batavia

From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

On Thursday afternoon (Oct. 24) two Rochester men were arrested following an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into the transportation and possession of crack cocaine in and around the City of Batavia.

• Walter H. Bennett (AKA "Black"), 29, of Van Auker Street, Rochester, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
• Rayqaun K. Balkum, 19, of Atkinson Street, Rochester, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor; promoting prison contraband, a Class E felony; tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony; and obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. James Diehl conducted a traffic stop of the car that Bennett and Balkum were traveling in on Ellicott Avenue in the city Thursday afternoon. An investigation ensued.

It is alleged that Bennett and Balkum were found to possess 64 bags of crack cocaine. Both were arraigned in city court this morning (Oct. 25) and put in Genesee County Jail.

Bennett's bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond; Balkum's bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

The task force is comprised of police officers from the county Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD and Le Roy Village police.

Task force members in this case were assisted by BPD, county Sheriff's deputies and the District Attorney's Office.

Last night at Terry Hills Restaurant, the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation held its Fall Dinner celebrating National Italian-American Heritage Month.

Each year, proceeds from this event fund scholarships, which are given every spring to graduating high school students of Italian heritage.

“Outstanding Italian-American of 2019” plaques were presented to Bruno DeFazio, a resident of Le Roy, and Anita Dziekan, of Batavia, both pictured above. Proud of their Italian heritage with a history of volunteerism, these honorees have made a difference in their communities.

The idea for an Italian-American organization in Genesee County was conceived in 1977. The first scholarship was awarded in 1985 and since then more than 200 scholarships have been given to graduating high school seniors.

Patrick Mancuso was emcee for the evening, entertainment was provided by Mike Noce, and Clara Wood was vocalist for the National Anthem.

Michele Fuller, president of the Board of Directors, chaired the event.

Story by Terry Fritts, photos by Steve Ognibene.

Mike Noce singing an Italian song with Anita Dziekan.

Clara Wood sings the national anthem.

Michele Fuller, president of the board of the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation.

Bruno DeFazio

Anita Dziekan

Pictured from left, three board members Annette LaBarbera, Michele Fuller and Terry Fritts with award recipients (holding plaques).

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the return of "FAFSA and Fries" -- the popular Free Application for Federal Student Aid workshops. They are designed to assist current or potential new students from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties planning to attend any college.

The first session is from 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

"FAFSA and Fries" sessions will be held on the first Monday of every month from 12 - 7 p.m. at the McDonald's restaurant, located at 573 E. Main St. in Batavia. Participants will also enjoy French fries, complements of McDonald's!

Sessions are scheduled through January; the calendar of Adult Educational Opportunity Center support workshops and financial aid events, and more, is available at www.genesee.edu/aeoc/.

At these sessions, the AEOC from the college will help students and their families complete the FAFSA and TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) and GED (General Education Development (or some call it diploma)) enrollment forms, conduct scholarship searches, college or trade school searches and so much more.

Participants are encouraged to contact AEOC@genesee.edu to reserve a seat in any session and to learn what information and materials should be brought to the session. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

The AEOC serves students of all ages and provides its services free of charge for college and trade school students, veterans, GED students, those seeking career counseling and more. All of the AEOC services are available to anyone, not just students of Genesee Community College.

Parents, guardians and students are also encouraged to check out the totally free FAFSA and NYS TAP grant workshops being held at the Richmond Memorial Library, located at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, on:

• Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4 - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 16 from 12 - 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 4 - 8 p.m.

Individuals interested in any of these opportunities are encouraged to contact the AEOC office at 1-888-394-2362 or via email at AEOC@genesee.edu.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Genesee County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Accepted this year will be pills; other solids such as patches; needles or other sharps; and vape pens and cartridges (no lithium batteries). If lithium batteries cannot be removed, the DEA advises people to find places that recycle lithium ion batteries. Liquids are also not accepted.

These can all be brought to the collection sites below for disposal:  

• Pembroke Town Hall, routes 5 at 77, Pembroke -- items to be received by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies;
• Batavia Police Department Headquarters, 10 W. Main St. (rear parking lot), Batavia -- items to be received by Batavia police officers
• Le Roy Police Department Headquarters, 3 W. Main St., Le Roy -- items to be received by Village of Le Roy police officers

The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

(The Batavia Police Department would also like to remind citizens of the drug and sharps drop boxes that are available 24/7 in the rear vestibule at BPD HQ.)

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety, health and environmental hazards.

After some users took to social media to criticize Lloyd Taco Truck, a Buffalo-based company, for serving lunch on Tuesday at the Buffalo Detention Facility, which is in Batavia, the company today issued an apology and called the decision to bring a truck to the facility a "lapse in judgment."

The Buffalo Detention Facility is a federal holding facility used primarily to detain people suspected of violating immigration laws or facing possible deportation because of other criminal acts.

As a goodwill gesture to those upset by the business decision, the company said it was donating proceeds from sales to an advocacy coalition called Justice for Migrant Families WNY, which is based in Buffalo.

The decision drew criticism from Sen. Rob Ortt, who doesn't represent Genesee County, but is a candidate for the NY-27 congressional seat.

“In what world does a company feel the need to apologize for serving food to federal law enforcement officers who work in dangerous conditions? Pathetic pandering. The men and women who work to enforce our immigration laws and protect us deserve better.”

 

Previously: The Batavian tours the Buffalo Detention Facility

As of 4 o'clock this afternoon (Oct 24^th) The “Play Me a Tune Music Garden” is officially open at GO ART!, located outside the Seymour building at 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

The grand opening celebration continues until 8 o'clock this evening. There are free donuts and cider for the kids and Los Compadres and Center Street Smoke House food trucks are there, too. 

Everyone is welcome. 

The music garden will be open for all to enjoy anytime GO ART! is open. Also make sure when you are there to check out the new murals in the music garden and on a wall on Bank Street by Jill Pettigrew and the Batavia Senior Center.

Andrew J. Rock, 33, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt -- with prior convictions, and second-degree aggravated harassment. Rock was arrested at 6:45 a.m. on Oct. 22 on North Spruce Street in Batavia. He is accused of violating a complete stay away order of protection by entering the protected party's residence. He has previously been convicted of violating orders of protection. Rock is in Genesee County Jail without bail and was due in Batavia City Court this morning (Oct. 24). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison. 

Andrew J. Rock, 33, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by alcohol; reckless driving; failure to stop at stop sign; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; and speed not reasonable and prudent. Rock was arrested at 8:01 a.m. Oct. 22 on Evergreen Drive in Batavia. He allegedly left the scene of an unrelated incident and was subsequently involved in a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of Evergreen Drive and Vine Street in the City of Batavia. He was allegedly found to be operating his vehicle while impaired by alcohol. Rock was processed, arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. He was due back in city court this morning (Oct. 24). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Janet M. Parris, 38, address not provided, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested at 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 19 at an apartment on MacArthur Drive, Batavia, after a disturbance complaint. It is alleged that Parris encouraged two juveniles to engage in a physical fight. Parris was released on an appearance ticket for Oct. 29 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Kevin T. Kaminski, 31, of Shanks Road, Basom, is charged with third-degree bail jumping. He was arrested after turning himself in at Batavia City Court on an arrest warrant issued April 16. Kaminski was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and arraigned in city court on Oct. 21. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in city court on Nov. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

About 40 minutes ago, reader Amy Chmielowiec sent us this photo of a gadabout cat, replete with blue* harness, that stopped by the Reliant Real Estate Office in Batavia. The address of the office is 340 W. Main St.

Perhaps the feline wanted to see if mom or dad was inside, or wanted to make itself known to other humans there.

You know, ones like Amy who are known to reflexively reach out to The Batavian, in case mom or dad, or a friend of mom or dad, happened to be looking at the site and see the photo.

If this cat is yours or you know whose it is, please call Amy at 585-297-2315.

*(Editor's Note: We originally posted that the cat's harness was green -- because it looks green to us. Alas, Amy says it is actually blue!)

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market @ The Downtown Batavia Public Market will close for the season at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25th.

It is located on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- today (Oct. 24) and tomorrow.

The season began June 7. Though locations have changed, the market has been provided the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as specialty artisnal items to the greater Batavia area and Genesee County for 45 years.

The Market would like to thank everyone that helped to make the 2019 market a success: our loyal customers, generous sponsors, the City of Batavia, and the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID).

A fire in a firepit "possibly not under control" is reported at 5 Montclair Ave. in the city. The location is between Olin Avenue and West Main Street.

City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 12:00 a.m.: "The fire was extinguished upon our arrival. We're back in service, returning," says a firefighter.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Ben Bonarigo.

Submitted photos and press release:

As tireless advocates, effective trustees, passionate leaders and highly effective facilitators and visionaries, Genesee Community College is delighted to announce that former trustees Robert L. Boyce, of Le Roy, and Peter R. Call, of Batavia, were recently honored by New York Community College Trustees.

The NYCCT is a voluntary nonprofit consortium of community college trustees that strengthens the effectiveness of NY community college trustees for development and implementation of public policy that impacts community colleges.

Boyce (inset photo below right), who served the College for more than 18 years, received the NYCCT Benefactor Vision for Tomorrow Award, and Call, received the Marvin A. Rapp Distinguished Trustee Service Award after seven years of dedicated service. Both former trustees were recognized at NYCCT's fall conference in September. 

Boyce's long commitment to GCC has been impressive since he joined the Foundation Board of Directors in 2005, serving as president, vice president and chairing numerous committees including the Finance, Fund Development, Risk Management committees, and also several annual campaigns.

Once appointed by the Genesee County Legislator as a GCC Trustee in 2014, he actively participated in the Policy, Nominating and Personnel subcommittees and also the critical 2018-2023 Strategic Planning Steering Team that developed the mission-centered, "Framing Our Future" Strategic Plan that guides every aspect of the College.

As a Foundation board member and College trustee, Boyce oversaw the development of quality student housing programs, innovative new safety initiatives, the construction of two new residence halls and the renovation of several others. Under his tutelage, he also supported critical capital improvements on campus such as the Roz Steiner Art Gallery (2011), and the Student Success Center and Richard C. Call Arena (2017). 

The Benefactor Vision of Tomorrow Award is given based on level of involvement, how the involvement has improved the quality of education and/or services at the community college, and the benefactor's vision and motivation for being involved. 

Boyce's other civic leadership commitments include the United Memorial Medical Center, the Le Roy Emergency Ambulance Service and Le Roy International Rotary Club where he is also a Paul Harris Fellow. Boyce served in the Army and graduated with a Business degree from the University of Buffalo.

Call's extraordinary support has also significantly enhanced the College since his first day as a GCC trustee in 2012. He served two terms as secretary to the Board and one term as vice chair, and he was the liaison to the College's Foundation. Call (lower inset photo right) also chaired the Finance Committee, leading the institution through a period of declining enrollment with clear fiscal responsibility and helping foster a positive relationship with Genesee County, GCC's local sponsor.

He has long been an advocate for two-year postsecondary education especially in relation to the local economy and workforce. 

In addition, Call's leadership and life-long career and expertise in agribusiness helped create GCC's Food Processing Technology, AAS degree, as well as enhancements to the College's Veterinary Technology and Criminal Justice programs.

During his tenure, GCC also achieved its largest capital campaign ever, raising more than $5.2 million to build the new Student Success Center and Richard C. Call Arena, fittingly named after Peter's father who had the creative vision and secured the leading gift for a building that would recognize the local agricultural community. 

Beyond his work on GCC's Board of Trustees, Call is director of Farm Credit East and serves on the boards of Seneca Foods, Farm Fresh First and United Memorial Medical Center. He was recently elected to the Cornell University Board of Trustees.

The Marvin A. Rapp Award was established in 1986 to recognize longstanding and exemplary trustee service providing significant leadership on boards, participating in state and national activities benefiting community colleges, and demonstrating a commitment to innovation in community college programs.

Rapp was a Finger Lakes Community College trustee and an educator by profession. As a staunch advocate of community colleges, he assisted in the establishment of 13 of the 30 community colleges in New York State. 

"We cannot thank Mr. Boyce or Mr. Call enough for their devotion to Genesee Community College," GCC President James M. Sunser, Ed.D., said. "They are stellar examples community members who continuously foster good citizenship and value the impact that the College has had on the community for the past 50-plus years."

Submitted photos and press release:

What happens when you bring brilliant writing and wonderful actors together? This Nov. 8th and 9th at 7:30 p.m., the Batavia Players and the Harvester 56 Theater will be answering that question as they perform "Off Our Rockers," two one-act plays that are both insightful and hilarious in nature.

"Off Our Rockers" consists of the plays "Laundry & Bourbon" and "I’m Herbert." They were written as part of two separate collections and this is the first time that they will be presented together.

Starring in "I’m Herbert" is perennial actor and local internationally known artist Kevin Partridge (inset photo left) and longtime Players' actress Dorothy Gerhart (inset photo below, right). Both Gerhart and Partridge are recipients of the Performance of the Year Award at the Harvester 56 Theater and they are two of this area’s premier actors. They have appeared on stage in many memorable roles and are a consistent part of the Batavia Players acting troupe.

In "I’m Herbert" their characters are Muriel and Herbert, two octogenarians that recall their lives together and apart with hilarity. The short one-act play looks at the life of the fun-loving couple in their advanced years as they reflect on their former glory days.

Michele Stamp (inset photo below, left) Emily Crawford (inset photo bottom left) and Kathy Johns (inset photo bottom right), who have also been nominated for acting awards and have portrayed many of the theater's most memorable characters, will be bringing to life the one act play "Laundry & Bourbon."

This play also wraps itself around small trailer park life and the highs and lows of loves found, lost and forgotten.

Stamp has been memorable in her award- winning portrayal of Martha in "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe," while Johns is best remembered as Joanne in "Come Back to the Five & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean."

Crawford, who also works on many of the technical aspects of the show, played the mother Marmee March in the musical "Little Women." All have appeared on stage many times over the eight-year history of the Harvester 56 Theater.

“This is a very special cast with a tremendous amount of talent and stage presence,” said "Off Our Rockers" Director E. Jane Burk.

Both of these well-written plays have been perennial favorites of the short-play set.

This is the first time they have been presented by the Harvester 56 Theater and the Batavia Players. There are only two performances and tickets are available at the Box Office.

On Thursday, at 4 p.m., the new Musical Garden at GO ART! officially opens. The Batavian, along with some Girl Scouts, got a preview on Saturday.