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Volunteers and Agencies Needed for Second Annual Caring for the City Day

By Robin Walters

It's not to late to sign up and be a part of the Second Annual Caring for the City Day.

Last year Care-A-Van Ministries and Dr. Russ Marchese and his staff held the first Caring for the City day. 58 folks received free dental care, 37 received free hair cuts from Continental Beauty Salon, staff from United Memorial Medical center was on hand for free blood pressure screenings and education on breast cancer, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Lake Plains joined in too with offering their free services.

Local Pastors partnered together as well to offer a prayer table.

Many volunteers were on hand to help out as well.  The date for this years Caring for the City Day will be Friday, August 20th from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at 401 East Main Street, back parking lot behind Dr. Marchese's office.

While Dr. Russ and his staff are busy offering the free dental service inside, we are hoping that more agencies, churches and volunteers will be on hand out in the parking lot offering their services. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to be a blessing to others and to help educate the community of the services you offer.

If you or your agency or church are interested in being a part of this awesome day, please call Paul Ohlson at 343-0328 by this Friday, July 16th.

Photo Essay: An alleged DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

After this afternoon's minor accident on East Main Street, I was tipped to stick around  -- there might be a field sobriety test about to take place. So I did.

The test was administered by Officer Chris Camp. The name of the subject is not yet available.

It begins, above, with a pat search of the subject. ...

Instruction, walk a straight line touching ...

... heel-to-toe ...

More pictures after the jump:

walk heel-to-toe ...

... and turn around (just after this shot, the subject literally threw up his hands and stopped the test) ...

Stand with your arms to your side holding up one leg (Officer Camp is now joined by Officer Eric Hill and rookie Mark Lawrence) ...

The eye test, or officially known as the horizontal gaze nystagmus ...

... cuffed ...

Rotarians pledge $25,000 to GCC foundation over next five years

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Rotary Club has pledged $25,000 to the Genesee Community College Foundation over the next five years. The club's gift will be matched by the federal government.

The Endowment Challenge Fund of the U.S. Department of Education recently awarded the college a matching grant for its endowment fund -- up to $80,000 per year for the next five years. The money helps support, retain and aid deserving student facing financial hardships.

"As a long-time Rotarian and college employee, I was delighted the Rotary recognized the benefit of doubling the scholarship fund under the Endowment Challenge grant," said Ray Chaya, a long-term member of the Batavia Rotary and a former president.

Chaya has also been a member of the college's staff for more than 30 years.

"Year in and year out, we see how scholarships change students' lives – empowering them to become productive members of our community," Chaya said. "It is a win-win for everyone."

The Genesee Community College Foundation was formed in the mid-eighties as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service to and support of the college. Its 34-member board of directors is comprised of business and civic leaders. Last year, the foundation's philanthropic support provided 536 scholarships to Genesee students totaling $284,184.

Additional contributions to support for the foundation may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY, 14020. For more information contact the foundation at 345-6809 or <http://foundation@genesee.edu>.

Fender-bender in front of City Church

By Billie Owens

A fender-bender with minor injuries is reported in front of City Church on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

The roadway was blocked temporarily. City fire responded and an ambulance, non-emergency response.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m. (by Howard): It was a minor accident, but there was an arrest following it. I'll post pictures in a separate post shortly.

Cargill Animal Nutrition raises nearly $78,000 for United Way

By Billie Owens

Cargill Animal Nutrition and its employees in the Northeast Region helped to contribute more than $77,000 to United Way chapters in communities throughout New York and Vermont last year.

To be exact, employee donations and corporate matches raised $77,856.

Local United Way donations came from employees at Cargill facilities in Albany, Batavia, Gouverneur, Jamestown, Liverpool and Salem, NY; plus and Swanton, VT.
 
United Way works across the United States and in 45 countries worldwide on programs that support youth education, workforce training, increased access to health care, and more.

Cargill Animal Nutrition, Northeast Region employs 341 people at 14 facilities in New York and Vermont and surrounding areas.

Last year, Cargill Northeast Region gave a total of $105,381 in donations, from high school scholarship programs to contributions to nonprofit organizations.

Get ready to 'blast off' to a galaxy of Bible school fun Aug. 9-13

By Daniel Crofts

The following news release was submitted, along with the photo, by Roula Alkhouri, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, at 300 E. Main St. in Batavia:

"The Galatic Blast Mission Control Center of Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church in Batavia is inviting children between the ages of 5 and 11 to board the Starship Galactic Praise on Aug. 9 for an exciting voyage to Galactic Blast: A Cosmic Adventure Praising God.

"After a high-energy opening on the Starship Galactic Praise, the cadets will spacewalk to the Good News Galaxy. The Cadets will also take spacewalks to the Moons and Tunes Asteroid, the Orbital Observatory, the Rocket Rec Comet, and the Astro Café.

"Starship Galatic Praise will begin its voyage at 9 a.m. on Aug. 9 and return daily at noon. The last day of the voyage will be Aug. 13. Parents are invited to attend the closing voyage Friday, Aug. 13.

"This camp experience is open to the public and free of charge. To register, please go to www.firstpresbny.com or call us at 343-0505."

2010 Appeal for Catholic Charities Raises 97.8 Percent of Goal

By Kevin Manne

Catholic Charities officials have announced that the 2010 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities and the Bishop’s Fund for the Faith achieved 97.8 percent of its goal with a total of $10,272,946.38 collected in cash and pledges. The goal was $10.5 million.

In Genesee County alone, a total of $313,641.11 was raised.

Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, thanked the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors who contributed to the effort.

“To the 750 volunteers and the 64,527 donors across the eight counties of Western New York who have selflessly given of themselves since January to support their neighbors in need – thank you,” said Bishop Kmiec. “With your help we are able to continue to provide for children, youth, adults and seniors wherever they live and whenever they are in need.”

The 2010 Appeal has raised an additional $2,177,512.91 since Palm Sunday, March 28.

Catholic Charities Diocesan Director Sister Mary McCarrick expressed her appreciation to all whose lives are touched by the works of Catholic Charities.

“Though the national economy appears to be on an upswing, thousands across Western New York continue to struggle with unemployment,” said Sister Mary. “We greatly appreciate our leadership team, donors, volunteers, clergy and their parish teams, as well as our own staff, all of whom recognize the positive impact Catholic Charities has and the stability it brings to households right in our community.”

Michael “Mick” Whipple, 2010 Appeal chair, expressed his thanks to his fellow Appeal leadership team members.

“For the past several Appeals, the leadership team has been tasked with soliciting contributions and donations during some of the most challenging economic times that our country has been faced with,” said Whipple. “I’m confident that this Appeal wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been if it weren’t for my teammates. The Appeal Leadership Team has volunteered countless hours away from home and worked hard until the very end to ensure that Catholic Charities can continue to meet its mission of service to those in need.”

The 2010 Appeal leadership team also included Williamsville residents Greg Maher, vice chair, and David Nasca, Corporate chair; as well as Snyder resident Stephen Ulrich, Parish and Large Gifts chair, and Buffalo resident Ann Celani, Community chair.

For people in need across Western New York, Catholic Charities is there with assistance for basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter; with counseling and support for victims of domestic violence; and with comfort for those who are lonely. Funds raised through the Appeal allow Catholic Charities to leverage government funding, ensuring the organization’s ability to provide help to those in need.

Donations are collected toward each Appeal through June 30. The goal for the 2010 Appeal of $10.5 million represented a slight increase over the total dollars pledged in 2009. The Appeal was under the patronage of Saint Damien.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive human service provider serving all of Western New York, with 70 programs at 62 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services. For more information visit ccwny.org.

City firefighters dress in pink to help fight cancer

By Howard B. Owens

You may seen firefighters around town in pink T-shirts over the next week or so. It's not the new team color. After the wife of a firefighter was diagnosed with breast cancer, the entire department agreed to start wearing pink T-shirts as a sign of support. It's also turned into a fundraiser.

Members of the department will be at Thursday's Batavia Muckdog's game selling pink T-shirts with the Batavia City Fire Department logo on the front for $10 each. The proceeds will benefit Genesee Caner Assistance.

Pictured from left are, Rich Stefani, Mike Morris, Jeff Stevens, Bill Hilchey and Frank D'Angelo.

Photos: Lacrosse clinic aimed at developing more local talent

By Howard B. Owens

More than two dozen second- through sixth-graders are participating in a five-week long lacrosse clinic at John Kennedy School under the guidance of Joe Husser, a program assistant for lacrosse at Batavia High School.

Husser explained that while many schools in the Rochester area start developing players as young as 5, Batavia players have traditionally not started learning the game until middle school.

Lacrosse was invented by Native Americans and has huge regional appeal in some parts of the country, such as Upstate New York, but has yet to gain a national following.  Interestingly, the Iroquois are being barred by the United States from playing in the world championships in London because for the first time the State Department isn't recognizing the Iroquois passport.

More pictures after the jump:

Police Beat: Alleged road-rage incident in Bergen leads to arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Charles Anthony Piazza, 52, of Cherry Laurel Circle, Webster, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Piazza is accused of punching another driver three times in the face during a road-rage incident in the area of 6168 Route 19, Bergen, at 11:34 a.m., Monday.

Matthew Scott Williams, 22, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Town of Elba Court. He was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Alanna Marie Whelan, 20, of 25 Bacon St., Apt. A, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Sgt. Micaheal Hare responded to a noise complaint at Whelan's apartment at 1:15 a.m. and allegedly found that she served alcohol to two individuals under 21.

Kristopher Jon Ayers, 25, of Spring Street, Caledonia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th. Ayers was stopped in the Village of Le Roy by Deputy Joseph Graff in relation to an  arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge of harassment, 2nd. Ayers was allegedly found in possession of five sets of brass knuckles and a quantity of hashish.

Luke W. Ritzenthaler, 27, and Amy L. Ritzenthaler, 26, both of Batavia, were both charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. They were stopped by State Police on Route 33 in Batavia at 5:34 p.m., July 4. No further details were released.

Floyd B. Eldridge, 53, of Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Eldridge was cited by State Police at 7845 Broadway Road, Pavilion, at 3:52 p.m., June 24.

'Blast off' to a galaxy of Bible School fun Aug. 9-13

By Daniel Crofts

Here's a news release from the First Presbyterian Church:

"The Galatic Blast Mission Control Center of Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church in Batavia is inviting children between the ages of 5 and 11 to board the Starship Galactic Praise on Aug. 9 for an exciting voyage to Galactic Blast: A Cosmic Adventure Praising God.

Event Date and Time
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County Board of Health gives Latina's gulls a clean bill of health

By Howard B. Owens

BATAVIA, NY -- The gulls roosting atop Latina's may be noisy, stinky and prone to poop on anything and everything, but they are not a public health hazard, according to the County Board of Health.

Board President Mary J. McJury notified BID Director Don Burkel of the board's finding in a July 7 letter.

"Although the Board of Health empathizes with the current situation, it was the board's determination, following careful review of the investigation, that this situation does not constitute a public health nuisance."

The Latina's building was condemned last week by the city for allegedly unsanitary conditions.

LKLWL Properties, the building's owner, has been summoned to City Court on July 23 to answer a complaint by the city that the company has failed to deal with unsanitary conditions on the property.

In her letter, McJury notes that the Herring Gulls are attracted to the Latina's roof because it is flat, warm and protected from harassment and predation.

"It is a short flight for them to feeding opportunities in the agricultural land surrounding the city," she wrote. "They are omnivores and eat anything from garbage to berries."

She said the actual issue with the property appears "to be property maintenance and aesthetic in nature."

She notes that the New York Department of Health issued a report finding no negative human health issues associated with Herring Gull populations.

Also, to date, there have been no reports of illnesses related to Batavia's gull infestation.

Dispute over ducks, other complaints, has Oak Street man headed to court

By Howard B. Owens

There's more than a property line that separate Ron Graziaplena and Cheryl Collins. There's 30 years of neighbor disputes, and now that Collins wants to sell her property and move away, she's even more concerned about what Graziaplena does outside his house.

Graziaplena, a former truck driver, builds things in his front yard, has a row of tomato boxes along his driveway, a boat parked on the grass of the north side of his house, and he's keeping 18 mallard ducks in his back yard.

"My home is assessed at $80,000," Collins said. "The last real estate agent I had over said I probably couldn't get $50,000 for it."

The dispute will land Graziaplena in City Court on July 23. He is accused by city inspectors of keeping his yard full of debris, trash and junk, and of keeping the ducks in unsanitary conditions.

On April 26, 2001, Graziaplena was granted a variance to keep 10 water fowl on his property. He is allegedly in violation of the variance. The city says he has 19 ducks. Graziaplena says he has 18.

The variance, reportedly, also doesn't allow mallards.

Graziaplena said he's kept dozens of different varieties of ducks over the years, and that he wasn't aware the variance allowed only certain breeds of ducks, and besides, what's the difference?

"They’re pets," Graziaplena said. "People have dogs and cats. I have ducks. I ‘ve always been fond of ducks and geese -- waterfowl."

He said he got his first duck when he was 2 years old (his parents moved into 172 Oak St. when he was a year old), and he's pretty much kept ducks ever since -- for 59 years, most of the time living in the same house.

He moved back into his parent's house about 25 years ago, he said, and it's been for close to that long, by his version, that Collins has been complaining about "anything and everything" around his home.

"It's been no picnic living next door to that man," Collins said.

The real trouble started, Graziaplena said, when he let go a young woman that was working for him, helping him with his projects and the care of his ducks.

The woman had become friends with Collins, and Graziaplena accuses Collins of retaliation for letting her go.

"There’s a lot of work around here that needs to be done by a guy, and I’m disabled, so I needed to hire a guy," Graziaplena said.

Collins said the girl wasn't fired, she quit. She couldn't stand, according to Collins, the unsanitary conditions the ducks lived in.

Graziaplena disputes that the ducks are kept in an unhealthy environment. Their water pond is cleaned regularly and they get fresh water daily, he said. It's heated in the winter, they have shelter and plenty of food.

As for the limit on ducks, Graziaplena notes that ducks breed. They lay eggs and produce ducklings. When the young ducks have enough feathers to fly, Graziaplena said, he releases them at a swamp owned by a cousin. He only keeps the 10 adult ducks, otherwise.

The young ducks are usually released in the last week of July.

As for Collins, she said she's about done with the situation.

"I’m ready to walk away from it all," Collins said.

Alleged fugitive caught after leaving backpack at Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

A man wanted from San Francisco to Ithaca was taken into custody in Batavia on Friday after he reportedly left a backpack allegedly containing drugs and stolen items in Walmart.

The backpack was turned over by Walmart security to Deputy Tim Wescott, who located Thomas E. Dodson, 24, of Rochester, at the 48 Deli Express on Park Road.

After searching the backpack, Wescott reported finding drugs, drug paraphernalia, a  stolen credit card, a stolen wallet and several stolen prescriptions.

Upon checking Dodson's identity, Wescott reportedly learned that Dodson had outstanding warrants in San Francisco, Rochester and Ithaca.

Dodson was charged with being a fugitive from justice, criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, three counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and criminal impersonation, 2nd.

He was ordered held without bail.

Police Beat: A pair of shoplifting arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Brittany Marie Smith, 18, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith is accused of shoplifting multiple items from Kmart on Monday afternoon.

Robert Joseph Propst, 30, of Spencer Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Propst is accused of stealing multiple items from Kmart on Monday afternoon.

Batavia Council gets behind tax exemption for home improvements

By Howard B. Owens

With unanimous conscent Monday night, the Batavia City Council agreed to move forward with a plan to provide some tax relief to homeowners who undertake renovations.

In September there will likely be a public hearing on the plan, which will provide a tax credit over an eight-year period on the increased assessed value caused by improvements.

"This is important because, even if you do improvements, the value doesn’t necessarily change, but if the value does change because of that improvement, you can get an exemption on the increase of the assessment," City Manager Jason Molino said.

The exemption is possible by state law, which allows for a municipal government to institute the tax credit. The credit can be spread over eight years, with no tax on the increased assessed value, and 12.5 percent of tax on the increase being added each year.

The homeowner must make at least a $3,000 improvement, and the assessor must find that the improvement, not some other factor, caused the increased assessment. 

"I think this is long over due," Councilman Bill Cox said. "I think it will encourage people to improve their homes and it’s a sign that the City Council wants to encourage people to improve their neighborhoods."

Councilman Frank Ferrando also spoke in favor of the tax exemption.

"I like the idea that it’s the community investing in itself," Ferrando said.

Magician wows the crowd at the Richmond Library

By Daniel Crofts

Magician Ted Burzynski had some tricks up his sleeve -- and in a balloon -- when he came to perform for summer readers at Batavia's Richmond Memorial Library on Friday.

"It's Magic of Course" was the first in a series of weekly Summer Reading Program presentations for young children, which will continue through Aug. 20. The RML staff has fun events like this scheduled for every Friday afternoon at 2:30 this summer.

There is still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, and the library staff invites all adults, teens and children who enjoy reading, participating in cool activities and winning prizes to come on board. 

Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, or call 343-9550 for more information or to register.

Noted dancer to teach two workshops in Batavia this month

By Billie Owens

Suzanne’s School of Dance, in Batavia, will be hosting two dance workshops with Kent State University dance education major, Lindsay Chmielowiec.

She just returned from Seattle where she participated in the International Dance Festival, "Beyond the Threshold." She has worked with numerous choreographers as a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble and her choreography was presented at the 2010 American College Dance Festival at Ohio University.

Chmielowiec says she's thrilled to share her experience and expertise to assist dancers in comprehension of technique and body awareness.

Classes will be taught in ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz. The first workshop is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 17 for ages 8 to 11.

The second workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 24 for ages 12 and up.

For more information or to register please call 344-4060.

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