batavia

Kiran Thapa

This video of a three-vehicle accident last Tuesday on the Thruway going through Batavia already has more than 230,000 views and has drawn more than 400 comments.

The driver of the Camaro was charged with DWI.

Kiran Thapa, 32, of Columbus, Ohio, was allegedly driving with a BAC of .19. He was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, a Class E felony.  

Thapa was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

A spokesman for Troop T had no further information available on the accident at this time.

Dakota R.L. White, 16, of South Lake Street, Bergen, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. White is accused of possessing and selling a controlled substance at Byron-Bergen High School. White was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

A 17-year-old resident of York Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing an item from Pavilion High School.

Amer Jusufbasic, 37, of Mohawk Street, Utica, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes, aggravated unlicensed operator, 2nd, unlicensed operator, driver's view obstructed and driving without an interlock device. Jusufbasic was stopped at 12:48 p.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Jusufbasic was allegedly in possession of 2,600 untaxed cigarettes. He was jailed on $1,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Christine Amnita Soler, 37, of Phelps Road, Pembroke, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operator, 3rd, improper left turn, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlicensed operator. Soler was stopped at 10:16 a.m. Friday on Phelps Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Christopher Allen Sewar, 28, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Sewer is accused of stealing merchandise valued at $10 from Walmart.

Todd Vincent Amico, 51, of Burritt Road, Hilton, is charged with possession of 400 untaxed cigarettes. Amico was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at 10:08 a.m. Friday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Amico was allegedly in possession of 2,300 untaxed cigarettes.

Jerell J. Jones Sr., 26, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. Jones was allegedly involved in two verbal arguments that required police intervention to prevent two separate physical confrontations. Jones was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Joshua H. Currier, 30 of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Currier was stopped by State Police on the Thruway in Henrietta on Thursday. He allegedly had a BAC of .12. 

Crystal L. Wojtkowiak, 19, of Attica, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and reporting false information regarding an incident. Wojtkowiak was arrested by State Police in regards to an unspecified incident in Alexander.

Laquasia M. Orr, 19, of Bronx, is charged with identity theft, 3rd. Orr was arrested by State Police in relation to an unspecified incident Saturday.

Jeffrey M. Johnson, 27, of Batavia, is charged with obstructing firefighting operations. Johnson was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 5:20 a.m. Sunday at 26 Overlook Drive, Batavia. No further details released.

Total Tan, with a location in Batavia, is the target of a false advertising lawsuit filed by the office of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.

The Williamsville-based company has 26 outlets, including 15 in Western New York.

Schneiderman's suit accuses Total Tan of making false advertising claims by denying or minimizing scientific evidence linking tanning to an increased cancer risk; promoting indoor tanning as a safe way to reap the benefits of vitamin D and other purported health benefits; and asserting the safety of indoor tanning compared to tanning outdoors. 

“Make no mistake about it: There is nothing safe about indoor tanning. The use of ultraviolet devices increases exposure to cancer-causing radiation and puts millions of Americans in serious danger – young adults, in particular,” Schneiderman said. “Irresponsible businesses that seek to rake in profits by misleading the public about the safety of their services will be held accountable by my office. Advertising and marketing cannot be used as a tool to confuse and endanger New York consumers.”

The Buffalo News obtained a statement from Total Tan owners Cynthia and Keith Leonard through their attorneys at Harris Beach.

“The Attorney General’s claim that Total Tan produced misleading advertising is not true,” the Leonards said. “We are a small, upstate, family-owned business that refuses to be intimidated by Mr. Schneiderman, who is trying to impose his own view of the world on our industry and the citizens of upstate New York."

The suit also names another group of tanning salons, Portofino Spas.

Of Total Tan, the AG's office says the company made the following allegedly false statements in market material, including social media:

• A testimonial from “cancer survivor Kurt Hollis” where he asserted to have treated his kidney cancer by tanning at Total Tan.
• “Tanning Fact! A Tanning unit can produce as much Vitamin D as drinking 100 glasses of milk! Wow!!!”
• Claims that vitamin D from indoor tanning will assist in either treatment or prevention of an array of serious diseases including cancer, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, and blood clots.

Read the full press release here.

Kelly Rapone's daughter is worried sick about the whereabouts of her kitten, who has no experience as an outdoor cat. Tully is missing in the Bennett Heights area of Batavia. Tully is very friendly, but doesn't have a collar on. Tully "walks funny" because of a cerebral disorder. If you've seen Tully, can locate Tully or have Tully, call (585) 727-4737.

As firefighters finished extinguishing a fire that started in a back room on the second floor of the home at 122 State St., Adrian's biggest worry was for the safety of his cat, Prince Charming.

So named because he was the lone kitten born to his mother. He's a special cat.

Adrian's mother, Carla Laird, stood at the threshold of their house and called. She had managed to get the family's two dogs and another cat out once she became aware of the fire, but Prince had jumped from her arms and hid under the couch and wasn't coming out. 

Two firefighters were dispatched to try and find Prince Charming and minutes later they emerged with him in a cat carrier.

There were hugs all around, including from Adrian's uncle, Chris (top photo).

No people were hurt, no animals were lost in the fire of still undetermined origin. Carla and Adrian were getting ready to leave the house when the fire started. Carla's daughter was not home at the time.

The house was damaged enough that the Red Cross has been called to assist the family and their pets.

For more on the fire, read our initial report.

A house fire is reported at 122 State St., upper apartment. City of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: "There's a possibility of a person trapped inside the apartment," says a dispatcher. "We have an open (phone) line and can hear a person still inside." Heavy smoke is showing and flames are shouting out of the rear window, says a firefighter on scene.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: City command reports everyone is out of the structure, then calls for a second alarm.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Darien, Alexander Fast Team, and all available city fire manpower called in. Town of Batavia fire is to stage in its quarters.

UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: Command reports fire knocked down. Darien's response is cancelled. Alexander is continuing to the scene. National Grid has been notified. Mercy medics are on scene in case needed.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: The American Red Cross will be contacted to respond to the scene.

GCC hosted its 34th Annual Fashion Show Saturday. These photos are from the 3 p.m. show.

To purchase prints, click here

Sunrise this morning taken on the property known as Gateway II off Route 98, Batavia.

A trailer is reportedly filled with smoke on Overlook Drive, Batavia. One person is still inside the structure. Town of Batavia fire is responding.

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.: We didn't hear any more transmissions on this incident, so we spoke with a dispatcher. The incident was smoke from cooking and the fire department has cleared the scene.

You know, it could be you rolling down Route 98 on a bright, blue and breezy summer day on your way to the twists and turns of the Southern Tier aboard a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

It could be you atop that iron mount filled with the same pride the men and women have who volunteer for their local fire departments.

It could be you at the Town of Batavia Fire Hall on Lewiston Road sometime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., tomorrow, buying a ticket for a chance to win that Harley, and signing up to be a volunteer, or at least having a hot dog...maybe get a free smoke detector, a coloring book or fire helmet for the kids and just hang out with the men and women who help keep our county safe. They'll cook you a hot dog. Or a hamburger.

Imagine, that.

Only a limited number of tickets are sold for the Harley Raffle, so you better tool on down to the Fire Hall tomorrow and plunk down some cash, or it might be somebody else riding that Harley.

Somebody's going to win it. It might as well be you.

Tyshon Taylor

A teenager accused of participating in a violent robbery in March on Central Avenue is facing a possible three years in prison after entering a guilty plea in County Court this afternoon to a charge stemming from that attack.

Tyshon L. Taylor was originally charged with assault in the first degree, but the plea deal reduced the charge to attempted assault, 2nd.

In the initial report, Taylor was accused of hitting a person with a gun, but when Judge Robert C. Noonan questioned Taylor as part of the factual admission portion of his hearing, Noonan asked about the use of a knife. Taylor said no weapon was used at all.

After a conference among the attorneys at Noonan's bench, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman amended the count Taylor would admit to. Instead of second-degree assault, the charge was changed to attempted assault, 2nd. That kept it as a Class D violent felony and preserved the three-year potential prison term.

Taylor then admitted to participating in the forcible theft of property from a person while working in concert with another suspect.

His co-defendant is Preston Daigler, who is scheduled to appear in County Court on Monday on a possible plea deal.

Taylor was soft spoken and respectful throughout the hearing, often answering Noonan's questions with, "yes, sir."

Sentencing is scheduled for 11 a.m., July 6.  

Taylor remains in custody without bail.

Blue Devil Jeff Redband has been named to the All-State First Team by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

With 27 points per game, Redband had the second highest PPG average of all the Class A ranked players.

Redband recently signed a letter of intent to attend Daemen College in Buffalo on a basketball scholarship.

Notre Dame's Josh Johnson was named to the fourth team in Class D.

Shannon Dick

A 33-year-old Bank Street resident has been accused of selling drugs following an undercover investigation by the Local Drug Task Force and the execution of a search warrant at her residence.

Shannon H. Dick is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and criminal possession of criminal possession of controlled substance, 5th.

As a result of the search warrant, she was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Prior to her arrest, the Grand Jury of Genesee County, indicted Dick on the first set of charges.

She allegedly sold cocaine to an agent of the task force while in the City of Batavia.

Dick was jailed pending arraignment in Genesee County Court.

The warrant allegedly uncovered crack cocaine and marijuana. She was issued an appearance ticket on those charges. 

Batavia PD and the District Attorney's Office assisted in the arrest and investigation of the suspect.

Dr. Victor Desa, a renowned surgeon who contributed his expertise and his time to the local community, has died at the age of 72.

Desa died in Rochester this morning, reports WBTA.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Among Dr. Desa's service to the community was time spent on the boards of United Memorial Medical Center and HomeCare & Hospice.

He was also always open to sharing with local residents his knowledge of the healthcare system, making frequent public appearances to speak on the topic.

Previously:

• Renowned Batavia surgeon weighs in on health care -- part 1
• Renowned Batavia surgeon weighs in on health care -- part 2
• Seminar focuses on broken health care system and failures of Obamacare

Girls on the Run, a group of students at Batavia Middle School, are holding a shoe drive as one of their charitable projects in the community. 

Teacher Sarah Gahagan, along with a friend, introduced Girls on the Run to the middle school and is looking to spread the word about the program. They're looking for a community project that the girls can take on.

"This is solely based on what the girls want to do in order for them to feel a sense of ownership and empowerment as they work toward their goal," Gahagan said.

The 12-week program culminates in a 5K in Buffalo.

"The girls set running goals every week in order to gear up for the final event," Gahagan said. "Each girl will cross the finish line with one of their coaches, a parent or a running buddy that they have asked to run with them from the school."

Gahagan described the program as a physical-activity-based youth-development program designed to inspire girls in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades to be joyful, healthy and confident.

In the photo, starting with the front row on the left: Sarah Gahagan, Breeann Wilcox, Juliana Branche, Tiffany Brown, Courtney Lougheed, Aliza Green, Riley Macdonough, Destiny Griffin, Andrea Merchant, Meghan Houseknect, Madison Dedman and Lindsey Mathis.

A three-car collision is reported at 8820 Park Road, in front of the Hershey's Ice Cream shop. Injuries are believed to be minor. One vehicle caught fire. It was doused but the vehicle is still smoking. In addition to Batavia fire, two Mercy rigs are responding.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: Howard, who is at the scene, was told that a minivan with two child passengers was making a left turn and hit an eastbound vehicle, causing both vehicles to careen into a car stopped at a stop sign. One of the children in the minivan suffered a bump on the head but was not transported for treatment. No one else was injured.

Austin Park is a long way from Florida, especially when just two weeks ago, when Cheri Pitcher was there, it was 90 degrees.

"I was surprised how cold it was this morning," Pitcher said while braving the cold and dusting of snow to take her dog for a walk.

It was 28 degrees this morning.

"We have a white male walking briskly down Summit (Street) wearing a hospital gown," says a dispatcher. Batavia police are responding.

It is 33 degrees and frosty outside.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: "They (police) are in service in the parking lot of Dan's Tire with the patient released," reports a dispatcher.

Jason P. Andrews, 38, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Andrews is accused of selling an unspecified controlled substance in the form of pills to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. Andrews was arrested at his residence, arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Jonathon Grant Browne, 22, of Leighton Avenue, Rochester, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, speeding and driving a vehicle without stop lights. Browne was stopped at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday on Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

A 17-year-old youth, residence not specified, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. The youth was arrested in Alexander by State Police. No further details released.

Jenna L. Josephite, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and Dillon M. Brito, 23, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Josephite and Brito were arrested and charged by State Police at 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Route 5, Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Grand Jury Report:

Veronica Garcia is indicted on a count of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or higher, two counts of driving drunk with a child less than 15 years of age in the vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child. Garcia is accused of driving drunk Dec. 19 on Route 98, Alexander, with two children in the vehicle. She allegedly has a prior DWI conviction from February, 2011, in the City of Batavia.

Press release:

The legacy of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted Batavia author, broadcaster and journalist, will live on through a scholarship established by The Jerome Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that distributes funds to benefit United Memorial Medical Center and other health-related purposes.

The William F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an annual $1,000 grant, will be awarded to a deserving high school senior residing in and graduating from a school in Genesee County whose intention is to pursue at least a four-year degree in the fields of Journalism, Communications, or Public Relations (in print, radio, television or digital media).

Brown, who died on Nov. 29, 2014 at the age of 91, was the former owner and president of WBTA Radio, a longtime correspondent for The Buffalo News and a frequent contributor to The Batavia Daily News.

An expert on Genesee County history, he wrote numerous books and articles on notable people and events, including the unsolved Linden murders, Batavia Downs, Redfield Parkway and the Mancuso family.

He also was president of the board of directors of the former St. Jerome Hospital and a charter member and trustee emeritus of The Jerome Foundation.

“Bill Brown contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County through his writing, and as a member of numerous community and civic organizations,” said Justin Calarco-Smith, board president of The Jerome Foundation. “He enriched our lives and we hope to be able to continue that spirit of giving with this scholarship that honors his memory.”

A committee of directors from the foundation will judge the scholarship applicants based upon academic merit, creative accomplishment, community service and leadership.

Applications are available at guidance offices at the nine Genesee County high schools or by contacting Martha Spinnegan, administrative assistant for The Jerome Foundation, at gspinneg@rochester.rr.com.

The completed application must be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Batavia, NY, 14020, and postmarked by May 8 to be considered.