batavia

Jason W. Whitehead Jr., 22, of Batavia, and Dakota E. Woodruff, 20, of Olean, were arrested after a motor-vehicle accident on Route 19 in the Town of Covington on June 24 (time not provided). Whitehead was driving a 2003 Suburu Legacy eastbound when he allegedly failed to negotiate a left-hand curve at the intersection of Court Road. According to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office report by Sgt. Colin Reagan, Whitehead's vehicle left the roadway, sheared off a telephone pole, and took down multiple roadway signs. In addition to Wyoming County deputies, Pavilion Fire Department responded to the scene. The driver was allegedly found to possess cocaine and marijuana; he also had a non-driver ID with an active suspension. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests at the scene, he was arrested for driving while ability impaired by drugs. His passenger, Woodruff, was found to have a felony warrant out of Erie County so she was arrested, transported to Erie County and the Erie County Sheriff's Office took custody of her. Whitehead was taken to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and evaluated by a drug recognition expert, who determined Whitehead was impaired by multiple categories of controlled substances. He is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree; unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree; driving while ability impaired by drugs; driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree; unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; and moving from lane unsafely. He was released to a sober family member and is due to answer the charges in Town of Covington Court on July 13. Subsequent to Whitehead's June 24 arrest, he was arrested again in connection with the same incident on June 25 after the owner of the vehicle reported to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office that Whitehead had been driving without consent. A warrant was issued for Whitehead and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office arrested him and the Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies later took custody of him. This charge was added to the file: unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree; then he was released from custody. He will answer all charges, including the added-on charge, at his July 13 appearance in Town of Covington Court.

James R. McNally, 57, of Roosevelt Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and forcible touching. McNally was arrested at 6:13 on June 17 on Clinton Street in the City of Batavia following an unspecified incident. He was arraigned in city court via Skype, then released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court at 9 a.m. on July 23. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Pamela J. Thomas, 41, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with disprderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment in the second degree. She was arrested at 10:03 p.m. June 16 on Denio Street following an incident wherein she allegedly yelled at a person and threatened them. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Sgt. Eric Bolles.

Marshawn J. Singletery, 38, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. The defendant was arrested following a domestic incident at 4:45 a.m. June 22 on Liberty Street. Singletery was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released to the Genesee Justice Program. The defendant is due to return to city court on Aug. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

A third-party caller reported to the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center that a man was attacked by a dog or several dogs running loose in the 5000 block of Terry Hills Drive. The pack of dogs then ran off. The location is "between Clinton Street and the dead end." Law enforcement and Mercy medics are responding. The caller is roadside inside a vehicle.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: The man who was bitten is upstairs on a back deck; a bandage was applied that stopped bleeding. Two dogs were involved and an officer told dispatch they are "contained in the house."

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: An Amazon delivery driver was bitten on the inner thigh of one leg while on property making a delivery; the property owner's two dogs were in the yard at the time and barking when the delivery driver got bit. He was taken to UMMC for evaluation, but the injury appears to be minor.

UPDATE 5:20 (by Howard): The driver was treated on scene by the homeowners, who are both medical professionals and were able to walk from the backyard to his delivery truck on his own. He then walked from his delivery truck to the ambulance before being transported to UMMC. He continued to hold onto a delivery package for delivery as he walked to the ambulance. One of the owners said his dogs are normally big puppies but they make have felt more anxious after being locked up inside the house so frequently during the COVID crisis. A trooper confirmed that since the dogs were on the owner's property, there will be no citation.

Submitted photos and press release:

Oak Orchard Health is pleased to announce that Pembroke Family Medicine will be joining them on July 1. Their common mission, shared values and dedication to patients make this unification easy to understand.

Both healthcare organizations provide services to everyone regardless of medical insurance status.

All Pembroke locations will remain the same and their patients will retain the same primary care provider. The only change they’ll see are the signs for Oak Orchard Health on the Pembroke locations in Batavia, Alexander, and Corfu.

“Oak Orchard Health aligns perfectly with our current model of practicing high-quality, patient centered care," said Dr. Mary Obear, of Pembroke Family Medicine (inset photo, right).

"Joining Oak Orchard allows us to offer more services to our patients including vision, dental, behavioral health and patient engagement services. We can now truly offer a comprehensive patient experience."

Both organizations were recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Patient Centered Medical Homes which focuses on improvements in quality of the patient experience, growing staff satisfaction, and reducing health care costs.

“We’re excited to welcome Pembroke Family Medicine patients and providers into our organization," said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health (inset photo, left)

"It’s a natural collaboration since we share so much in common. And we are pleased that their patients will now have access to a full spectrum of care. We look forward to working together."

You’re invited to an outdoor ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 1 at 9 a.m. at the Pembroke Corfu location. The address is 860 Main Road, Corfu. We will be wearing face masks and practicing social distance.

Oak Orchard Health 

Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve.

Currently serving more than 22,000 patients at six locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with locations in the towns of Brockport, Albion, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

It would be "very, very sad" way for baseball to end in Batavia and 41 other minor league cities if the baseball season were canceled and a new agreement between Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball eliminated those small franchises, said Ben Hayes, president of the New York Penn League.

Professional baseball in Batavia was under threat of extinction before a pandemic hit, and news reports have indicated Minor League Baseball has conceded to the MLB's request to consolidate leagues across the nation. Still, Hayes said today that negotiations continue and nothing has been finalized.

Even better news, he isn't giving up on playing NYPL baseball in 2020. The season is indefinitely postponed, but Hayes said he and league owners and officials want players in parks and fans in seats this season if at all possible, including in Batavia.  

The NYPL operates in eight states, and there are only two stadiums so far that are in regions where COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted enough to allow fans and ballplayers into ballparks.

"There's nobody at the Major League level or the Minor League level that has said this season is over and done," Hayes said. "Nothing has been canceled at either the full-season or short-season level."

If a decision was made to play ball, the MLB has suggested it would take players two or three weeks to get ready for the rigors of professional baseball.  

Hayes is currently traveling around the league, including a planned stop in Batavia, and league owners have been holding regular conference calls so they can be ready for the day when there can be baseball again.

Every team is developing plans to ensure social distancing is maintained; there is plenty of personal protective equipment for personnel; there are plans for thorough and regular cleaning and sanitizing in place, and to ensure that hotels and busses are safe and clean. 

"Everybody has a plan right now," Hayes said. "We're following the guidelines to make sure our players are safe but also our fans and stadium staff or safe. Right now, it's just a waiting game."

If the season is washed out, Hayes said he has already communicated with the Minor League's negotiating committee to request that any new agreement that could potentially eliminate teams would be delayed at least a year so that fans in those cities losing their franchises could get a farewell season before shutting down.

"That's my hope," Hayes said. "We voiced that to our representatives on the negotiating committee," Hayes said. "There are 42 clubs out there that if that plan were to go through, they would have never gotten a chance to have a last season, and that would be very, very sad."

As for the current operations of the Muckdogs, if you call the office, the phone is disconnected. It's not possible to get in touch with General Manager Brendan Kelly.  

Hayes said shutting down operations was purely a cost-saving measure and not an indication of the status of the ballclub.

"We're just trying to save money," Hayes said. "We're trying not to accrue costs simply because of the financial situation of the Muckdogs."

Meanwhile, except for the city mowing the infield and outfield grass, the playing surface is not being maintained. Weeds are sprouting up all over the diamond that Cooper Thomas has beautifully manicured over the past couple of seasons. 

None of that is a worry, Hayes said. 

"We can get that back in shape in two or three weeks once we get a grounds crew in there," Hayes said. 

The weeds maybe a little bigger but the situation now isn't much different than it would be in a typical year when crews start preparing the field for high school players in the spring.

"It's amazing what an edger and a lawnmower and a little bit of fertilizer and weed killer can do," Hayes said. "It makes a huge difference and you can really turn a field around quickly."

Whether Thomas will return in 2020 to lead that effort -- assuming the NYPL gets to play baseball -- is up in the air, Hayes said. He would love to have Thomson back and Thomas wants to come back, he said, but President Trump's current moratorium on worker immigration because of COVID-19 could prevent Thomas from making the trip from Australia to Batavia.

Top Photo: Weeds growing in the Dwyer Stadium infield.

Yesterday, the Dwyer Stadium scoreboard was lit up with "Reds 0 / Pirates 0 / PPD."

Chuck Martin was born and raised in the eastern part of North Carolina, where he not only learned to BBQ but fell in love with the art and craft.

As a New York resident for more than 10 years, he's been making BBQ for friends and since he loves it so much, he decided to make it his profession.

He promises authentic Carolina-style BBQ with pulled pork, ribs, beans, and coleslaw along with his how "Angry Charlie Burger."

Martin said his BBQ trailer, parked at 355 W. Main St., Batavia, will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Press release:

Batavia City School District’s Summer Meals Program, or “Grab and Go” meal distribution for the summer months, will begin on Monday, June 29.

Distribution will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9-11 a.m. at Jackson Primary and John Kennedy Intermediate Schools.

The Jackson distribution site will be at the school’s Hutchins Street entrance; JK's will be in the main loop on Vine Street as it has been this spring.

Each M-W-F distribution will include two days of breakfasts and two days of lunches for each child, age 18 and under.

No enrollment is necessary, and there is no-cost for families.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals Program is a federally funded, state-administered program that was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

On June 18 at approximately 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Hutchins Place and Lewis Place for a large disturbance.

Upon arrival, patrols found several individuals fighting, with numerous different fights taking place. Some of the suspects had weapons such as knives, tasers, and bats and were allegedly threatening individuals with those items. Other suspects were allegedly throwing rocks at people and vehicles in the area.

After several minutes, officers were able to get the situation under control. No injuries were reported but two vehicles were damaged.

A thorough investigation was conducted and concluded that the incident began over fireworks being thrown at one of the damaged vehicles and a residence. The parties involved have had previous issues with one another.

The Batavia Police Department arrested the following individuals:

• Eric McGill, 37, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 265.02-1) – criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a Class D felony);
• Delonta Curry, 19, of Warner Street, Rochester, one count (PL 265.01-2) – criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (a Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Hezekiah Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.00-1) – criminal mischief in the fourth degree (Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) -- riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Louis Mercado, 32, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.05-2) – criminal mischief in the third degree (a Class E felony); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Jasmine Ryder, 34, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Lance Mercado Sr., 30, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor).

Update 1:30 p.m.
The time for the media session on Thursday for K-9 Hank wlll be 3:30 p.m. at the rear of the City of Batavia police station.

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Community residents have stepped up in thousands of ways to support the City of Batavia Police Department's K-9 program.

Actually, the number is $11,228.53, which is the total amount of the donations sent into the City after the program was established last August, with the stipulation that donatons would be accepted.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, lawmakers voted to place the contributions into a committed fund just to be used for K-9-related expenses.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch told The Batavian that a press conference is being arranged for this Thursday at police headquarters to introduce Hank, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois (pronounced MAL-in-wah), and his handler, Officer Stephen Quider, and to provide details about the program.

The Belgian Malinois is known as a hard-working, protective and smart breed with an ability to detect explosives, accelerants and narcotics. The name is derived from Malines, the French name for the breed's Flemish city of origin, Mechelen.

The male Malinois, which can weigh up to 75 pounds, is sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd.

Hank and Officer Stephen Quider attended last weekend's Juneteenth event at the YWCA of Genesee County.

“I jumped at the chance (to partner with the dog),” Quider said.

So, it looks as though the department's newest trainee is almost ready to em-“bark” on his journey to serve and protect.

In other action, Council:

-- Moved the bid process and determination for the Franklin Street-Richmond Avenue sewer rehabilitation project to its July 13^th Business Meeting.

According to Public Works Director Matt Worth, the City will see significant cost savings by changing the focus from a complete sewer line replacement on Franklin Street to an excavated repair of one section and relining of the rest of the line, and then to include relining of the Richmond Avenue sewer ahead of its rehabilitation project in 2022.

“The original budget for this project was $1,048,596, including engineering costs,” Worth said, “but with the changes, the cost will be significantly lower even with the addition of the Richmond Avenue lining.”

Worth said engineering fees will drop from around $240,000 to $57,800 “due to the reduced effort required to design and inspect a lining project compared to full open construction with new sewer.”

He also said he expects the construction cost to be “well under” the original estimate of $806,000 when the bids are opened on July 2.

-- Voted to authorize Council President Eugene Jankowski to facilitate the acceptance of $16,000 from the Genesee County Youth Bureau to support the Liberty Center for Youth and City Summer Recreation Program.

-- Voted to appoint three City residents – Nicholas Harris, Marc Staley and David Leone – and two Council members – Robert Bialkowski and Jeremy Karas – to the Audit Advisory Board for a term ending Dec. 31.

CORRECTION: We previously published a picture taken June 6 of Officer Stephen Quider with a K9. It turns out that dog was returned and "Hank" is a different dog so we've removed the photo.

After a heavy downpour this afternoon, the area under the train bridge on Cedar Street flooded for a short time.

Town of Batavia fire is on scene for an accident involving two vehicles and a semi-truck in the area of 9331 Lewiston Road.

Traffic is blocked.

Unknown injuries.

The railroad underpasses on Ellicott Street and on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia is impassable due to flooding from heavy rain. The county is under a Flood Warning until 5:45 p.m. the National Weather Service has Buffalo announced.

City police are on scene at both places.

From the National Weather Service:

At 1:49 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include -- Batavia, Stafford and East Bethany. 

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area as additional thunderstorms move across the area. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. 

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you can do so safely.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: "Ellicott Street has already started to drain so I don't think (the road closure) it will be too long," says an officer on scene.

Judd Allen Farewell, 28, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. He was arrested June 16 on an arrest warrant out of Genesee County Court. He allegedly committed the crime he's charged with at 2:12 p.m. May 31 on Coe Avenue in Oakfield. He was arraigned and jailed without bail. He is due in county court on July 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Marshawn Jamal Singletery, 38, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; criminal use of drug paraphernalia; driving while ability impaired by alcohol; registration display violation; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Singletery was arrested at 4:50 p.m. on June 19 on Swan Street, Batavia, after a motor-vehicle stop for having no license plates. He was allegedly found to be under the influence at the time and refused Data Master testing at Genesee County Jail. He was issued an appearance ticket for July 29 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Hezekiah N. Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Batavia police responded to a report of a large fight in the area of State Street in Batavia. While investigating the incident, police arrested Burch after he allegedly "engaged in violent, tumultuous behavior towards another male." Burch was issued a computerized appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and he is due there on June 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 48, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Batavia police responded to a report of a large fight in the area of State Street in Batavia. While investigating the incident, police arrested Kosiorek after he allegedly "engaged in violent, tumultuous behavior towards another male." Burch was issued "a hand written appearance ticket (65007)" for Batavia City Court and he is due there on June 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Mark Leroy Farley 51, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrest at 3 p.m. on June 14 following a domestic incident at an apartment on Harvester Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket and released from custody. Farley is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Jzon Anthony Richardson Sr., 21, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At about 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Richardson was arrested at the intersection of Hutchins Place and Lewis Place, in Batavia, following a physical and verbal dispute. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Press release:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is extending the open enrollment for health insurance for another month. The deadline for anyone who wants, or needs to apply for health insurance, the extension is now to July 15^th.

Anyone who has questions, lost income, lost health insurance or needs help navigating the NYS of Health website can give Lake Plains Community Care Network a call at (585) 345-6110 and talk to a Navigator.

Applications are completed telephonically. Assistance with locating other resources are also available.

Charlotte Crawford RN, MSN, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Lake Plains Community Care Network

575 E. Main St., Batavia

The crowd may not have been as big for the Rotary Club's annual Father's Day Pancake Breakfast as it would have been if they had been able to conduct the breakfast in the sit-down style of the past 20 years, but club members were pleased with their well-organized effort to feed members of the community for free.

Nobody had to pay this morning for three pancakes, two sausage links, butter and syrup, milk and orange juice, though donations were gratefully accepted.

On what should have been their prom night on Saturday, Batavia High School seniors were given a chance to celebrate the close of their final year of high school with a parade through the city, passing Robert Morris, Jackson Primary, John Kennedy, the nursing home, and then returning to Batavia HS.