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Local Democrats were pleased, elated, really, with the turnout Thursday night at Moon Java for a Meet the Candidates event.

Nate McMurray, running for the NY-27 in the anticipated April 29 special election, and three candidates vying for the nomination for the 61st State Senate District in the June Democratic primary were on hand for the event.

Moon Java was filled to capacity to hear from the candidates.

Micheal Plitt, chairman of the Genesee County Democratic Committee, said local Democrats have a record number of volunteers signed up for this campaign season.

"I think the blue wave will continue," Plitt said.

Police are in pursuit of a vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, heading into the City.

The vehicle left the roadway in the area of Terry Hills. Several mailboxes were knocked down, according to the dispatcher.

An officer reported that it stopped near East Main but then it apparently took off again.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: An officer reports the driver is passed out behind the wheel at Clinton Street Road and Terry Hills Drive. Mercy EMS is dispatched for a possible overdose.

Daniel Jon Lewis got his get-out-of-jail-free card on Dec. 6 after pleading guilty to criminal possession of stolen property.

Judge Charles Zambito reasoned that Lewis would be eligible for release Jan. 1 under terms of New York's bail reform law and that Lewis apparently could live with his father in North Chili while awaiting sentencing on his felony conviction, that Lewis should be released from custody that day.

Today, Lewis was arrested on a charge of robbery in the first degree and menacing for allegedly using a knife to steal property from a person on Bank Street, Batavia, on New Year's Day.

Lewis was arrested Jan. 23 and charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing a vehicle Jan. 3 in the Town of Batavia.  

Following that arrest, he was released on appearance ticket in accordance with New York's new law.

Chief of Police Shawn Heubusch confirmed this evening that Lewis is also a person of interest in the theft of a Spectrum work truck. The suspect in that case fled after being spotted in the truck.

When Lewis was arrested Jan. 23, his listed address was on Genesee Street in Lima. In the arrest announced today, he is listed as having "no permanent address."

He is currently being held in the Genesee County Jail on the robbery charge. Robbery is a qualifying offense, under the new state rules, for bail.

The Jan. 1 robbery was investigated by Officer Stephen Cronmiller and Det. Jason Ivison.

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The Attica/Batavia Varsity Wrestling Team defeated Canandaigua last evening 43-36 on Senior Night at Batavia High School.

Attica/Batavia jumped ahead 29-0 to start the evening. Canandaigua battled back later to take the lead by one point 36-35. Batavia closed the gap on a win at the end by Gabe Yonkin (pictured above). The team lost a point in the 99-point class by a strap down on the mat.

Individual wins were, pins by Wyatt and Travis Kauffman, Zeshan Armstrong, Josh Barber and Gabe Yonkin. 

Casper Stewart received a forfeit at 113 pounds. Owen Strzelec won by decision. Overall it was a very tough match. 

To view or purchase photos click here.

Two Monroe County residents who fled from police after an attempted traffic stop Thursday night, who are now facing multiple felonies, including a weapons charge, were released on an appearance ticket per New York's bail reform law shortly after they were apprehended.

Denzell A. Johnson, 27, of Orange Street, Rochester, and Shafatiah H. Miller, 26, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, were reportedly in a vehicle on Ellicott Street when Deputy Ryan DeLong and Investigator Pete Welker, working as part of a coordinated enforcement detail, tried to initiate a traffic stop for an alleged traffic violation at 8:16 p.m.

The vehicle reportedly turned south onto Otis Street in an attempt to evade police and drove through a yard in the area of 255 S. Swan St. where the occupants jumped from the moving vehicle and ran. The suspects ran in different directions and officers engaged in a foot chase, with one of the suspects running across Jackson School property. Both suspects were located and taken into custody. The vehicle came to rest without incident.

Johnson allegedly had a handgun and a quantity of a controlled substance on him at the time of his capture.

He is charged with:

• Criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a Class E felony;
• Criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony;
• Obstruction of governmental administration 2nd;
• Unlawful fleeing a police officer;
• Two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th;
• Displaying a forged certification of inspection;
• Inadequate lights;
• Unlicensed operation;
• Two counts of failure to stop at a stop sign; and,
• Insufficient turn signal.

Miller is charged with:

• Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony;
• Two counts of promoting prison contraband, 1st, a Class D felony;
• Promoting prison contraband, 2nd; and
• Unlawful possession of marijuana, 2nd.

Both suspects are expected in City Court at 1 p.m., Feb. 18.

Additional charges are pending further investigation.

Participating in the coordinated enforcement effort on Thursday were the Local Drug Task Force, Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, the Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Probation, NYS Parole.

Patrick Mandia grew up in a family of restaurateurs -- the Pok-A-Dot, Sunny's, the Red Carpet, Pontillo's -- and after 15 years of working as a DJ at the former Billy Goat's he thought it might be time for him to own his own tavern.

At first, his wife, Carrie Mandia, thought it a rather risky idea. But as they talked, she realized she trusted her husband and trusted her own business background.

"You only live once," she said.

The couple has completely revamped the former Billy Goat's location and turned it into a county-themed bar, Copperhead Creek.

A man facing a pair of felony indictments will likely serve seven and a half years in prison under terms of a plea deal he agreed to in Genesee County Court today.

Darius Jones, 27, of Rochester, entered a guilty plea to the lesser included offense of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th. (He was originally charged with the same crime in the third degree.) He faces two-and-a-half years in prison for that conviction. He admitted in court that he possessd a controlled substance in the City of Batavia on Feb. 22 with the intent to sell it.

Jones also faced a weapons charge stemming from a traffic stop where a pistol was found under the seat of the car he was sitting in.

To a charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd, Jones entered a guilty plea on an Alford basis, which means Jones told Judge Charles Zambito that he couldn't admit to the facts of the crime as charged but he realizes that based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, he would likely be convicted at trial. The Alford plea affords Jones the opportunity to accept a plea deal without admitting to the crime in order to receive the benefits of a plea offer.

On the weapons charge, Jones will likely be sentenced to five years in prison.

The two terms will run consecutively.

Jones also admitted to being a second felony offender and a second violent felony offender. He was convicted of grand larceny in Monroe County in 2014 and of criminal possession of a weapon in Monroe County in 2010.

Pending sentencing, Jones was released from jail on his own recognizance, with no objection from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman. Sentencing is set for 9:30 a.m., April 6.

Submitted photo and press release:

Cameron Bontrager, of Batavia, was one of 40 SUNY Oneonta music industry students who got to attend the world's largest music products trade show, The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show, from Jan. 16-19 in Anaheim, Calif.

The NAMM Show is an annual event that brings together leaders of the music products, pro audio and event technology industries for four days of product introductions, business opportunities, networking and inspiration.

The students got to preview and test new products from more than 7,000 brands; enjoyed special events, live music and celebrity appearances; and attended dozens of educational sessions tied to today's trends.

Bontrager is studying Music Industry at SUNY Oneonta.

Students also got to hear interviews with the music world's top innovators, artists and professionals, including musician/producer Finneas O'Connell, who took home Grammys for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, non-classical engineered album and non-classical producer of the year at the 62nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 26. O'Connell is superstar Billie Eilish's brother.

SUNY Oneonta students also got to watch 1970s R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire perform and hear artist, songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff speak.

NAMM gave SUNY Oneonta students a first-hand look at how music retail and music business go hand-in-hand. They were able to test out the latest products, see lots of live performances, and attend cutting-edge demonstrations as well as panel discussions about upcoming technologies and marketing techniques. A group of students also got to volunteer at NAMM's She Rocks Awards show, which pays tribute to women in the music industry.

While in California, the students also visited Paradigm Talent Agency, where SUNY Oneonta music industry students have completed internships.

The NAMM trip is a long-running SUNY Oneonta tradition. Music Department faculty have been taking students to the event for more than 25 years.

Lecturer Nancy Tarr, who has accompanied Oneonta students on the trip for the past five years, said it's a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and learn from people who have been in their shoes. It shows students that they, too, can be successful someday.

This trip was made possible, in part, by support from the Caroline ('67) and David D'Antonio Student Travel for Excellence Fund.

SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/

Kelly A. Rodriguez, 47, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment in the second degree. She is accused of spitting in the eyes of a nurse at UMMC in Batavia who was caring for her. She was given an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on Feb. 11. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post.

Wendy L. Henry, 35, no permanent address, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Henry was arrested for allegedly violating a stay away order of protection at 5:37 a.m. on Jan. 26 on Central Avenue in Batavia. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Jacoby Luc Green, 20, of Lake Street, Perry, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. At 4:56 a.m. on Jan. 29, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to the intersection of Route 20 and Perry Road in Pavilion for a report of a one-car collision. After an investigation, Green was arrested and arraigned in Town of Pavilion Court. The defendant is due back there on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Matthew Ronald Hinze, 29, of Genesee Street, Attica, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; aggravated DWI; and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. At 9:15 p.m. on Jan. 28, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle on the south shoulder of Sumner Road in Darien. Following an investigation, Hinze was arrested. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Town of Darien Court on Feb. 18. The was was handled by Deputy Erik Andre.

In 30 years as an emergency dispatcher, Steve Robinson has probably handled every imaginable kind of call, first with the City of Batavia and later with the Sheriff's Office -- lost cats, petit larcenies, fires, train derailments, overdoses, homicides, and everything in between.

It's a tough job but on the night of his final shift, he said he is glad he chose the job he did as a young man.

"It's been an amazing career," Robinson said. "I've made a lot of friends -- with other dispatchers, judges, DAs, police officers, EMS, fire -- everybody involved in the whole process. I couldn't have asked for a better career for 30 years. It's not pretty sometimes. We deal with a lot of unpleasant stuff, but we get through it and I appreciate everybody I've worked with, and I've gotten a lot of help over the years."

To be a good dispatcher, Robinson said, you have to be able to multitask. You can find yourself dealing with a police officer on the radio about one call while taking an emergency call from an unrelated incident on 9-1-1. 

"There is a lot of activity in the room and you can't rely on somebody else to answer your phone for you," Robinson said.

And because you're sometimes dealing with people in duress, at the worse time of their lives, or who are angry, you have to have good people skills to be a good dispatcher. You have to be able to stay calm, talk people through their situations and ensure first responders are kept safe.

"The people I work with, not just the dispatchers, but the first responders, we have a bond because nobody else understands what we do," Robinson said. "In this job, unless you do it, you can't understand what we deal with and that is what bonds us."

In retirement, Robinson will still be around, and not far from the career he's loved. He will continue to work part time for Batavia PD as a desk clerk.

"I'll keep a hand in the business," Robinson said. "I'm not totally walking away."

Even though Pittsford-Sutherland had a size advantage down low, the Blue Devils kept their home game Wednesday night close until the third quarter.

Then Pittsford-Sutherland's guards started dropping threes like gumdrops in a five-and-dime. 

Drew Kull, Jalyn Moorehead and Owen Flisnik combined for seven makes beyond the arc and sealed the deal of a 58-42 win for the Knights.

For Batavia, the only player in double digits scoring was Alex Hale with 11 points. Zach Gilebarto scored nine, Caeden White, eight, and Camden White scored seven.

The Blue Devils are now 7-6 on the season.

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Jennifer L. Stack, 33, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested on Jan. 25. At 10:35 a.m. on Jan. 11 an incident occurred at GCASA, 430 E. Main St., Batavia, and Stack is accused of striking a person multiple times while on the property. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Ashley E. Quintern, 30, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested after an incident at 8:20 a.m. Jan. 24 where children were allegedly left without supervision for about an hour and a half at a location in the 100 block of Ross Street in the city. Quintern was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Phillip D. Byford Jr., 29, of South Platt Street, Albion, is charged with two counts of petit larceny on the same day at the same store. He was first arrested at 8:01 a.m. on Jan. 24 after being accused of stealing beer and food from the Speedway convenience store at 204 W. Main St. in Batavia. The arrest was made by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis. Later, at 10:35 p.m., a witness allegedly saw him stealing beer at the Speedway and reported it. He was arrested again at 11:05 p.m. The evening arrest was made by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger. In each incident he was released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4.

Robert C. Strollo, 59, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 9:55 a.m. on Jan. 26 following the investigation of a larceny that occurred at the Family Dollar Store at 577 E. Main St. in Batavia. He is accused of stuffing merchandise in his pockets while there at 11:37 a.m. on Jan. 22. He allegedly walked out of the store without paying for the items. Strollo was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson was arrested after a larceny was reported at the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St. in Batavia. This allegedly occurred at 7:40 p.m. on Dec. 20. Gibson is accused of taking property from the convenience store without paying for it. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

A vehicle slid off the roadway at Batavia Elba Townline Road and Pekin Road. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

Press release:

Are there things in my life that I do that hurt others? Is there something I wish I could live without?

Is it time to crack my denial and admit that I am not in control of my life? Do I have a painful habit or hang-up from which I need to be freed?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then Celebrate Recovery may be a place for you.

A wide variety of hurts, hang-ups and habits are represented at Celebrate Recovery. Examples include dependency on alcohol or drugs, pornography, low self-esteem, need to control, depression, anger, co-dependency, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, broken relationships, and abuse.

Anyone (inside or outside the church) who struggles can benefit from this group. 

Celebrate Recovery is a ministry outreach for anyone who is interested in a Christ-centered recovery program that will enable them to recover from life’s hurts, hang-ups and harmful habits.

This group meets every Thursday throughout the calendar year, even holidays, at Northgate Free Methodist Church (8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia). They meet from 6:30 to 9 p,m. There is no cost to attend Celebrate Recovery and you may join at any time. 

For more information, visit the church website or email office@northgatefmc.com

Submitted photo and press release:

The JCPenney department store in Batavia is dedicated to helping our local youth. It has proudly donated $1,200 to the Liberty Center for Youth located at 114 Liberty St.

They have made this donation to help close the opportunity gap for the youth of our community. The opportunity gap refers to youth who have unequal access to programs, resources and necessities that enable them to be academically successful.

Many factors such as age, race, gender, household income and community wealth can put the underserved youth at greater risk of not graduating high school or getting the formal training they need to secure a good-paying job. That is where the Liberty Center for Youth Comes in. 

The Liberty Center for Youth offers free programing to all youth ages 9-16 in the community. The center is equipped with a technology lab fit with 10 new computers, 10 tablets and a smart board.

The facility is also has a gymnasium, indoor foursquare court and gaming room complete with air hockey, pool and foosball tables. Youth are offered a free snack every day in the cafeteria and tutoring services are also provided free of charge. 

The City of Batavia Youth Bureau and the Genesee County YMCA have entered into a collaborative partnership to deliver Liberty Center for Youth for youth programing. Both organizations have prided themselves on offering free, safe and fun activities to our youth.

JCPenney proudly supports this community and its success. JCPenney would like to thank Lydia Schauf, who is the program coordinator for the City of Batavia Youth Bureau, for making us aware of this need in our community and taking the time to coordinate this donation.

Photo: Back row, from left -- Sue Dart (JCPenney), Charitie Bruning (Glow YMCA), Elise Lee (JCPenney), Lydia Schauf (City of Batavia Youth Bureau), Rachel Hale (Glow YMCA), and Jeff Townsend (Glow YMCA). Four local youths are in the front row, from left: Kamela Lockhart, Jonelis Martinez-Williams, Gabrielle Lawlis and Gianna Williams.