batavia

Local author Bill Kauffman spoke at the Holland Land Office Muesum last night about the life and accomplishments of Barber Conable, the former congressman who served his hometown Batavia and surrounding areas in Congress for 20 years.

One congressional historian said Conable was as highly and widely respected as any member of Congress in the last half of the 20th Century.

Kauffman, who was good friends with Conable, said Conable was "the greatest political figure our region has ever produced."

This month University Press of Kansas released The Congressional Journal of Barber B. Conable, Jr. 1968-1984 and Kauffman is the editor of the book.  

"To me he was kind of what James Madison and those guys had imagined what a congressman might be like and obviously, precious few have ever lived up to that kind of standard," Kauffman said.

Press release:

Summer Rec at Farrall, John Kennedy, Lambert and Williams parks will be cancelled today, Thursday July 29th due to thunderstorm bands expected to hit throughout the day. Summer rec anticipates being open Friday July 30th unless otherwise communicated to families.

Summer Rec will avoid cancelling in advance unless there is a threat of unsafe weather conditions (Flooding, Safety Threat, Heat-Index Risk or Thunder/Lightening storms)

For further questions regarding Summer Rec, please contact the GLOW YMCA (585) 344-1664
 

Bureau of Maintenance Superintendent Raymond Tourt today confirmed what many Batavia residents have been complaining about on social media for several days: foul ordors.

The odors were emanating from the ponds at the Waste Water Treatment plant and were more prevalent on Sunday and Monday, Tourt said in an email. 

Maintenance work at the plant has played a role but so has weather, Tourt said.

"Even with adding a supplemental air compressors the odor seemed to hang low and drift  further than the norm but this does happen on occasion even if we were not replacing the air lines," Tourt said. "These were hot and humid days and we think that the weather played a part in the ponds being noticed further from the WWTP.  

"It is unfortunate, but we have incurred delays of materials.  For this reason the contractor advanced the project as far as they could until the supply chain could catch up. Manufacturers and distributors are struggling to make their commitments and this is one of the projects that was impacted due to the supply line being disrupted.   

"All materials appear be at the site or have confirmed delivery to be delivered this week.  Work will resume on Monday  and optimistically will be completed through the months of August and September.  This project remains a priority and we would like to see it completed as soon as possible."

Press release:

The Bureau of Inspections will be closed on Thursday, July 29th between the hours of 1:00pm and 4:30pm on Friday, July 30th for mandatory training. Documents may be dropped off at the Clerk’s Office.  The Bureau of Inspections will reopen on Monday, August 2nd at 8:30am.

A 40-year-old Batavia arrested earlier this month on sex abuse charges has been arrested on additional child sex abuse charges.

Melvin Andre Huntley, of Wilkinson Road, is charged with two counts of sex abuse 1st.  The children are less than 11 and less than 13 years old.  He is also charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

On July 8, he was arraigned on charges of predatory sexual assault against a child; course of conduct against a child in the first degree; first-degree rape; first-degree sex abuse.

The Sheriff's Office said of the first set of charges that Huntley was arrested after an investigation into him sexually assaulting a child/children over an extended period of time.

These new charges are the result of the ongoing investigation.

The Sheriff's Office is not releasing more information about the case at this time.   The investigation remains ongoing.

Huntley is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

The case is being investigated by Howard Carlson.

Mike Baluja -- that's the name on the YouTube channel this video appears on -- made this video as a tribute to the 2021 Batavia Muckdogs and coach Joey Martinez.  

He wrote in the description:

A tribute to the Batavia Muckdogs inaugural year in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Dedicated to Coach Joey Martinez, who saw my grandson at a showcase in December of 2020, and invited him to be among this very special group of players that he had assembled. His persistence and advice were instrumental in influencing our decision. It turned out to be a very rewarding experience for those involved.

The Muckdogs have two games left in their season that will go a long way in determinng whether they make the playoffs.  They're in Jamestown tomorrow night to take on the first-place Tarp Skunks and at home at 7 p.m. on Thursday to play Niagara. 

Michael J. Perkins, no age provided, no residence provided, is charged with assault 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, and grand larceny 4th. It's alleged at 12:05 a.m., Sunday, Perkins assaulted another person resulting in serious physical injury. He's accused of taking the person's phone while they attempted to dial 9-1-1 at a location on Ellicott Street and then applied pressure to the person's neck causing difficulty in breathing.  Perkins reportedly fled the residence prior to officers arriving.  Officer Stephen Quider and K-9 "Batu" responded and tracked the suspect.  Perkins was located as he was attempting to flee through backyards near a city park.  He was taken into custody without further incident. Perkins was also taken into custody on a Federal probation warrant.  He was arraigned in City Court and held without bail.

Jarrett C. Coniglio, no age provided, no residence provided, is charged with assault 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration.  Justice C. Coniglio, no age provided, no residence provided, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. The two men were arrested Saturday after deputies were called to Bloomingdale Roud to investigate an assault. A person had sustained a head laceration after being struck with a beer bottle. After deputies arrived on scene, Jarrett and Justice allegedly became hostile and combative.  Deputy Andrew Mullen and K-9 "Frankie" assisted in the apprehension of the suspects. Both men were arraigned in Town of Alabama Court. Jarrett was ordered held on $5,000 bail. Justice was released on his own recognizance and turned over to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office on a warrant.

Richard Daniel Sanderson, 36, of Lyons Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd.  Sanderson was arrested at a location on Main Road in Stafford, arraigned in Stafford Town Court, and released on his own recognizance.

Antonio James Goodson, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with three counts of petit larceny. He is accused of shoplifting at Walmart on July 22, 24, and 25. He was issued three separate appearance tickets and transported to the County Jail for processing. He was then released from custody.

Amanda Bowles, 35, of Pembroke, is charged with petit larceny. Bowles was arrested in the Town of Batavia by State Police at 1:22 p.m., Saturday.

Aaron M. Hatt, 25, of Alexander, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and aggravated family offense. He was arrested by State Police in Batavia at 2:20 a.m., Sunday and released on his own recognizance.

Tiffany A. Delgado, 44, of Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAT of .08 or greater. Delgado was arrested by State Police in Batavia at 3:27 a.m., Saturday, in the Town of Batavia, and released on an appearance ticket.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District’s Registration Office will be located at the Robert Morris Site beginning on Monday, August 2, 2021.   Families are asked to use the Community Schools entrance when picking up or turning in registration materials, which is located off of the parking lot at the corners of Richmond and Vernon Avenues.  The hours are 8 AM-12 PM and 1 PM-3 PM until August 20.  Beginning August 23, hours are 8 AM-4 PM.

The District encourages any families with children entering Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) or Kindergarten in September to please register their child as soon as possible.  Children who are residents of the District and who are four (4) years of age on or before December 1, 2021, are eligible to apply for UPK.  Children who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2021, are eligible for Kindergarten.  Please see the information on our District’s website, https://www.bataviacsd.org/page/electronic-registration, to begin the registration process.

 Anyone with questions may call the Registration Office at 585-343-2480 ext 1010.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for assistance identifying the pictured male in relation to a residential burglary on East Main Street, where TVs among other property was stolen. The vehicle he was operating had a spare tire on the rear passenger side and a taped-up quarter window on the rear driver side.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating Officer Girvin or the City of Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

The Batavia Twins became the 10U baseball champions yesterday beating the Batavia Mets 7-2.

The Twins were 3-2 going into the sixth inning and then added on four more runs to seal the deal. 

"Congratulations to both teams on a great season!" said Twins Assistant Coach John Caleb.

Photo and info submitted by John Caleb.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in the westbound lane in the area of mile marker 396.6.

A first responder reports one car is in the median and the other is on the shoulder.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested nonemergency.

Press relaese:

It was so nice to be able to have in person events back at the museum this past week. It felt like things are finally getting back to normal, for the first time since March 2020.

Thank you to Steve Kruppner for his wonderful concert Wednesday night (in case you missed it check out this link HLOM Concert Series: Steve Kruppner - YouTube) and Erica Wanescki for her informative presentation on polio.

Be sure to come out to the museum on Wednesday, July 28th to see Bill Kauffman discuss his new edited work "The Congressional Journal of Barber Conable."

We have now reached 85 percent of the way to our membership goal of 200 people for 2021. If you know of anyone who hasn't joined the historical society yet and is a fan of local history tell them to check us out. Our members are our best ambassadors. Again, thank you everyone for your support for 2021.

This Month:

If you would like to join us in person for any of our events please preregister by calling the museum at (585) 343-4727.

• Wednesday, July 28th 7 p.m. - Guest Speaker: Bill Kauffman "The Congressional Journal of Barber Conable." Admission is $3/$2 for museum members. Also available via the Zoom link below. Meeting ID: 813 4537 8772  Passcode: 494343. The presentation will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel courtesy of Paul Figlow.

Upcoming Summer Events:

• Thursday, Aug. 12th 7 p.m. - Trivia Night @ the Museum "Napoleon Bonaparte"
• Wednesday, Aug. 18th 7 p.m. - Guest Speaker Derek Maxfield, "Hellmira"
• Thursday, Sept. 9th 7 p.m. - Trivia Night @ the Museum -- "Pan-American Exposition"
• Saturday, Sept. 18th 2 p.m. - Guest Speaker Rob Thompson, "Batavia's Body Snatchers"
• Thursday, Sept. 23rd 9 a.m. - Java with Joe E. with Jennifer Liber Raines, "Forgotten People, Forgotten Places"
• Thursday, Sept. 30th 7 p.m. - Guest Speaker Chris Mackowski, "A Season of Slaughter: The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse"
• History Heroes Summer Program:
  • Saturdays July 24th, Aug.14th, Aug. 21st, Aug. 28th, Sept. 4th 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the museum "Fun in the Roaring '20s."
  • Children ages 7-12 can come and join us and learn all about the 1920s through art, music, dance, medicine, sports & leisure, cultural movements, transportation and much more.
  • Activities will include period arts & crafts, walking tours to various sites in Batavia, and even a trip on the Arcade & Attica Railroad.
  • The program is $10 per child with discounts for members and multiple children. Limit to 16 children each day. Visit the museum's website and social media sites for more information.

Artifact Video Series:

This week's video details the history of our Herschede Hall Grandfather Clock from the White Family. Holland Land Office Museum Artifact Video Series: White Family Grandfather Clock -- YouTube. If you missed any of the previous videos there are links on the homepage of our website and Facebook page. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel, Holland Land Office Museum.

Joseph Ellicott Book & Gift Shop:

We are always adding new things to our inventory. The store is available at the following link HLOM Gift Shop Site.

This week's focus is a popular title that we recently got back in stock "The Linden Murders...Solved" by Rob R. Thompson ($15).

"Countless have speculated over the years and still, even today many wonder was there a maniac wandering the backroads of Genesee and Wyoming counties? Was he, by modern definition, a serial killer? Was his identity known, but his neighbors too fearful to expose the name behind the deeds?

Did he die alone in his Attica home clutching ever last to the haunting memories of his bygone days? Did he, before the final sheet was pulled offer even the lightest of hints? Did his wife know...did his mother...brothers and children know the secret behind the face at Christmas dinner?"

AmazonSmile Program:

AmazonSmile donates .5 percent of every applicable purchase made through the AmazonSmile website. You can assist us through this manner by following the link below and choosing the Holland Purchase Historical Society as your noprofit of choice: smile.amazon.com.

Call for Volunteers:

We are in need of more volunteers to keep the museum going strong. If you have just a few extra hours and have an interest in history consider donating your time to the HLOM:

• Assisting with museum membership
• Museum events (setup/take down, refreshments, tickets)
• Landscaping & Gardening

Promoter members: Eric Adams, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Daviau, Thomas & Marcia Duffy, Matthew & Jessica Jolliff, and Dr. Paul Stomper.

Business Sponsors: Genesee Patrons Insurance Co., Kleen All Company, Liberty Pumps, and Marchese Computer Products.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

A speeding motorcycle is zooming through the city and the police have determined not to engage it. It was westbound at about 80 mph, then headed up Lewiston Road going about 115 mph, an officer tells dispatch.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: An officer tells a dispatcher the motorcycle was last seen heading down "Townline Road."

Batavia hitters unloaded on Newark pitchers Thursday evening in an offensive onslaught that included a grand slam home run by shortstop Charlie Szykowny (top and bottom photos).

Szykowny went 2-2 raising his season average to .311. The big blast was Szykowny's first HR of the season. 

Batavia native Jerry Reinhart was 2-3, scoring twice.

The Muckdogs won 11-1 lifting the team's recored to 19-17. Batavia is in third place, a half-game behind the Geneva Red Wings with six games to go in the regular season. 

Blair Frederick was the winning pitcher, going five and a third innings, giving up only two hits, walking one and whiffing eight.

The Muckdogs' final home games of the regular season are tonight at 7 against Jamestown, Sunday at 4:05 p.m. also against Jamestown, and Thursday, 7:05 p.m., against Niagara Power. Jamestown is in first place in the Western Division with a record of 26-12.

Photos by Philip Casper.

David Chua throwing out the first pitch.

Blair Frederick

Daniel Burroway 

Jerry Reinhart with a head-first slide into second base after a line drive into right field.

Reinhart scores.

Michael Thomas Martinez, 37, of Church Street, Oakfield, is charged with: second-degree menacing; two counts of first-degree attempted assault; two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; two counts of second-degree harassment; and trespass. He was arrested at 1:55 a.m. July 21. After an altercation between Martinez and two victims, it is alleged that Martinez hit both victims with a closed first. He then allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to slash at the two victims with a knife, stating he was going to stab and kill them both. Martinez did allegedly cut the arm of one of the victims. He then left the scene and returned to his residence. A relative of a victim watched Martinez's house to make sure he did not leave before deputies arrived. Martinez allegedly came out of his house with a black metal pipe, which started a separate altercation. He then threatened to hit the third victim, the family member, with the pipe. Martinez then allegedly told the third victim he was going to get a gun from his house and shoot the third victim unless he left. Martinez returned to his house for a short time, then came outside. He was taken into custody by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies and NYS troopers. Martinez was arraigned in Oakfield Town Court and put in GC Jail on $10,000 cash bail. The incident was handled by GC Deputy Jacob Gauthier and Deputy Austin Heberlein with assistance from state police.

Ida Marie Vanorden, 35, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree attempteed assault and third-degree assault. She was arrested July 22 after an investigation for allegedly assaulting two people at 3 a.m. on July 14 on North Lake Road in Bergen. She was arraigned in Bergen Town Court and is due back there on Aug. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

Pamela A. Morrow is charged with driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or greater -- second offense within 10 years, and DWI -- second offense within 10 years. At 6:20 p.m. July 21, Morrow was arrested on Linwood Road in Le Roy. She was processed at Genesee County Jail then released on appearance tickets. She is due in Le Roy Town Court on Aug. 3. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Elizabeth Michelle Thompson, 31, of Monclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 12:50 p.m. July 21. It is alleged that she stole $113.28 worth of merchandise from Walmart. She is accused of walking past all points of sale without paying for the items. She was processed at Genesee County Jail, then released on an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court Aug. 19. The case was handled by GC Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is going to be repairing a water line in front of 13 Holland Ave. today. The street will be closed to through traffic including emergency vehicles. Work began about 8 a.m. and should be completed by 3 p.m.

Residents are asked to find alternative routes.