batavia

Big plans abound here for the Fourth of July weekend.

The Muckdogs kick things off at 7 p.m. with a game against Mahoning Valley. There will be a fireworks show after the game, and with the Muckdogs on the road tomorrow, that serves as your local Independence Day weekend pyrotechnics.

On the calendar tomorrow morning is the Kiwanis 5K, with a start time of 9 a.m. at Centennial Park. There's also a chance of rain in the morning, potentially the one blemish on the weekend weather.

In the afternoon, GO ART! hosts its annual Picnic in the Park at Centennial Park.

Sunday, it's time once again to ramble on down to Jackson Square (and School Street and Center Street) for the annual Ramble Music and Arts Fest.

United Memorial Medical Center is partnering with Foodlink and New York Fresh Connect Farmers' Markets to offer fresh produce to Genesee County residents on wheels.

The produce truck will make two stops in the county every Monday. The first stop will be from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Gillam Grant Community Center in Bergen. The second stop will be from 11:15 a.m. to noon in the United Memorial Jerome Center parking lot in Batavia. The market will run through mid-September. 

The goal of the market is to make fresh fruits and vegetables easily accessible to the community at affordable prices. Cash, debit, EBT and WIC will be accepted as forms of payment. For every $5 SNAP purchase, people will receive a $2 bonus.

A 17-year-old female from Batavia is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. She allegedly possessed a quantity of crack cocaine and numerous items associated with the use of the drug. The incident happened on Lake Street in Le Roy. During the investigation by Deputy Joseph Corona, it was found that she had two active warrants out of the City of Batavia and was turned over to Batavia Police.

David W. King Jr., 34, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and endangering the welfare of a child. King allegedly choked a female acquaintance in the presence of her three children inside an apartment on State Street. He was put in Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Dustin J. Wilmet, 25, of Batavia, was arrested on three separate warrants issued by the Batavia City Court. The first warrant is for a DWI charge from 2014 that Wilmet allegedly failed to appear for. The second warrant is for petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property charges after he was accused of possessing property that had been reported stolen from an apartment on Franklin Street, Batavia. The third warrant is for criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and petit larceny charges after he allegedly stole and cashed forged checks. He was put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

Stephen M. Esposito, 25, of Folsomdale Road, Cowlesville, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by the Batavia City Court. Esposito allegedly failed to appear for a ticket for aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. He was put in Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Taylor L. Finnin, 22, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Finnin allegedly stole a $100 cash from a coworker. The alleged incident happened on Commerce Drive in Batavia.

Rachel S. Brockenshire, 29, of Lear Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Brockenshire is accused of stealing property from Dollar General in Batavia. 

Karen L. Cooper, 49, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and failure to dim high beams following an incident on Lake Street in Le Roy. Cooper is accused of possessing a quantity of crack cocaine and numerous items associated with the use of the drug.

Kevin J. Palmer, 34, of Canandaigua Road, Walworth, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The incident happened on Alleghany Road in Pembroke.

Jonathan M. Wulfert, 42, of Lake Road, Ontario, Canada, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driver's view obstructed after Deputy Kevin McCarthy pulled him over on Route 77 in Pembroke for an equipment violation.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is celebrating its 100th anniversary! The Centennial Committee is planning to bury a time capsule in September; and we need the community’s help! 

Take part in the fun by writing a note to your family’s descendants or write a poem for people to read 100 years from now! Centennial notecards with envelopes will be available beginning July 1 at the Genesee Valley PennySaver, 222 E. Main St., Batavia. We encourage you to take part and contribute to the time capsule that will be opened in 2115.  

In addition to the above items, The Batavian will be conducting polls on Tuesdays beginning June 30 into the month of July, on which items will be placed in the Time Capsule. Be sure to visit The Batavian to vote on Time Capsule Tuesday!

 

The 90th season of the Batavia Concert Band got off to a soggy start Wednesday evening, forcing musicians and audience members to seek the warmth and comfort of the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC.

Here's the schedule for the remainder of the season:

• July 4th at noon, Guest Conductor David Keller. Picnic in the Park sponsored by GoArt!
• July 8 at 7 p.m., Conducted by John Bailey
• July 15 at 7 p.m., Conducted by John Bailey
• July 22 at 7 p.m., Conducted by John Bailey
• July 29 at 7 p.m., Conducted by John Bailey, Annual Chicken Barbecue

All concerts are at Centennial Park, unless weather forces a relocation to GCC.

The landscaping in front of Jackson School is being ripped out this week to make room for a new bus loop that City Schools Superintendent Chris Daily said will improve transportation safety for students.

The project means some grand old trees in front of the school are now gone, but Daily said new trees will be planted as part of the project.

Besides the trees, so far, the sidewalks have also been jackhammered and hauled away.

The project should be completed by Sept. 1.

In addition to the bus loop, new locks and classroom bathrooms will be installed at the school.

The construction is a part of the district’s $3.8 million capital project that was approved three years ago. 

A 26-year-old Batavia resident is accused of driving drunk and speeding leading to an accident on East Saile Drive, according to State Police.

Police said Jeffrey M. Burdett also resisted arrest when troopers tried to place him in custody.

He is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle and imprudent speed.

Burdett was reportedly driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu when it struck a sign while making a right turn from Route 98 onto East Saile Drive.

When troopers arrived on scene, they observed two males walking southbound on Route 98, away from a car with hazard lights on.  When the troopers attempted to interview the subjects, Burdett reportedly refused to cooperate and became belligerent.  The troopers observed the odor of alcohol, slurred speech and poor coordination, they said. 

Mercy EMS treated Burdett and Matthew J. Burdett, 23, for minor injuries at the scene. Both men signed off on any further treatment.

While being processed at the Batavia barracks, Jeffrey Burdett allegedly registered a .21 BAC.  

He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Join us at Centennial Park this July 4 at 9:00am for the Independence Day 5K at 9:00am. To register, click here

A bicyclist has been struck by a vehicle at 162 Walnut St., in front of city DPW. City fire and mercy medics are responding.

Shane E. Warriner, 27, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with animal cruelty. Warriner allegedly hit and kicked a beagle. The incident happened on Main Road in the Town of Stafford. The dog was taken to State Street Veterinary Clinic to be treated for its injuries. Warriner was fingerprinted and photographed at Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Kyle Schroeder, 18, of Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, trespass, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and endangering the welfare of a child. A 16-year-old male, of Akron, is also charged with obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, trespass, underage possession of alcohol and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. The arrests were made following an investigation into an alleged underage drinking party on Bank Road in the Town of Middlebury. The Attica Police Department, New York State Police and Wyoming County Sheriff's Office dispersed the party but found three youths hiding in the woods. The three youths were Schroeder, the 16-year-old male and a 16-year-old female. Schroeder was put in the Wyoming County Jail on $500 bail. The 16-year-old male was put in Wyoming County Jail on $200 bail.

Erica M. Raphael, 30, of Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 3rd, petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. Raphael is accused of entering Walmart in Batavia and stealing items. She also allegedly removed more than $200 worth of merchandise and destroyed the packaging before abandoning the property in the store. She has been previously banned from all Walmart stores due to other alleged shoplifting events. 

Randall S. Pashong, 56, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation and inadequate muffler after troopers responded to a trespass complaint on Hartshorn Road in the Town of Batavia.

A Go Fund Me page has been created to help the family of David Campbell, a Batavia father who drowned in a work-related accident.

So far, the page, "A Community to Help the Campbell's"  has raised more than $15,000 by 207 people in six days. The goal amount is $18,000. The page was created by Melissa Blaisdell.

According to the description on the page, the fundraiser was started to assist with the daily needs of his wife, Renee, and their three children, Harper, age 6, Camille, age 4, and Harlan, age 2. Members of the community wanted to do anything they could to help his wife and kids and make sure the family knew they are not alone.

If you would like to donate to the family, click here.

Campbell was a construction worker for The Pike Company and drowned while working in a boat under the Inner Loop bridge in Downtown Rochester on June 24 the Democrat & Chronicle reported. When Campbell was working, the boat tipped over in the Genesee River and his safety line trapped him under water. 

He was a 31-year-old Batavia resident and a 2001 graduate of Alexander Central School. According to information supplied by Michael Tomaszweski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, he enjoyed going on vacations to the mountains with his family, camping, snowmobiling and four-wheeling.

"He accomplished much in only 31 years, touching the lives and hearts of everyone he came in contact with; friends, neighbors or strangers," his obituary stated. "His infectious smile and selfless attitude will forever comfort those left behind."

The Batavia Youth Bureau will kick off its annual summer program to provide children with fun activities and a nutritious lunch next week.

The free summer recreational program runs weekly from July 6 to Aug. 16 at five locations in Batavia. The locations are Lions Park, Williams Park, Lambert Park, Farrall Park and John Kennedy School. Children ages 6-14 who live in the city or the town can participate in the program.

According to Toni Funke, program coordinator at Batavia Youth Bureau, approximately 500 children attend the program every year. Funke thinks the program is a great opportunity for children to engage in activities including crafts, games and field trips as well as receive a healthy meal at lunchtime. 

The meals are sponsored by the Niagara County Youth Bureau. The menu varies daily and each meal comes with fruit, milk and juice.

Although the recreational program is for children, youth ages 18 or younger can receive a free lunch at any of the five locations.

The Batavia Youth Bureau will be holding an open house at 5:30 p.m. on July 1 at Lions Park for parents who want to pre-register their child for the recreational program. However, parents can register their child at any time during the program.

Driving along Bank Street Road, you might notice "Blasting Zone Ahead" signs.  

Workers are removing bedrock to create a channel for the Town of Batavia's new water main being installed along Bank Street Road and Batavia Elba Townline Road.

You can find out more about the project on the Town of Batavia's Web site.

The town is installing 26 miles of water main this summer, according to Tom Lichtenthal, assistant engineer for the town.

Lichtenthal said there is bedrock along the pipeline's path that is from one foot to three or four feet below the surface. The channel for the pipe needs to be six feet deep and about three feet wide.

The blasts, Lichtenthal said, really aren't too severe. An observer wouldn't see much happening above ground and residents might feel a slight vibration.

Blasting is expected to take place along the two roadways for at least a month, perhaps longer.

Press release:

Batavia Business Improvement District (BID), sponsor of the Centennial Arts, an outdoor arts display that took place on Tuesday, June 16^th announces the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

More than 20 artists set up their works of art for display and for sale in Jackson Square. Those who attended the event were able to vote for their favorite artist or display as a People’s Choice Award. The winner of Centennial Arts was Susan Hoak, of Batavia, whose up-cycled furniture was considered “unique and creative” by several customers.

The Centennial Arts event was an effort to celebrate the City’s Centennial year as well as bring about awareness of the talented artists that are within the local region. Most artists were from Genesee County and one was from Warsaw. Pictures of the event can be see on the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District Facebook page.

“Shop Local, Shop Downtown.” Sponsored by: Batavia Business Improvement District.   or more info  contact the B.I.D. Office at 585-344-0900 / visit  us at www.DowntownBataviaNY.com. or  like us on Facebook at DowntownBataviaBusinessImprovementDistrict.

Connie Boyd and Dave Bateman, her son-in-law, show off a new little free library they setup at 16 Montclair Ave. in Batavia last week.

Bateman built Boyd the box for a holiday gift. One of her favorite TV shows is "Doctor Who" so he customized the box to resemble a tardis, a police box the doctor travels around in. The tardis even comes with a working light on top.

Boyd wanted to have a little free library of her own after seeing a box on Washington Avenue. She loves the concept of sharing her favorite novels with neighbors. The purpose of a little free library is to have people take a book from the box and leave one in return.

"Not everyone is able to get to the library so I wanted to make books accessible to everyone and encourage reading in my community," Boyd said.

There are about 20 adult books in the box. Boyd said her neighbors have already been adding and borrowing from the collection. She plans on adding books for children soon.

The preliminary design phase for the Ellicott Trail project, a bike and hiking path in Batavia, has been completed. 

According to Joseph Neth, project manager and engineer technician for the Town of Batavia, the proposed trail will begin at Pearl Street in the City of Batavia and extend east to Seven Springs Road in the Town of Batavia. The trail will be between 4.3 and 4.6 miles long and 10-feet wide. The trail will have both on- and off-road segments. Existing pavement will be used where feasible, and the off-road segments will be composed of stone. 

The trail will cross both public and private land. According to Neth, the project has received letters from private land owners stating they were open to the idea of the trail crossing their land.

"The trail will create an alternative form of transportation," Neth said. "It connects some of the historic and commercial areas of the city and the town. The trail will be a recreational form as well and that's something we don't have yet in Genesee County."

The steering committee held an informational meeting earlier this month to get input from the community on the preliminary draft. Only three members of the community showed up to hear the committee's presentation. Although the period for public comment has ended, the committee will still accept comments on the project throughout the rest of the process.

The next step is to submit a draft report to the Department of Transportation for approval in August. The project has been approved for approximately $1,000,000 in federal grant funding administered by the DOT. The preliminary design phase cost $69,000.

After the draft report is approved, the project will go through a final design phase and then contracts can be prepared so the project can go up for bid. If the project continues on schedule, trail construction will begin in 2017.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 26, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson is accused of stealing a bottle of liquor from West Main Wine and Spirits at 4:31 p.m., May 17. Gibson was identified as the suspect after a surveillance photo appeared on The Batavian.

Wendy Sue Pritchard, 39, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Pritchard allegedly committed thefts from Walmart twice in one day, Thursday, totalling $1,343 in value. She was jailed on $1,000 bail. Also arrested and jailed on $1,000 bail on the same charge was Warren Thomas Cotton, 38, of Minneck Road, Lockport.

Heidi Lynn Harder, 40, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Harder allegedly stole property from Walmart with a value of $695 on Thursday.

Jocelyn T. Carson, 24, of Rodney Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with confinement of a companion animal in a vehicle during extreme temperature. Carson allegedly left a dog in a vehicle for at least an hour with no water around 6 p.m., June 20, at 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien.

Jonathan David Knauss, 21, of Depot Street, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, no front license plate, unlawful removal of registration plate and driving without insurance. Knauss allegedly stole a license plate from a vehicle and affixed it to another vehicle. He was stopped at 2:41 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew Ziemba Perdock, 28, of Dowd Road, Fillmore, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's Department Store. Also arrested was Scott Logan Marsh, 19, of Main Street, Mount Morris. Perdock was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing from Dick's Sporting Goods.

A 17-year-old of Holland Avenue (name withheld by Batavia PD) was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear and to abide by a release under supervision contract. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Scout A. Marble, 20, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd chage.

Christopher G. Landry, 41, of Howell Road, Fairport, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Landry alleged violated a complete stay away order by sending text messages to the protected party.

James A. Mitchell, 37, of Center Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mitchell is accused of stealing cash from his employer, The Little Ridge Restaurant.

Darrell Smith, 48, of La Salle Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property. Smith was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Nina M. Kelso, 31, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a failure to care for an animal case.

Joseph Antwon Fletcher, 18, of South Main Street, Mount Morris, is charged with violation of probation. Fletcher was arrested on warrants.

Tonya L. Buzzell, 32, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and disorderly conduct. Buzzell allegedly refused to leave a residence on Ellicott Street at 11:28 p.m., Friday.

Jesse A. Russell, 25, of Basom, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, operating while registration suspended, unlicensed operator, inadequate muffler and unlawful possession of marijuana. Russell was stopped by a trooper on Route 33, Batavia.