batavia

Six years ago, the City of Batavia laid out an ambitious checklist of projects and assigned teams of officials and citizens to figure out how to accomplish each task.

Though communication about the Community Action Team's work has been sparse, City Manager Jason Molino said Monday, there has been quite a bit of progress.

For example, a "keep downtown looking great" campaign was started, a municipal power authority was formed, and a confidential hotline for housing complaints was established.

There's still much to do -- some of it audaciously ambitious (such establishing a wind farm to generate electricity for the city -- and some of it mundane (such as create a city staff technology team).

"While a lot of communities are slowing down because of economic challenges, you've been able to achieve a lot during that time frame," Molino said.

There are projects -- even the wind farm -- that could be grant-funded in the future, and part of that process will flow from a $226,000 Brownfield Grant the city has already received.

It will allow the city to study, plan and apply for funds for such things as converting city buildings to geothermal heat and creating residential revitalization districts.

Other possible projects that could move forward under the Brownfield Grant are a boat launch (originally at Kibbe Park, but possibly behind the courthouse), extension of park and walk trails, installion of small electric turbines on the Tonawanda Creek and pursuit of a Tonawanda Creek Park plan.

The 28-year-old business sign for Settler's Restaurant was destroyed early this morning by an alleged drunken driver.

Martin F. Jones, 41, of 120 Jackson St., Batavia, allegedly hit the sign at 1:56 a.m.

After Jones reportedly hit the sign, witness reportedly found Jones apparently passed out over the wheel of his car. They pounded on the window of the vehicle and Jones reportedly woke up, put his car in reverse, and pulled out onto West Main Street.

He then allegedly drove to the Hess station at West Main and Oak streets where he allegedly ran into a parked vehicle.

Police say Jones then abandoned the vehicle and left on foot.

He was located a short time later by Deputy Frank Bordonaro and taken into custody.

Jones was charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unsafe backing, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, avoiding an intersection, speed not reasonable and prudent and driving on the sidewalk.

He also had two active arrest warrants for allegedly falsely reporting an incident and disorderly conduct.

Batavia PD reports that Jones had "several" previous DWI convictions and was driving on a revoked license as a result.

Following arraignment in city court, Jones was jailed without bail.

The case was investigated by Lt. Greg Steele, Sgt. Dan Coffey, Officer Eric Bolles and Officer Marc Lawrence.

Settler's co-owner John Spyropoulos said the sign, which has already been removed from the property, is damaged beyond repair and will need to be replaced.

Church burglar John A. Cabrera is facing a maximum possible sentence of 21 years in prison after admitting to three felonies in Genesee County Court this afternoon.

John Anthony Cabrera Jr., 22, entered guilty pleas to Class D felony counts of burglary and escape. Each of the three convictions carry a possible sentence of two-and-a-third to seven years, and each sentence could be served consecutively.

Sentencing for Cabrera was set for 9:15 a.m., Dec. 4.

The plea is in satisfaction of multiple charges against Cabrera, who was captured July 24 after breaking into St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia.

There may be additional charges against Cabrera, but this plea covers those charges as well. In order for any victims to recover restitution, Cabrera must be charged of those suspected crimes before he is sentenced on this plea.

So far, there are claims of restitution from St. Paul's and Genesee County totally nearly a $1,000 and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said there willl be additional claims filed prior to Dec. 4.

In order for the plea deal to stand, Cabrera cannot dispute any restitution claims.

There was a spate of church burglaries in early summer prior to Cabrera's arrest, including at St. Mary's, Ascension West, First Baptist and St. James.

After he was arrested, Cabrera managed to escape from the Genesee County Jail, though he was captured before he could actually get out of the building.

For previous coverage, click here.

From the Volunteers for Animals:

We are currently out of dry kitten food and cat litter. We would appreciate any help from our supportive community. Donations can be dropped off during adoption hours or left under the patio at the front door.

Thank you!

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main St. Road
Batavia, NY   14020
343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday through Friday 1 -- 3 p.m. (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 -- 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 -- 1 p.m.

It's another beautiful fall day in Genesee County. This morning I left the house just before sunrise to see what pictures I might be able to make. I drove to Creek Road and circled back on Cookson Road.

Above, the pond at Baskin Livestock on Creek Road at sunrise.

Cookson Road

Cookson Road

Back on Creek Road

Edgar R. Perez-Gonzalez, 34, of North Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Perez-Gonzalez was allegedly found with a shotgun that was not legal for him to possess. He is also accused of being in the country illegally. He was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Monica Renee Lloyd, 26, of Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Lloyd was stopped at 8:31 p.m., Sunday, for allegedly driving 48 mph in a 30 mph zone on Lake Street, Bergen, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Christopher C. Say, 21, of 518 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Say is accused of violating a stay away court order.

Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stankwick is accused of violating a court order of protection.

Michael J. Elmore, 21, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, and Clifford F. Schultz, 46, of 26 Pearl St., Batavia, are charged with disorderly conduct. At 12:29 a.m., Sunday, Batavia PD responded to a disturbance call at 130 Bank St. and observed two men allegedly fighting. Schultz was reportedly seen throwing a punch and striking another person. Elmore allegedly held a baseball bat.

Scott T. Laird, 30, of 5711 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Laird was stopped at 11:43 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street by Officer Chris Camp.

Carrie A. Brown, 32, of First Street, Bolivar, and Dennis Eugene Hopkins, 41, of First Street, Bolivar, are charged with grand larceny, 4th. The couple is accused of stealing $2,000 in pennies from a church on Lewiston Road, Batavia. The money was being saved to buy a playground for children in a Third World country. Brown was jailed on $500 bail. Hopkins was held without bail.

Woodrow Clarence Horseman, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Horseman is accused of shoplifting $103.72 in merchandise from Walmart.

Danielle E. Cummings, 34, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operation. Cummings is accused of entering a residence on Horsehoe Lake Road, Stafford, taking the keys to a vehicle and using the vehicle without permission.

Manuel Larry Valdez, 34, of Shane Drive, Syracuse, was taken into custody on a parole warrant.

The staff of Genesee Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing City of Batavia Fire Department breast cancer awareness T-shirts.

Press release:

It’s beginning to look like Christmas at the Batavia Salvation Army. Preparations began weeks ago to organize the Red Kettle Campaign and holiday assistance programs.

During the holiday season The Salvation Army offers many opportunities to get involved and donate. This year we have expanded our kettle campaign to include online giving.

This year an online red kettle team has been created by Major Patty Kurtz. Major Patty has issued a challenge to raise money through her online kettle team to exceed the campaign goal set by her husband, Major Bob Kurtz.

All money raised through the online red kettle will be dedicated to meet the needs of local families and individuals in Genesee County.

Individuals interested in joining the team or making a donation can visit the team’s Web site: www.onlineredkettle.org/BeatBob

For more information contact: Major Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

St. Joseph Catholic School will honor alumni Judge Robert Balbick and M&T Bank Regional President Dan Burns at its 53rd annual Popcorn Ball on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the school. Three volunteers will also be honored for their service. They are Jamee Logsdon, Michelle Cryer, and Maria Streeter.

The theme of this year’s event is “A Taste of Genesee” and will feature food from nine different restaurants and caterers.

This year’s Popcorn Ball will feature food from some of the area’s most popular restaurants along with prizes from Darien Lake and Palm Island Indoor Water Park. This year’s menu includes:

Seafood Bisque from Terry Hills
Fried Calamari from Alex's Place
Smoked Chicken Wings from Duke's Smokin' Bone
BBQ Ribs from Clor's
Pulled Pork Sandwiches from Center Street Smoke House
Mini Beef on Weck from T.F. Brown's
Mini Beef Wellington from Larry's Steak House
Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo from Bob Evans
Eggplant Parmesan & Pasta Primavera from Penna's Catering

Tickets are $60/couple and currently available at the school. You can also reserve a table of 10 by visiting www.sjsbatavia.org or calling 343-6154.

About the honorees...

Judge Robert Balbick graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1963, going on to earn a degree from Canisius College and his J.D. from Albany Law School. Judge Balbick was admitted to the bar in 1975 and became a Batavia City Court Judge in 1992. He was instrumental in creating Genesee County’s Drug Court, which gives those with substance-abuse problems a chance for recovery. Robert and his wife, Jane, have three children -- Kristen, who is a lawyer; Michael, who currently works in the banking industry, and Katie, who works for UMMC.

Dan Burns graduated from St Joseph Catholic School in 1978, going on to graduate from St. Bonaventure University and earn an MBA from Columbia. He was first hired by M&T in 1986 and currently services as a regional president while managing the M&T Charitable Foundation. Dan is past chair and current board member of Greater Rochester Enterprise and YMCA of Greater Rochester; he is vice chair at the Monroe Community College Foundation; he is a board member of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Flaum Eye Institute and St. John Fisher College. Dan currently lives in Rochester with his wife, Denise, and has two sons and a daughter.

Jamee Logsdon is part owner of Baltz Concrete of Pavilion and has spent countless hours supporting events like the Popcorn Ball and the Mammoth Sale and once waded into water that was ankle deep to fix a plumbing problem prior to a major event at the school. He has also served on several committees and supported numerous fundraisers. Jamee, along with his wife, Seana, their daughter, Kaitlin (SJS Class of 2009), and son Connor (SJS Class of 2013) live in Batavia.

Michelle Cryer and Maria Streeter are known as the “Dynamic Duo of Bingo” and have managed to turn Friday night bingo into a successful fundraiser for the school. Both have chaired the annual Popcorn Ball and have volunteered to do everything from painting to assisting with the construction of the school store. Michelle and her husband, Matt, live in Batavia with their three children, James (SJS Class of 2011), Jacob (SJS Class of 2013), and Jocelyn (SJS Class of 2016). Maria and her husband, Darryl, also live in Batavia with their two children, Julia (SJS Class of 2013) and Benjamin (SJS Class of 2017).

Batavia Bulldawgs varsity squad beat Akron 22-19 and finished the season 7-1.

The win ended Akron's 70+ game win streak and put the Bulldawgs in the playoffs.

The Bulldawgs' first playoff game is in Medina at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20.

Notre Dame won against Wellsville on Saturday, securing a 34-7 home victory.

The Fighting Irish are 5-1 on the season and play Attica next week in a game that will determine whether Attica wins the Genesee Region title outright or if there will be a three-way tie of ND, Attica and Elba/Byron-Bergen.

Andrew Mullen carried the ball 22 times for 109 yards and one TD. Tim McCulley was 5-12 passing for 132 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once and scored on a 45-yard run.

Jared Thornton caught two of those McCulley TD passes and gained 90 yards. Josh Johnson also had a 21-yard TD reception.

Anthony Paladino and Charlie Hebert each had six tackles. Paladino had a sack as did Aaron Lyons.

Press release:

The Genesee/Wyoming Music Educators announce that 38 local students will be performing at three music festivals in November and December.

Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) from Le Roy has been accepted to Conference All State that will be held in early December. This is the highest choral honor for vocalists in New York. Miranda was chosen from a large field of students due to her high score at State Solo Festival last spring. Dillon Hirsch (saxophone) from Elba was chosen as an alternate.

Thirty-six other students were chosen to represent their schools at Area All State, which is a group of select singers from nine surrounding counties. All students had to audition at a state solo festival held late last spring.

These festivals will take place for seventh- through ninth-graders (jr. high
orchestra/chorus/band) Nov.  2-3, and for 10th-12th-graders (sr. high orchestra/chorus/band) Nov. 16-17.

The entire Genesee County list is below:

CONFERENCE ALL STATE:
Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) -- Le Roy
Alternate: Dillon Hirsch (sax) -- Elba

AREA ALL STATE
Alexander:
Jr. High Chorus -- Hunter Doran, Alynn Franclemont, Matthew Genaway, Mary Guarino, Marissa Scharlau

Sr. High Chorus -- Mitchell Boughton, Aaron Guarino, Nick Guarino

Batavia:
Jr. High Chorus -- Madison Hoerbelt, Tessa Lynn
Jr. High Band -- Ross Chua, Celia Flynn, Andrea Gilbarto

Byron-Bergen:
Sr. High Chorus -- Sarah Donovan, Andrew Magin, Kelsey Swinter
Sr. High Band -- Lucas DeValder

Elba:
Sr. High Band -- Dillon Hirsch

Le Roy:
Jr. High Chorus -- Katherine Funderburk, Sophia Matla,
Jr. High Orchestra -- Thomas Dunn, Sophie Farnholz,
Jr. High Band -- Joshua Laurie, Kieran O'Halloran, Jennifer Stotz
Sr. High Chorus -- Rachel Glucksman, Miranda Graham,

Pembroke:
Jr. High Chorus -- Ryan Curtis, Grace Fingerglow, Samantha Quaranto, Maisy Ross, Sindel Wille
Jr. High Band -- Katie Brown
Sr. High Band -- Matt Kowalski

Oakfield:
Jr. High Chorus -- Sara Anzalone
Sr. High Chorus -- Eliza Pionessa

St. Joseph's
Jr. High Chorus -- Fiona Beck, Kyra Stella

A caller reports that she can see smoke coming from the South Main Street Apartments. The caller is in the area of 65 Birchwood Drive. City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: City fire on scene reports nothing showing at the address, 178 S. Main.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: A resident at the apartments says the smoke may be coming from a controlled burn behind a residence on Birchwood Drive. Firefighters are investigating.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: The smoke is from an open burn on River Street.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: "It's in a pit and it's very controlled," says a firefighter on River Street, who nonetheless asked that a water can be brought over.

A beautiful fall afternoon, I thought I would stop by Godfrey's Pond and see what picture-making opportunities I might find. Mother Nature still has some work to do with her fall palette, but things are coming along nicely.