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Batavia Downs moves up start of fireworks to 9 p.m. because of anticipated wind

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is announcing that due to the severe wind weather warning currently forecast for this evening, they will be moving up the time for their New Year’s Eve fireworks show to 9 p.m. from the previously scheduled midnight start.

“In order to ensure the safety of our valued guests and at the advice of our fireworks vendor we have decided to move up the showtime,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Those wishing to see the fireworks may do so by exiting the building by the Homestretch Grill, or by viewing them inside via the enclosed Grandstands on the second floor.

Team effort leads to championship win for Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

It's a whole new ballgame for the Batavia Blue Devils now that the team's full squad is showing up ready to play on game night, and Friday Attica got a taste of what a healthy Batavia can put on the court.

After jumping out to a 10-1 lead to start the championship of the larger schools' bracket of Lions Club Tournament in the Anthony Zambito Gym at Genesee Community College, Batavia pretty much controlled the game the rest of the way for a 70-50 win.

Mason McFollins is back in the lineup and the difference is noticeable.

"He's offensively talented and so that helps us out because we were struggling to score while he was out," Coach Buddy Brasky said. "Now, by him scoring it opens up other things for us and it makes it easier for some of the other guys to score. He's a big piece of it because he's our number one option offense."

McFollins, the tournament MVP, scored 19 points against Attica. He hit three shots from beyond the arc.

Joe Martinucci continued his strong play in the painting, scoring 12 points.

Twin brothers Caeden White and Camden White also missed the start of the season but are back on the court causing problems for opposing defenses; Caeden always a danger to hit from the outside and Camden adding strength under the boards.

Caeden White scored eight points and was named to the All-Tournament team and Camden White scored six points.

They're very committed to basketball," Brasky said. "They come to everything we offer in the off-season. They are great kids, very coachable. And Caeden can really shoot it. Camden is a force inside. You wouldn't know they were twins just by looking at them. But it's kind of nice inside outside punch for us."

Camden White and Martinucci give the Blue Devils and nice inside rotation, Brasky said.

For the most part, Batavia was able to shut down Attica's big man, Dawson Nelson, except in the third quarter, when he scored 15 of his 19 points.

"We were trying to front them and trying beat them to across the lane not let them cut in front of us," Brasky said. "They like that high-low look where they flash the one forward up high and then he tries to dump it in low. We were trying to apply some more pressure to the passer to make the pass harder. I thought we did a decent job early, but in that third quarter we couldn't stop Dawson. He kind of took the game over in the third quarter."

McFollins, the Whites, Andrew Francis and Martinucci aren't all Batavia has going for them this season, Brasky said.

"Jake Humes is shooting the ball well for us," Brasky said. "Luke Grammatico is doing a lot of nice things for us. He hit a big three in the corner there when they're making a little bit of a run. So you know, they do some things on the court that don't maybe necessarily show up on the scoreboard but did their part.

"We've got like eight-man rotation going right now and they're part of their rotation and it's important that they can get (Andrew) Francis and Caeden and McFollins some rest."

To purchase prints, click here.

The extremely brief football career of a Batavia boy

By David Reilly

Seeing this year's Batavia High School football team go all the way to the New York State Championship game and Notre Dame, my favorite college team since childhood, go to the NCAA semifinal brought back memories of playing football as a kid.

Short memories. Really short memories. You see, my official football career lasted for one week.

When I was a little kid, even at age 6 or 7, I became a huge Notre Dame University fan. I'm not really sure why.

Perhaps it was being Catholic. Maybe it was because my dad liked Notre Dame, although he couldn't really watch any sporting event without getting mad. He had a sixth sense for identifying which team was going to lose and then spending the whole game complaining that “they were getting gypped.”

I actually used to go to my aunts' house to watch sports to get peace and quiet.

When I was very young I was already cutting out articles from the newspaper about Notre Dame and my heroes Ralph Guglielmi, Johnny Lattner and Paul Hornung. When I was 10 in 1957, I watched every second of the Fighting Irish 7-0 victory over Oklahoma (on our black and white TV), which broke the Sooners' 47 game winning streak.

Around this same time I began to play football in the yard or at the park with my little friends. I'm sure the ball was bigger than some of us could hold onto, but we would run and tackle “like the big guys.” Of course, when I got my prized red helmet for Christmas (as described in a previous story) then it was really “game on."

What I'm leading up to here is that as I played and watched football more and more, I started to fantasize about playing for Notre Dame someday. I would drift off to sleep or get through a dull day at school by imaging myself running out of the tunnel onto that oh-so-bright green field at South Bend, Ind.

I would be dressed in my green and gold uniform and I would run and pass for touchdowns that would have the frenzied crowd shouting my name. The week after that 1957 Irish victory over Oklahoma my parents surprised me by taking me to South Bend to see Notre Dame play Iowa.

That whole experience -- the pep rally the night before, the school band playing the fight song, being in the stadium, the sights and sounds of the game -- all solidified my Notre Dame fandom. Even though the Irish lost the game, I was as hooked as a hungry bass chomping on a lure.

As I got older, I grew taller and a bit bigger than some of my friends. When we would play and they would try to tackle me, I would drag some of them along before they could get me to the ground so they started calling me “Tank.” That only boosted my daydream that I could be a real football player.

So, at age 13 as ninth grade approached, I was headed for Notre Dame High School, which in my mind would be the perfect lead in to Notre Dame University. I passed my physical and as the summer ended I arrived at the school with my heart pounding to get my uniform and walk over to the field on Union Street to embark on my football career.

But as happens in life, fantasy and hopefulness were in for a huge dose of reality.

The head coach was a man who had been our physical education teacher at St. Mary's Elementary School. At some point in the first practice coach blew his whistle and told everyone to gather around in a circle. It was time for a fun little activity called “Bull in the Ring.”

The upperclassmen clapped and cheered and seemingly couldn't wait to get at it. I had no idea what was going on, but I found out soon enough. Two players were called out to the center of the ring and essentially would run into each other until the coach decided that one of them had enough.

My opponent outweighed me significantly and went on in his upper-class years to become a team captain and an All-Catholic wrestler. In a minute I went from “Tank” to “Stank” and spent a long time soaking in the tub that night.

Day two brought two more obstacles: going up against way bigger guys and sunburn. Apparently Coach's view of freshman and jayvees was that they were there to be used as punching bags for the varsity.

With a minimal amount of instruction we were lined up on defense for the varsity to run plays against. At a whopping 135 pounds I was placed at defensive end against a senior who was at least 190. Play after play he would just knock me backward into the dirt like a bulldozer would a sapling.

At the same time, the sun was beating down on my red head and fair skin. I don't remember if sunblock was invented then, but even so I didn't have any. So at the end of that practice I made my way home -- head spinning, mouth and eyes full of dirt, skin like a lobster.

In fact, I was burned so badly, that my mom wouldn't let me go to practice on the third day. I can't say I complained because I could barely get out of bed anyway.

Fortunately, it was the weekend and there was no practice on Saturday or Sunday. That gave me a couple days to heal and rest.

On Monday, I made a gigantic mistake. I had my mom write an excuse note for missing Friday's practice. This was comparable to a soldier's mom writing a note to General Patton.

“Dear General, please excuse my son from the war because he had the sniffles.” What was I thinking? As Coach read the note, he looked up at me with an expression of disgust.

“Really kid (he didn't know my name)? Sunburn? I'll see you out on the field.”

So, my mom had no idea, but her note resulted in me running a bunch of laps around the field in the blazing sun while the rest of the team ignored me like lima beans at Thanksgiving dinner.

The last day of my football career really wasn't a surprise. My fantasies of playing quarterback for Notre Dame University had been ground out of my imagination and beaten into the dust of the practice field. At this point, I was just hoping to survive one more practice.

I made it, but not by much.

The final straw was an innocent enough looking punt coverage drill. We lined up in two lines, the punter kicked the ball downfield and we were supposed to take off and go after the receiver. At the end of my line stood Assistant Coach Tree Trunk Arms. His biceps seemed as big around as a normal person's legs.

As I heard the snap count and sound of the ball off the punter's foot I took off.

Suddenly, it felt as though someone had swung a baseball bat and connected with my helmet. But it wasn't a baseball bat, it was the giant fist of Mr. Trunk Arms. Apparently, he was trying to simulate the contact that you would feel from an opposing team member. Yeah, like having a bowling ball dropped on your head would simulate an acorn falling from an oak tree.

Several seconds must have gone by before I realized that my face was in the dirt. My head was reeling and as I lifted it up my vision was blurry. In the cartoons this is often depicted by a bunch of birds flying around the person's head as they stagger away, and stagger is exactly what I did though I can't recall hearing any bird noises.

To this day I hate to admit it, but I think I was crying. The rest of the practice was pretty much a foggy haze in my brain, but I'm pretty sure neither ol' Trunk Limbs nor any other coach asked if I was OK.

That night, when the mist had cleared somewhat from my noggin, I made a decision. I had been working up to it for a couple days. Not only would I never run out of that tunnel in South Bend, I wouldn't be going across Richmond Avenue to the Notre Dame High School field either. I was done.

I don't remember exactly how I quit, but it was certainly no loss to the team.

A couple of the older players made some half-hearted attempts at shaming, words like sissy and coward might have been said, but I was more relieved than sad. Later on, I did letter in cross-country, track and basketball, so I was able to enjoy high school sports after all.

Of course, my childhood daydreams were just that. No player from Batavia, and there have been many good ones at NDHS and Batavia High School, ever played for Notre Dame University. Not to mention the grades needed to get into that venerable college that I didn't come close to achieving.

In fact, St. John Fisher where I did go just had intramural football back then and I didn't even play. A couple teams asked me, but in one swing Assistant Coach Tree Trunk Arms left an indelible ache that killed any notion of football ever holding any glory for me.

Photo  courtesy of Dave Reilly.

Sponsored Post: Are you looking for something to do on New Year's Eve? Come spend the night with Eli Fish

By Lisa Ace


Are you looking for something to do on New Year's Eve? Come spend the night with Eli Fish!

We will be offering a special New Year's Eve Dinner for Two menu from 4 to 8 p.m. with desserts provided by Eden Cafe.

Genesee Ted will be performing starting at 9:30, and we will bring in the New Year with a ceremonial keg drop and the tapping of a new brew -- BRUT-ally Honest IPA. Click here for more details.

Lions Tournament: Batavia dominates Roy-Hart 75-27

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia ran away with its opening round game against Roy-Hart in the larger schools bracket of the Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College on Thursday night, winning 73-27. 

Mason McFollins, recently returned to the lineup, scored 15 points. Tyivon Ayala scored 13 points, all in the fourth quarter, and Caeden White, also recently cleared to play, scored 12 points. Camden White scored eight.

The Batavia Blue Devils tip off against the Attica Blue Devils in the larger school bracket at 8:30 tonight.

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To view or purchase photos, click here.

Health department seeks help in finding owner of dog who bit pedestrian

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Monday, Dec. 24, at approximately 11 p.m. a pedestrian was bitten by a free-roaming dog in the City of Batavia.

The incident occurred along the west sidewalk of Summit Street that is located between Washington Avenue and East Main Street.

The dog is described as possibly being an American Pit Bull Terrier or a breed resembling that, or a mix that has short black fur. The dog is of a medium build and is about knee high in height.

The dog approached from an unknown direction and after the bite occurred it ran off in an unknown direction.

“The purpose in locating the owner of the dog is to make sure the dog is up-to-date on its anti-rabies vaccine,” said Sarah Balduf, Environmental Health director of Genesee and Orleans counties. “If the owner cannot be located, the individual will have to go through unnecessary treatment.”

Anyone with information on the dog and/or dog owner is asked to contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580, ext. 5555.

Six Genesee County students named to Fall 2018 dean's list at Nazareth College

By Billie Owens

ROCHESTER -- Nazareth College students named to the Fall 2018 dean's list are as follows:

  • Kimberly Davis, of Pavilion
  • Danielle Foeller, of Bergen 
  • Bailey Groth, of East Pembroke 
  • Chelsea Jensen, of Batavia
  • Jessica Meyers, of East Bethany 
  • Lauren Reding, of Oakfield 

Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts.

The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.

Ray Leach, record-setting running back named region's top football player for 2018

By Howard B. Owens

Ray Leach's list of records is impressive:
  • Section V single season, rushing yards, 3,012;
  • Section V single season, touchdowns, 49;
  • Section V single season, points scored, 310;
  • Section V career record, rushing yards, 6,023;
  • Section V career touchdowns, 111;
  • Section V career points, 720;
  • State playoff record for yards rushing, 474;
  • State playoff record for touchdowns, 8 (twice);
  • State playoff record for points scored, 50.

So it's no surprise that Leach has been named Football Player of the Year for All-Greater Rochester by the Democrat & Chronicle.

Brennan Briggs, who coached his fourth team in the past five years to a Section V championship. This season was the first time a Briggs-coached team reached the state championship game. 

Also making first team: Joshua Barber and Ethan Biscaro. Taiyo Iburi-Bethel was named to the second team. Alex Rood, Joe Martinucci and Andrew Francis all received honorable mention.

Chris McClinic, Alexander, also made second team. Honorable mentions went to Terrez Smith, Ty Woods, Dylan Busch, Jake Jasen, Ethan Heineman and Hayden Walton.

Honorable mention for Notre Dame: Gabe MacDonald, Keith Szczepanski, Mason Randall, Tim Klotzbach, Tyler Totten.

Honorable mention for Pembroke: Theodore Pintabona, Colby Cerasani, Trent Smith, Trevor Vaughn.

Honorable mention in eight-man football for Oakfield-Alabama/Elba: Colton Dillon, Gage Dieterle, Ty Mott, Kyle Magliocco, Peyton Yasses, Seth Sepalla.

First team in other fall sports:

  • Lukas Milligan, Pavilion, boys volleyball
  • Maiya Reinhart, Batavia, girls swimming

Man associated with Amber Alert after Bergen girl disappeared facing possible federal charges

By Howard B. Owens
     Torres-Acevedo

A 22-year-old Batavia man who was the subject of a manhunt at the end of November after he allegedly drove off with a teenage Bergen girl in a blue SUV, which prompted an Amber Alert, is back in Genesee County and may face federal charges.

Sheriff William Sheron said today that because Jose Guillermo Torres-Acevedo is suspected of taking the girl across state lines, the Sheriff's Office is working with the FBI to determine if Torres-Acevedo should be charged by federal authorities.

Locally, he's been charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for allegedly stealing the Dodge Journey he is accused of using to transport the girl from her Bergen home.

He is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

In November, Torres-Acevedo was arrested following an investigation by State Police and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. A judge issued a complete stay away order requiring Torres Acevedo to have no contact with the girl.

The morning of Nov. 29, Torres-Acevedo allegedly drove to the girl's home and picked her up. The Sheriff's Office was soon notified that the girl was missing and an Amber Alert was issued that afternoon.

The girl, authorities said, went with Torres-Acevedo willingly.

The girl and Torres-Acevedo were reportedly located that night at a Walmart in Mansfield, Pa., when authorities were able to ping the girl's mobile phone.

Torres-Acevedo was taken into custody and the girl was returned to her family in Bergen. Torres-Acevedo waived extradition and a deputy picked him up in Pennsylvania on Friday.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in Bergen Town Court next month to face charges stemming from his initial arrest by State Police.

Law and Order: Ellicott Street man charged with strangulation, unlawful imprisonment and more

By Billie Owens

Manuel Mendoza-Stymus, 20, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, (inset photo, right) is charged with: second-degree strangulation; fourth-degree criminal mischief; second-degree unlawful imprisonment; and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from an altercation on Dec. 21 at an apartment on Ellicott Street in Batavia wherein the defendant allegedly choked another person, held that person down against their will and took their cell phone when the victim attempted to call police for assistance. The incident also took place in the immediate proximity of a 5-month-old infant. Mendoza-Stymus was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail. He was due back in court Dec. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Daniel E. King, 42, of Pembroke, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 5:08 p.m. on Dec. 24 by troopers out of SP Batavia. Troopers were dispatched to Ye Olde Willow Bend Inn in the Town of Batavia for a larceny complaint. Upon arrival, the complainant advised troopers on scene that a green pickup truck pulled up next to the restaurant and tavern, then the front passenger exited the pickup and allegedly proceeded to steal a sign to the business. The registration and suspect description were provided to troopers and the information quickly led to the arrest of King. He was given an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia Town Court in January.

Emily D. Smith, 33, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Smith was arrested at 10 a.m. on Nov. 22 on Liberty Street on the charges and was issued an appearance ticket for Jan. 8 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Zachary Vernon Donald Seeley, 22, of Central Avenue, Batavia, and Krista Swan, no age or address provided, are both charged with petit larceny. They were arrested at 8:56 p.m. on Dec. 18 on West Main Street in Batavia after Tops Friendly Market reported a larceny in progress to Batavia Police Department. Police responded and located the suspects, who matched descriptions provided by Tops employees. Numerous items totaling $306.81 in value were recovered. The defendants were released on appearance tickets and are due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Iszon C. Richardson, 18, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with trespass. He was arrested on Dec. 21 after he allegedly entered and remained on the property of another person on Jackson Street in the City of Batavia without permission at 9:20 p.m. Dec. 20. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Kiha S. McNear, 21, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree criminal contempt -- disobeying a mandate (arrest warrant); harassment in the second degree -- physical contact resulting in arrest warrant; and execution of a bench warrant. McNear was arrested on Dec. 19. All three charges stem from separate cases, all with warrants. The defendant was issued three appearance tickets and then released. McNear is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Patrick M. Viscuso, 54, Evans Street, is charged with second-degree harassment and unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 4:33 p.m. Dec. 18 on Evans Street in Batavia following an incident wherein it's alleged that Viscuso struck another subject on the side of the face during an argument. Viscuso was allegedly also found to possess a small amount of marijuana at the time of his arrest. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Guillermo Jose Torres-Acevedo, 22, of Collegeview Drive, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was arrested on a warrant Dec. 21 following an investigation into an incident that occurred Nov. 29 at about 7 a.m. in the Town of Batavia. Torres-Acevedo allegedly stole a motor vehicle from a residence. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and jailed without bail.

Triton Adam Drock, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and failure to use headlights while operating windshield wipers. He was arrested on an outstanding Batavia City Court warrant issued for failure to appear on charges made Nov. 18. He was arraigned on Dec. 20 and is due in city court Jan. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

St. Paul Lutheran School's annual Christmas program highlights the simple joys of the season

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

St. Paul's Lutheran School in Batavia held its annual school Christmas program on Dec. 20.

The mission of St. Paul Lutheran School is to enable the families of the community to know Jesus as their Savior by providing a Christian educational environment which fosters academic excellence.

At St. Paul's, school is a family!

All teachers, staff, students and families work together to create a loving, inspiring and encouraging environment in which children can thrive to their greatest potential -- a great way to begin your child's education experience.

At St. Paul's they like to say "We don't raise little Lutherans, we develop Disciples of Christ."

Structure fire is reported on Maple Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 10 Maple St. in the city. Smoke is pouring from the second floor. An alarm is sounding; unknown if the structure is occupied. City fire is responding and it's gone to a second alarm.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: Firefighters searched inside and no one was there.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: The dog in the photo below was rescued from the structure and given air as a precaution for the effects of smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 10 p.m. (By Howard): The dog's name is Sadie. She is fine. The fire appears to have started with a space heater. There was no apparent structural damage, no extension to the walls or ceiling. There are three apartments in the building and only one was occupied at the time of the fire. That occupant was sleeping and was awoken by Capt. Marty Hinz when he arrived on scene. Nobody was hurt in the fire. Video at top of the story replaced original breaking news video.

 

Video and Photos: Christmas Eve snow in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

It looks like we're having a White Christmas after all.

Stephen Hall blowing snow on Ross Street.  

Jonathan Hoca and Quintin, 5, building a snowman on Ross Street.

Jennifer Desautels submitted this photo of Teigan Desautels, 5, with a snowman.

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