batavia

It was an accident that emergency responders acknowledge could have been much worse.

The initial call at 12:13 p.m. was for a semi-truck hitting a school bus and pushing it over on its side on Route 5 near Wortendyke Road.

Four ambulances were dispatched, Mercy Flight was put on standby and East Pembroke Chief Don Newton requested mutual aid from Batavia, Alexander, Darien and Oakfield.

"We didn’t know if the school bus was full of children or not so a lot of ambulances were dispatched as a safeguard," said Sheriff Gary Maha. "You can always turn them back."

As it turns out, most of the responding units were put back in service.

There was only one pre-K child on the bus and he did not appeared to be injured. As required by code, he was taken to UMMC for evaluation.

Both drivers were evaluated at the scene and no injuries were reported.

The Pembroke Central School District bus was eastbound on Route 5 and was stopping to make a left-hand turn into a driveway to pick up another student when it was rear-ended by the tractor-trailer.

The bus skidded forward in a semicircle and landed on its side in the front yard of a residence on the north side of Main Street Road.

The driver and child were able to walk out the rear emergency exit.

"It could have been a lot worse," Newton said. "Thankfully, there was only one child on the bus and the driver was uninjured and the child is being taken to UMMC for evaluation, but it doesn’t look like anything too serious at this time."

Maha said it was too early in the investigation to determine if the truck driver -- whose name has not yet been released -- was distracted prior to the accident.

The driver, Maha said, claims the bus driver had not activated its bus stop lights; the bus driver, Maha said, told investigators he had activated the lights.

Children on school buses are not required to wear safety belts and the child on this bus was not belted, Maha said.

The trucking company involved has requested the trucker's load be released, but state authorities have requested the trailer be impounded until Wednesday pending further investigation.

Batavia city residents are being asked to vote today on a proposal to sell the school district's administration building on Washington Avenue.

Polls are open until 9 p.m.

The district has an offer of $500,000 for the building and the option to use the maintenance shop on the site for five years.

The offer comes from Reed Eye Associates, which will convert the building into a medical facility.

Residents may vote in the following locations:

• Batavia High School -- Residents who live south of Route 5
• John Kennedy Intermediate -- Residents who live north of Route 5

A school bus and a tractor-trailer have collided at 3299 W. Main St. Road. The school bus is on its side. Injuries unknown. There is one student and the bus driver and they are both out of the vehicle. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with Mercy EMS. Oakfield and Darien are asked to stand by in quarters along with Town of Batavia firefighters. Mercy Flight is put on standby. This is west of Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Wortendyke at Route 5 is closed, along with Route 5 at Hopkins Road. Sheriff's deputies are rerouting traffic until fire police can respond. Mercy Flight will not be needed. The Pembroke school district has already called a tow truck for the bus.

UPDATE 12:18 p.m.: The semi's driver is also out of his vehicle. Response from Oakfield, Darien and Town of Batavia is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: The two adults will be sign-offs. There is one pediatric patient to be transported to the hospital.

UPDATE 12:29: "Until we get the bus on its wheels, the road's going to be closed for awhile." Meanwhile, truck traffic is backing up. A State Trooper is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: The child is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: The roadway is reopened. All units clear.

Clarence E. McLeod, 55, of 19 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument 3rd, and Joshua A. Harris, 23, of 110 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and forgery, 3rd. Harris is accused of stealing a checkbook and then forging the victim's name on a check and issuing the check to McLeod. McLeod allegedly passed the check knowing that it was stolen and attempted to cash the check at the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union. The investigation was conducted by Officer Eric Hill and Deputy Brian Thompson.

Christopher P. Sullivan, 32, of 29 Tracy Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unlicensed operation and unsafe lange change. Sullivan is accused of being in an accident in the parking lot of Northside Deli and then fleeing the scene. Witnesses reportedly followed Sullivan's vehicle and contacted police. Sullivan was arrested following an investigation.

Scott M. Forian, 44, of 8317 Slusser Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and improper right turn. Forian was stopped at 11:34 p.m., Saturday, on Harvester Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Chris Camp. Forian was jailed without bail.

Dennis A. Edson, 48, of 17 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Edson allegedly yelled obscenities repeatedly at officers who were investigating another complaint in the area.

Rae C. Cook, 23, of 121 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Cook is accused of violating an order of protection with a prior conviction for criminal contempt, making this a felony charge.

Rosemary R. Waters, 26, of 2 Florence Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Waters was arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal contempt after visiting an inmate in jail. Waters was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rachell Onie Soggs, 24, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Soggs is accused of shoplifting $29.12 in merchandise from Kmart.

Jeremy John Haynes, 36, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating without an ignition interlock. Haynes allegedly drove to the Genesee County Jail at 7:16 a.m., Sunday, with a BAC of more than twice the legal limit.

Nicholas Adam Antonucci, 25, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of attempted grand larceny, 3rd. On Jan. 6, 2010, Antonucci allegedly tried to steal two snowmobiles from the parking lot of the Beachhead Veterans Club in Alexander. One snowmobile was valued at $5,000 and the other at $4,000. Antonucci allegedly damaged the ignitions during the attempted theft. Antonucci is being held on the Wyoming County Jail on other charges.

Jason A. Klinkbeil, 24, of an unknown address in Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Klinkbeil was observed at Save A Lot allegedly shoving frozen food items and cans of beer into his backpack and then attempting to leave the store without paying for the items. Klinkbeil, who had been released from the Genesee County Jail the day before on unrelated charges, was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Law enforcement is responding to Walmart to help locate a possible shoplifter who fled the store after he reportedly dropped and broke a bottle of perfume while putting it in his backpack.

The subject is described as white, carrying a backpack and wearing a red hat.

He was last seen running to the west and jumping a fence.

There's a place on Pike Road I've passed many times thinking, "If I could walk behind that building, there might be a picture there." That, of course, would be trespassing. Today, the property owner was there and it turned out to be a friend. So here's the picture.

Batavia enjoyed perfect weather Saturday for the third-annual Wine Walk as 500 wine lovers strolled through downtown to more than 20 businesses serving a variety of wines for tasting. Merchants also offered finger foods and a couple of shops featured live music.

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

Press release:

In the third $7,500 "Dash for Cash," Lindsay Hilburger -- representing Notre Dame of Batavia High School with professional driver Dave McNeight III alongside -- led all the way to take the first-place scholarship check of $3,000.

The one-mile harness race for area high school seniors racing for college scholarship funds took place Saturday night (Sept 15.), at Batavia Downs Racetrack & Casino.

Sonia Nevinger (Alexander) took second place and a $2,000 scholarship check; Leanne King (Pembroke) was third and earned a $1,200 scholarship; Jessica Levins (Batavia High School) took the fourth-place spot and $800 in scholarship funds, while Jamie Marshall (Elba) was fifth and received a $500 check.

The final time of 2:08.2 was by far the fastest running time of any of the scholarship races.

“It was nice to see such a large turnout,” said Todd Haight, general manager of Live Racing.

The track apron was packed with fans of all ages as they came out to cheer on their classmates and favorite schools.

The scholarship race is a partnership of the New York Sire Stakes, the Harness Horse Breeders of New York, the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs.

Photo: Jamie Marshall, Jessica Levins, Leanne King, Sonia Nevinger, Lindsay Hilburger (courtesy of Paul White).

The Blue Devils dropped off the list of the undefeated in Genesee County on Friday with a 30-12 loss to Livonia.

Le Roy kept its perfect record in tack with a 35-28 over Avon, while in the Genesee Region Conference, three teams sit atop the standings at 3-0 -- Elba/Byron-Bergen, Notre Dame and Attica.

Elba/BB beat Holley 27-7 with Zack DuBois rushing for 156 yards on 22 carries, scoring once. QB Zack Gillard was 7-14 for 167 yards and two TDs. He also carried the ball five times for 29 yards and a touchdown. Austin Yockel had four receptions for 141, including a 44-yard TD reception. Ryan Morse had a 10-yard TD reception. Andy Underhill made 23 tackles. Brandon Naylor had 14 tackles.

Notre Dame moved to 3-0 with a win over Alexander 36-6. Tim McCulley completed 11 passes on 20 attempts for 187 yards, including TD tosses of 14 and 35 yards to Charlie Hebert and Jared Thornton. Nick Taylor had TD runs of 26 and 89 yards. Andrew Mullen carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards. For Alexander, Dylan Scharlau had 18 carries for 117 yards and QB Nelson Burke was 8 of 17 for 128 yards, including a TD pass to 36-yard TD to Sam Browne. Burke was intercepted twice.

Pembroke dropped to 0-3 with a loss to undefeated Attica 47-0. Four turnovers by the Dragons led to four Attica TDs. Pete Thomas had 12 tackles for Pembroke and Caleb Patterson and Jared Kolmetz each recovered two fumbles.

For Batavia, in the Blue Devils 30-12 loss to Livonia, Nick Canzoneri rushed for 40 yards on eight carries, scoring once. James Soggs had 11 carries for 85 yards.

Le Roy's third win was highlighted by Peter Privitera's 181 yards on 39 carries and two touchdowns. Both Marcus Mistersaro and Dylan Johnson scored on the ground. T.J. Crye was 13-of-27 for 173 yards.

Oakfield-Alabama improved to 1-2 with a win over Finney (1-2), 20-16. Ryan Emery scored twice and carried the ball for 99 yards. Chris Nanni rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Danny Monachino and Tommy Geiss each recorded 12 tackles.

Husband-wife team Travis Farewell and Lyndsey Oliver-Farewell, of Medina, opened "Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Café" in Batavia yesterday. It is located at 23 Jackson St. (formerly the Verizon store).

Last night was their "soft" opening. A grand opening with a display and free cupcakes will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Because they specialize in cupcakes, the Farewells like to get creative and, as Lyndsey said, experiment with "many different varieties."

"We're always developing new flavors and decorations," she said.

She and Travis both love to cook. Travis has worked in food services for a number of years, and Lyndsey grew up baking with her mother and grandmother.

"We started (making cupcakes) just for fun," Lyndsey said. "Then we started to make them for friends at work, friends and family members asked us to bake for special occasions, and it became a business."

"We love the Batavia area, and thought it would be the perfect location."

According to Travis, yesterday was "really steady" customer-wise, and "busier than expected for the first day."

Sweat Pea's Cupcakery Café will do special orders for weddings, graduations, office parties, showers, and other special occasions by request.

Cupcakes cost $2.75. They also sell:

Cookies for $1;

Brownies for $2;

Muffins (including blueberry and peach cobbler) for $1.75.

And they sell bottled beverages, tea and coffee. Coffee and tea are priced at $1 for a regular and $1.50 for a large. A flavor shot can be added for an extra 25 cents.

Lastly, they sell "frosting shots" -- which are exactly what they sound like -- frosting in shot glasses.

Bakery hours are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday, and noon until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Regular store hours will be held on the day of the grand opening.

For more information, call 344-5627 or email contact@sweetpeascupcakery.com.

When it comes to transportation, you want it to be safe, reliable and on time. Batavia's most elite and professional taxi service is now B-Town Yellow Taxi. Open 24 hours per day 7 days per week, when you need a ride across town, to Buffalo or even farther, B-Town is the company to call. Batavia rates start at just $5 for a full car in the city of Batavia, and just $8-12 for the town. Starting in October, B-Town will be basing all out of town rates off of a meter for accurate and affordable pricing!

Meet the owner: Phil Adamski: Phil has been driving taxi cabs for going on 7 years. He started off working for other companies and decided to open his own with improved service. Phil has goals of friendly and personalized service, safe transportation, courteous drives and low wait times!

To get a taxi ride, call them at 585-356-1881 (Note to prepaid customers it is a Verizon phone). Credit cards accepted.

Want an even better deal? Check out the website at http://www.btownyellowtaxi.com for pricing details and follow B-Town on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/btownyellow for weekly specials and more!

The sound of three gunshots was heard off Howard Street in the city. Police are checking the grounds of Graham Manufacturing to see what's going on. The location is off Harvester Avenue and the cemetery.

Attention citizens! Police are on the scout for a large blue garbage truck with a heavy drill press in the back of it. The drill press was allegedly stolen about 20 minutes ago from 35 Jackson St. in the City of Batavia. According to the caller, the truck pulled up, winched up the drill press, put it on the big blue garbage truck and left. The caller then contacted the landlord and was told no permission was given to anyone to remove the equipment. So, the dispatcher said, "If you see a blue garbage truck, look for a drill press in the back." Then call the cops. The Thruway Authority is being notified to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: No direction of travel was given and no information about whether there are any graphics -- lettering -- on the truck. There were a lot of blue garbage trucks making their rounds in the city today. The disposal service in Orleans County uses blue trucks, too, and if this vehicle was stolen from that company, an officer says dispatch should expect to be getting a call from them.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: The truck with the heavy drill press in back has been located. It's a PSI garbage truck, which will be returning to 35 Jackson St. to put back the drill press. The driver told authorities "he thought the item was trash because it was sitting next to the Dumpster." (Well, it's still bulk item pickup time in the city -- at least until Oct. 1.) Police are going to meet the driver on Jackson Street.

A Batavia resident accused of dealing drugs after police found 44 glassine bags of crack cocaine in his car and then later got into a fight in jail, will serve up to seven years in prison.

Milton H. Simmons III, 29, of 75 Franklin St., Batavia, was sentenced in Genesee County Court on Thursday.

Simmons was originally arrested in April when police responded to the parking lot of a West Main Street business for a report of a fight involving a knife. A subsequent search of Simmons' uncovered the crack cocaine.

As police transported Simmons from the courthouse to the jail, Simmons allegedly tried to escape and had to be restrained with the assistance of deputies at the court facility.

In July, Simmons punched another Genesee County Jail inmate in the face causing the inmate's denture plate to break.

The sentence handed down Thursday covers the multiple charges against Simmons, which included criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, attempted escape and assault.

Judge Robert C. Noonan sentenced Simmons to three years in prison on one charge, and two to four years on another charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Antonio Lester James, 21, of Avenue A, Rochester, is charged with grand larceny. James is accused of placing more than $2,400 worth of printer ink and electronic merchandise in a plastic tote while in Walmart and then running from the store. James was subsequently charged with promoting prison contraband, 2nd. While being processed into the Genesee County Jail, James was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Matthew Thomas Allen Banks-Jubert, 18, no residence, was arrested on a warrant for alleged violation of probation. Banks-Jubert was interviewed by the Buffalo PD on an unrelated matter and arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court for alleged violation of probation. Banks-Jubert was jailed on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

Samantha L. Johnson, 25, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Johnson is accused of stealing more than $100 in merchandise from Kmart.

Todd Michael Sirianni, 43, of North Fraley Street, Kane, Pa., was arrested as a fugitive from justice from McKean County, Pa. Sirianni was being held in the Genesee County Jail and with his local case completed, he was arraigned on an alleged violation of probation charge out of McKean County in Town of Batavia Court and held pending extradition.

Joanne Jefferson, 53, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged violation of probation. Jefferson was arrested in the Village of Le Roy, arraigned in county court and released.

Chad Zambito picked 197 votes in the Town of Batavia GOP primary for a seat on the town board, beating John Gerace, who had 89 votes.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for qualified candidates to fill open police officer positions. An open competitive examination is being offered by the Genesee County Human Resources Department on Nov. 17.

Benefits include: Salary- $37,391 to $55,736 per year (2012), Paid Time Off, Health Insurance and NYS Retirement.

Qualifications:

-       Candidates must be legal residents of Genesee County or of a county contiguous to Genesee County for at least two months immediately preceding the date of examination and continue their residency through the period leading to their initial appointment.

-       Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education.

-       At least 19 years of age on or before 11/17/12 but not over 34 years of age unless certain military provisions apply.

-       Ability to pass an appropriate medical and physical agility examination as set forth by the Municipal Police Training Council.

-       Valid NY State driver’s license.

-       U.S. Citizen

Conviction of felony will bar appointment, and conviction of a misdemeanor or other offense may bar examination and appointment

For further information, interested candidates should contact the Genesee County Human Resources Department at (585) 344-2550, ext. 2220, or go to http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/humanresources/policeofficerexam.html

Applications and fees must be turned in to the Genesee County Human Resources Department located in County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020, before Oct. 10.

Police are responding to a complaint of children playing in the street at Grandview Terrace and Clinton Street in the City of Batavia.

A driver was cited for alleged improper left turn following an accident in Batavia at 11:47 a.m., Wednesday at the intersection of Porter Avenue and Washington Avenue that injured two people.

Iris F. Hatcher, 37, of 23 Porter Ave., Batavia, was driving a PT Cruiser west on Washington Avenue and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Porter. A Ford hatchback was on Washington Avenue and collided with the Cruiser.

Also injured was Linda M. Clemens, 51, of 11 Mix Place, Batavia.

Both Hatcher and Clemens were transported to UMMC.

(Initial Report)