batavia

Press release:

As heavily requested, single-game tickets are now available for all 29 home games throughout the 2021 season. The official Muckdogs schedule can be found on the Perfect Game website (pgcbl.com) and on our Facebook page, “Batavia Muckdogs Baseball.”

To purchase tickets, please call (585) 524-2260 to be in attendance and cheer on your Muckdogs at historic Dwyer Stadium!

Season ticket packages are also still available for the 2021 season. For inquiries, make sure to call (607) 734-7825 before our home opener against Elmira on June 4th. Be on the lookout for more Batavia Muckdogs news as the season kicks off in less than two weeks!

Home Schedule

• Friday, June 4th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 5th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 7th vs Mansfield (7:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday, June 8th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, June 11th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, June 13th vs Newark (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 14th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 17th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 19th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, June 20th vs Niagara (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 21st vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 24th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 26th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 28th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 1st vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 3rd vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 4th vs Mansfield (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, July 5th vs Syracuse (7:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday, July 6th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 8th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 10th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, July 12th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 15th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 17th vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 18th vs Elmira (4:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 22nd vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, July 23rd vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 25th vs Jamestown (4:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 29th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)

On Monday, the Old Hippies -- Bill and Kay McDonald -- announced a series of four free afternoon concerts in Genesee County this summer.

The Old Hippies, a renowed local band specializing in Americana roots music, will perform the "Home to Home Concert Series: For the Common Good":

• Saturday, July 3 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square
• Sunday, Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square
• Sunday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. in Elba Town Park
• Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square​

These dates are in addition to the 7 p.m. Friday concert July 2 in Downtown's Jackson Square.*

There will​ also be live performances by the Ghostriders, Deanna Spiotta and other talented musicians.

Food vendors will be available along with displays from local businesses.

All are welcome to:

• Enjoy the music live and in person. Bring your own chair;
• Listen in on FM radio as they broadcast near the concert venue;
• Interact with livestream over the internet via Facebook from wherever you may be;
• View the recorded concert on YouTube at a time and place you choose.

For updates and info, visit:

• oldhippiesmusic.com​
• Facebook.com/oldhippiesmusic
• or contact Bill McDonald at (585) 250-2269 or email billmcdonald50@gmail.com

​The performances are possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, administered by GO ART! They are sponsored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

*Previously:  Here's the lineup for the free concert series on Friday nights in Jackson Square starting June 25

Judge Charles Zambito expressed frustration today -- frustration he and his colleagues on the bench throughout New York share -- that when considering bail for a defendant, he cannot weigh the potential threat the defendant represents to the community. 

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman had just asked that Devon A. Wright be held without bail in the Genesee County Jail citing his recent felony arrest on top of two criminal indictments already pending.

Since Zambito couldn't send Wright to jail or increase his present bail (he is out of jail on bail), the County Court judge ordered the 19-year-old to undergo a mental health evaluation within the next three weeks, not consume drugs or alcohol, stay in his own residence from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (thereby prohibiting him from staying at his girlfriend's house), and avoiding any confrontation with police, who will have blanket permission to search him or his residence at any time.

Since turning 18 in 2019, Wright has been charged with crimes ranging from larceny and assault to sexual misconduct.

In the past 20 months, Batavia PD has reported the following arrests:

• In Nov. 2019, Wright was accused of violating an order of protection and charged with criminal contempt.
• Later that month, Wright was charged with larceny, harassment, and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly stealing money from a person less than 17 years old while in City Centre.
• In March 2020, Wright allegedly caused a disturbance at the Sunoco Gas Station on West Main Street in Batavia and was charged with burglary, assault, and criminal mischief.
• The next month, Wright was accused of running down a person on Highland Park in Batavia while driving a silver sedan. He then allegedly fled the scene on foot. When taken into custody, he allegedly resisted arrest and damaged property at the police station. He was charged with attempted assault, 1st; resisting arrest; obstructing governmental administration, 2nd; criminal mischief, 4th; criminal nuisance, 2nd; and harassment, 2nd. Wright answered to the charges in City Court and bail was set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond. It's unclear if he posted bond or bail but he was released from custody.
• In May 2020, Wright was accused of sexual conduct with a person less than 15 years old and charged with two counts of criminal sexual act in the second degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
• In July 2020, Wright was arrested on a pair of warrants, one for alleged failure to pay a fine, the other for an alleged failure to appear in court.
• Wright's most recent arrest came earlier this month. Wright was arrested on a Batavia City Court Warrant and charged with second-degree menacing, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and second-degree harassment. He allegedly threatened several individuals in a vehicle with a weapon.

It's the most recent arrest that prompted Friedman to ask Zambito to order Wright held without bail.

Friedman said that he was more concerned about Wright's willingness to make future court appearances given his growing list of unresolved criminal charges.

Attorney Nathan Pace, recently assigned to represent him after Wright's previous attorney resigned from the case, argued that there was no reason to doubt Wright won't make future court appearances since he has made recent court appearances. Pace said he represented Wright in other matters two years ago and the defendant made his appearances then. He also said he and his client dispute the facts of the recent arrest. He also said Wright will become a father in a few months and is looking forward to the baby's birth and that he will start a job at a Batavia gas station on Monday.

"I believe he will continue to appear in court," Pace said.

Friedman countered that it is meaningless that the defendant denied wrongdoing in the new cases. That's what defendants do at this stage of proceedings. Friedman said it was more relevant that Wright is accused of resisting arrest and fighting with police officers. 

Zambito opened his remarks by saying it was difficult to agree with the desire of Pace to keep his client out of jail, but that New York law limited what he could do to hold Wright in custody. 

"It's impossible under the current bail reform laws," Zambito said. "It seems Wright is a clear and present danger to the community as long as he is out and he continues to get arrested. 

But, Zambito added, "the law doesn't allow a judge to consider community safety when setting bail. I'm frustrated. I think every judge in New York State is frustrated."

He said he was going to order a mental health evaluation and Pace agreed that is a good idea. 

"As his previous attorney said, 'something is not right in his head,' " Pace told Zambito.

As Zambito issued his order, Pace emphasized to Wright that he can't go out of the door of his house after 9 p.m. and before 6 a.m. and that he must cooperate with police when he encounters them, even when they show up to search his house. 

Zambito added, "they're going to show up at your house and you can't fight with them, you can't resist them."

Wright is also not allowed to leave Genesee County while his cases are pending.

A downed wire that was sparking has caused a grass fire at 8076 Batavia Stafford Town Line Road. Flames are showing. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. The location is between the dead end and College Village.

National Grid has been notified; no ETA.

Traffic will be stopped on the roadway in order to extinguish the blaze.

Ermonie R. Schichler, 18, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. on May 17 and charged with disseminating indecent material to a minor in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a minor. It is alleged that she sent sexually explicit photos to a minor over a period of time. She was arraigned via Skype in Batavia City Court, then released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court later this afternoon (May 24).

Daniel J. DiFransecso, 39, of Libarty Street, Batavia was arrested at 5:48 p.m. May 9 and charged with second-degree harassment. It is alleged that on that day he verbally threatened to kill a person while banging on their window with a hockey stick. He was issued an appearance ticket for May 18 in Batavia City Court.

Robert Wood, 30, was arrested by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post at 3:45 p.m. May 19 in the City of Batavia (no address provided) and charged with first-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that he had contact with a female who has an active stay away order of protection against him. Wood was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. He was due to return May 20.

Darren Ayrhart, 52, of North Main Street, Albion, was arrested at 8:45 p.m. May 19 and charged with first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree burglary. It is alleged that he violated a stay away order of protection against him after a domestic incident on Dellinger Avenue in the City of Batavia. He was put in jail; no bail status provided. Ayrhart is due in city court on May 27.

Justin Thagard, 32, was arrested at 12:54 a.m. May 11 for violating a court order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party -- he was allegedy found inside their vehicle during a traffic stop in the City of Batavia. Thagard was arraigned in Batavia City Court then put in jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond or $10,000 partially secured bond.

Eladio A. Wattles, 23, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested at 5:10 p.m. May 16 and charged with second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that he violated an order of protection by sitting inside a vehicle with the protected party. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court then released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court June 24.

Adam T. Shipwash, 41, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested at on May 19 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court and charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that at 9 p.m. April 8 Shipwash stole money from a person on West Main Street. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court then released on his own recognizance. He is due to return to court June 17.

Michael L. Jackson Jr., 40, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested at 1:36 p.m. on East Main Street and charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that Jackson stole merchandise from a grocery store and was still present in the store's parking lot when a Batavia police officer arrived. He was taken into custody without incident then released on an appearance ticket for May 25 in Batavia City Court.

A two-car accident with no injuries that is blocking traffic is reported at Center and Main streets in Downtown Batavia. City fire and police are responding.

Photo and information from Jason Smith.

Congratulations to Beth Clark, Matthew Smith and Camden King, proudly representing Resurrection Parish in Batavia, who were confirmed Sunday morning at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo by Bishop Michael Fisher.

More than 35 vendors participated today in a Vendor Blender inside City Centre as a fundraiser for All Babies Cherished.

Yesterday, JoAnne Rock spotted a swarm of bees buzzing down North Spruce Street in Batavia before taking up temporary residence in a tree in front of her house. She said she was told the hive follows the queen and would likely move on soon.

Press release:

The Salvation Army in partnership with Northgate Free Methodist Church will be hosting a drive-through food distribution at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 24th.

This distribution will begin at 2 p.m. at Northgate Church’s north campus, 8160 Bank Street Road in Batavia.

The FDA food boxes will contain milk, produce and frozen meat. We don’t know exactly what will be in the boxes until we get them.

This will be a no contact distribution. Be sure your trunk/hatch are cleared out so the volunteers can place the boxes in your vehicle. Please present a photo ID for each household you will be picking up for.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, more and more local venues are hiring, once again, musicians to perform live for patrons.

Thursday, the Sky Cats performed an outdoor show at Dave's Ice Cream.

VENUE OWNERS: If you are scheduling live music, send the time, date, location, and name of the music act to howard@thebatavian.com and we'll include the date on our calendar. If we get enough participation, we'll post upcoming shows on a weekly basis on Thursdays.

Emily Underhill-Carlson, a graduate of Alexander High School and lifelong Batavia resident, was honored by Consulting Magazine on Thursday, May 20 as an award winner for Women in Technology, Excellence in Innovation.

Underhill-Carlson serves as the VP of Technology for Divurgent, a healthcare consulting firm based in Virginia Beach, Va.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, she led the creation of TOBIAS, Divurgent’s first AI chatbot.

It enables real-time chat, screen sharing, and video support, which helped clients respond to the coronavirus pandemic in an efficient, economical way, often leading to a 30- to 50-percent reduction in response costs.

As the world has responded to the COVID-19 crisis, the use of technology has been and will continue to be a lifeline for clinicians.

Telehealth has grown rapidly out of necessity and has changed the way healthcare is delivered. 

A two-vehicle accident is reported at 385 W. Main St. in the city. It is blocking traffic. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

The caller is a driver with a possible head injury.

It's in front of Falcone Electric.

Empire Hemp, which has operated a CDB processing facility in Batavia off of Swan Street for two years, held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday at its new retail store at 204 E. Main St., Batavia.

The store sells a variety of products containing CDB extracted from locally grown cannabis.  

Owners Chris VanDusen and Shelly Wolanske said they don't know yet whether they will get into the business of processing and/or selling recreational marijuana, now that it's legal in New York. They're waiting to see what requirements and guidelines are issued by the state before deciding.

The video also includes a tour of their production facility.

Dear Batavia,

Bourbon and Burger here, this Saturday, May 22nd is our 10-year anniversary. We wanted to take this time to thank some people. 

Thank you to our parents, who without them, this would never have been possible; thank you for believing in us. Thank you to our staff members over the past ten years and especially this most recent year, without you there is no Bourbon & Burger. Your hard work and dedication never goes unnoticed.

Thank you to our friends who came in everyday for a year to make sure we made it. Thank you to all of you, the community of Batavia and surrounding neighbors. Thank you for all of the support you’ve given us over the years. Thank you for making us a part of your lives, from first dates to engagements, from births to losses. You’ve come here to celebrate and to commiserate.

Thank you for allowing us to be there for you just as much as you’ve been there for us. At some point it becomes more than a restaurant, it’s a safe place, a livelihood, a hangout, a home. Thank you for helping us turn hamburgers into something so much more. BourbonAndBurger.com

A motorcycle accident is reported in the area of 8937 Creek Road, Batavia.

A first responder reported a victim down in the road.

Dispatchers checked on the availability of Mercy Flight but a subsequent update said there would be no need for Mercy Flight.

Town of Batavia and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:36 p.m.: Appears to be minor injury.