batavia

A load of O'Lacy's bar towels were a total loss in a dryer fire this morning at the home of Kent Ewell, owner of the popular pub and restaurant on School Street in Batavia.

The quick response of Town of Batavia volunteer fire fighters is being credited with keeping the fire contained to the dryer with minimal smoke and water damage to the residence at 8215 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road.

The home is on the Stafford side of the border, but Batavia was actually dispatched first. Batavia also has a closer station, so Assistant Chief Dan Coffey (also a Batavia police officer) was first on scene.

He rapidly determined from Ewell the probable location of the fire. Crews swiftly connected to a nearby hydrant and ran a line through the front door, downstairs to the laundry room and extinguished the fire just as it began to lap the wall.

"It was a very quick knock down and a quick response that saved this house today," Coffey said.

Chuck Hammon, 3rd assistant chief for Stafford, said the cause of the fire was likely a worn belt on the dryer.

It's a common problem, he said.

"I don't know why they make some of these dryers with the belt next to the exhaust," Hammon said. The exhaust heat, he said, can cause the belts to wear faster and become a fire hazard.

Hammon also credited Batavia volunteer firefighters for its speedy response in preventing the fire from spreading.

Ewell said he usually starts his work day early and then comes home mid-morning, but the times vary day-to-day. He said he felt fortunate to come home when he did and make the 9-1-1 call. The house was full of smoke and the fire detectors were sounding when he opened his door, he said.

Top Picture: Hammon points to belt area of dryer, explaining how he believed the fire started. Bottom: The scene at Ewell's home after the fire was extinguished.

Audio:

• Kent Ewell
• Dan Coffey

Initial Report:

A house at 8215 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road is reportedly full of smoke. Firefighters from Stafford and Town of Batavia are responding.

First responder has confirmed it is a house fire.

(not posting map because Google map is not marking the address accurately)

UPDATE: On scene, with no smoke or fire visible. Byron and Bergen fire crews have been asked to stand down, only Stafford and the Town of Batavia fire crews remaining now.

Ok folks, just to let you know and ease Bea's mind on this cloudy morning, we go forth for our picnics rain or shine.  Last week we were at the  Hilltop Boarding Home.

Tonight we will be at 400 Towers for a picnic, then tomorrow evening we are at the Sunset motel. Both events begin at 5:30. Come on out and join in the fun!

The Ramble Music and Arts Fest #4, a labor of love from area musicians and artists past and present to their families, friends and neighbors, has successfully come and gone. Many folks and organizations deserve much gratitude and recognition for their assistance and contributions, which make this annual Batavia Downtown Free Concert endeavor possible.

Groundwork was provided by City of Batavia Council and DPW, Don Burkel and the BID, GO! ART, GCMHA and the Downtown/Jackson Square area businesses.

This summer, because of the weather, a special thank you goes to Rick Mancuso and the staff at T.F. Brown’s for accommodating the Ramble and as many of its elements as possible.

Also, giving to and sharing in the Ramble Experience are the following:  hundreds of Ramblers from the Batavia area and beyond who attended; 75+ artists and musicians; BnB Sound; equipment donators Paul Almeter, Keith Worthington, Warren Skye, Jim Catino, Bob Norton, Charlie Del Plato, Jim Sweet and Jimmy “Steel” Duvall; media coverage and promotion Joanne Beck for The Daily News, WBTA, The Batavian, Hodgins Printing, The Genesee Valley Penny Saver and the WCJ W remote unit; speakers and emcees Bill Kauffman, Steve Huff, Wayne Fuller and “Uncle Rog” Pitcher; ground crew Jim Starkweather, Wally Kowalik, Tom Trescott and Bob Malczewski; and sponsors for in-kind services T.F. Brown’s, O’Lacy’s, Kevin  Moyles, Craig Gilliard, Terry Platt and Mike Mc Donald.

Additional information, photos, video, audio and links are available online at www.ramblemusic.com, thanks to contributions from area Ramblers and Ramble website guru, Mike Murray.

Kudos goes out to all others who have helped in some way, but whom we have unintentionally neglected to mention.  Please direct feedback to a Posse member.

Ever onward to Ramble 5, scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2010, from the Posse—Bill McDonald, Mike Murray, Bill Pitcher, and Kay McMahon.

It turns out that one of the three young men arrested Saturday night for allegedly breaking into the Harvester Center has strong ties to Batavia.

He is Justin S. Fay, 24, a former Batavia High School honor student and Boy Scout Troop 6069's first Eagle Scout. He was also enrolled in the honors program at University of Buffalo.

Fay, along with two alleged accomplices with home addresses from outside Genesee County, was taken into custody Saturday night during a heavy rain storm at the Harvester Center. A lock had apparently been picked, which is how the trio allegedly gained entry to the building.

At the time of his arrest, Fay apparently listed his home address in Rochester, but previously he lived in Batavia, according to police.

An April 10, 2003 article in the Batavia Daily News says Fay lived on Naramore Drive with his mother Mary Ann Fay. According to police records, Fay was a witness in a 2002 incident and listed his address on Naramore Drive.

The Daily News story is about Fay, then 18, becoming an Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout project, Fay cleared hiking trails at Godfrey's Pond, cutting away overgrowth and putting down new path bumpers.

Scouting has been a life-changing experience, he said.

"I learned valuable leadership skills, how to gain and give respect, and how to be a good person and follow the Scout law in my everyday life," he said.

In 2001, in Grade 11 at BHS, Fay was listed in the paper as an honor student. He was again listed in 2002 as a senior.

As for his time at the University of Buffalo, the Daily News reported on June 20, 2005:

Justin Fay of Batavia has been inducted into the Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society at the University at Buffalo. Students selected must be seniors in a liberal arts degree program and maintain a 3.75 or higher GPA. Justin is majoring in computer science and engineering.

The Batavia Lions Club gave away a pair of bicycles at Monday night's game between the Batavia Muckdogs and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Everybody was a winner at the game sponsored by the Lions Club as Batavia downed the Scrappers 2-0, with three pitchers combining for the shutout. But a pair of youngsters walked away with an extra prize.

Gunner Rapone of Batavia was the winner in the boy's bike raffle and Jessica Perry of Strykersville took home the girl's bike.

Lions Club president Steve Watson is also in the photo, presenting the prizes to the winners.

Joshua D. Quaintance, 21, of 31 Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with assault in the third degree. Quaintance and a 17-year-old companion are accused of striking another person in the head causing an injury during a July 18 incident on Richmond Avenue in Bergen. The incident was investigated by investigators Timothy Weis and Kris Kautz. Both defendants were released without bail.

Tonya Marie Weber, 25, of 52 N. Pearl St., Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Weber allegedly had a pit-bull puppy that belonged to another person. She then reportedly gave the puppy away, preventing the original owner from recovering the puppy.

Cheri A. Himmerlreich, 45, of 111 Paddock Drive, Dewitt, is charged with DWI and with driving with a BAC of . 08 or greater. Himmerlreich was stopped for allegedly speeding on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia. Deputy Kevin R. McCarthy investigated and concluded that Himerlreich allegedly consumed alcohol prior to driving.

Bruce I. Fuller, 63, of 693 Sanford Road, Churchville, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Fuller was stopped by Batavia Police Officer T.S. Mart on Clinton Street after it was determined Fuller was driving a rental vehicle he allegedly failed to return when the rental term expired. He was remanded to Genesee County Jail on $3,000 bail.

Todd M. Kemp, 36, of 6 Lehigh Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment. Kemp allegedly kicked and pushed a woman he knows yesterday evening. Kemp was remanded to Genesee County Jail on $750 bail. Batavia Police Officer W. C. Fenton investigated the incident.

Jacob S. Smart, 27, of 6437 Albion Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI. Smart was spotted early Sunday morning by Sgt. Brian Frieday of the Sheriff's Office driving on Albion Road and allegedly crossing the double yellow line. Smart was also cited for failure to keep right.

Ronald Edward Johnson, 19, of 8081 Blackstreet Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Johnson was reportedly the passenger in a car that was stopped in the Village of Le Roy for tailgating. During the traffic stop Saturday at 12:16 p.m., Johnson was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. Deputy Brian Thompson was the arresting officer.

David John Reschke, 18, of 9741 Transit Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Reschke was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation Saturday at 1:17 p.m.  Reschke was allegedly found in possession of marijuana by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Jacob William Paniski, 27, of 2306 Brewerton Road, Brewerton, is charged with petty larceny. Paniski is accused of shoplifting from the gift shop at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Sammantha Nicole Frear, 21, of 2306 Brewerton Road, Syracuse, is charged with harassment, Frear is accused of pushing a loss-prevention officer while at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Joshua J. Swimline, 26, of 1270 Main Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving with a suspended registration and unlawful possession of marijuana. Swimline was stopped Thursday morning on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves and Deputy Bradley Mazur for allegedly driving a car with a suspended registration. Upon further investigation, Reeves and Mazur allegedly found Swimline intoxicated.

Jeanna Marie Hattaway, 22, is charged with harassment. Hattaway allegedly pushed another person during a domestic dispute. The alleged incident took place yesterday at 12:49 p.m..

After back-to-back years of Genesee County residents winning the Town of Batavia Fire Department's annual Harley raffle, a Pine City man was awarded the prize in last night's drawing.

The winning ticket was pulled late in evening at the department's annual raffle party at its recreation hall and James D. Reese came up the winner.

The department also drew winning tickets for four $500 prizes and the winners were Leonard Wipf of Rochester, Dan Ferrari, of Rochester, Donald Cube of  Ithaca and Laura Debicki of Dunkirk.

Lt. Nate Fix, who headed up organization of the event, reports that even with the heavy rain, 845 people braved potential soaking to listen to 7th Heaven, who performed on a stage provided by Parise's, and dined on Clor's BBQ.

"It wasn't too bad considering the unfortunate extreme weather conditions the county experienced," Fix said. "Last year's door count was 870 people. If the weather wouldn't have been a factor, I'm confident we would have broke over 1,000 guests."

In the midst of last night's heavy downpour, Batavia police officers were searching through the Harvester Center for alleged intruders.

A tenant in the building spotted people he didn't recognize in the complex and called police.

Three young men from outside Genesee County were taken into custody and charged with burglary.

The alleged break-in occurred at 9:30 p.m.

Arrested where:

• William F. Wernert III, 24, of 2796 Patrick Henry St., Auburn Hills, Mich
• Cory C. Pickering, 22, of 253 Morgan St., Tonawanda
• Justin S. Fay, 24 of 505 University Ave., Rochester

All three were taken to Genesee County Jail and held on $10,000 bail each.

Wernert is also charged with possession of burglary tools. He allegedly picked a lock so the trio could enter the building.

The investigating officers were Matthew Baldwin, Eric Hill, Frank Klimjack, Jason Davis and Christopher Camp.

UPDATE: Officer Wayne Fenton also assisted in the investigation. His name was inadvertently not included in the original release from the PD.

(UPDATED 6:45 a.m., July 27)

A 64-year-old man from Livonia was injured last night at the demolition derby at the Genesee County Fair, the Sheriff's Office confirmed in a news release this morning.

The victim, who was a safety worker, has been identified as 64-year-old David W. Connors. Nor has the 28-year-old driver, from Batavia, of the car that struck him.

Connors is at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester where he is in guarded condition.

The accident occurred at 8:21 p.m.

A City of Batavia ambulance was on scene immediately, as were personnel from the Stafford Fire Department and the Elba Fire Department. The victim was transported to UMMC and then transferred to Strong.

The ongoing investigation is being handled by Deputy Frank Bordonaro, Sgt. Steve Mullen, Sgt. Gregory Walker and Deputy John Duyssen of the Crash Management Team.

No other information is available at this time.

The rain didn't keep nearly 600 people from showing up at the Town of Batavia Fire Department Rec Hall for the department's annual Harley raffle party.

It was raining hard while I was there, but local residents crowded under the tents, enjoyed beer and Clor's BBQ and the music of 7th Heaven.

This is the 10th year for the event, said Lt. Nate Fix, the event and raffle coordinator.

The department sold out its 2,700 raffle tickets a few days ago, Fix said.  The tickets went for $20 each. 

Entry into tonight's event was free, but there was also a 50/50 raffle, pull tabs and four $500 drawings prior to the Harley giveaway (no word yet on who won, and since the party's still going, it may not have been awarded yet).

Fix said this is the big social event of the year for the department. They lose a little money on the event (but not on the Harley raffle), but it's a great time for the community and the volunteers.

(As for my picture above: Best I could do. Nothing else came out at all. The viewfinder on my camera is broken, so it makes it very hard to operate correctly.)

We've heard this from enough sources to report that there was a an accident at the demolition derby in at the Genesee County Fair early this evening. An individual was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC.  Mercy Flight could not respond due to the weather.

We have heard that the Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident, so we anticipate a press release or accident report as soon as Sunday, but maybe not until Monday.

I've received requests for more information, but none is available at this time.

UPDATE: At 2:37 p.m., northbound traffic is released to travel.

UPDATE: At 2:33 p.m.,the accident was under control and crews were dispersing.

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is being handled now, 2:25 p.m. at 8019 Lewiston Road in the Town of Batavia.

Emergency workers at the scene have requested a second ambulence, which is heading there from Oakfield.

It appears to be a rear-ender. The first ambulance is headed to Strong Memorial Hospitial in Rochester.

The accident site on Lewiston Road is near Galloway Road and the Route 90 bridge. Northbound traffic is being halted and traffic is being rerouted down Galloway Road, according to the police on the scanner.

No other information is yet available.

It's about 7 minutes past 10 o'clock and I'm seeing fireworks northbound on Bank Street off Main Street.

I'll try and get a few pictures with my cellphone.

UPDATE: Got some pictures. I'll post them in a little bit. Turns out the fireworks were coming from Dwyer Stadium. Sorry about the spacing on the original post. I was using my phone and rushing to get everything typed out to get some pictures before they stopped.

Click here for pictures

After two public meetings and collecting feedback online, the consolidation study committee is ready to release its final report on a possible merger of the town and the city of Batavia.

The title of the report: Plan for Consolidating the City & Town of Batavia in One Government.

I guess "A Tale of Two Cities" was taken.

The report will be released Wednesday night at 7 o'clock in Batavia Town Hall.

A copy of the report will be made available to the public on the consolidation Web site on Thursday.

Following release of the report, it will be up to the governing bodies of the city and the town to decide how and when to proceed. Each body must hold a public hearing and then agree to schedule a ballot proposition asking "should there be a consolidation." 

If both jurisdictions approved of such a measure, we still wouldn't have consolidation, because each jurisdiction's voters would then have to approve a new charter.

Meanwhile, the city has its own City Charter revisions to consider and if that goes on the November ballot, city residents won't get the opportunity this election cycle to vote on consolidation.

By state law, no other ballot questions can appear when the charter revision is up for vote.

Nicole M. Wenzel, 18, of 2 Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Wenzel allegedly slapped a young girl in the face.

A 17-year-old from Batavia has been charged with possession of stolen property. The youth was found with the property, which had been reportedly stolen from a Town of Batavia residence on Thanksgiving Day, 2008.

The Stuart Steiner Theater at Genesee Community College has hosted many quality college productions over the years. However, these past three weeks, a younger group of thespians called it home.

They are members of GCC's theater camp who'll be performing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” this Friday and Saturday.

The musical comedy features the beloved Peanuts characters from the late Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip. The gang's all here -- Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder and Snoopy, of course.

Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at the college, says she picked the show because of its wide appeal and because it is a full-length musical.

“I felt we were ready to do a full-scale show,” she said. 

The 22 campers, who range in age from 8-16, say the past three weeks have been fun, but challenging. 

“It’s a great experience to be onstage, and it gives the kids the idea of what it’s really like," said Margaret Gayford, who is playing Lucy. "Everyone works really hard." 

This is the 13-year-old Warsaw native’s fourth year at the camp, and she says she enjoys seeing old friends year after year.

“We’re all like a family from working together so much,” Margaret said.

Spencer Hubbard, also 13, has the role of Linus. He says the camp has made him realize his love of live theater.

“I’ve learned that I really, really want to be an actor," Spencer said. "And now instead of acting on TV, I’d much rather do Broadway.”

“You shouldn’t be afraid to come out and show the world what you can do,” added 11-year-old Alix Young, with a grin, spreading her arms theatrically.

Alix has the part of Sally.

Arena says that she hopes the children will take away from the camp an appreciation for more than just the applause at the end of the show.

“I try to teach love for the process, not just the end result,"  said the director. "I try to teach respect for what goes into making a show.”

Performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at  2 p.m.. The college is located at 1 College Road in Batavia. Tickets are $5. For ticket reservations contact the Box Office at (585) 343-0055 x6814 or by email to BoxOffice@genesee.edu.

UPDATE: Cedar Street was reopened at 2:05 p.m. and the gas line is no longer leaking.

UPDATE: At 1:58 p.m. the leaking gas line was shut off at the street. Cedar Street is being closed temporarily because of the emergency work.

At 1:35 p.m. a gas line was reported leaking at 109 Cedar St. in Batavia. At 1:43 p.m. emergency responders ask that traffic be rerouted because of the "significant gas leak."

Within minutes of the initial call, occupants at the Time-Warner Cable Co. facility had the gas line turned off at the building, although the rest of the line continued leaking.

Firefighters responded in roughly three minutes and asked for National Fuel Co. to come out and shut off the leaking pipe.

Construction crews reportedly hit the gas line while working there.

The wind was noted as being 11 MPH out of the southeast, with the temperature at 72 degrees.

"We're losing a hundred jobs -- and that's difficult in any day and age," said Chris Suozzi, senior vice president of business development at Genesee County Economic Development Center. "We're very discouraged.

"We offered to do what we could to change their minds. But there are not a lot of tools at our disposal. It's a leased facility (Pioneer's Mill Street Offices). The good news is that Pioneer invested $2 million in it and it's now Class A grade space.

"We're very hopeful we can back fill this space. We've reached out to our marketing partners, who give us tips about companies who might be interested in a space this size."

It's set up as "back office" space and is equipped as a call center. It has 13,500 square feet of renovated space on the ground floor and another 8,500 square feet of unfinished space on the second floor.

GCEDC sold the building to Scott Harris late last year. He's the owner of a door company called Millworks Solutions and, Suozzi said, Harris knew Pioneer was leasing the building on a year-to-year basis. Later this year, Pioneer's lease would have been up for renewal.

Even though Harris will have lots of empty space for awhile, Suozzi said it's prime space, thanks to Pioneer.

Pioneer Credit Recovery's spokesman Rick Castellano wrote us email clarifying the taxpayers' money it got.

It says "...Pioneer only received economic incentives for the commitments that we met in Batavia. No incentives were received for the project to construct a permanent site for the company’s work on the IRS Private Debt Collection Program.

"...The $350,000 loan Pioneer received was repaid. We did not receive any of the grant money for (a) new facility."

The repaid loan was used to upgrade Pioneer's Mill Street offices.

Furthermore, although Pioneer was awarded a great deal more money as part of its contract, the company never got it. That's because the plan to expand and build a new facility was not viable after the government cut the program in which private firms could collect some IRS debts.