batavia

Bitty is missing. Slipped out of her house last night. She was last seen near Main and Ross going through the funeral home parking lot.

UPDATE Wednesday, 5 p.m.: Bitty is home, safe.

David Austin said this dog just wandered into his yard at 256 State St., which is next to the high school. He's hoping somebody comes and picks it up soon. Dave can be reached at (585) 300-3441.

UPDATE 9:12 p.m.: The puppy is back home, safe.

Reader John Spaulding sent us this aerlial photo he took of Batavia on Sunday evening as he was preparing to land at the Genesee County Airport.

The Salvation Army offices on East Main Street will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday Aug. 1st, and the Senior Luncheon will be cancelled due to an interruption in water service at that location only. We plan to be back up and running our regular events on Wednesday. 

Press release:

The New York State Education Department announced today (July 31) that 44 colleges and universities in New York will receive Liberty Partnerships Program grants totaling more than $17 million. Genesee Community College in Batavia will receive $450,000 in grant money from this program.

The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) is New York State’s only state-funded dropout prevention program directly connected to higher education which prepares students for post-secondary education and careers. Recipients of these higher education initiative grants will provide comprehensive programming for at-risk students to successfully graduate and transition into postsecondary education or a career path.

“It’s critically important that we develop new strategies to influence students as active participants in their own learning,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “LPP grants make it possible for colleges to create strong school and community partnerships to help keep New York’s children in school and continue into higher education and careers; it’s a priority for the Board of Regents and State Education Department.”

“So many of the at-risk students we’re trying to encourage to stay in school don’t have access to support,” Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “With these grants, students will have access to skills assessment, tutoring, personal and family counseling, as well as mentoring programs to help ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to further their education and achieve success in life.”

To be eligible, the Institution of Higher Education must have two partnerships:

1) A local education agency (LEA) that falls within the one of the categories below:

• school eligible for schoolwide programs under Title 1, Section 1114 of the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the families of these students; 
• school with at least 40 percent of students eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch;
• school identified as a focus, struggling, persistently struggling and/or persistently dangerous schools; or
• rural school with students at risk.

2) A Community Based Organization (CBO)

LPP was established by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1988 to address the significantly elevated high school dropout rate among New York’s youth. The drop-out prevention initiative serves approximately 13,000 students in grades 5-12. The program is designed to support the successful transition of middle and high school students at-risk of dropping out of school into graduates, fully prepared for the rigors of higher education and the competitive demands of a fluid workplace in a global economy.

There are currently 41 LPP programs at higher education institutions, working in collaboration with school districts and community-based organizations, across New York State. LPP provides students with one year of continuous services which include skills assessment, tutoring, academic and personal counseling, family counseling and home visits, and mentoring programs.

2015-16 Highlights

Statewide, the Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) served 13,461 students. The average number of students per site was 328. A total of 443 partner schools participated in Liberty Partnerships programing during the 2015-2016 program year. 

Ninety-five percent of Liberty Partnership participants were promoted to the next level of education. A total of 2,110 seniors participating in the Liberty Partnerships graduated high school resulting in a 92-percent program-wide graduation rate. The majority of seniors plan to attend college or work full-time, with 92 percent graduating seniors planning to attend college. Sixteen percent of LPP graduating seniors planned to enter the workforce.

New Funding Cycle

Funding for LPP grants is from 2017 to 2022 and the project period is Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. Funding in years two through five is dependent on satisfactory performance, legislative appropriation, and the submission of an updated proposed project budget approved by SED.

For more information, please see the NYSED LPP website.

Photos and information provided by Anne Marie Starowitz.

The 2017 Holland Land Office Museum History Heroes Summer Program was eight days of fun-filled times celebrating the centennial of World War One.

Our 42 campers learned the full history of World War One and its connection to the history of Genesee County through the current exhibit “Over There to Over Here: 100 Years Later Genesee County in the Great War.”

The program included: a field trip to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo; a presentation from Teresa Wood about the Doughnut Girls of World War I; a visit by animals from the Buffalo Zoo; a historic walking tour of Downtown Batavia; a special screening at the Batavia Showtime movie theater; camper-ran Penny Carnival, which raised $160 for the local PTSD program at Veterans Hospital.

The program culminated in a patriotic program of history and music performed by the children at the Old County Courthouse.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for their support to make this program as enjoyable as possible, including those local restaurants that provided lunches: Ken’s Charcoal Pits, Batavia’s Original, and Ficarella’s Pizzeria. We would also like to thank all the volunteers that gave their time to make History Heroes possible.

Danilo Ramirez-Lopez, 21, of Elba, is charged with third-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. According to our news partner 13WHAM, State Police arrested Ramirez-Lopez after they said he raped a teen girl he met online. Investigators said they were called Sunday to investigate a reported rape in Allegany County. After investigating, troopers found the Elba resident had become friends over Facebook with the 16-year-old victim. On Sunday, police said Ramirez-Lopez drove to the victim’s home and raped her in another location. Ramirez-Lopez was arraigned and put in Allegany County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Nicholas M. Maher, 32, of Drake Street, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree harassment. Beginning in the late morning of July 21, he allegedly followed a female around on four separate occasions while inside two separate businesses in the City of Batavia. On one of the occasions, it is alleged that "Maher attempted to invite himself over to dinner." He was issued an appearance ticket and was due in court on July 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Ahmed Abdul Dockstader, 21, of Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 3:29 p.m. on July 29 following an investigation of a disturbance in Alabama. He allegedly intentionally damaged the property of another person by punching the hood of the person's car. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Alabama Court on Aug. 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Taylor M. Bunch, 22, of Meigs St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated DWI -- having a BAC of .18 percent or greater, DWI, and failure to stop at a stop sign. At 12:47 a.m. on July 26, Bunch was involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Lake Avenue in the Town of Bergen and susbsequently arrested on the charges. He is due in Bergen Town Court on Sept. 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Gary D. Burney, 36, of 6 Pringle Ave., Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt (with a previous conviction) and resisting arrest. At 11:13 a.m. on July 27, Burney allegedly violated the terms of a duly served order of protection by being at the residence of two named protected persons. He is also accused of running away from officers after being told to stop and that he was under arrest. He was jailed in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. The case was handled by Batavia PoliceOfficer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Dalton C. Kelley, 19, of Chase Park, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment for allegedly violating a valid order of protection by harassing an acquaintance on Chase Park at 5:55 p.m. on July 29. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on Aug. 8. The case has handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack.

A 16-year-old Batavia resident is charged with second-degree harassment. At 8:39 p.m. on July 20 on Summit Street, Batavia, the youth was allegedly involved in a disturbance during which she allegedly had physical contact with another female. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on Aug. 1. The case was handled by Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

A 16-year-old Batavia resident is charged with second-degree harassment. At 8:39 p.m. on July 20 on Summit Street, Batavia, the youth was allegedly involved in a disturbance during which the defendant allegedly had physical contact with another person. The youth was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on Aug. 1. The case was handled by Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Michael Eugene Weichman, 22, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested on July 28 after he allegedly violated an order of protection issued by Batavia Town Court by having a letter delivered to a subject he was to have no contact with. He is being held in GC Jail on seperate charges and is due in Batavia Town Court this afternoon (July 31). The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Russell S. Brant Jr., 40, of North Fourth Street, Olean, is charged with violation of a Family Court act. He was turned over to the GC Sheriff's Office by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office after he was arrested July 25 on a warrant issued by GC Family Court. He was jailed in GC Jail in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Jessica L. Martina, 26, of Dellwood Road, Amherst, is charged with failure to appear. Martina was arrested by the Niagara County Sheriff's Officer and turned over to Batavia PD on a City Court bench warrant. She posted bail, was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is due in City Court on Aug. 15. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Jonathon M. Ryan, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 11:46 p.m. om July 25 on West Main Street after a traffic stop in which he was allegedly found tto be in possession of marijuana. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on Aug. 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

A feed fire in a cooler is reported at the Cargill plant on Wortendyke Road, Batavia. East Pembroke and Town of Batavia fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Cargill Animal Nutrition is located at 8849 Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Also called to respond are the City's Fast Team, Oakfield, Alexander, Darien and Pembroke fire departments.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: The fire is out; the assignment is back in service.

A motor-vehicle accident, "believed to be with injuries," is reported at West Main Street Road (Route 5) and Wortendyke Road. It is blocking traffic. East Pembroke Fire Department, Mercy medics and Sheriff's deputies are responding.

UPDATE 2:06 p.m.: A first responder on scene says the accident is not blocking traffic and that all occupants are out of the vehicles.

UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: East Pembroke told they can stand down. Mercy medics are on scene but an officer says "Everybody here's going to be a sign-off."

A fire alarm sounded at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia a few minutes ago and City Fire responded. The scene commander reported to dispatch, "Unable to locate the source of the alarm, other than the visitors' bullpen claims it's the heat they're throwing. Based on the score board, I'm not buying it." 

Batavia leads State College in 7th inning 8 to 4.

Dolce Panepinto works tirelessly to protect the rights of injured workers by making sure that those responsible are held accountable. If you or a family member are injured at work, or in your private life, contact us today for a free case evaluation at 585-815-9003. Below are some previous litigation highlights: 

• A $1.275 Million settlement was reached during trial for a plasterer/drywall finisher who was injured while working inside of a building. Our client suffered serious injuries to his back, neck, knee, and wrist as a result of a fall down a wet staircase, a condition that had been created by the building owner. 
• A $1.25 Million settlement was reached on behalf of a Satellite Dish Installer who suffered a herniated disc in his back. Our client was performing an installation when icy conditions at his work site caused him to fall. 
• A $1.2 Million verdict was reached on behalf of a Laborers’ Local 210 Laborer who suffered serious shoulder and neck injuries as a result of a fall at a job site. Our client was performing renovation work in an existing structure when the ceiling collapsed onto him, knocking him off his ladder and down onto the ground below. 
• A $950,000 Settlement was reach on behalf of a roofer who suffered back, shoulder, and knee injuries. Our client was removing an existing roof from a commercial structure when it collapsed beneath him sending him crashing through to the concrete below. 

Please call Kristin Allen at 585-815-9003 for any of your workers’ compensation needs. 

Two juveniles are reportedly trying to get on the roof of Kohl's Department Store on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. Mall security notified the dispatch center and law enforcement is responding.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 9169 Alexander Road, Batavia. There is one person complaining of dizziness. The location is near Pike Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with an ambulance from Bethany; no other ambulance service is currently available.

Law enforcement is responding to a report of teenage males skateboarding off the roof of the Northgate Free Methodist Church, located at 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia.

The region's most dedicated basketball players are in the midst of a six-week basketball camp conducted by Batavia's Head Coach Buddy Brasky and his staff. Today, varsity level players were working at Batavia Middle School and the JV players were at Batavia High School.

There are players participating from every high school in Genesee County, as well as players from Wyoming County and Buffalo.