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Batavia's Eric Stroud named to dean's list at Cedarville University

By Billie Owens

Eric Stroud, of Batavia, was named to the Cedarville University dean's list for spring 2020.

This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.5 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study.

Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking.

For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

Lake Plains Community Care Network is available to help people apply for health insurance

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is extending the open enrollment for health insurance for another month. The deadline for anyone who wants, or needs to apply for health insurance, the extension is now to July 15th.

Anyone who has questions, lost income, lost health insurance or needs help navigating the NYS of Health website can give Lake Plains Community Care Network a call at (585) 345-6110 and talk to a Navigator.

Applications are completed telephonically. Assistance with locating other resources are also available.

Charlotte Crawford RN, MSN, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Lake Plains Community Care Network

575 E. Main St., Batavia

Photos: Rotary club serves free pancakes in drive-thru breakfast for Father's Day

By Howard B. Owens

The crowd may not have been as big for the Rotary Club's annual Father's Day Pancake Breakfast as it would have been if they had been able to conduct the breakfast in the sit-down style of the past 20 years, but club members were pleased with their well-organized effort to feed members of the community for free.

Nobody had to pay this morning for three pancakes, two sausage links, butter and syrup, milk and orange juice, though donations were gratefully accepted.

VIDEO: BHS Senior Parade

By Howard B. Owens
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On what should have been their prom night on Saturday, Batavia High School seniors were given a chance to celebrate the close of their final year of high school with a parade through the city, passing Robert Morris, Jackson Primary, John Kennedy, the nursing home, and then returning to Batavia HS.

Rollover accident reported on Lewiston Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident, believed to be with no injuries, is reported at 8068 Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. The location is between the Interstate 90 bridge and Galloway Road.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: The driver and sole occupant is out of the vehicle.

Owner offers $1K reward for capture of intruder at Dave's Ice Cream

By Howard B. Owens

A perpetrator is still at large following a late-night break-in at Dave's Ice Cream, 3872 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Local law enforcement is looking for an individual who made forced entry into the ice cream shop at about 10:50 p.m. and was wearing black pants, a black coat, a gray hoodie, white gloves, and a black mask.

The subject attempted to gain entry to the cash register before fleeing in what appeared to be a small, white SUV.

Owner Debra Webster became aware of the burglary in progress because of a security camera in the store that alerted her on her phone to activity inside the closed and locked shop. She called 9-1-1 and Sheriff's deputies, with back up from Batavia PD and State troopers, responded but the perpetrator had left before police arrived.

Webster said the burglar did not seem familiar with the store and that no money was left in the store so no money was taken.

She is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the criminal.

The Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information pertinent to the case is asked to call Investigator Chris Parker or Deputy Jordan Alejandro at (585) 343-5000.

UPDATE: Photo of the intruder's face submitted by Debra Webster.

VIDEO: Courtesy Debra Webster. Note: The submitted video was 2:30 long. We've trimmed it to include only the portions that show the intruder and the SUV.

(Initial Report)

Burglary in progress at Dave's Ice Cream caught on camera, police searching the area

By Billie Owens

A burglary in progress was reported at Dave's Ice Cream, 3872 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, about 25 minutes ago. Several Sheriff's deputies responded initially and found the front door secure, but noted there was forced entry through the back door.

Dispatchers were told the cash register drawer was on the floor, and a light was on in a portion of the building.

No one was located inside; the building was deemed secure.

A security camera at one point, briefly, showed an individual on the premises.

The suspect is described as wearing all black, including a hoodie and gloves.

A search for the suspect by law enforcement is underway and includes Batavia police and NYS Troopers. They are establishing a perimeter for the search area.

VIDEO: The first day of the first-ever Juneteenth celebration in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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The four local men who organized the March for Justice in Batavia on June 7 have joined together with eight more local residents to form Just Kings Social Club to help promote racial equality in the city. Friday, they hosted their first event at the YWCA: Day one of a two-day Juneteenth celebration.

Today (Saturday), the event starts at noon and runs until 7 p.m. There will be food and beverages, live entertainment, as well as vendor booths.

The YWCA is located at 301 North St., Batavia.

The end of slavery in the United States is not marked by one single date.

Juneteenth evolved out of the cooperation of June 19 in Texas, the day slaves were freed in the former rebellious state in 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in territory still held by Confederates.

It wouldn't be until December 1865 that the 13th Amendment was ratified banning slavery in the United States. Many believe the struggle for equality and liberty for black Americans has yet to be fully realized.

Photo: Residents at Bank and Washington supporting 'the movement'

By Howard B. Owens

Kathy Poole and Patty Poole were sitting in their yard at Bank and Washington in Batavia late this afternoon with signs around them supporting Black Lives Matter, giving every car that passed their way a big, smiling, friendly wave.

Patty said they wanted to support the movement. 

"I feel like something in the system is pretty screwed up and there has to be a change and that starts at your home, you know," Patty said. "Spread the word."

As for Juneteenth, Patty said the holiday isn't just about black power. It's about power for all people.

"The color of my skin does not define me but a special day like this, I’m going to support it, of course," she said.

Photo: Kathy Poole, Jeneve (last name declined), Jaya, and Patty Poole.

St. Joe's seventh- and eighth-graders to start attending Notre Dame this fall

By Billie Owens

Press release:

In collaboration with St. Joseph Regional School and in the spirit of maintaining and ultimately enhancing the vibrancy of Catholic Education in the GLOW Region, the St. Joe's seventh- and eighth-grade classes will be transitioned to Notre Dame High School beginning this September.

Both schools are very excited about engaging in a unified approach to maximize continuous improvements and long-term vibrancy.

UMMC Pain Center nurse awarded 2020 St. Jerome Guild scholarship

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Nicole Hopkins has been awarded the 2020 St. Jerome Guild Health Professional Scholarship.

Hopkins is a registered nurse who has worked at UMMC, dedicating six years to patients in the UMMC Pain Center.

She is striving for her BSN advanced degree in Leadership Management, carrying a 4.0 average at Roberts Wesleyan College. The recipient received a $500 scholarship in memory of Dorothy Baker, a dedicated Honorary Guild volunteer.

The St. Jerome Guild Inc., offers the annual scholarship to applicants who are currently employed at UMMC/Rochester Regional Health and are pursuing advanced degrees in healthcare fields.

The Guild’s Gift Shop operates entirely by volunteers, and is coined “The County’s Best Kept Secret” located in the Jerome Center and hopes to reopen in the near future. Proceeds from the Gift Shop continues to purchase equipment for UMMC.

In the photo, Hopkins holds a plaque representing the Guild’s current initiative, “Home Town Heroes, 2020 Wall of Warriors.”

The GLOW community is welcome to support this initiative by donating $10 per star representing one of the 1,000 UMMC employees located at the North Street and Bank Street campuses.

All proceeds from this initiative will be donated to UMMC to purchase vital equipment.

Checks can be made payable to: St. Jerome Guild Inc., 16 Bank St., Batavia, NY 14020.

ESL credit union makes early dividend payout of $20 to members

By Billie Owens

Press release:

ESL Federal Credit Union, which has a branch in Towne Center at Batavia, today announced it has distributed $20 million to members in an early Owners’ Dividend payout for 2020. 

“The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has created a great deal of financial stress for many in our community,” said Faheem Masood, president and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union. “This $20 million is much more helpful to our members now instead of waiting until our traditional timeframe of January 2021.

"We believe this is a tangible way in which we can support our membership through these challenging times, as the combined impact of $20 million into our community can help make a difference.”

With this latest distribution, ESL has now shared more than $170 million with its members over the program’s 25 payouts.

The individual Owners’ Dividend payout amounts ESL members receive are based on  an established Owners’ Dividend criteria. For more information about the criteria, please visit esl.org/ownersdividend.

Qualification for the Owners’ Dividend is subject to eligibility requirements, and payment of the Owners’ Dividend is not guaranteed.

About ESL Federal Credit Union

With 100 years of locally-owned history, ESL Federal Credit Union serves as a full-service financial institution to more than 370,000 members. Founded in 1920, the company provides personal banking, business banking, mortgage services and wealth management services through its locally-based 22 branch network, telephone, mobile, online and live chat center.

The Rochester-based financial institution employs approximately 850 people in in the Greater Rochester area and holds more than $6.9 billion in assets. Since 1996, ESL has paid out 25 consecutive Owners’ Dividends to its members totaling more than $170 million. The company has appeared on the Great Place to Work® Best Small & Medium Workplaces list for nine years since 2010. ESL Federal Credit Union is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found online at www.esl.org

Dog locked in red pickup outside Walmart prompts call to dispatch

By Billie Owens

A dog locked inside a red pickup truck with Florida license plates at Walmart is reported to dispatch by a caller concerned about its welfare. The truck is parked in the reserved section in front of the grocery entrance. An animal control officer is responding.

The temperature outside is currently 77 degrees.

Photo: Sunset at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

Photo of sunset at Genesee Community College submitted by Amanda Wells. She said, "This beautiful sunset breaks up the craziness that has been the present of our daily lives. Just something nice to enjoy for a change."

Two Batavia women named to dean's list at Ithaca College: Elise Hoerbelt and Lauren Leone

By Billie Owens

Ithaca College congratulates the following students named to the dean's list for the spring 2020 semester:

Elise Hoerbelt, a Music Education major, of Batavia.

Lauren Leone, a Journalism / Politics major, of Batavia.

About Ithaca College

Founded in 1892, Ithaca College is a residential college dedicated to building knowledge and confidence through a continuous cycle of theory, practice and performance. Home to some 6,200 students, the college offers more than 100 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Performance, and Music.

Students, faculty and staff at Ithaca College create an active, inclusive community anchored in a keen desire to make a difference in the local community and the broader world. The college is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright scholars, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly schools in the country, and one of the top 10 colleges in the Northeast.

Man accused of picking up juvenile at DeWitt, inappropriately touching the youth

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Wednesday, June 17, at or about 6:10 p.m., Batavia police officers responded to the area of Clinton Street for a juvenile that had flagged down a neighbor, requesting help.

Patrols arrived on scene and located two local residents sitting with a juvenile and James McNally standing near them. Patrols separated McNally from the juvenile and residents.

The residents indicated that the juvenile told them, that he needed help getting away from McNally.

Patrols interviewed the juvenile briefly and concluded that the juvenile had accepted a ride from McNally from DeWitt Recreation Area, with the intentions of McNally driving the juvenile to his residence.

While transporting the juvenile, McNally allegedly attempted to grope the juvenile. The juvenile feigned sickness so McNally would pull off to the side of the road. The juvenile then exited the vehicle and ascertained help at the nearest residence.

Upon discovering the alleged incident, Batavia police officers promptly took McNally into custody and transported him away from the juvenile.

McNally was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child (a misdemeanor) and forcible touching (a misdemeanor) via Skype in Batavia City Court by Judge Durin Rogers.

McNally was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice, and an order of protection was issued. McNally is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at a later time.

The Batavia Police Department would like to take a quick moment to update the community and parents on new abduction prevention ideas.

Instead of “Stranger Danger,” try using the following language when talking to your child about abduction prevention:

  • Don’t say: Never talk to strangers.
  • Say: You should not approach just anyone. If you need help, look for a uniformed police officer, a store clerk with a nametag, or a parent with children.
  • Don’t say: Stay away from people you don’t know.
  • Say: It’s important for you to get my permission before going anywhere with anyone.
  • Don't say: You can tell someone is bad just by looking at them.
  • Say: Pay attention to what people do. Tell me right away if anyone asks you to keep a secret, makes you feel uncomfortable, or tries to get you to go with them.

Man accused of picking up juvenile at DeWitt, inappropriately touching the youth

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Wednesday, June 17, at or about 6:10 p.m., Batavia police officers responded to the area of Clinton Street for a juvenile that had flagged down a neighbor, requesting help.

Patrols arrived on scene and located two local residents sitting with a juvenile and James McNally standing near them. Patrols separated McNally from the juvenile and residents.

The residents indicated that the juvenile told them, that he needed help getting away from McNally.

Patrols interviewed the juvenile briefly and concluded that the juvenile had accepted a ride from McNally from DeWitt Recreation Area, with the intentions of McNally driving the juvenile to his residence.

While transporting the juvenile, McNally allegedly attempted to grope the juvenile. The juvenile feigned sickness so McNally would pull off to the side of the road. The juvenile then exited the vehicle and ascertained help at the nearest residence.

Upon discovering the alleged incident, Batavia police officers promptly took McNally into custody and transported him away from the juvenile.

McNally was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child (a misdemeanor) and forcible touching (a misdemeanor) via Skype in Batavia City Court by Judge Durin Rogers.

McNally was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice, and an order of protection was issued. McNally is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at a later time.

The Batavia Police Department would like to take a quick moment to update the community and parents on new abduction prevention ideas.

Instead of “Stranger Danger,” try using the following language when talking to your child about abduction prevention:

  • Don’t say: Never talk to strangers.
  • Say: You should not approach just anyone. If you need help, look for a uniformed police officer, a store clerk with a nametag, or a parent with children.
  • Don’t say: Stay away from people you don’t know.
  • Say: It’s important for you to get my permission before going anywhere with anyone.
  • Don't say: You can tell someone is bad just by looking at them.
  • Say: Pay attention to what people do. Tell me right away if anyone asks you to keep a secret, makes you feel uncomfortable, or tries to get you to go with them.

VIDEO: BHS music graduates serenaded with 'Pomp and Circumstance'

By Howard B. Owens

Music class students, current and former, came together yesterday afternoon under direction of teacher Jane Haggett to honor their fellow music students who are graduating this year.

The musicians visited students at their home or work and played "Pomp and Circumstance" for them.

This video is of Erick Chugg receiving the surprise visit at McDonald's, where he works.

Also honored: Lydia Geiger, Maggie Andersen, Macayla Burke, Gloria Adams, Sarah Adams, Maddie Taggart, and Derrick Fedus.

Not available for a visit: Garrick Havens, Courtnee Yasses, and Charissa Waldmiller.

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