batavia

The GLOW region isn't exactly a hotbed of venture capital activity, so any founder might find it hard to get that first round of funding that is so critical to the success of a startup.

For a woman founder, statistically speaking at least, the odds of getting that early-stage seed backing is even higher. About 3 percent of all venture-backed companies are headed by female founders.

That makes Batavia's Georgann Carrubba pretty unique. She now has access to $200,000 in seed funding through Launch NY and Excell Partners.

Carrubba was awarded the first $100,000 last year in a startup competition hosted by Launch NY in Rochester. Yesterday, at a press conference at the Innovation Zone in the Med-Tech Center, Carrubba was able to announce that Launch NY and Excell have each agreed to put in another $50,000 apiece.

“We strongly believe our product will be life changing for colostomy and ileostomy patients,” Carrubba said. “These types of investments demonstrate we have a viable medical device that is close to being ready for pilot production. We are extremely grateful to Excell Partners and Launch New York for this investment in our company.”

Launch NY is a state-backed incubator for tech startups in WNY and Excell is venture capital fund created by the state.

The goal of both organizations is to identify promising startups that will be based in New York and have the potential to grow into big businesses that employ lots of people.

"We all know, economic development is a team sport and Georgann has a team behind her," said Theresa B. Mazzullo, CEO of Excell Partners. "We want to be the wind at her back and we want to see her succeed so that this same team is standing up together in the future ringing the bell at NASDAQ."

That kind of growth is certainly Carrubba's goal, who intends to keep her business based in Batavia and manufacture the device she's designed for colostomy and ileostomy patients that she believes will help them enjoy the kind of active lifestyle that can be difficult with current colostomy bags.

She calls her product Choice Cap. Yesterday (pictures below), she showed off the latest design iteration, which is slimmer and more functional that earlier versions.

With the $200,000 in funding, she can begin production and marketing, but to really grow the company, she will need to find second- and third-round investors.  

The latest round of funding comes from a state grant dedicated to funding women-owned startups and Mazzullo said Tencar is the perfect business to receive the fund's support.

"Tencar and Georgann exemplify -- are the poster child for -- why this fund was created," Mazzullo said. "It’s an opportunity to invest in very promising technologies in the region that are women-owned in an area that is going to have job creation. It hits all the high-water marks for what you want in economic development in our region -- promising technology, women-owned, job creation."

Carrubba, a nurse by profession, first came up with the idea for Choice Cap in 2011 and got serious about developing a business in 2014. It's been a long process, she said, but worth the effort. She believes she will make lives better for patients and employ more people locally.  

She's been through tons of meetings, presentations and planning to get to this early-stage funding level, but that's not unusual said Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO of Launch NY. In fact, it's normal.

"A reporter asked me, ‘well, it’s been a long time,’ and, (she replied) 'well, no not really,' " she said. "This is what it is like and a lot of people don’t realize it. Entrepreneurship has become such a cool thing for people to do, but the hard work, and the 24/7, and the angst and the ‘Can I make it through the next step?’ that is something people don’t appreciate fully.”

Carrubba said she knows she's not done with the hard work, but yesterday's announcement was a milestone in the process so far.

"I'm ecstatic," she said. "There are so many strong, qualified, educated people behind me. I could not be happier. It could not have played out any better."

Theresa B. Mazzullo, CEO of Excell Partners

Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO of Launch NY

Press release:

Daemen College men's basketball player Jeff Redband has once again been named the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, picking up the honor for games played Jan. 23-29. It's the fourth time this season and the third straight week that Redband has earned the honor. The official announcement was made via the league's weekly men's basketball report, which was released this afternoon from conference headquarters in Central Islip.

Redband, a 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman forward, helped Daemen to a pair of victories last week by averaging 16.5 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 66.7 percent overall (12-for-18) and from three-point range (8-for-12). The Wildcats downed Long Island University Post (88-66) at home on Jan. 25, and followed up with an 82-72 come-from-behind victory at Mercy College on Jan. 28. Daemen has now won nine of its last 11 games overall, and eight of their last nine league contests dating back to mid-December to sit at 14-6 overall and 8-4 in league play this season.

Redband opened the week by scoring a career-high 22 points and snagging a career-best three steals in the blowout win over LIU Post. During a game-opening 39-9 run, Daemen knocked down nine of their first 12 three-point field goal attempts, four of which came from Redband. At one point in the spurt, he scored 14 consecutive points, helping Daemen get out to a 30-point lead just 12 minutes into the game. Redband ended the contest shooting 8-for-12 from the field and 5-for-8 from downtown. The victory moved Daemen to 11-1 this season, 67-9 since the start of the 2011-12 season and 31-5 all-time in ECC games played at Lumsden Gymnasium.

Later in the week, Redband shot 4-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range, totaling 11 points, two rebounds and two assists in the win at Mercy. Redband's efforts helped the Wildcats erase a 17-point deficit in the game as they held the home-standing Mavericks to just 3-for-19 shooting with seven turnovers in the final 12+ minutes of the contest. His three-pointer with 2:40 remaining pushed the Wildcats' lead back to nine points (76-67) after the Mavericks pulled within six on the previous possession.

For the season, Redband has started all 20 contests thus far, and is producing 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game with 15 blocked shots. His 59 three-point baskets leads the team and ranks second among the ECC leaders. Redband is shooting 49.1 percent from the field (85-for-173) and 48.8 percent from behind the arc (59-for-121), and he leads all ECC freshmen in scoring.

With four ECC Rookie of the Week selections, Redband has more than any other player in the league this season. He previously earned the accolade for games played Nov. 21-27, Jan. 9-15 and Jan. 16-22. In the last three weeks, Redband is averaging 13.2 points per game and shooting a blistering 59.5 percent from three-point range (22-for-37).

Redband and the Wildcats return home for an ECC showdown with the University of Bridgeport this Thursday, Feb. 2. The game features the second-place Purple Knights (11-8, 7-3 ECC) against the third-place Wildcats as both teams jockey for position in the hunt for an ECC Tournament berth. Tip-off Thursday is slated for 8 p.m.

Having a hard working, experienced legal team fighting for your best interest is not just a privilege of the rich and powerful. Dolce Panepinto, P.C., is proud to level the playing field for working families. Our team of experienced, approachable attorneys includes laborers, an ironworker, labor organizers, and civil rights advocates. We are a full service personal injury firm created by, and for, workers. In addition to personal injury, our firm focuses on workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and all injury-related matters.

Attorney Kristin Allen has put together responses to some of the most commonly asked workers’ compensation questions. For more info, or if you have been injured or would like to file a workers’ compensation claim, please contact Kristin today at 585-815-9003 for a free case evaluation. 

1. How do I know if I have a workers’ compensation claim?
If you have been hurt at work, are in pain because of a repetitive motion you must perform as part of your job, or are sick due to something you were exposed to at work, then you most likely have a workers’ compensation claim. Contact our office for a free case evaluation as soon as possible as there are time limits you must adhere to in order to file a claim.

2. How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim?
You are required to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. There is also a two-year time limit to file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Failure to adhere to these time limits can result in a denial of your claim.

3. How much does a Workers’ Compensation attorney cost?
Workers’ compensation fees are generated on a contingent basis. This means that we only receive payment if we generate money in connection with your workers’ compensation claim, and what we take is a small percentage that is paid directly to us out of any amount awarded to you. You will never pay us anything out-of-pocket. More information on contingent fees can be found here (LINK: http://www.dolcepanepinto.com/2013/07/contingent-fee-agreements- explained/). Additionally, our attorneys can explain our attorney fees in greater detail.

4. Do I really need to look for work while I am receiving workers' compensation benefits? Even if I have a permanent disability and I have been approved for SSD?
Any time a claimant has a partial disability, whether they are temporarily or permanently partially disabled, a claimant must look for work within their restrictions in order to keep receiving lost wage benefits. This is true, even if you are actively receiving Social Security disability benefits. If you are out of work and receiving partial disability lost wage benefits, then it is your obligation to attempt to get a job. If you find a job but make less money than before you were injured, you may be entitled to reduced earnings. This means there are times that you can return to the workforce and still receive workers' compensation lost wage benefits.

There are several employment resources that may help you with your job search or retraining. They include: ACCES-VR, Genesee County Job Development Bureau, or any One-Stop Career Center, etc. There are also many online websites that aid in local job searching.

5. Am I able to receive an award for pain and suffering as part of my workers' compensation claim?
No, there is no award for pain and suffering when you file a workers' compensation claim. The workers’ compensation system is in place to compensate workers for lost wages and medical treatment only.

6. Is a workers’ compensation claim my only option if I am hurt at work?
In New York State, you cannot sue your employer but in some circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. This includes, but is not limited to, injuries sustained in a work-related motor-vehicle accident, constructions injuries, or injuries sustained at a location not owned by your employer. Our team of attorneys at Dolce Panepinto will assess your claim to ensure that every legal avenue available to you is pursued.

7. I have a job that involves repetitive work and now I have pain in my hands and shoulders, is this covered by workers' compensation since I did not actually have an injury on any particular date?
Yes, depending on what your job entails, a worker can develop an injury over time due to repetitive work. This is considered an "occupational disease" and a claim for medical treatment and lost wages can be filed. This should be filed with the Workers' Compensation Board within two years of when you knew or should have known it was work-related.

8. I work in a very noisy environment and I am noticing that I have hearing loss from it. Can I file a claim for loss of hearing? When do I file it?
Yes, this is called "occupational hearing loss." You have two years and 90 days from when you stop working in the noisy environment to file a claim for hearing loss. The test for loss of hearing must be done at least 90 days after removal from the noisy workplace.

If you or a member of your family has been injured, please contact us today at 585-815-9003.

Notre Dame High School celebrated on Saturday by thanking Mike Rapone for his outstanding dedication to the students of Notre Dame and his achievement of being inducted into the Sec V Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was inducted as the all-time winning coach in history. Not bad at all, some might say downright impressive. Rapone wouldn’t. He would tell you it’s the players' achievement not his. Notre Dame celebrated the fete with basketball, fittingly with four games against Rapone’s hometown of Le Roy.

The Lady Irish varsity team dominated Le Roy and finished with a score of 41 to 33.

The Notre Dame boys varsity fought a playoff-intensity fight against Le Roy, that was back and forth for the first three quarters of the game. Notre Dame lost by a score of 48 to 65 when the game got away from them in the fourth quarter. 

Police are investing loud noise reports on Highland Park, Batavia.

About 20 minutes ago a police officer was dispatched to investigate a report of a gunshot, but there has been no confirmation of gunshot in the investigation so far.

A few minutes ago, a police officer was heading to the other end of the street to investigate what is believed to be fireworks going off.

Again, at this point, there is no evidence found of a gunshot in the area.

The best way to make it to 100 years old, according to Rose Disalvo, "keep busy, busy, busy. That's the best thing."

Disalvo is 100 and 1 day old today and family and friends gathered at the South Street Senior Care residence in Le Roy where she lives for a birthday party today.

Disalvo was born in Batavia in 1917 when her parents lived on Hutchins Street and her father worked at Massey Harris. She held a number of jobs over the years, including stints at the NYS School for the Blind and the VA Hospital. She has a daughter, a granddaughter and grandson, and two great-granddaughters.

Among her favorite things these days are taking walks -- "I've always walked," she said -- and playing school with her granddaughters (they read to each other on visits).

Asked what she is most proud of, she said, "My family comes first, always, always."

Cindy Saeva, who runs the home, said Rose is a remarkable person.

"She provides a smile to everyone she meets," Saeva said.

Rose with her daughter Linda Koelling and granddaughter Angela Bellamca.

Rose with Cindy Saeva.

A motor-vehicle accident with a possible head injury is reported at 32 Ellicott St., near the intersection with Evans Street, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

A new, $2.8 million renovation project at the VA designed to improve the conditions of long-term veteran residents of the Community Living Center, Maple Lodge, was unveiled today in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by veterans, VA staff and dignitaries. 

Maple Lodge is a completely gutted, redesigned and renovated wing of the VA Hospital in Batavia and features 19 private rooms and one semi-private room.

There were upgrades to central heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. 

The design consists of an open kitchen, eating areas, and several living room spaces complete with a fireplace. The kitchen table always has snacks or fruit available along with coffee, tea, and the ability to make fresh-baked goods, reinforcing the home atmosphere. Lastly, all rooms now have state-of-the-art lifting equipment for a safe patient environment that concurrently lowers the risk of staff injury.

John McCune, a disabled veteran living at the lodge, spoke during the ceremony and praised the comfort of the renovations and the great care and support he gets from the staff.

"It's a thankless job they do in many instances, but for me, I try to thank them each and every day, because I do appreciate the job they do, especially for somebody like me," McCune said.

He also praised his fellow lodge residents.

"It wouldn't be a brotherhood without each individual's unique story that comes along with living here," he said. "I can't tell you truthfully and honestly from the first time coming onto the ward, it's a home."

Several speakers praised all the individuals who helped make the renovations possible, from the VA leadership to the local maintenance staff and administration staff members.

"This is truly a community living center," said Kimberly Kwietniewski, geriatric and extended care line manager. "As you know, it takes a village, and if it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to care for our wonderful heroes."

Kimberly Kwietniewski

John McCune

Richard Collins, a World War II veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Carl M. Vander, 22, of Spring Street, Bergen, is charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and petit larceny. He was arrested on Jan. 24 in the Town of Covington following a burglary complaint at Empire Livestock on Route 19. The initial complaint was of a suspicious male in the area at 10:09 p.m. on Wyoming Road near Route 19. Deputies responded and checked the area and found footprints around the Empire Livestock building leading to the back door. The company was contacted, and a follow-up investigation the next morning determined the business had in fact been burglarized and damage had been caused to the interior of the business. Then on Jan. 25 at 3:23 p.m., Wyoming County deputies located a suspicious male walking on Route 19 at Mungers Mill Road in the Town of Warsaw. Upon approaching the male, he was observed wearing a baseball cap with "Empire Livestock Marketing" embroidered on it. A subsequent investigation allegedly determined the male, identified as Vander, had burglarized Empire Livestock the night before. Vander allegedly damaged the business inside and stole a baseball cap from inside a dump truck parked in a garage on the property. He was put in Wyoming County Jail and bail was set at $5,000 cash. He is due in Town of Covington Court on Feb. 27. The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan, Deputy Renee Ficarella and Investigator Aaron Anderson.

Meghan Kathleen Gould, 33, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. Gould was arrested following an investigation into employee theft at the Batavia Target store. It is alleged that over the course of time she stole $1,130 in revenue from Target while employed there. The incident report is dated 1:59 p.m. on Oct. 4. Gould is due in Town of Batavia Court on Feb. 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Graff.

Steven R. Colombo, 30, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal contempt in the first degree with a prior conviction; strangulation in the second degree; and criminal contempt in the first degree with physical contact. Colombo was arrested at 3:12 a.m. on Jan. 25 on East Main Street in Batavia following a domestic incident wherein he is accused of punching the victim in the mouth and choking her to the point where she nearly lost consciousness. There is an order of protection in effect ordering Colombo to stay away from the victim and he has previously been convicted -- within the last five years -- of violating that order of protection. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison and Officer Darryle Streeter.

Ryan R. Hernandez, 20, of Albion Road, Oakfield, is charged with first-degree coercion, second-degree aggravated harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon. Hernandez was arrested at 11:55 a.m. on Jan. 24 on Walnut Street in Batavia following a domestic incident wherein he allegedly threatened a former significant other via text message. At the time of his arrest, metal knuckles were allegedly located inside his vehicle. He was put in jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or bond and was due in City Court this morning. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Carlton L. Beardsley, 22, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and attempted petit larceny. Beardsley was arrested at 11:15 a.m. on Ellicott Street in Batavia. Patrols were attempting to arrest Beardsley for allegedly attempting to steal property from a local business. Shortly after this complaint, patrols located Beardsley after he allegedly stole property from a second business. He was arrested and jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. He was due in City Court this morning. The case was handled by Batavia Police Office Jason Davis, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Adam Jacob Warren, 30, of Manhatten Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Warren was arrested at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, following an investigation that allegedly revealed he was in violation of an order of protection. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

A 16-year-old who lives on Farnsworth Avenue in Oakfield is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. The teen was arrested at 7:52 a.m. on Jan. 24 on Judge Road in Oakfield after allegedly contacting a protected party in violation of a Genesee County Family Court order. The defendant is due in Town of Oakfield Court on Feb. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Dpeuty John Dehm.

Jennifer Lynne Greck, 47, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass. She was arrested at 1 p.m. on Jan. 18 on West Main Street Road after she was allegedly found trespassing on Mark Trail Motel property after being told she wasn't welcome there. She is due in Town of Batavia Court this afternoon to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Howard Wilson, assisted by Andrew Hale.

Zoe Anne McClure, 47, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Following the investigation of a larceny complaint, McClure was arrested at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 for petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia. She is due in Town of Batavia Court on Feb. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

A barn fire is reported at 2369 Pratt Road, Pembroke.

East Pembroke fire and one engine from Pembroke fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: Town of Batavia requested to stand by at East Pembroke's hall.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:16 a.m.: Mutual aid is requested from Indian Falls, Alabama, Oakfield and Corfu. Mercy medics are called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: The city's third platoon is called to report to fire headquarters on Evans Street.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: Larry Abaire says he lost $200,000 worth of tools and equipment in this fire, none of it insured. "Nobody got hurt, that's what matters," he said. Abaire, who has rented the building for the last five years for storage and to work on his own vehicles, was working on the gas tank of "a junk car" when "something caught the gas on fire." "I've done thousands of them, but it only takes that one..." He says he had turned the heater off but "had a couple things on the floor" when the fire broke out. It spread rapidly. He emptied three fire fire extinguishers on the blaze to no avail. Another guy was there and he got the ATVs and snowmobiles out OK. Abaire said the building was well insulated, "that's propbably why they're having a hard time putting it out."

UPDATE 12:31 p.m.: The fire is under control.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: East Pembroke Chief Don Newton said those who arrived first found a working garage fire. They try to save what they could but the fire "was blowing out the front" and not much could be salvaged. He said there were "many issues" to address and lots of propane tanks and "all finds of different fuels inside. "It was just an inferno when we got here."

Merrill Lynch today announced John Riter has been appointed resident director of Merrill Lynch’s Batavia office. Riter will lead the Batavia office’s team of dedicated Merrill Lynch financial advisors to continue to deliver wealth management strategies to local area individuals, families, and businesses.

“John’s proven leadership and outstanding reputation make him the perfect candidate to lead our Batavia local office,” said Jeff Adams, managing director and market executive. “John’s 29 years of experience will enhance our ability to offer the highest quality of service that Batavia’s sophisticated investors have come to expect from Merrill Lynch.”

Riter, a resident of Batavia, N.Y., joined Merrill Lynch in 2008.

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment services for individuals and businesses globally. With 14,552 financial advisors and $2.1 trillion in client balances as of September 30, 2016, it is among the largest businesses of its kind in the world. Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management specializes in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment, cash and credit management. Within Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, the Private Banking and Investment Group focuses on the unique and personalized needs of wealthy individuals, families and their businesses. These clients are served by more than 175 highly specialized private wealth advisor teams, along with experts in areas such as investment management, concentrated stock management and intergenerational wealth transfer strategies. Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management is part of Bank of America Corporation.

MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, member Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. 
© 2016 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region will be holding a series of FREE Anger Management Workshops at their 113 Main St. office in Batavia, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 31^th.

Those who attend will be shown practical steps: to learn to manage anger; to stop violence and the threat of violence; to develop self-control over thoughts and actions; and to receive support and feedback from others in the workshops.

This workshop will be co-facilitated by Jim Strollo and Debra McKnight who bring experience and perspective to the endeavor. McKnight is a New York State Certified Peer Specialist who has a degree in Human Services and holds a Mental Health First Aid Certificate. She is trained to provide help to people experiencing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. Strollo has a Master in Psychology degree and is a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). He has conducted the Impaired Driver Program in Wyoming County for the past 26 years. He retired from the New York State Department of Corrections after a career of 25 years in counseling inmates. Together, they will create a welcoming and supportive environment.

Among the specific topics to be addressed are: an Overview of Group Anger Management Treatment; A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Events and Cues that can produce Anger; Helping Group Members Develop a Plan for Controlling Anger; How to Change the Aggression Cycle; The A-B-C-D Model of Cognitive Restructuring and Thought Stopping; Alternatives for Expressing Anger through Assertiveness Training and the Conflict Resolution Model; How Past Learning can Influence Present Behavior in Family Situations; Reinforcing Learned Concepts; Graduation and the Awarding of Certificates of Completion.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region serves people with disabilities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Participants must attend all 12 workshops to earn their certificates. Pre-registration is required. You can receive more information, and sign up for the workshops, by contacting Jim Strollo at (585) 815-8501, ext. 410, or by email at jstrollo@wnyil.org. Again, please be sure to RSVP if you are interested!

Catherine E. Peet, 58, of Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing, 2nd. Peet allegedly damaged two vehicles with a shovel and threatened a person with that shovel during an incident reported at 9:35 a.m., Jan. 30, 2016 at a residence on Colorado Avenue, Batavia.

Timothy M. Scanlan, 25, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.  Scanlan was arrested following the execution of a search warrant by the Local Drug Task Force. Scanlan was allegedly found in possession of Suboxone and Lortab pills along with a large quantity of marijuana and an amount of cash.

Jessica L. Connoly, 38, of Brooklyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and uninspected motor vehicle. Connoly was stopped 7:52 a.m. Friday on East Main Street by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Scott T. Lasker, 42, of Harper Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Lasker was allegedly found in violation of a stay-away order during a traffic stop at 3:51 p.m. Sunday on West Main Street, Batavia.

Benito Hernandez-Vega, 36, of East Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged driving under influence of drugs and alcohol, possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unauthorized operation, 3rd, unlicensed operation and moving from lane unsafely. Hernandez-Vega was stopped 9:50 p.m. Jan. 13 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Nicole Salamone.

Adam Arsenault, 31, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration. No further details provided except that the arrest stemmed from an incident reported at 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Katrina L. Thigpen, 34, of Thorpe Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 3rd, menacing, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Thigpen allegedly poured lighter fluid on a victim and his vehicle during a domestic dispute reported at 9:53 a.m. Monday on Thorpe Street.

Shah L. Zajic, 40, of Eleanor Place, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving without headlights and refusal to take a breath test. Zajic was arrested stemming from a traffic stop at 2:17 a.m. on Jan. 14 on Ross Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Candace M. Sanchez, 51, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sanchez was allegedly found in possession of the items by NYS Parole.

Gregory Wayne Houseknecht, 25, of College View Drive, is charged with petit larceny. Houseknecht allegedly stole merchandise from Walmart at 2:58 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Craig Shareef McKenzie Jr., 19, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a petit larceny charge.

Mirnes Kozarac, 35, of Lansing Street, Utica, is charged with unlawful possession of untaxed cigarettes. Kozarac was allegedly found in possession of 2,200 untaxed cigarettes during a traffic stop by Deputy Travis DeMuth at 10:16 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke. Also charged was Salim Selimovic, 60, of Mulberry Street, Utica, who was allegedly found in possession of 5,800 untaxed cigarettes.

Randy Robert Reiner, 22, of Washington Street, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Reiner was arrested after Deputy Richard Schildwaster stopped at 10:26 p.m. Jan. 16 on Main Road, Pembroke, to check on a disabled vehicle. Reiner was allegedly found in possession of 16 marijuana smoking devices that contained marijuana residue.

A car has hit a pole in the area of 2732 Galloway Road, Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responding.

The owner of Carter's Restaurant, Brenden Mullen, said this morning he isn't sure when or if he will again open the restaurant on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

The doors were locked and shades drawn a few days ago.

On Jan. 11, Mullen posted on Facebook that he was going to change the style of the restaurant from fine dining to something more casual along with "the best specialty drinks in Batavia."

Reached this morning and asked to clarify the status of the restaurant, he said he was taking time off to assess his options and said he isn't sure if he will reopen with a new concept. He said remaining closed is an option.

NOTE: If you purchased a Deal of the Day for Carter's within the past 30 days, return the unused gift certificate to The Batavian for a refund. Mail it to The Batavian, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.