batavia

After 29 years of Gerace family ownership, Bob Harris Realty, has been sold to RealtyUSA, a company with 2,100 agents in offices from Albany to Buffalo.

The merger was announced at the Bob Harris offices on Ellicott Avenue this morning by Merle Whitehead, president, CEO and sole owner of RealtyUSA, with Joe and Lois Gerace at his side and their sons John and Robert standing nearby.  

"We acquired the assets of Bob Harris Realty, but more importantly, we acquired a household name in Batavia in realty," Whitehead said. "What a great asset for RealtyUSA to enter this market with such a strong family name and reputation, so we're really excited."

Founded in Williamsville in 1959, RealtyUSA grew to be the market leader in the Buffalo area and has expanded over the years through acquisition, Whitehead said, to become the market leader in Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Corning and Elmira.

Last year the company handled $3.6 billion in transactions.

Lois Gerace said she will remain active in the business and doesn't plan to retire just yet. 

"I'm looking forward to at least another five years, easily," Gerace said.

John Gerace will be the manager of the RealtyUSA office.

Whitehead said his company will be able to bring resources to Bob Harris that the company didn't have on its own, such as training and the ability to hire more agents. The corporate office will also take on many tasks involved in running a real estate business, including marketing.

Lois Gerace said the new technology RealtyUSA is able to provide will benefit the business.

"We think we're going to provide better service to our customers, and we're excited," Gerace said.

While recognizing that the Bob Harris brand is well established in Genesee County, Whitehead said given the strong market presence RealtyUSA has to the east and to the west, changing the local name of the business only makes sense.

"We have an incredible Web site," Whitehead said. "It's been named the fourth best real estate Web site in America, so we want to use realtyusa.com to market in this area."

The acquisition is effective today.

The 16-year-old was last seen at Batavia High School at 11:30 a.m., Monday. 

She was wearing a black and silver scarf, a black and pink cosmetology sweater, black yoga pants and white Jordan high-top sneakers. 

She was carrying a cheetah-print backpack.

She may still be in the local area.

Tips on her whereabouts should go to Batavia PD, (585) 345-6350.

"As in all cases of runaway youth, people who knowingly harbor these individuals are committing a crime," said Det. Rich Schauf.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Olivia A. Rivera-Ellis has been located.

A conservative look at sales tax revenue for the city is driving a proposal to raise property taxes by 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, City Manager Jason Molino told City Council members Monday night during his 2015-16 budget presentation.

The drop in fuel prices benefits consumers, but plays havoc on local government, which derives 18 percent of sales tax revenue from fuel sales.

Sales tax accounts for 40 percent of the city's overall general fund revenue.

Molino projects $15,848,884 in general fund spending for 2015-16, a 1.08-percent reduction (or $253,001) in spending from the current fiscal year.

Even with the reduced spending, the projected shortfall in sales tax means local property owners will be asked to help pick up the slack.

The new city tax rate would be $9.30 cents.

On a home assessed at $90,000, the property owner would pay $69.75 per month, up $1.20 over this year. 

For property taxes that are roughly half what many households pay these days for mobile phone service, residents receive a bevy of city services, including police and fire protection, road and sidewalk maintenance and parks. The value, he suggested, was just as great or greater than mobile phone service.

"I thought it (the analogy) would help put things in perspective," Molino said after the meeting.

While the local economy is improving, and by some measures is stronger than the state or national economy, there is a lot of room for improvement, Molino noted.

There is the potential for even better job growth, especially if plans for the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and WNY STAMP continue to come together, but in the here and now, the city needs to be conservative in its budgeting process, Molino said.

The city also needs to take a close look at its aging sewer and water infrastructure.

He is proposing a revised rate structure -- one that does away with the current two-tier system -- and includes a projected $1 per month increase for the average consumer to help pay for maintenance and upgrades to the system.

The proposal calls for $22 million in capital investment in sewer and water over a 10-year period.

Without the changes, not only will needed replacements and upgrades not take place, the city's sewer and water system will soon start losing money.

As modern, water-saving appliances become more common in local homes, local water consumption has decreased. That's a trend, Molino said, he expects to see continue.

However, it costs just as much to deliver two million gallons of water as it does three million gallons. The reduction in consumption doesn't reduce the cost of the system that delivers the water, but reduced consumption does decrease revenue.

The city will need to increase water rates, he said, to keep pace with water delivery costs.

What Molino presented Monday is a budget proposal. It will now be up to the council to go through the budget, ask questions and potentially suggest changes. There will be a public hearing on the budget before it is adopted.

The proposed budget will be posted on the city's Web site later today.

Five Genesee County fire departments are responding, mutual aid, to the Town of Covington in Wyoming County for a working structure fire with a person still inside the residence. The location is 864 Perry Road. In addition to Covington fire, responders requested include Le Roy, Pavilion, Bethany, Stafford and the City of Batavia Fast Team.

UPDATE 5:28 a.m.: The person inside got out safely. The fire is out. The assignment is back in service. The resident told firefighters he normally throws debris from his heat stove outside his back door, and did so this time but forgot about a wooden pallet he put there. It caught fire and smoke came up through the back porch into the house, waking the resident. The fire burnt a portion of the back porch.

A driver involved in an accident Sunday night on Ellicott Street near Jackson Avenue that sent two people to the hospital has been charged with DWI.

Reid E. Scott, 23, of Bear Road, Cowlesville, is also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of an injury accident, reckless driving, speeding and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. 

Scott's vehicle was northbound on Ellicott Street, allegedly at a high rate of speed, according to investigators. A second vehicle was in the left-turn lane, intending to turn into Kwik Fill, and Scott allegedly attempted to pass the vehicle on the left by driving in the wrong lane toward oncoming traffic.

Scott's vehicle struck the turning vehicle. His vehicle then continued north striking a railroad crossing sign and utility pole.

Scott allegedly fled the scene of the accident on foot and was later located in Jackson Square. He suffered a hand injury.

Batavia PD did not release the names of the occupants of the other vehicle or provide information on their injuries.

UPDATE Tuesday, 4:50 p.m.: The driver of the second vehicle was Frances Riggs, of Brockport, and the passenger was Mattie Cole, of Albion. Both were transported to UMMC, but neither suffered a significant  injury, according to Sgt. Chris Camp. 

Tony Mancuso sent in this photo of his father, Joseph Laurence Mancuso, handing out NRA junior diplomas many years ago.

Tony's father did gun safety training and started Batavia Archers.

Tony said he doesn't know the other folks in the photo, but said it would be great to find out who they are. Recognize anybody? Leave a comment, if so.

Jason Gerard Heineman, 42, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, driving left of pavement markings and refusal to take breath test. Heineman was stopped at 12:59 a.m. Saturday on Phelps Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Edward William Zastrow, 33, of Town Line Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely. Zastrow was arrested by Sgt. Eric Seppala after his vehicle reportedly went off the roadway on Buffalo Street, Bergen, at 1:14 a.m. Sunday.

Devon James Schulman, 19, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Schulman is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart.

Curtis L. Williams, 34, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge. Williams turned himself in on the warrant.

Gregory Marcus Munroe II, 26, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge. Munroe turned himself in on the warrant.

Kim M. Sobczak, 52, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, controlled substance not in original container and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Sobczak was arrested at Kmart at 12:30 p.m. Friday by State Police. No further details released. UPDATE: NYSP has released additional information on this case. According to police, Sobczak was caught leaving Kmart with a shopping cart full of assorted items with a value of more than $300. She was allegedly found during her arrest with a pill bottle containing acetaminophen/oxycodone and acetaminophen/hydrocodone pill tablets.

Ethan T. Ellis, 30, of Brockport, Mark J. Friga, 29, David A. Morre, 26, Victor F. Martinez, 26, all of  Rochester, were charged with trespass. The four men were allegedly found by State Police riding ATVs on private property off Circular Hill Road, Le Roy, last week. The property is owned by Hanson Aggregates.

High Voltage Tattoo and Piercing is hosting its annual tattoo and piercing event to benefit local charities Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. on both days.

Tattoos, based on available selections, are $35 each and piercings are $15 each.

Proceeds benefit Volunteers for Animals, HomeCare & Hospice, and Justice for Children.

The event always draws a big crowd, so you want to arrive early.

High Voltage is at the corner of West Main Street and Thomas Avenue in Batavia.

Pictured are James Gommenginger, Jeremy Fridman and Mark Fanara.

An accident involving multiple vehicles, unknown injuries, is reported at 99 Jackson St. at the Red Apple Food Mart / Kwik Fill Gas Station. Mercy medics are on scene along with city firefighters.

UPDATE 10:23 p.m.: The driver of one of two vehicles involved fled the scene on foot and was subsequently located in Jackson Square in need of medical attention. A second ambulance went to that location. The driver of the other car had to be extricated. Howard at the scene says "It looks like they hit pretty hard."

UPDATE 11:16 p.m.: (Howard) At the time I left the scene, police officers had not yet pieced together the narrative of the accident. A witness said he was pumping gas when he heard a bang and looked up as saw a sedan hurtling toward the Kwik Fill station. The driver plowed through the snow and came to rest near the turn lane at Jackson and Ellicott. The witness said the airbags deployed and the driver seemed pretty incoherant. He said he helped the driver from the car and walked him over to the north side of Ellicott Street and sat him down on the curb. It was some time after that that the driver apparently decided to flee the scene. He was located later in Jackson Square and had a cut on his hand. The driver of the other car had a passenger.  The driver required extrication and appeared to be in a good deal of pain. The passenger was helped from the vehicle and stood for a moment before being placed on a stretcher.  The police will release more information once they have a better idea of what happened. The accident was reported as "multiple vehicles" at first because two or three cars stopped on Jackson because the drivers had witnessed the collision.

Chief Don Newton, East Pembroke Fire Department, received the Service Award for 2014, and Fire Training Officer James Gayton was named Firefighter of the Year Saturday night during the department's annual installation dinner.

Counting fire calls, accidents and EMS calls, East Pembroke went on 350 calls in 2014, up from the recent average year of about 300 calls.

The 2015 firematic officers as elected by members are: Newton, chief; Stephen Smelski, 1st assistant chief; Williams Torres Jr., 2nd assistant chief; Donald Newton Sr., firematic captain; Jose Santini, firematic lieutenant; Lori Ann Santini, EMS captain; Robert Yungfleisch, EMS lieutenant; Ray Schramm, fire police captain; Chris Bennett, fire police lieutenant; Gayton, training officer; Smelski, safety officer.

Candles were lit after the dinner in a memorial service to honor fallen first responders and members of the military.

Genesee County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger administered the oath of office for department and district officers.

A vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and injuries are reported at 60 Clinton St. in the city. The pole snapped and wire are down. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding. National Grid has been notified.

UPDATE 3:05 a.m.: The driver's injuries appear to be minor. The cause of the accident is under investigation. National Grid is on scene. 

UPDATE 3:08 a.m.: City fire is back in service.

A car versus pole accident is reported at 8056 Bank Street Road. Unknown injuries, but there is entrapment. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

The driver of a pickup truck that plowed into the western entryway of Batavia's police headquarters did so intentionally, investigators say.

Charges are pending against Steven J. Mancuso-Haitz Jr., according to a statement released by BPD.

Mancuso-Haitz is identified by police as the man who drove a 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup into the building at 2:57 p.m., Friday, causing damage to the doorway, but apparently not causing any structural damage.

The driver was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

No motive was given for Mancuso-Haitz to allegedly drive his truck into the building. Mancuso-Haitz has had prior local law enforcement contact, including an incident that led to this correction by The Batavian in 2011.

A truck reportedly struck the Batavia Police Station at 10 W. Main St. and a person is trapped inside the vehicle. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: The driver is speaking with a police officer.

UPDATE: The male driver was not seriously injured. He was transported to a hospital outside of Genesee County.

More information in the video:

Joel Emerson delivering mail through the snow and bitter cold on Redfield Parkway.

Joe Caruso cleaning his driveway on North Spruce.

Also on North Spruce.

Craig Thurman on State Street.

Joseph Verssagi on Union while his neighbor Buck Oltman works with his own blower in the background.

The sun was out, the storm was gone, but snow was still blowing on Main Street.

A reader submitted this photo of a school bus reportedly stuck in the snow in the traffic circle at Batavia High School.

A car has reportedly hit a tree and there are unknown injuries at 3992 South Main Street Road, near Fairway Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia Fire and Alexander Fire's ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 6:11 a.m.: Law enforcement on scene reports no injuries. Alexander's ambulance is cancelled. Town of Batavia can hold all equipment in hall.

To help keep traffic moving on a cold, windy, icy day, a little while ago, Sgt. Dan Coffey and another police officer pushed a disabled vehicle out of the intersection of Oak and Main, Batavia.

Reader submitted photo.

Outside the GCC gym last night, the weather was pretty sloppy, but not as sloppy as the basketball game going on inside.

In the second game of the annual Rotary tournament, matching Notre Dame and Alexander, there were turnovers and missed shots and refs who were seemingly calling an inordinate number of traveling penalties and questionable jump balls. 

The final score was 37-22.

"It's was a sloppy game," said Dave Pero, Fighting Irish head coach. "What more can I tell you. It was just a sloppy game."

Pero knows he'll need a better performance out of his girls Thrusday night when they take on the Lady Blue Devils in the tournament championship.

Batavia beat Midlakes 55-32 in the tournament opener.

Notre Dame has taken the previous two Rotary Tournament finals against Batavia, and both coaches said they're ready to lock horns again.

"They'll throw out all the stops and we'll be ready and they'll be ready and it should be fun," Pero said. "I like our chances, but we can't play like we did tonight. But Thursday's another night."

Give the Lady Trojans credit, they pushed hard on defense and even with a team of girls with perhaps an average height of maybe about 5' 4", they managed to pull down quite a few rebounds against a team with three starters over six foot.  In the first half, nearly every trip down the court resulted in numerous second and third chance tries at baskets.  

Unfortunately for Alexander, nothing fell.

"It'ss been like that all year," said Alexander's head coach, Marcia Hirsch. "Our defense has been so good, but we just haven't been able to score."

The loss puts the Lady Trojans, who've managed as many as 50 points just twice this season, at 4-4.

Alexander applied pressure to Notre Dame at half court with some success, but on those rare possessions that resulted in a basket for the Trojans, they used a full court press and Notre Dame seemed out of rhythm all night.

That's pretty much the kind of defense the Irish will see when they meet Batavia in the championship game.

Head Coach Marty Hein said the Blue Devils will use pressure and the team's deep bench to compensate for Notre Dame's height advantage.

“We talked about trying to make that our identity,” Hein said. “We’re not a big team but we’ve got depth this year, so we run, run, run and press. We’re doing it for 32 minutes if we have to do it for 32 minutes.”

Both Alexander and Notre Dame suffered key injuries that disrupted their offenses.  Brett Stephens suffered an ankle injury crumpled to the court in the second quarter. A possession or two later, Emily McCracken fell down in the same exact spot.  Both are being evaluated and are considered day-to-day.

For Batavia, Essence Williams notched a double-double with a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds, Tiara Filbert added 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. Sam Cecere, recently returned from an injury, scored nine points and added seven rebounds.

Shea Norton and Rebecca Krenzer led the Notre Dame attack, both with double-doubles. Norton had 14 points and 17 rebounds along with four blocks and four assists. Krenzer scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

For Alexander, Sydney Breton had seven points and five rebounds. Jayna Wright scored four points and had five rebounds, while Karli Phillips grabbed five rebounds.

Both Pero and Hein expect a tough, competitive game Thursday night in the final at GCC.

"It should be fun," Pero said.

To purchase prints, click here.

Yekaterina Reznichenko, 28, of Tracy Street, Rochester, is charged with robbery 3rd and two counts of grand larceny 4th. Reznichenko is suspected of robbing the Five Star Bank in Batavia in February. Reznichenko was located by Rochester PD and turned over to Batavia PD. She is being held by the Genesee County Jail.

Lakeisha A. Gibson, 28, of East Avenue, Lockport, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge. Gibson was located by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office and turned over to Batavia PD.  Gibson posted $130 police bail and was released.

Adam D. Smart, 32, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal obstruction of breathing. The charges stem from an alleged domestic incident reported at 1:30 p.m., Saturday. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.