batavia

What a beautiful day for a picnic in the park, and today, hundreds of Batavia and Genesee County residents agreed.

The city's annual Picnic in the Park in Centennial Park was a perfect reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a great community and a free country.

It was also great to see Don Carroll out doing what he does best: Raising money for Toys for Kids.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of any of these photos, click here.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand spent some time in Western New York on Tuesday, including at least two stops in Batavia.

Gillibrand met with area Democratic leaders for lunch at Larry's Steakhouse and then toured the Alpina Products factory under construction at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

The facility, which will produce Greek yogurt and other dairy products, is nearing completion and should open in late August or September.

Gillibrand said seeing what is happening at the ag park -- which includes construction of a dairy production facility across the road from Alpina by PepsiCo and the Theo Muller Group -- is "really exciting."

"It's such an opportunity for agricultural growth in this region," Gillibrand said. "Not only is Greek yogurt production one of the fastest growing products in New York, but nationwide, and it's so well located with all of our dairies that are so close by. It makes business sense. Not only do we have a great workforce, but we have a great product, so it's going to be exciting to create these jobs, to have this industry grow in Western New York."

While there's been conflicting reports on whether New York dairies can produce enough milk to meet the demands of the new and existing Greek yogurt factories in the state, Gillibrand said she believes the dairies can meet the demand.

She said she has also introduced legislation to help New York's small dairies increase production without driving up their insurance costs.

Currently, if a small dairy wants to add a significant number of milk-producing cows, they're going to hit a cap on production imposed by insurance rules.

Gillibrand's legislation would remove the cap.

"That might give the ability of a small dairy to go up to 300 or 400 cows to meet the needs of their customers," Gillibrand said. "That would make a big difference for these projects."

Yogurt producers, Gillibrand said, don't want the expense of trucking in milk from other states to keep their production lines going and her legislation would keep the local milk flowing, she said, adding that there would be no regulatory burdens for small dairies to grow to meet local demand.

Steve Hyde, CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center, also introduced Gillibrand to the STAMP project -- the 1,300 acre high-tech/nano-tech park that has been in planning for five years.

The senator took quite an interest in the project. She noted that with New York's previous success in Luther Forest -- the nano-tech corridor developing between Buffalo and Albany -- the surrounding technology-oriented university system, and the investment already made in the project, STAMP has a good chance to attract major manufacturers.

It was a validation of how the community and region came together on the ag park to have Gillibrand in Batavia on Tuesday to tour the Alpina facility.

"It’s really kind of heartwarming because this ag park was really nine-and-a-half years in the making," Hyde said. "Once we found a way to get it all done, get it funded, get it built, having two very significant manufacturing projects land in our back yard – like we talked about today, talk about the multiplier effect, Alpina’s working with OA-T-KA, and Stueben Food and a company in Rochester on packaging -- it’s just really really awesome."

Members of the Hoisingtons Rangers -- a group of reenactors of Batavia residents attached to Ft. Niagara -- were in Centennial Park this morning with a group of 5- through 12-year-olds to teach them a little about history.

The kids are part of a YMCA summer program.

The reenactors taught the kids about the period they represent -- the War of 1812 -- and those clothes they wore, the dishes they ate with and the muskets they shot.

The reenactors were Michael Richmond, Richard Richmond, Pete Bosch, Cynthia Richmond, Marge Ward, Amber Richmond.

Note: Several children asked me to take their pictures hoping to be on The Batavian, and I got some fine portrait shots, but a Y staffer asked me not to publish the pictures because a waiver is required by the parents. I don't need a waiver, but I don't want to get anybody at the Y in trouble with a boss. Sorry, kids, no portrait pictures.

Contractors were in Centennial Park this morning cutting down trees that a city staffer told me were targeted for removal because they were diseased. Three or four trees were cut down to a bare stump. The stumps will be removed at a later date.

Tomorrow is the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council’s 34th annual family event “Picnic in the Park.”

City crews were in Centennial Park this morning putting up stages and tents in preperation for the big summer party.

While rain is predicted for the morning, by the time the picnic starts, the skies should be clearing.

The Fourth of July festivities run from noon until 5 p.m. in the historic park at Richmond and Ellicott avenues in Batavia. As is tradition, the event is kicked off by the Batavia Concert Band performing on the Main Stage at noon.

This year’s Picnic in the Park includes all-day musical entertainment, arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more. Admission is free.

Please call GO ART! at 343-9313, email info@goart.org, or visit <http://www.goart.org> for more information.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District has awarded four more façade improvement grants to its downtown businesses. The recipients are: Kenneth Mistler, owner of City Slickers, 59 Main St.; Rich Clark of CPR (Computer & Phone Repair), 216 E. Main Street; Paul Marchese, Marchese Computer Products, 220 Ellicott St.; and Gerald and Thomas Williams, The Williams Law Firm, 2 Court St. Plaza.    

They received the following matching funds for improvements to their structures: Ken Mistler and City Slickers - $1,944 for new signage on the front and rear of his building; CPR - $286.69 for signage on their frontage; Marchese Computer - $1,205 for signage and gooseneck lighting; and Williams Law Firm - $1,487.50 for awnings on the second floor. These funds were awarded based upon the Business Improvement District’s design guidelines.  

The Batavia Business Improvement District is a not-for-profit, municipal / business incorporated association. It was established back in 1997 by a group of business owners to make improvements above and beyond what the municipality was normally responsible for.

B.I.D. provides programs, events and economic benefits to more than 190 downtown property owners and tenants. It has contributed greatly to the renewed vitality of downtown, the preservation of the character of its structures and development of its streetscapes.

According to Don Burkel, downtown manager, these improvements demonstrate a long-term commitment by these business owners to downtown and positive steps for its future. Eighty-seven businesses within the district have benefitted from this program and received more than $323,380 in funding. You also have to consider that these businesses have reinvested in total project costs of over $2,450,935 in Batavia’s downtown, which is pretty impressive.

A dirt bike rider has reportedly been injured at Area 51, 5100 Harloff Road, Batavia.

The rider lost consciousness but is awake, though disoriented.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

East Pembroke Fire and Oakfield Ambulance responding.

UPDATE 8:19 p.m.: The patient is now reportedly unconscious. Mercy Flight dispatched.

UPDATE 8:28 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 in route.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Patient is conscious and alert, complaining of hip and shoulder pain.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 is on the ground.

UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is flying to Erie County Medical Center.

A mulch fire is reported at the ESL Federal Credit Union on Veterans Memorial Drive. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 4:49 p.m.: A fireman on scene reports it is a small mulch fire and calls for a brush truck to respond in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: The fire is out. Town of Batavia is back in service..

There is reportedly a magazine sales company working in the area and residents in Batavia and Oakfield (I think Oakfield) have called to complain about sales rep activity.

Reps from the same company were in town last week and were told to get a permit from the City of Batavia. Batavia, as well as some other jurisdictions in Genesee County, require door-to-door sales reps to have permits.

This morning, a dispatcher checked with the city and there is allegedly no permit on file.

Sales reps can reportedly earn a trip to Rome if they do well with their sales.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: There was an inquiry as to whether the individuals could be charged for soliciting without a permit and a dispatcher replied, "I know you're going to find hard to believe, but their team leader isn't picking them up." Officer: "I'm shocked." The rep that was out with the officer says he just wants to return the money from the sales and their receipts and call it a day.

Jason D. Lang, 28, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Lang is accused of calling 9-1-1 at 12:13 a.m., Saturday, to report hearing gunshots at a local hotel. Lang allegedly made the call twice. Batavia PD determined there were no gunshots at the hotel. Lang allegedly made several more calls to 9-1-1 "for no legitimate purpose." Lang was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Jamie E. Andrews, 28, of 15 School St., Batavia, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and assault, 3rd. Andrews is accused of driving on Swan Street and deliberately striking an acquaintance with her car. The alleged victim was treated and released at UMMC with a minor injury.  Andrews was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Philip A. Dodson, 21, of 662 N. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dodson was arrested in Monroe County and turned over to Batavia PD. Dodson was arraigned in city court and released.

Tara L. Hall, 33, of 32 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Hall is accused of threatening a neighbor during an argument.

Chad M. Johnston, 26, of 111 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument. Johnston is accused of possessing a hypodermic instrument inside his residence.

Luke W. Ritzenhaler, 29, of 67 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Ritzenhaler is accused of being in a fight at a location on Oak Street where he allegedly picked up another person and also threw an object at that person. He also allegedly damaged molding around a doorway.

Bruce V. Wiseley, 64, of 30 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Wiseley is accused of becoming unruly while at a business on West Main Street and shouting obscenities at employees.

Lyle Robert Henderson, 29, of Lakeview Avenue, Syracuse, is accused of a family court violation. Henderson was arrested in Oneida County and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Following arraignment, Henderson was jailed on $4,000 bail.

A man who suffered an apparent head injury in an accident early Sunday morning on Route 33 and was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital is being accused of driving drunk and trying to flee the scene of a personal injury accident.

Lawrence D. Boggs, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, reportedly was helped out of his overturned vehicle at 12:19 a.m. and then tried to run down Wortendyke Road.

He was grabbed and detained by the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident.

Boggs is charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign and unlicensed operator.

He is listed in stable condition at Strong.

The other driver, whose name was not released by the Sheriff's Office, was transported to UMMC with a minor injury, treated and released.

Boggs was driving a 1999 Dodge van southbound on Wortendyke Road when he allegedly failed to stop for a stop sign and stuck a 2008 Hummer eastbound on Route 33.

The van traveled off the roadway into a ditch and overturned.

The driver of the Hummer and other witnesses helped Boggs get out of the van.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Assisting at the scene were other deputies, State Troopers, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight and the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department.

(Initial Report)

A fight in progress is reported at Austin Park in the city. Police just arrived.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: "You better swing down. It's a pretty large gathering," says an officer on scene to another. The incident had migrated toward Jefferson, then to Washington and Bank, verbal at that point. "It looks like now they're dispersing."

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: There were estimated to be 30 or 40 people involved. "Now they're at Summit, looks like a fight is going on there."

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: Now the group, or what's left of it, is moving back to Austin Park and an officer is remaining on scene to monitor the situation.

A rollover accident with multiple injuries is reported at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are dispatched.

UPDATE 12:30 a.m.: Not sure if this is related, but a dispatcher informs a deputy that another deputy "has the subject detained on Wortendyke."

UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: Mercy Flight on ground standby.

UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 on the ground.

UPDATE 1:02 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 in route to Strong.

UPDATE 1:08 a.m.: One patient being transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC with a minor leg injury.

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: East Pembroke back in service. Mercy Flight is on the ground at Strong.

A man who is a passenger on a Trailways passenger bus on Park Road in Batavia is reportedly threatening to shoot people once the bus arrives at its destination in Rochester. The bus driver is in a store asking that the man be removed from the bus. The suspect is described as 6 feet tall, wearing a yellow shirt and is said to be sitting in the seat right behind the driver. Multiple law enforcement units are responding.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: A Mercy ambulance is dispatched to the deli at 8204 Park Road to transport the man who allegedly made the threats to a mental health facility for evaluation.

People of all ages were entertained in Jackson Square on Friday night as Penny Whiskey kicked off the 2012 season of Concerts in the Square.

The calendar of upcoming shows is posted here.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue. One person is complaining of a chest injury. City firefighters and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: There are two vehicles involved. One person requires extrication.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:36 p.m.: One patient was transported to a hospital. City fire is back in service.

Attention Batavia Kmart shoppers -- There's a doggie on the loose in the store! A Sheriff's deputy is trying to track down the canine now.

This was an interesting sight over Batavia this evening -- at 7:21 p.m. -- a rather large jet getting refueled. I only had a 270mm zoom lens on my camera and this photo is blown up quite a bit, but I can't see any markings on the white plane.