release

 At approximately 10 p.m. a male suspect was taken into custody.  The investigation is ongoing and the Batavia Police Department will release more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE 12:10 a.m. (By Howard Owens): Shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday, police were dispatched to 46 Walnut St., Batavia, following a 9-1-1 hang up call. The first officers on the scene determined a possible crime was in progress. Officers attempted to interview an individual at the address. The individual retreated into a second-floor apartment and barricaded himself or herself inside.  Police report the individual was armed with an unspecified weapon.  All of the tenants of the complex were evacuated.  Police stated during the incident that there was no threat to the general public. Officers attempted to negotiate with the individual.  The Emergency Response Team was dispatched. Batavia PD also deployed its MRAP. Eventually, the Monroe County SWAT unit also arrived on scene with two armored vehicles. Genesee County Emergency Management responded with its command unit. Emergency Management deployed its drone over the scene. A K-9 was also observed at the scene. Negotiators from Batavia PD and the Sheriff's Officer were on scene. At about 10 p.m., the subject was taken into custody. The process by which he was taken into custody is not known at this time and was not visible to a reporter observing the scene. The charges against the individual, if any, have not been released at this time.  After the subject was in custody, he was placed in a Mercy EMS ambulance for evaluation.  It's unknown if the subject was taken to a hospital.

The Batavian's exclusive photos from the scene by Howard Owens.  The photos show the SWAT team from Monroe County outside 46 Walnut St., Batavia.

Press Release:

The Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club was well-represented at the Finger Lakes Region 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest on Saturday, March 18 in Jordan Hall in Geneva. 4-H youth from across the Finger Lakes region competed in the event. Dairy Bowl is a Jeopardy-style competition that tests participants knowledge of dairy cattle facts, including breeds, equipment, nutrition and more. Top placing participants will have the opportunity to represent the region at the state level contest later this year. 

Dairy Bowl Results:

• 3rd Place Beginner Team: Gia Zuber, Lilia Buckenmeyer, Veronica Wolcott and Lucy Kimball.
• 3rd Place Junior Team: Owen Kimball, Tate Zuber and Annalise Sybertz.
• 2nd Place Beginner Individual: Veronica Wolcott

The Genesee County 4-H Program is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18.  New 4-H youth members, adult volunteers and clubs are always welcome to join.  For information about how to join the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040 ext. 101.  Enrollment information is also available on our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu

Submitted Photo of Genesee County 4-H Dairy Bowl participants, from left, Gia Zuber, Owen Kimball, Lilia Buckenmeyer, Tate Zuber, Lucy Kimball, Annalise Sybertz, and Veronica Wolcott.

A sports memorabilia show held once a month at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia continues to grow, said co-founder Norm Pimm at Sunday's show.

All 70 available vendor tables today were filled, and two hours into the six-hour event, Pimm estimated attendance already exceeded 1,000.

"We already have our April and May dates already booked," Pimm said. "So until they start the renovation of the hotel, we're gonna be here, and then hopefully they can squeeze us in and during the renovation, or we'll be back after."

The idea for the show started with a conversation between Pimm and Jen Oberlis, who owns a sports collectibles store in Spencerport.  Oberlis thought there might be a market for a collectibles show in Batavia, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester.

A lifelong collector who had been going to collectible shows for a while, Pimm introduced his son Brendan to the hobby.

"A couple of years ago, he got into collecting sports cards, and we would work together on it," Pimm said. "I was like, 'oh, let's get him into doing what I would do when I was his age, and he could make a bit of money for college or whatever he wants to do. So we started doing some shows and then decided to have one set in Batavia."

If the event keeps growing -- this was its fifth month -- the way it has been, Pimm anticipates expanding into an adjoining conference room at the hotel, which would mean the addition of up to 100 more vendors.

Photos by Howard Owens

Press release:

Rochester Regional Health‘s United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) achieved Magnet recognition in March, a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. The Magnet Recognition Program® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

Just 595 U.S. healthcare organizations out of over 6,000 U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition.  UMMC now joins other RRH hospitals that have a proud history of Magnet achievement, including Rochester General, Unity, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic and Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, and our Primary Care and Ambulatory Specialty Institute (PCASI), which was the first primary care organization in the nation to achieve this prestigious designation.

“Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care,” said Sheri Faggiano, Chief Nursing Officer for United Memorial Medical Center. “Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our community. It’s also tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to providing the very best care to our patients.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership, coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Photos via UMMC

The initial report was for involving a room and its contents.

The fire has reportedly spread into the attic.

All occupants are reported to be out of the house.

City Fire responding.  The second and fourth platoons have been recalled.

UPDATE 3:10 a.m.: Fire knocked down, checking for extension.

UPDATE 3:37 a.m. by Joanne Beck: The cause is reportedly unknown at this time, but the fire is believed to have originated outside of the house. The cause is under investigation.

UPDATE 3:53 a.m. (by Howard): National Grid requested to the scene.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers will host the 102nd “Great Batavia Train Show & Sale” along with the “Batavia Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet” on Sunday, March 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Richard C. Call Arena, Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia.

Admission: $6 (Adults), $3 (under 18 yrs.), Free (under 13 yrs.)

The popular train show typically attracts 1,200 to 1,500 model railroad enthusiasts and railfans from across Western and Central NY, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. There are over 100 vendors occupying 250 tables offering merchandise ranging from antique railroad artifacts to the most modern digitally controlled model trains.

The GSME began hosting Train Shows in the early 70s at the Holland Land Office Museum. The bi-annual show has steadily grown to become one of the premiere events of its kind in Western New York.

The train club hosts two shows each year, a Spring show and a Fall show. A free Open House is held, typically, on the first Saturday of December at the Club’s facilities in Oakfield, where club members maintain operating layouts in O Gauge (Lionel), HO & N scale.

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers is located at 50 Main Street (Rte. 63), Oakfield, N.Y. (above the M&T Bank) and is open Tuesdays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Business meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month. Visit www.gsme.org. Like us on Facebook. Visitors welcomed. (Stair access only.)

File photo by Howard Owens.

Cambria Orbaker, 10, of Pavilion, and Audryana Schulman, 6, of Batavia, had fun seeing the Easter Bunny at Oliver's Candies on Saturday in Batavia, along with visiting the petting zoo.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Noah Logsdon, 2 1/2, of Batavia, enjoyed feeding the animals in the petting zoo.

Hazel is a baby kangaroo.

We all know -- or should -- that Sherman burned Atlanta, but like all historical characters who have become more myth than human, there is more to General William Tecumseh Sherman than his march to the sea during the Civil War.

The Ohio native was an intellectual, insightful man with a keen understanding of human character, said Derek Maxfield, a GCC history teacher who has written a 160-page biography of Sherman.

GO ART! hosted a reception on Friday evening to celebrate the release of "Man of Fire," published by Savas Beatie as part of the Emerging Civil War Series. 

"Somebody like Sherman is a lot more complex than what popular culture makes him out to be, and that was part of one of the reasons I wanted to write this book," Maxfield said. "Here's a character who is not that simple."

In popular culture, Sherman is remembered for burning nearly all of Atlanta to the ground on Nov. 15, 1864, largely because of Gone with the Wind. From Atlanta, Sherman marched his Union soldiers to Savannah (the March to the Sea) as they destroyed everything in their path.

"I think one of the tasks of a good biographer is to make somebody more human, make them more easily understood," Maxfield said.

It as tough, Maxfield said, capturing somebody as complex as Sherman in 40,000 words, but he thinks he's produced the best short biography yet of the Union general.

This is the first biography written by Maxfield but his second book.  Previously, he wrote "Hellmira: The Union's Most Infamous Civil War Prison."

Among Sherman's more positive traits, Maxfield said, was his intellectual strength.

"He used to love to quote Shakespeare, so he was very literate, and I think that part of him is lost," Maxfield said. "He is known as this arsonist and barbarian, at least to the South, and even some of his partisans want to remember him that way. I think it does him a disservice because he's probably the most intellectual of all of the generals in the Union Army.

"I also think that he had a deeper understanding of people than many in the administration, perhaps save Lincoln. I think that, ultimately, that understanding of human nature is one of the keys to the Union victory because he could understand how to break the will of the Confederacy and end the war sooner."

The most unredeemable aspect of Sherman's life, Maxfield said, came after the Civil War.

"I think you have to be careful judging people of another time and place by 21st-Century values, but the thing that punches me in the gut is he's the author of a federal policy in the late 19th Century to kill the buffalo in order to subdue the Plains Indians," Maxfield said. "That's the one that I find the most unredeeming."

The book, Maxfield hopes, will find an audience among people with an emerging interest in the Civil War while also appealing to people who have already read a good deal about the war between the states.

"I always envisioned it as a general audience book for somebody who might not even know a lot about the Civil War," Maxfield said. "I was aiming kind of broadly, but certainly anybody who has an interest in the Civil War, I would hope that they would find this of value."

For more about the book, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens. First and second photos, Derek Maxfield.

Tracy Ford, actor and teacher, dressed above as Sherman, wrote an essay published at the end of the book entitled "Becoming Sherman."  He's signing a copy for fellow actor Daniel Snyder, who played Arthur Brisbane in the one-act play written and produced by Derek Maxfield, Brothers at Odds: The Brisbane Story