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Batavia, Stafford and Oakfield hit by vehicle thefts and larcenies from vehicles in April

By Howard B. Owens

A series larcenies from vehicles, along with four vehicle thefts, in Genesee County are under investigation and there is a suspect in at least one stolen vehicle case, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster. 

The first report of a stolen vehicle came in on April 19. A vehicle was stolen from the Park Road area of Batavia. The vehicle was involved in a crash in Rochester and the driver and possible occupants fled the scene. Rochester PD is investigating.

On April 22, two vehicles were reported stolen.

A vehicle was stolen from within the Village of Oakfield. It was involved in a crash in the Town of Hamlin. The suspect or suspects fled the scene. Monroe County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

The most recent reports of thefts were April 29 on Bank Street Road. Along with the larcenies from vehicles, a 2008 Ford Focus, color blue, was reported stolen. There is a suspect in this case. The Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.

Batavia man chosen as Paducah Arts Alliance Artist in Residence

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Paducah Arts Alliance (PAA) is pleased to welcome Jim Morris from Batavia as the current participant in the Artist-in-Residence Program. Morris is a professor in the Art Department at The College at Brockport in Brockport. He began his studio/residence in the LowerTown Arts District at Pinecone Gallery, 421 N. 7th St. on April 24, where he will be creating new works through May 13.

A professional artist, Morris uses mylar to create collaged, mixed media works that emphasize the idea of transparency and obfuscation of information. He often begins his creative process by making an ink drawing on paper, which he scans to produce a computerized image tracing or vector file. He continues to build upon this base by laser cutting the digitized drawing, hand drawing over the prints in acrylic ink or layering this imagery over official documents. Morris’ collaged, mixed media works force the viewer to look closer by emphasizing the concept of transparency.

Morris received his MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is an alumnus of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. His work has recently been featured in group exhibitions at The Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, Chautauqua Institution; and internationally at The Kunstverein Tiergarten/Galerie Nord, Berlin, and a solo exhibition at Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey.

Morris has also received fellowships that include a summer Fulbright to Malaysia and Singapore, a Pollock-Krasner Fellowship, a NEA/Mid Atlantic Artist’s Fellowship, and a fellowship from the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in North Carolina.

Though he’s only been in the neighborhood for a short time, Paducah’s creative placemaking efforts have left a favorable impression.

“The Artist-in-Residence program is brilliant,” says Morris. “The buildings are handsome and the people are very generous and kind. The artists who visit here will spread the good word about Paducah and the Paducah Arts Alliance and encourage others to visit.”

While in Paducah, this internationally connected artist will be building personal and professional relationships, collaborating with Paducah artists, visiting museums and galleries and experiencing the artistic assets of our UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art. He is looking forward to opening up a creative connection with his hometown of Batavia, which has a population of 15,269 according to the 2013 figure by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The public is welcome to visit Pinecone Gallery, Tuesday through Thursday from 3-5 p.m. through May 8 to meet Morris and talk about his creative processes and the thoughts/meanings his work evokes. Pinecone Gallery will host an exhibit of his work on Second Saturday, May 9, from noon-5 p.m.

For more information regarding the artist, visit his Web site at www.jimmorris-art.com.

About Paducah Arts Alliance
PAA initiated the Artist-in-Residence Program in 2008 with funds provided by the City of Paducah. The program was established to enhance Paducah’s identity as an international art community and to promote the growth of individual artists through education and outreach programs. Since January 2009, PAA has hosted nearly 40 visiting American and international artists from 13 states and four countries. Over the past five years, resident artists have conducted more than 50 events, which include workshops, lectures, exhibitions, performances and installations. The Paducah Arts Alliance is a 501c3 organization.

Law and Order: Accused child sexual abuser hauled in from Florida, jailed without bail

By Billie Owens

Brandon Marshall Weig, 27, of Glen Meadow Drive, Lakeland, Fla., is charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated sexual abuse, assault -- injury to a person less than 7 years old, and sex abuse -- involving a person less than 11 years old. Weig fled Genesee County and was subsequently located at a family member's residence in Florida. He was extradicted and arraigned this morning on the charges in front of Genesee County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan. Weig is jailed without bail. He also has a bench warrant out against him from Genesee County Integrated Domestic Violence Court for failure to appear for sentencing. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy John Baiocco, assisted by Deputy Thomas Sanfratello.

Brian Allen Erbach, 32, of Attica Gulf Road, Attica, is charged with three felonies: aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 percent or higher), aggravated DWI with a child age 17 or younger inside the vehicle (Leandra's Law), and DWI; plus endangering the welfare of a child (a misdemeanor), and two traffic infractions -- speed not reasonable or prudent for a curve in the roadway and moving from lane unsafely. After allegedly crashing the vehicle he was driving on Buckman Road, Bethany, on Saturday afternoon, Erbach reportedly fled the scene with his children -- ages 1 and 2 -- to an address on Dublin Road. He left his children with a family friend there and went into a wooded area behind the residence. He was subsequently found by the investigating officer in the woods near a chicken coop. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker, assisted by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Brad McGinnis, members of the NY State Police stationed in Wyoming and Genesee counties, and several other members of the GC Sheriff's Office. (Photo above from scene on Saturday.)

Julie L. Dutton, 20, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt and criminal obstruction of breathing. She was arrested after allegedly violating a complete stay away order of protection issued by Batavia City Court by staying in the same residence as the protected party. Dutton allegedly choked the protected party during this time. She was jailed without bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jamie Givens.

Travis M. Blue, 31, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Blue allegedly choked a person during an argument on April 22. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in City Court on Tuesday. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jamie Givens, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp.

Sarah M. Wilson, 31, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact, and failure to obey a court order. She was arrested following a call about a physical domestic incident and it is alleged that she slapped a victim in the face. She was jailed and bail set at $1,000. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Devon Pahuta, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Terrance M. Schramm, 24, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault following an incident which occurred at 8:40 p.m. on April 29 on Holland Avenue, Batavia. He was arrested after a fight that allegedly involved himself and four other people. One of the people Schramm allegedly assaulted received minor injuries. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Officer Devon Pahuta.

Terrance D. Johnson, 20, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault following an investigation into a disturbance on Holland Avenue. He is to appear in Batavia City Court on May 27. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Samantha L. Gibbs, 25, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested after an investigation on April 26 into an incident where Gibbs, the sole caregiver to her children, was found to be intoxicated beyond the point where she could reasonably care for her children. She was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Scott Charles Rauth, 28, of Prole Road, Stafford, is charged with felony DWI, felony DWI with a BAC of .08 or higher, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, unlawful possession of marijuana, and motor vehicle equipment violation for no/inadequate plate lamp. The charges stem from a traffic stop in the City of Batavia on East Main Street on April 22. Rauth is to appear in City Court on Tuesday. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Nedim Catovic.

Michael F. O'Neill, 44, of Englewood Avenue, Tonawanda, is charged with DWI with a prior conviction within the preceding 10 years, DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more with a prior conviction within the preceding 10 years, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, unlawful possession of marijuana, and speeding -- 60 mph in a 30-mph zone. O'Neill was arrested April 19 as the result of a traffic stop on Oak Street in the City of Batavia. He was arraigned and jailed without bail and is to appear in City Court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Carrie L. Blaszak, 44, of West Barre Road, Albion, was arrested April 26 and charged with DWI, refusing chemical testing, open container of alcoholic beverage, obstructed view, and failure to keep right. Blaszak was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:06 a.m. prompted by patrols observing a driver with "multiple signs of intoxication." She was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Nedim Catovic, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

James Ryan Marino, 21, of Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to obey a traffic device, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle while on a a public highway, and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on a public highway. He was stopped by law enforcement on Clinton Street Road in Stafford on April 30. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Stafford Town Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

Monte J. Zurlo, 40, of Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent or more. The arrest followed a traffic stop on April 27. Zurlo is to appear in Batavia City Court on May 20. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Karen D. Bannister, 74, of 172 S. Main St., Apt. #207, Batavia, was arrested April 23 and charged with harassment. Her arrest was prompted by an ongoing issue between Bannister and her neighbors. It is alleged that Bannister has had repeated unwanted contact with her neighbors and had been advised by law enforcement to cease contact with them. She was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Sarah M. Wilson, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Wilson is accused of disobeying a court order to stay away from a protected party in an order of protection issued by Batavia City Court. She was arrested April 29 and released on an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court on May 19. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Nedim Catovic.

Max Lyman Metcalf Jr., 34, Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, was arrested April 24 at 9:21 p.m. on South Pearl Street in Oakfield following a traffic stop. Metcalf is charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, failure to use turn signal, operating an ATV without headlights, unlawful operation of an ATV on a public highway, and operating an unregistered ATV. He was involved in a short pursuit with law enforcement after being observed by deputies allegedly riding his ATV down Route 63 before turning onto South Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield. Metcalf allegedly fled east down the abandoned railroad bed into Alabama before being apprehended. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to return to Town of Oakfield Court on May 25. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Jeremy P. Almeter, 31, of Center Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. On the morning of April 20, following a dispute with a friend, Almeter allegedly shoved a person and threw the person's coffee outside. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Willie J. Thomas, 39, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. He was arrested after allegedly punching a person while inside a public location on West Main Street. He is to be in Batavia City Court May 5. The case was handled by Stephen Cronmiller.

Shane Zimblis, 44, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and petit larceny. Zimblis was arrested April 28 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, following a complaint from Mill Street where Zimblis allegedly stole some scrap metal. Zimblis is set to appear in Batavia City Court on May 12. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Kyle J. Burdick, 26, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal trespass -- remaining in a dwelling. He was arrested after being found allegedly hiding in the back room of a divided basement which belonged to another tenant. The basement is separated by a wall and the door is secured door with a latch and padlock, which had been removed. He is to appear in Batavia City Court on May 19. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jamie Givens.

Desmond L. Majors, 22, of Dewey Avenue, Rochester, was arrested April 24 on a bench warrant for failure to appear on two counts of second-degree harassment and one count of disorderly conduct. Majors was located by Rochester PD on an unrelated traffic stop and turned over the BPD. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Ricard F. Sarro, 20, of Jackson Street, Batavia, and Shawna L. Adams (no age provided), Mia Velletta (no age provided), and Cherub E. Madafferi (no age provided) are charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. They were arrested after midnight April 26 following an investigation into an under-age drinking party at 108 Jackson St. where residents had previously been warned by law enforcement about providing alcohol to persons under age 21. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Taein Yoon, 22, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawfully dealing with a child. Yoon, a Republic of Korea native here on a student VISA playing for GCC's Men's Soccer Team, was arrested April 26 following the report of Yoon hosting an under-age drinking party at his apartment. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Batavic City Court at a later date. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Sean E. Allen, 21, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawfully dealing with a minor. Allen, a native of Ireland here on a student VISA playing for GCC's Men's Soccer Team was arrested April 26 following the report of Allen hosting an under-age drinking party at his apartment. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court at a later date and released. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Chiyannon James Deforest Bundy, 27, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with failure to pay fine. He was being held in Genesee County Jail on an unrelated matter and was arrested on a bench warrant from GC Court for failure to pay his fine. He was arraigned this morning and bail set at $1,000. He was then returned to jail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy John Baiocco.

Jorge Sosa, 47, of Masseth Street, Rochester, is charged with a violation of probation. Sosa was located in Rochester by the Henrietta PD and found to have an active warrant out of Genesee County Court. He was brought to Batavia and jailed in lieu of $3,000 cash bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Frank Klimjack.

Susan Foley, 47, of Woodsfield Drive, Lakeview, is charged with issuing a bad check. She turned herself in on the charge after an arrest warrant was issued by Batavia City Court. On Dec. 3, 2013, she allegedly wrote a check to a business in the City of Batavia that was returned for insufficient funds. Foley posted cash bail and is to return to City Court on May 12. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jamie Givens.

Sabaheta Jukic, 50, of Bamm Hollow Road, Clay, is charged with possession of more than 4,000 untaxed cigarettes, speeding -- 52 in a 40-mph zone, and following too closely. Jukic was stopped April 30 on Route 77, Town of Pembroke, and subsequently allegedly found in possession of 4,000 untaxed cigarettes. Jukic was issued a traffic summons and an appearance ticket and is to be in Town of Pembroke Court on May 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster, assisted by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Andrea L. Hendrickson, 34, of Chesterton Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, obstructed plate, and obstructed driver's view. Hendrickson was stopped on April 30 on Route 77, Town of Pembroke, for vehicle and traffic charges and subsequently allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. She was issued a traffic summons and an appearance ticket for Town of Pembroke Court for May 26. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster, assisted by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Roxanne Lynn Battaglia, 49, of Belknap Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. She was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on Route 77, Town of Pembroke, on April 30. She was subsequently allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. She was arrested, issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Town of Pembroke Court on May 26. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster, assisted by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Christian J. Finkney, 27, of North Pembroke Road, Batavia is charged with violating a condition of sentence. He was arrested on April 18 and released with an appearance ticket for City Court May 5. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Joseph M. Marsceill, 48, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested April 8 on an outstanding bench warrant from Batavia City Court. The arrest came after a traffic stop on Liberty Street. Marsceill pled guilty to a previous charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and he allegedly failed to pay the resulting fine. He was released after posting bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Nedim Catovic.

Corina M. Distefano, 24, of Mount Read Boulevard, Rochester, was arrested for failure to appear in court after being issued a traffic ticket. She was taken into custody upon her release from Monroe County Jail on an unrelated matter. She was put in Genesee County jail in lieu of $250 bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Devon Pahuta.

Michael S. Gumberts, 23, of Stony Point Road, Rochester, was arrested by Town of Gates PD following a traffic stop on April 20 and turned over to Batavia PD. He had a bench warrant for failure to appear in Batavia City Court. He was jailed in lieu of $300 bail. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Sponsored Post: Charting a Course to Prosperity!

By Lisa Ace

Charting a Course to Prosperity! GCC’s The BEST Center and City of Batavia Offering Small Business Ownership Series.
 
Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs. Here’s your chance to find out if you have what it takes to achieve small business success. The BEST Center at Genesee Community College is partnering with the City of Batavia and the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) to offer a three-part “Owning Your Own Business” program designed to inspire creativity, fine­ tune skills, and chart a true course to prosperity. Those interested will be able to explore, experience, and connect with resources that can help turn a dream into a reality. 
 
The program, “Get Underway: Small Business Ownership Series, begins with a series of one hour workshops where participants will explore business opportunities, assessing their personal readiness to own and operate a new business. Each session will run from noon ­1 p.m. in the second floor community room at Batavia City Hall. The following four sessions are planned and participants are encouraged to attend each one: 
  • April 22 -- Do I have what it takes to own a small business?

  • April 29 -- Can I earn a living through my passion? Maybe I should buy a business?
  • 
May 6 -- Why didn’t I think of THAT business?
  • 
May 13 -- The Sniff Test, assessing your business idea!
The sessions are $5 each for those who pre­-register online at http://www.genesee.edu/best/, or $10 each at the door.
 
The second part of the program goes beyond the basics to help participants fully develop a business concept and transition into becoming a business manager. These five weekly Wednesday evening sessions are mandatory if participants want to access grant resources available through the City of Batavia Microenterprise Grant Program. The sessions run from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room T121 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC’s Batavia campus. They include: 
  • May 27 -
- Trials, tribulations & skills of a successful business leader
  • June 3 -
-  Marketing strategies to increase sales

  • June 10 -
- Using financial information to guide my business
  • June 17 --  Learning to “manage” a business
  • June 24 -- Business plan presentation and networking 
The five­-week course costs $125 and students will receive a certificate upon successful completion. Registration for this course is also available online at http://www.genesee.edu/best/
 
The Small Business Ownership series is funded in part by the New York State Office of Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant. 
 
For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343­-0055, ext. 6616, or via e-mail: dsutherland@genesee.edu

Photos: Spring trees Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Upton Monument

Redfield Parkway

Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue

Centennial Park

State Street

VA Center

Holland Land Office Museum

City Centre property seized in $1 million judgment sells for $2 at auction

By Howard B. Owens

There was one bidder at a Sheriff's property seizure auction this morning, Melissa Marsocci, owner of Genesee Urgent Care (formerly Insource Urgent Care).

Three parcels were available in the auction, the result of a judgment against Advanced Imaging won by General Electric. Marsocci bid on two properties.

GE was owned nearly $1 million by Advanced Imaging, according to court records.

Marsocci paid $1 for each of the two properties she won at auction. The Sheriff's office gets a 5-percent fee of the auction, resulting in 10 cents for the county, with $1.80 going to GE.

Marsocci paid cash, but has 24 hours to change her mind.

She will be responsible for $54,000 in taxes owed to the City of Batavia in back taxes if she keeps the two parcels.

The big issue, and what probably kept other bidders away, Marsocci said, is a question of whether other creditors of Advanced Imaging can try to collect judgments against the new property owner.

Over the next day, Marsocci is going to try and determine the answer to that question, which will figure into her decision on whether to keep the property.

If she keeps it, she knows her current business location, 35 City Centre, will be protected from potential eviction if somebody else bought the property.

She will also be able to expand her business into the Advanced Imaging office. She intends to open office space for more medical specialists.

Advanced Imaging owner Mark Zdrojewski attended the auction (top photo, far side of the conference table), but did not register to bid. He refused to comment following the auction and left quickly.

Deputy Ed Vlack accepts the $2 payment from Melissa Marsocci for two parcels of property in City Centre that were auctioned at the Sheriff's Office this morning.

Previously: Public documents reveal deep financial hole for local medical business

Photos: Opening of new Batavia Public Market on West Saile Drive

By Howard B. Owens

Michelle Farina couldn't have been happier with the first day of the Batavia Public Market, a new venture she decided to undertake this summer at the home location of her bakery and catering service on West Saile Drive.

With a license from the Town of Batavia for 160 vendors, she was happy to have 80 on the first day. There was a steady stream of shoppers throughout the morning and into the afternoon. And the weather was perfect.

"I'm just so happy to see all these people here," Farina said. "Everyone has just given us great feedback about how happy they are to be here. To see these people happy makes me happy. It's a great turnout. It's good to see a gathering of people in the community to come out, sit down at picnic tables and get a bite of food from these food trucks and to listen to our local band. It's just great."

The market will run every Saturday through Oct. 31, and as fresh, locally grown produce comes into season, Farina said there will be vendors offering the bounty of our local ag community.

Plus she anticipates more vendors signing on throughout the summer.

There will be live music every week supplied by local musicians, plus she hopes to add more activities for children.

Today, the Rochester Mustang Club brought their cherry rides to display.

"I wanted to have a place where the community meets," Farina said. "A gathering place for good people, kind of bring us back to the good old days."

A brand-new locally owned business making its debut at the market was Wakefield Coffee Roasters, owned by Scott and Cassie Wakefield. Scott fell in love with coffee roasting while in the Coast Guard stationed in Hawaii when a friend roasted a few ounces of coffee for him. He took it up as a hobby and when Farina learned about his very successful hobby, she suggested he set up a booth at the market. Coffee is best when it's freshly roasted, he said. "It's better than the stale stuff you get at the supermarket."

For customers who come to the market, he'll provide a batch of coffee beans roasted the night before that should last them the week. He hopes to develop a steady base of customers that will continue to get coffee from him throughout the winter. He does deliver coffee beans. As for a retail location someday? That's a thought, but just a thought at this point, he said. For more information, visit the Wakefield Coffee Roasters Web site.

Fence fire on Bank Street

By Billie Owens

A fence is reportedly on fire at 361 Bank St. City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: Fire is out. City assignment back in service.

John Kennedy principal keeps promise to serenade students from roof of school

By Howard B. Owens

Principal Paul Kesler is a man of his word. 

The die-hard Red Sox fan promised the students of John Kennedy School that if they met their fundraising goal to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he would don Yankees garb, get on the roof of the school and sing "Let it Go."

In the "Pennies from Parents" program, the students raised $1,619.89.

On Friday, Kesler followed through on his promise, much to the delight of the JK students.

Photos: BID honors downtown businesses and volunteers at annual luncheon

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Improvement District held its annual luncheon this afternoon at the City Church Generations Center on Center Street.

Top photo: Steve Krna, vice president of Genesee Patrons, an insurance company, accepts a Spirit of Downtown Award.

David Boyce, CEO of Tompkins Insurance, receiving a Spirit of Downtown Award for Tompkins.

John Roche, Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, was honored as a volunteer.

Mary Valle, Valle Jewelers, was also honored as a Volunteer of the Year.

The keynote speaker was Michael Schmand, executive director of Buffalo Place.

Empire Access rolling out high-speed broadband quickly in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

The City of Batavia is wired. Wired for high-speed broadband, that is. 

Empire Access can now deliver download speeds of 100 megabits to more than 95 percent of the properties in the city. There are only about 40 or 50 households that would be hard to reach, but once a couple of access hurdles are cleared, Empire will be able to service those customers as well.

"We're very pleased with the response we've received," said Jim Baase, president of Empire. "Even without video, we've sold a lot of internet-only packages. We're ahead of plan of where we thought we would be and video will only help with more penetration."

While broadband and telephone service is licensed through the state and requires no local approvals to provide service, federal law requires cable TV providers to sign franchise agreements with local municipalities.

Empire has been in negotiations with the City of Batavia for a franchise agreement for at least six months. Councilman John Deleo has raised the issue at two consecutive City Council meetings and City Manger Jason Molino hasn't wanted to comment further in public than "we're in negotiations."

Empire already has franchise agreements with 35 other municipalities in New York.

"Typically, it takes a couple of months to get through negotiations," Baase said. "It's taking a little longer with the City of Batavia. There are still a few outstanding issues that the city is requiring us to agree to. We haven't resolved those issues yet. We're hopeful in the next few weeks those issues will get resolved."

For residential customers wanting affordable, high-speed broadband now, the installation process typically takes about two weeks.

The photos with this story are of an Empire crew doing a line drop on a residential street in Batavia and at a Downtown location.

Once a customer signs up for the service, an outside crew drops a line to the location and tests it. An inside crew comes later, at an appointed time with the customer, to finish the install inside the residence.

The installation make take a little longer with apartment complexes serviced by underground utilities.

Empire is also working on expanding service beyond the City of Batavia. The company is working with Town of Batavia officials now to start stretching beyond the city's borders and engineers are drawing up plans for providing service in Le Roy.

The company hopes to start building the network in Le Roy by the fourth quarter of this year.

As for reaching more rural parts of the county, Baase said the company is looking for municipal partners in that process and is in fact talking with Town of Batavia officials along those lines.

With such partners, it might make it possible to tap into the $500 million in seed money Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed for expansion broadband in rural New York.

They're also looking for more partners like the Town of Big Flats, in Chemung County, where officials didn't want to wait around for grant money, so the town helped Empire secure a low-interest loan to build out the network.

"There are limited resources and we can't build everywhere at once," Baase said. "We're in the Town of Big Flats because they reached out to us. We're looking for more partnerships like that."

Photos: The work crew handling the outside installation work yesterday was Rick Burke, Kasey Wetmore, Don Todd, Joe Kirchner and Roy Faulkner. Pictured are Burke, in the cherry picker, and Wetmore, seen in the fourth photo splicing together a line from the outside of a house to the inside wire.

Water main repair scheduled for tomorrow on Pearl Street near Roosevelt

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department will be making a repair on the water system Thursday April 30th on Pearl Street near Roosevelt Avenue. Low water pressure or water service interruption may occur on Pearl Street in the area of Dewey Avenue to Brooklyn Avenue and possibly some adjacent areas while repairs are completed. There may also be a period of water discoloration in the immediate area as a result. Traffic patterns are expected to be maintained, but will be slow near the repair area.

Car crash on Bank Street Road, Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident with injuries is reported at 8249 Bank Street Road, between the city line and Stephen R. Hawley Drive. A passerby told dispatch she approached the vehicle, which is off the roadway on the west shoulder into the grass, and the driver was slumped over the wheel, unresponsive. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are en route. The patient is subsequently said to be semi-responsive and having chest pains. Mercy Flight's availability is being checked.

UPDATE 7:52 p.m.: Mercy medics just arrived at UMMC with the patient.

Sponsored Post: Missing Even One Tooth?

By Lisa Ace

Missing Even One Tooth?
 
If you're lucky enough to have all your teeth and they are clean and healthy, then lucky you are. You might also spend enough time brushing and flossing and that is a credit to you. But, if you're missing even one tooth, things start to happen and it usually is not good.
 
What happens if one back tooth is missing? First of all, there is a space. Rarely do teeth not move. But when there is a place they can go, they usually do. Upper teeth move down. Lower teeth move up. Adjacent teeth move sideways. The teeth that have moved vertically can cause serious bite or chewing issues and possibly joint issues. When teeth move horizontally, more spaces develop, spaces that may not be pretty or spaces that just compromise chewing. Ideal restoration, hence, usually means orthodontics first.
 
Secondly, losing one or more teeth means that every other tooth in your mouth now has to take on more force. Your muscles are just as strong and the forces are stronger than you might think. Teeth can break anyway but the ones most likely to break are those that are weaker such as teeth with fillings or especially those that have had root canal treatment. If a tooth breaks bad enough, we lose another and the collapse continues.
 
And lastly, missing a tooth means that there is a better side to chew on and we favor that side. Those teeth wear more. Even front teeth can wear more. And hopefully those teeth are not weakened because they, of course, can break. Missing more than one tooth? Bigger problems.
 
Talk to your dentist or hygienist. There are solutions! And there are more solutions than you think, especially these days, even for that one missing tooth.
Dr. Russell Marchese Jr. -- 585-343-2711. Like us on Facebook for more information.

Law and Order: Woman accused of stealing boyfriend's boots

By Howard B. Owens

Ann Rita Pokornowski, 54, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Pokornowski is accused of stealing a pair of boots from her boyfriend's house on Bennett Avenue, Oakfield.

Sade Henderson, 20, of New York City, is charged with petit larceny. Henderson is accused of stealing an Internet router from a dorm room at College Village. 

Danielle G. Bryant, 41, of Stewart Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bryant is accused of violating an order of protection in Le Roy.

Batavia HS to dedicate renovated softball field to Coach Anderson

By Howard B. Owens

The upgraded softball field at Batavia High School will be dedicated Friday to honor Ed Anderson, a former coach and teacher with the school district.

Anderson taught sixth grade from 1965 until his retirement in 1998. He was the first varsity girls softball and girls soccer coach for the Blue Devils.

"He was known as an excellent teacher and is most famous for his annual weeklong sixth-grade camping trips to Allegheny State Park that he led for 30 years, said Sue Medley, who has been helping organize the dedication ceremony, which starts at 3:30 p.m., Friday, rain or shine.

Anderson coached junior high bowling from 1977 to 1987, softball from 1979 to 1998, soccer from 1978 to 1998 and girls basketball from 1988 to 1991.

The girls won their first sectional title in softball in 1982.

"Coach Ed Anderson left his mark on generations of Batavia Middle and High School students while serving the Batavia City School system for more than 30 years. He was a role model to all," said Athletic Director Mike Bromley. "He was a source of support and an example of calmness, determination and generosity for the athletes he coached. He fought tirelessly for equality and opportunity in girls’ sports."

While school officials had recognized the need to upgrade the softball facilities, it was only after a group of players and their parents filed a Title IX lawsuit demanding facilities more on par with what the boys baseball team enjoys by playing its games at Dwyer Stadium that a settlement was reached. That led to new bleachers, dugouts, infield, outfield fence, scoreboard and batting cage.

The team is scheduled to play Greece Arcadia at 4:30 p.m. Following the game there will be a celebration reception in the high school's atrium at 6:30 p.m.

The dedication committee is still seeking financial support. The committee has currently raised $3,400 with a goal of $10,000. Funds will be used for field signage, a permanent memorial, dedication ceremony and contribution to the Ed Anderson Outdoor Education Campership Fund on behalf of the community. To contribute, visit http://www.gofundme.com/coachedanderson.

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