batavia

Laurie Waite and daughter Ellie, 12, spotted a mama duck and her ducklings trying to cross Main Street near the post office and decided to try and do their best to ensure their safe passage. Traffic was snarled because of road work.

As the feathered family neared Ellicott Street, mama got scared and flew off. The ducklings tried to hide in the bushes. A county employee brought over a cardboard box. Dale Lewter and Butch Yasses joined the rescue effort.

After about six of the 10 had been gathered up and placed in the box, one ran into the storm drain. Two more darted out into traffic on Ellicott Street. Lewter captured one, but the second ran across the street. With Lewter and Yasses in the road motioning for southbound traffic to stop, a black hatchback, possibly a Kia or similar make, just kept on going and struck the duckling.

Lt. Eugene Jankowski said the storm drain grate was welded in place because of truck traffic on Ellicott Street, so the best that could be done was hope the duckling could find its way to the creek through the drain.

With eight of the ducklings now in the box and mother circling the area, Lewter carried the ducklings to the Tonawanda Creek and placed them in the water. Mama duck landed at the top of the falls, and after her eight babies were in the water, she flew down to join them, honking after she landed and the little guys quickly swam to be by her side.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a string of thefts from unlocked vehicles in and around the Town of Batavia over the past several weeks. The investigation has produced a vehicle and a person of interest the Sheriff’s Office would like to identify. Attached are photos of both. The vehicle is believed to be a darker blueish Chevrolet Cobalt with a rear spoiler. The male in the photo is believed to be over 6 foot in height and over 200 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

UPDATE Tuesday, 8:10 a.m.: The subject has been identified. He's not from  Genesee County.

The Grand Jury issued the following indictments:

Jayson M. Connolly is indicted on 13 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Connolly is accused of using the identify of another Genesee County Jail inmate in the jail's phone system when contacting a person who was protected from contact by court order.

Stephen D. Reamer is indicted on counts of felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Reamer is accused of driving drunk March 23 in the Town of Le Roy. Reamer was previously convicted of DWI in December 2004.

Cody L. Osborn is indicted on counts of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and criminal impersonation in the third degree. Osborn is accused of driving drunk March 4 in the Town of Le Roy. Osborn allegedly identified himself as a person employed by the Le Roy PD. Osborn was previously convicted of DWI in May 2009.

Jon N. Roblee is indicted on a count of criminal contempt 1st. Roblee is accused of placing a phone call to a person protected by a court order and saying, "I am going to get you and him too, if it takes the rest of my life."

Batavia PD is being dispatched to the gas pumps at Tops for a property damage accident.

Reportedly, a driver pulled up to a pump, found it wasn't working, tried to back up, struck a car, then pulled around to the other side and struck one of the barrier poles. The driver then got out and proceeded to start pumping gas.

Billie J. McMurty-Rivera, 27, of 863 North St., Rochester, is charged with assault, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, and open container in a motor vehicle. A vehicle later found to be operated by McMurty-Rivera was reportedly observed in the parking lot of a closed business in Le Roy early Sunday morning by Le Roy PD. Upon investigation, McMurty-Rivera officers discovered an alleged domestic incident involving McMurty-Rivera and his female passenger. McMurty-Rivera was jailed on $20,000 bail.

Morgan L. Cox Jr., 20, of 14 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Cox was arrested during an investigation into a domestic incident.

Shawn C. Bulow, 41, of Corfu, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to notify DMV of address change, aggravated unlicensed operation, moving from lane unsafely and speeding. Bulow was stopped at 8:55 p.m. Sunday in the Town of Newstead by State Police.

Criminal mischief is reported at the newly established Peace Garden, adjacent to the Holland Land Office Museum on Main Street in the City of Batavia. They are reportedly ripping up the flowers. City police are responding.

UPDATE 8:36 p.m. (by Howard): After getting back from Le Roy, I swung by the Peace Garden and didn't see any plants pulled out of the ground.

Extreme dirt track racing is getting bigger in Batavia. The WNY EDT committee brought in a regional race Saturday that attracted racers from as far away as New Jersey, and on Aug. 11, a national professional race will hit the track.

Amy McNutt said there's been ATV racing at the track -- which is about 50 years old -- for the past six or seven years, but a reconstituted race committee has been working hard to grow the sport locally.

"We're trying to grow the sport and let people in Batavia know the track is here so we get more spectators," McNutt said.

Batavia Motor Sports is located on Harloff Road next to Polar Wave.

The next closest track that runs extreme dirt track ATV races is in Geneva, McNutt said.

The race in August will bring racers from as far away as Oklahoma and South Dakota and points will count toward a national championship.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

An ambulance has been dispatched to Main Street, in front of Tim Horton's, for a person with a shoulder laceration.

Batavia PD is on scene.

Earlier, there was a report of a group of people who may have been preparing for a fight on Washington Avenue.

One person was reported to leave the scene, heading toward Main Street, who was shirtless and carrying a knife.

Some 30 minutes before that, there was a group of people were reported fighting on State Street. When police arrived, the group had dispersed.

It's unknown if these events are related.

UPDATE 1:38 a.m.: One female being transported to UMMC with multiple minor cuts. Batavia PD clear of Tim Horton's but staying in the area until "this all breaks up."  Meanwhile, in Le Roy, an ambulance is requested to Pizzaland in Le Roy for the victim of an assault who suffered facial injuries. At the same time, police requested to the Stafford Fire Hall for a person who wants to make a complaint about a group of people harassing her.

Ducks are in a drain in front of the Holland Land Office Museum at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. City fire Engine 12 is responding to attempt to rescue the waterfowl.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: Engine 12 is back in service. Didn't hear whether they accomplished the mission.

UPDATE 9:26 p.m.: The ducklings were rescued and placed back into the Tonawanda Creek.

A caller reports a man in his 20s is in the area of Union Square (off Union Street), Batavia, going door-to-door asking for cash to start a business.

When he is refused, he demands to know why.

The man was reportedly just in the area and was also there earlier today.

Batavia PD and a State Trooper are in the area looking for the subject.

A 4-year-old child has locked himself (or herself) in the bathroom of a residence at 9 Cherry St. in the City of Batavia and the mother has called for help to get her child out. Engine 12 is on location, which is between Jackson and Liberty streets.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: Presumably, the tyke has been sprung from the bathroom. Engine 12 is back in service.

The Batavia City Fire Department tested the oldest piece of equipment the department owns today -- a Bresnan distributor.

The device is designed to be lowered into a basement that is on fire, but too hot for firefighters to enter. 

Though, as one firefighter explained, if the fire is burning that hot, you wouldn't want firefighters standing on the floor above and making the hole necessary for the hose and nozzle.

It could also be inserted from below into an attic.

However, one firefighter said in the 25 years he's spent with the department, he's not aware of the nozzle ever being used.

The brass nozzle is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 years old. It was manufactured by Grether Fire Equipment Co., of Dayton Ohio. As near as I can tell from Google searches, the company was in business from the turn of the early 20th Century until 1930, though maybe through at least 1974. The company made a variety of small firefighting devices, such as nozzles and lanterns.

In case it ever is needed, firefighters today wanted to see if it still works and what its water distribution pattern was like.

UPDATE 3:33 p.m.(by Billie): I searched on Google for "Bresnan distributor" and found this from a retired firefighter named Bill Bresnan who is now an artist. The inventor of the device for firefighting in hard-to-reach places was his great-grandpa. Here's what he says:

"My great grandfather, Battalion Chief John J. Bresnan was a truly dedicated man who served in the New York City Fire Department in the 1800s. He was an inventor and among his many inventions was the Bresnan distributor, the hose roller and a harness for the horses that was designed to facilitate faster response times during those days.

He was passionate about making improvements to the fire service and enhancing safety for the citizens.

Sadly, he was killed in a building collapse at a warehouse fire in Manhattan on a freezing cold night in late December of 1894, leaving behind three young children and an entire city who mourned his loss. Little did he know that generations after him would serve the department and the city he loved. My grandfather, father, uncle, brother and two cousins all proudly served in the F.D.N.Y.

It certainly was a privilege to be part of the New York City Fire Department. This is a special brotherhood. I met great men, real heroes who carried themselves in a humble way. I also met great leaders, knowledgeable and aggressive officers of all ranks. Despite all the tragedy I have seen over the years, I am grateful to have witnessed humanity at its best."

Press release:

The Town of Batavia Republican Committee has endorsed two candidates to run in November. Incumbent Town Justice and local attorney Tom Williams has been endorsed and former councilman Chad Zambito has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the town board.

Zambito, a town resident for 12 years, also serves on the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has served on an advisory board for Genesee Community College’s BEST Center and the GLOW Region’s Workforce Investment Board. The seat was left open after John Gerace resigned in May. Both Zambito and Gerace were first elected in 2003.

“We are fortunate to have two good candidates and are happy that there was significant interest in the open town board seat,” said Town Republican Chairman Andrew Young. “I think it shows we have a great board and support staff that many are interested in working with.”

The committee will hold its annual picnic June 22 at Kiwanis Park. Senator Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley are both expected to attend and longtime Republican supporter Sharon White will be honored for her service. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member.

Note: The board vacancy was created when John Gerace resigned abruptly and without explanation in April.

Doris L. Mayl, 59, of 2 Manhattan Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mayl is accused of taking bulk trash stickers from items on South Main Street. The stickers are purchased from the city to put on large items that need trash pick up.

Andrea M. Whitbeck, 23, of 196 Henderson Drive, Penfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Whitbeck was stopped at 3:20 a.m. Thursday on Church Street, Le Roy, by Le Roy PD.

A Porter Avenue resident was arrested Thursday morning, accused of being a lookout for a burglary at a new head shop on Ellicott Street, Batavia.

Police responded at 4:20 a.m. to a report of a burglary in progress at 400 Ellicott St. and arrested Edward R. Loper, 24, of 19 Porter Ave.

A second suspect, the person believed to have been inside the business, remains at large.

An alert neighbor reported suspicious activity after hearing the sound of glass breaking at the business.

Police determined entry was made by the suspects throwing large rocks through a window.

A quantity of disposable pipes were taken out of the business. The merchandise was recovered by police after the suspect discarded the items as he fled the scene.

Investigators are working on identifying and locating the second suspect.

Loper was charged with burglary in the third degree and was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Text and photos submitted by Steve Ognibene.

Today at Jackson School, friends, family, teachers and staff had their awards assembly and also payed tribute to Shawn Clark principal of Jackson who will move next fall to Batavia High School. 

Many students spoke about Mr. Clark and his contributions over the last four years as principal. They recounted how he was a great proponent of down with bullying and how he served to instill in them all the values that they will carry into the future. 

There was a photo slide show of Mr. Clark with students. They ended with farewells, hugs, but not goodbyes, as they will see him someday at the high school. This afternoon followed with a school-wide picnic day and outdoor fun with bounce houses.

This afternoon, workers needed to replace the "C" on the City Hall sign.

It was a ceremony of celebration more than remembrance as the students and staff of Robert Morris School said goodbye to their decades-old institution and walked into a new future of consolidated classes at three Batavia city schools.

"They're excited and they're ready," said Robert Morris Principal Diane Bonarigo of the students who walked out of the doors of Robert Morris for the last time today. "They'r in a very good place. It's important that we close our year knowing that they will be looking forward to going to their new school next year."

The district's consolidation plan will make Jackson a pre-K through first-grade school and John Kennedy will contain classes for second, third and fourth grades. Fifth-graders will move to Batavia Middle School.

Bonarigo said students felt more comfortable with the transition after a series of open houses where they ran into friends from other schools that they met through sports and other activities and realized they will now all be in the same school.

"We will be one city school family," Bonarigo said.