batavia

A physical altercation is reported in the area of Central Avenue and Jackson Street in the city. A black male and four females were said to be outside fighting and arguing and the male allegedly struck a female with a chair. City PD is on scene.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Clinton Street Road and Seven Springs Road, Batavia.

One person may have a minor head injury.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service. The accident is in Stafford's district. Stafford fire dispatched. The location is updated to 5301 Clinton Street Road.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Patient transported to UMMC.

Jayson M. Connolly, 43, of Le Roy, has been charged with grand larceny, 4th, identity theft, 2nd, unlawful possession of personal identification, 3rd, and a parole violation. Connolly was arrested by State Police in Warsaw following an investigation into the theft and use of a stolen credit card. He allegedly completed three transactions at three different locations with a total value of $987. He was ordered held in the Wyoming County Jail and is scheduled for a felony hearing in Wyoming County tomorrow.

Jeffery Thomas Dutton, 27, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Dutton is accused of trespassing on property on Macomber Road, Oakfield.

Mindy Lee Stanley, 39, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd; DWAI combined influence of drugs and alcohol; and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Stanley was stopped at 7:23 p.m. Saturday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Steven Michael Carpino, 56, of Thompson Trail Drive, Dexter, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Carpino is accused of smashing another person's phone with a hammer during an argument at 9 p.m. Saturday on Conlon Road, Le Roy, and then taking that person's vehicle without permission.

Brett J. Beverly, 35, of Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. Beverly was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 2:20 p.m. June 12 in the Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Tajman A. Ball, 19, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ball was stopped at 8:29 p.m. Wednesday at Route 33 and Route 237 by State Police.

Darik R. Orbaker, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday in the Town of Batavia. He was ordered held in jail. No further details released.

Press release:

The Batavia Lions Club recently presented its annual scholarships and awards for the 2017-2018 school year. 

This spring, more than 20 graduating seniors at Batavia High School and Notre Dame High School applied for scholarships, were interviewed by a committee of Lions Club members, with two chosen from each high school to receive $1,000 each toward their college education.

In addition, selected students from both Notre Dame and Batavia High School were awarded the Art Roth Fine Arts Award and the Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award. 

The final award is the Batavia Lions Club Award in Communications, which is presented to a Genesee Community College student in memory of two former Batavia Lions and local media legends – Paul Bostwick, the former managing editor of the Batavia Daily News and James H. Gerrity, the former news director of WBTA.

During the high school football soccer seasons each fall, members of the Lions Club man the food stand at Notre Dame Stadium to sell snacks during home games.

The proceeds are used exclusively for the scholarship and awards program at Notre Dame. The BHS Scholarships, Bill Cook, and Art Roth Awards as well as the Bostwick/Gerrity Award are funded with monies earned through various activities of the Batavia Lions Club.

This year’s winners are (from left):

Marty Czekala – Paul Bostwick/James Gerrity Award and is currently attending Genesee Community College; Madisyn Tomaszewski – Batavia High School Scholarship; Nico Zambito – Notre Dame Scholarship and Notre Dame Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award; Jessica Cmor – Notre Dame Art Roth Fine Arts Award; Mckenna Payton – Notre Dame Scholarship; Madeline Keenan – Batavia High School Art Roth Fine Arts Award; Madison Hoerbelt – Batavia High School Scholarship; and Claire Zickl, Batavia High School Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award.

The Lions Club congratulates all of this year’s winners and wishes them success in all of their future endeavors.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with possibly one person ejected and unconscious is reported in the eastbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 387.9.

Serious injuries are reported.

Mercy Flight is on a ground standby.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

The location is next to the Genesee Community College Batavia Campus.

UPDATE(S) 3:31 (By Billie): A vehicle is on its roof, off the roadway. A second and third ambulance are dispatched.

UPDATE 3:34 p.m.: "Be advised traffic is backed up to west of Bank Street."

UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled. At least two of the ambulances transported patients to Strong Memorial Hospital. The accident site is about a quarter mile west of GCC.

A person is burning garbage behind the residence at 40 Tracy Ave., Batavia. City fire and police dispatched.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Fire is out; Engine 11 back in service.

A reader named Felicia contacted us this morning about this foundling, she writes:

"Found a kitten brown, white, gray in Batavia. Seems to be about 6-months old, very friendly, vocal, trusting of humans. Found near River Street in Batavia. Took it in for the night -- looking for the owner and are checking for a microchip tomorrow."

Can contact Felicia at 716-524-5819.

City police are patrolling Jackson Street and vicinity after callers reported a loud sound -- a gunshot or possibly fireworks -- a few minutes ago. 

Press release:

On Friday, June 15, at or about 12:42 a.m., the Batavia Police Department and City of Batavia Fire Department responded to the report of an active house fire at 35 Maple St.

A female located on scene believed her children were still in the residence. Officers from the Batavia Police Department and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office attempted to make entry into the residence but were unsuccessful. City of Batavia Fire Fighters made entry and attempted to locate the children.

By approximately 12:56 a.m. all children from the residence were located safely and accounted for at a neighbor’s residence. The Genesee County Department of Social Services was contacted to aid with the children.

During the fire investigation it was learned that the fire stemmed from a domestic incident between the female that lived in the lower apartment and her boyfriend. The male, identified as Plush Dozier (DOB: 11/21/1995), had become upset with his girlfriend and an argument ensued.

Dozier set her and the apartment on fire. During the initial stages of the incident all of the children were able to leave the apartment. The female was transported to an area hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. We will not be releasing the female’s name or location for the safety of her and her family.

Dozier was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. Dozier was arrested for two Class A felonies: arson in the first degree (PL 150.20-01), and attempted murder in the second degree (PL 125.25-01).

Dozier was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail. Dozier is scheduled to appear in Genesee County Court at a later date.

During the course of the active house fire, and subsequent investigation a City of Batavia police officer, and a City of Batavia firefighter were both injured. The officer and the firefighter were treated and released from UMMC with non-life-threatening injuries.

Previously:

• Arrest made in midnight fire on Maple Street
• House fire reported on Maple Street in City of Batavia

City of Batavia firefighters, IAFF Local 896, are downtown this morning with fire boots they're hoping passing motorists will help fill with cash.

The donations benefit MDA.This is their annual "Fill the Boot" fundraiser. They will be in the area of Ellicott, Court, and Main until 1 p.m.

An arrest has been made in connection with a fire reported at about 12:30 a.m. at 35 Maple St. that endangered the life of a woman sleeping in an apartment on the first floor, The Batavian has learned.

Batavia PD will put out a press release with more details shortly.

In the initial call for the fire, it was reported that two children were inside the residence while the frantic mother was outside when police arrived. The children were later located at a neighbor's house.

In all, four children lived in the apartment and all four were accounted for by 1 a.m.

The woman was transported to UMMC for a medical evaluation. There's no further word at this time on her condition.

The suspect was reportedly arraigned in City Court this morning and ordered held without bail.

DEVELOPING ... 

Press release:

The New York State Senate passed Senate bill S7397-A, establishing a more equitable tax rate for Batavia Downs Gaming.  Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, the sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“Today the Senate passed legislation to help level the playing field for Batavia Downs. Lowering the tax rate not only protects the future viability of Batavia Downs but returns more revenue to taxpayers across Western New York. I am hopeful that the Assembly will take action on this important legislation.”

Batavia Downs Gaming, operated by Western Region OTB (WROTB), is a standardbred racetrack and gaming facility. WROTB is a public benefit corporation – owned by 15 Western New York counties, including Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Wyoming, as well as the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.

Since its inception, WROTB has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in operating and surcharge revenues to the residents of those participating municipalities.

A working structure fire is reported on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. Two children are reportedly inside. It's gone to a second alarm. City fire is responding and Darien fire is called as mutual aid.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: The fire is at 35 Maple St. It's "knocked down." The children thought to be inside were actually at a neighbor's house and they are safe. Town of Batavia fire, Alexander's Fast Team, and Darien's rescue are also responding. 

UPDATE 1:27 a.m.: Overhaul in progress. Alexander is back in service. An adult resident was transported to UMMC for evaluation. There were four children who resided in the apartment. All four are accounted for and safe.

UPDATE 1:45 a.m. (By Howard): Officer Arick Perkins and Sgt. Eric Bolles where the first responders on scene. Bolles said Perkins tried to enter the residence but the smoke was too thick. Bolles said it was only about an inch off the floor at that point.  

Captain Robert Fix said when the first firefighters arrived on scene there was heavy black smoke and flames visible through the front window.

"The engine crew did a great job on getting in the front door and getting a good knockdown on the fire," Fix said. "They took care of it pretty quick. We had some fire on the outside we hit with a second line and were able to keep it in check."

There were some tense moments where the children were unaccounted for, with firefighters inside looking for them and officers from the City, County and State looking in windows with flashlights trying to see what they could see. Then a neighbor came out of her house with two of the children. Officers immediately converged on her front porch and confirmed all children were safe.

"Whenever you get the call that there are people trapped inside, especially kids, that elevates everything significantly," Fix said. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

A pedestrian has reportedly been struck by a vehicle at 44 Pearl St. in the city. The location is between Franklin Street and Brooklyn Avenue. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.