batavia

Press release:

Crossroads House has created a project to financially supplement Ambulance Transfer Services of Wyoming County residents who will be coming to Crossroads House for their end of life care.

This project is funded by a $1,000 grant from the Wyoming Foundation Council a division of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. 

Crossroads House is a two-bed comfort care home located at 11 Liberty St. in Batavia. It provides 24-hour, 7-days-a-week care FREE of charge for individuals over the age of 18 years old from Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been given a medical prognosis of three months or less to live. 

This project was established to ensure an individual from Wyoming County who would like to finish their earthly journey at Crossroads House would not be hindered from coming here due to lack of resources for ambulance transfer costs.

Any Wyoming County resident who is admitted to Crossroads House who incurs costs associated with ambulance transfer services can submit documentation of these costs and receive payment up to $300. 

This Ambulance Reimbursement project funded by the Community Foundation is another way Crossroads House can provide emotional support to a family facing an end of life situation. This project will ensure that a family’s financial limitations for ambulance transfer are not a determining factor in keeping them from comfort care at Crossroads House.

Crossroads House is an incorporated not-for-profit comfort care home that has been serving the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties that have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life (three (3) months or less) free of charge since 1998.

Comfort care is founded upon the belief in the importance of honoring the well-being of every individual and respecting the sacred dignity of human life. The Crossroads House staff and volunteers are committed to provide personalized care attending to the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of our residents and their families while affirming a dignified quality of life in a caring home-like environment. Admission is based solely on need, regardless of religion, age, sex, race, creed, economic status, or other distinctions.

FYI...Settler's Restaurant, located at 353 W. Main St., Batavia, is having a benefit today Tuesday, Sept. 15, for Crossroads House. "Supper at Settler's" -- From 4 to 9 p.m., 20 percent of pre-tax receipts will be donated to Crossroads House.

Roberta Susan Dwello, 55, of State Route 104, Williamson, is charged with possession/transportation of more than 10,000 untaxed cigarettes and criminal tax fraud. Dwello was stopped on Route 77, Pembroke, at 12:20 p.m. Sunday by Deputy Joseph Corona. Dwello was allegedly found with 27,000 in untaxed cigarettes and is accused of selling untaxed cigarettes for financial gain.

Bobbisue Butler, 32, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Butler is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Matthew Christopher Moy, 22, of Glidden Road, Holley, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st. Moy was allegedly found with a pocketknife while inside the jail.

Kivon Alijah Orr, 18, of Kelly Street, Bronx, is charged with trespass. Orr was allegedly in a dorm at College Village without permission.

Mark David Jackett, 45, of Sunrise Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jackett allegedly had unwanted contact with a protected party.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 26, of Byron, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Bobzin was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 1:20 p.m., Sept. 8. No further details released.

The local outlet of the discount food chain Aldi's is closed for remodeling and will remain closed until Oct. 1, according to a handwritten sign outside the store's main entrance on East Main Street in Eastown Plaza.

There was no prior announcement of the closing and no details of the renovations in the store have been released.

Aldi's is based in Germany. The company has 1,400 U.S. stores and is planning on investing $3 billion in the states, and creating 10,000 more jobs. It plans to open 600 more locations in the U.S., making it 44 percent the size of Walmart. Walmart is reportedly Aldi's competitive target.

The U.S. division of Aldi's is based in Batavia, Ill.

Fire companies from throughout Western New York were represented in Batavia today for the funeral of William M. Hynes.

From his obituary:

Bill dedicated his life to the fire service in Genesee County. He served with the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department from 1961-1968. From there he served with the Town of Batavia Fire Department from 1968-1980, serving as chief in 1978 and 1979. He is a current member of the Town of Elba Fire Department, joining in 1980 and served as chief from 1990-2003. He served as president of the Board of Directors of the Elba Fire Department from 2004-2013. He was also a life member of the Western New York Fireman’s Association and the New York State Fire Chief’s Association. Bill served on the Genesee County Mutual Aid Advisory Board, where he served as chairman for two years.

With news that the state is going to once again try to auction off its one-time armory on State Street, there's been some chatter around town about the city buying the building and converting it into the new police headquarters.

After all, it only costs $60,000.

First off, it's going up for auction, and $60K is just the ante. It will likely go for considerably more than $60,000. City Manager Jason Molino said judging by the number of calls the city has been getting with questions about zoning for the property, there is quite a bit of interest in it.

But even if the city could get it at a reasonable price, converting it into a police station would still cost millions.

"It's not a turnkey building by any means," Molino said.

To make it suitable for police needs there would need to be substantial modifications, a lot of demolition, environmental abatement and retrofitting.

"It's not just a matter of repainting a few walls and moving in," Molino said.

The building was considered for a possible location early in the process, Molino said. The original committee of city staff and consultants toured the building and the city even asked the state to hold off on selling it until the city could complete its study.

The state didn't wait. The building was sold at auction, but that deal eventually fell through.

Even with a potential private owner to deal with, the task force that eventually came up with the Swan Street recommendation gave brief consideration to the armory, but rejected the idea almost as quickly.

Besides the cost, the location is essentially a residential area and the property has only one point of entry and exit. With State Street being a main thoroughfare during the school year, the property would be hard to enter or exit quickly twice a day -- morning and afternoon -- for nearly 10 months out of the year.

The City Council will be asked to consider a plan to build a police station from the ground up on Swan Street. That public discussion among council members has yet to take place.

Scott Edwin McKenzie, 29, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with forcible touching. He was arrested Sept. 6 on Sunset Parkway Road in Oakfield after he allegedly touched the intimate parts of an acquaintance without permission. He was subsequently issued an appearance ticket and will return to Oakfield Town Court on Sept. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion, assisted by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Austin M. Bartz, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with third-degree attempted assault. On July 27 at 12:45 a.m. on Harvester Avenue, Bartz was arrested following a verbal altercation. Bartz, aided by another person, allegedly punched and/or kicked another person. He was issued an appearance ticker and is to appear in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Kyle L. Michaels, 17, of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 9:19 p.m. on Sept. 7 following a domestic incident wherein he allegedly damaged a vehicle and struck a person. He was transported to BPD where he was processed and released on an appearance ticker. He is scheduled to appear in City Court on Sept. 22. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp.

Kevin J. Cummings, 38, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, and aggravated DWI, per se for having a BAC of .18 or more, with no priors. Cummings was arrested Sept. 5 following an investigation into a 9-1-1 open line hang up. He was released from custody and directed to appear in Batavia City Court on Sept. 23. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Darryle Street.

Robert Ernest Saari, 33, of Meiser Road, Corfu, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on Aug. 9 after he was released from GC Jail on an unrelated matter. He had an arrest warrant for failing to appear at Batavia City Court to answer a charge of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He is scheduled to be in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

William B. Coley, 45, of Platt Street, Albion, failed to answer a petit larceny charge at Batavia City Court back in February. The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On Sept. 8, Coley was located by the NY State Police and turned over of Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack. He was put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.

Reginald C. Sampson, 49, of 1/2 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt of court. He allegedly intentionally refused to obey a Grand Jury subpoena that was properly served directing him to appear in Batavia City Court at noon on Aug. 18. He was arrested on Sept. 9 and arraigned before Judge Balbick in City Court then released on his own recognizance. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Frank Klimjack.

Juan Antonio Claudio, 47, of Mill Street, Akron, is charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation stemming from an incident on East Main Street in Corfu on April 14. He was arrested on Sept. 10 on a warrant out of the Town of Pembroke and put in jail on $500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in Pembroke Town Court at a later date. The case was invetigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale.

Remember Rocky, the dog whom authorities say was scalded by hot water? The owner and her boyfriend where charged with crimes, and the owner surrendered Rocky to the county for adoption.

Rocky walked this week in the Oakfield Labor Day Parade and I was surprised to learn nobody had shown any interest in adopting him. On the spot, he kind of muzzled his way into my heart, so after much thought and conversation with Billie and a couple of visits to the animal shelter, Billie and I decided we would adopt him ourselves.

He's a real sweetheart, very gentle, loves people and other dogs and doesn't care much about cats. We had him with Pachuco in Kiwanis Park today to ensure they would get along, and they hit it off and have been doing well together this afternoon.

We think we can give Rocky a good home.

Previously:

• Batavia couple jailed without bail after young pit bull scalded with water
• Dog burned by hot water in good spirits at Animal Shelter
• Owner of scalded dog surrenders ownership during court appearance

Veterans came together at the VA Center for a 9-11 remembrance ceremony.

(Photo by Howard Owens.)

A truck vs. pole accident is reported at 662 E. Main St. City firefighters and Mercy medics are responding.

By the time Genesee Community College celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, the campus will have opened a new Student Success Center and an events center, President Jim Sunser told a gathering in the Stuart Steiner Forum yesterday evening.

These will help GCC continue to grow and serve students better, Sunser said.

"Colleges are constantly evolving and student success is at the core of the values that we have at Genesee," Sunser said.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring thanks in part to a successful fundraising campaign chaired by local farmer and businessman Craig Yunker.

The goal of the campaign was to raise $5 million. The committee did better than that. It was comprised of people from Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

"We're really proud that this community is a generous community and people stepped up with a smile," Yunker said. "I'm proud to be a member of this community, and I'm proud to report to you that as of 2 o'clock this afternoon, we raised $5,214,213."

The two buildings along with a new scholarship fund is a $42 million project. More than half of that money will come from state grants. The county will also back a bond to help close the gap in funding.

A total of 475 individuals, couples and businesses from throughout the GLOW Region contributed money to the campaign, called "Building Our Future Together."

The project is the largest undertaking by the college since its founding, Yunker said. 

"Fifty years ago, GCC was just talk," Yunker said. "I remember how the talk about how it would move the region forward. It took a lot of volunteer effort. It took a lot of effort to bring it about."

A big reason the campaign was successful, Yunker said, was the support of the effort by the Call family.

"It's hard to imagine how this campaign wouldn't have gotten off to a great start without the Call family, and I just want to acknowledge Dick Call's leadership, Dick Call's vision, but the whole Call family, it was really important the leadership that the Call family has shown," Yunker said.

GCC President Jim Sunser

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at 7889 Oak Orchard Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

If your idea of a good bargain is a Mid-century Modern fixer-upper, has the State of New York got a deal for you.

The state is making a second attempt -- the first deal fell through -- to auction off its former armory at 235 State St., Batavia.

The minimum bid is $60,000.

Perhaps you need office space, space for your contracting business, or you think it could be apartments or offices or maybe even your home -- all contingent on zoning approvals, of course.

The auction is at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in Buffalo.

There was an open house today and two more coming up -- from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5.

Officials with O-AT-KA Milk Products and Upstate Niagara Cooperative broke ground on a new warehouse expansion this morning at the company's plant off Ellicott Street, Batavia.

Participating in the top photo are Steve Hyde, Ray Cudney, Steve Golding, Bill Schreiber, Dan Wolf, John Gould, Dave Nutting and Mike Patterson. Second photo: Upstate's Board of Directors.

"This is an important day for the growth of the dairy industry in Western New York," said Wolf, a member of the cooperative's Board of Directors. "The 360 farms that I represent depend on this business and we're not going anywhere. This is our roots and we'll be here. We will continue to grow and develop here in Western New York, and (to) create jobs and so forth that go with that is critical to us."

Press release from Finger Lakes Economic Development:

Empire State Development today announced that O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Inc., a dairy cooperative based in Batavia, will be expanding their warehouse and material handling functions at their Batavia site. O-AT-KA is majority owned by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Buffalo and also by Dairy Farmers of America, a cooperative with a strong presence in Central NY.

O-AT-KA helps to ensure there is a market for milk produced by more than 400 farms in the Western, Finger Lakes and Central NY regions. A new warehousing facility and equipment room will allow the cooperative to continue to grow its production and create 24 new full-time positions within three years, raising total employment to more than 350 positions.

“We consider this project to be a game changer,” said Michael Patterson, O-AT-KA’s chief financial officer. “This not only enables us to meet our immediate needs but positions O-AT-KA for growth into the future. Three factors driving this initiative are worker safety, food quality and operational efficiencies. These three legs of the stool will be the backbone supporting O-AT-KA’s continuing growth here in New York State.”

The economic support and assistance from local and state agencies were critical factors in undertaking this project. New York State, through Empire State Development, will provide a $400,000 capital grant to assist in bringing off-site warehousing back on site by building a 195,000-square-foot warehouse and a 35,000-square-foot equipment room to their existing facility.

The company will also purchase new material handling equipment and repurpose existing equipment. The new space will afford the company more efficiency, provide safety for workers, and allow for cost savings, thereby boosting their competitive edge in the market place.

The growth of on-site warehousing also enables the company to grow its production of shelf-stable, dairy-based beverages. O-AT-KA has a goal of increasing its export business by 10 percent over the next several years, which will result in approximately 25 percent of the total production being exported.

As the No. 1 manufacturing employer in Batavia, O-AT-KA strives to foster productive, long-term relationships with their employees. The cooperative, which produces dry, condensed and evaporated dairy products, was established in 1959 with five employees and has grown to 332.

“Agricultural and food processing has been identified as one of the top Finger Lakes REDC strategies,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The O-AT-KA project aligns with the council’s goal to optimize business retention and expansion, and support the growth of food-processing companies in the region.”

“This commitment by New York State to O-AT-KA demonstrates Governor Cuomo’s support of economic development in Upstate New York and in particular to the agribusiness industry in Genesee County,” said Paul Battaglia, chairman of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. “We look forward to continuing working with New York State on other economic development opportunities."

"O-AT-KA has played a major role in our local economy for decades. Now, expansion plans, along with 24 new jobs, will help to secure the cooperative's presence in Batavia for years to come. I commend O-AT-KA CEO Bill Schreiber for selecting Genesee County to invest and grow," said State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer.

“I am pleased to see the growth and expansion of an important Western New York agricultural staple such as O-AT-KA. As a small business and farm owner for over four decades, I realize the integral part O-AT-KA plays in New York’s dairy industry and Western New York’s economy. Having grown up in Batavia, I have seen the company grow from just a few employees to over 300 people – truly epitomizing the American dream of entrepreneurship. As lawmakers we must continue to protect small businesses such as these and take measures to grow New York’s economy,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 24th, the Batavia Cemetery Association will host a candlelight guided ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue in Batavia. The tours will feature the famous and infamous movers and shakers who shaped and influenced the City of Batavia.

The guided tour will bring guests to meet men and women of Batavia, who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day, were victims of tragic events, or both: Philemon Tracy, one of the few Confederate officers buried in the North; Ruth, the unknown victim of a horrendous murder; Joseph Ellicott, a man of great power and great flaws; and William Morgan, the man who disappeared and was allegedly murdered before he could reveal the secrets of the Masons, are some of the ghosts who will tell their stories on the tour.

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and run every fifteen minutes until 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes refreshments. Tickets are available at the gate the day of the event at Historic Batavia Cemetery, Harvester Avenue, Batavia. Reservations are suggested. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery.

For more information, or to make reservations, contact 343-0248. Join us for some spooky fun!

An elevator alarm is sounding for a person stuck in the elevator at 400 Towers, located at 400 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia. City firefighters are responding.

John W. Walsh, 32, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Walsh is accused of using a hammer to smash his apartment door, door frame, a closet door, a window frame and window blinds, causing more than $1,000 in damage. Walsh was jailed without bail. Walsh was also arrested on an open container/consuming alcohol in a public place charge for allegedly drinking alcohol on the playground at Austin Park.

Regina M. Iannello, 55, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Iannello is accused of striking her estranged husband multiple times following a verbal argument in a parked car at a location on South Main Street, Batavia.

Penny S. Hofert, 49, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hofert is accused of shoplifting at Dollar General.

Stacy L. Massaro, 48, of Whittler Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Massaro allegedly stole at least four packages of cookies, 11 bags of chips and salt/pepper shakers from the Homestretch Grill at Batavia Downs.

Daniel Delplato Jr., 60, of Chandler Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, disorderly conduct and violating an order of protection.  Delplato is accused of being involved in a domestic dispute over several days.

Steven Charles Coons, 44, of Slyton Road, Port Byron, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and attempted petit larceny. Coons was arrested on a warrant during a traffic stop in Syracuse. Coons was jailed in Genesee County on $5,000 bail.

A dump truck fire is reported in the area of 3189 Route 5, between Hopkins Road and Batavia Mobile Home Park, East Pembroke.

East Pembroke fire is responding.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: Town of Batavia is requested for traffic control to shut down westbound traffic at Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE 9:03 p.m.: Fire is out.

UPDATE 9:04 p.m.: Town of Batavia can go back in service.

UPDATE 9:51 p.m.: East Pembroke back in service. Truck has been moved.