batavia

A significant amount of blood was found in at least one vehicle that was the target of an overnight larceny in the Town of Batavia.

The blood -- some of which was collected as evidence -- had law enforcement officials checking with UMMC for anybody who might have reported to the emergency room with a hand or arm laceration.

No suspects were identified through the hospital check.

A total of eight cars were broken into overnight in the Edgewood, Route 33, South Main area, according to Chief Deputy Gordon L. Dibble. Items taken include GPS units, radar detectors, change and sound systems -- some of which were ripped out of dashboards.

All but one of the cars were left unlocked, according to Dibble, and three were left with keys in the ignitions. No cars were reported stolen.  The criminal broke a small window to gain entry to the one locked car he hit.

There was also at least one car struck in the same area within city limits.

If you happen to come across anybody with unexplained cuts, or can offer any other evidence to help solve this or other recent car break-ins, the Sheriff's Office can be contacted at (585) 345-3000 (press "1" for dispatch).

An accident with injuries has been reported at 6 Ellicott Place in Batavia.

Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE: Engine 12 reports one apparently minor injury.

UPDATE: One vehicle suffered substantial rear-end damage.

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John W. Lavender, 77, of 174 Broadway, Darien, is charged with attempted assault in the second degree. Lavender allegedly struck his girlfriend on the hand with a cane during a domestic dispute. The alleged incident occurred at about 9:14 p.m. Monday.

Michael P. McDonald, 44, of 39 Kingsbury Ave., Batavia, is charged with a felony DWI. McDonald was stopped after police received a report of a driver seen drinking a beer.  Officer Wayne Fenton made the traffic stop and upon further investigation determined McDonald was allegedly drinking and driving. The DWI is a felony because McDonald reportedly has a DWI conviction within the prior 10 years. He was jailed without bail.

Ok, so this PR Director of Care-A-Van Ministries  has got to confess, she was so excited when she heard "Gopher" from the Love Boat was going to be at GCC.

I use to love Gopher on the Love Boat Show. It was a true pleasure getting to hear "Gopher" , Fred Grandy speak at the Sixth Annual Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community LIfe.  The title of his message was "The Art of Change".  Talk about change in one life, to hear of his life from Hollywood Acting, to being a member of US Congress, to the former CEO of Goodwill to having his own radio show was unbelievable.

The theatre was packed this evening. After the presentation, there was a reception held in the Forum area. This reception gave the companies , agencies and students from GCC an opportunity to mingle and get to know one another.

Sitting at our table was the Dean of Elim Bible Institute, Harry Vellekoop and Pastor Phil from the World Life Christian Fellowship of Henrietta.   It was just amazing how even getting to network with these gentlemen was a blessing. Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van  enjoyed sharing of the minstry with them and offering to partner with them in any way that we could to help them with their missions of meeting the needs of others.

We at Care-A-Van know that times are changing and the needs within the community are changing. We are forever grateful for the partnering of agencies, churches and individuals that help with the misssion of serving those in need.

A special thank you to all who planned this wonderful event for the community.

Tom Agosti had quite a Friday.

The Batavia Downs driver was thrown and dragged after the horse he was training broke his bit.

Agosti was taken to Erie County Medical Center for examination.

He returned to the Downs in time for the evening races.

And he he drove home FOUR winners that night.

Agosti suffered some minor scrapes and some back discomfort, but is fine according to Todd Haight, Downs spokesman.

The horse, according to Haight, is fine, too.

Anthony J. Rivera, 25, of 208 Vermont St., #2, Buffalo, and Ilena Carrillo, 27, of the same address, and Damian Rivera-Melendez, 20, of 353 Plymouth Ave., Buffalo, are each charged with a felony count of gang assault in the 2nd degree. The trio allegedly hit a man several times, causing serious injury, following a dispute over cutting in line at Darien Lake Theme Park. The victim was not identified by the Sheriff's Office. The three suspects were jailed on $15,000 bail each.

Janette Sonia Vazquez, 24, of 854 Prospect Ave., Apt. 4, Buffalo is charged with harassment. Vazquez reportedly threatened to stab an employee of Darien Lake Theme Park.

Jody B. Gillet, 48, of 8 Pine Hollow Drive, Batavia, is charged with assault. Gillet allegedly stabbed another person several times. The alleged incident took place at Country Meadows trailer park on Sept. 5. The alleged victim was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital and has since been released. Gillet as jailed on $5,000 bail. The incident was investigated by Deputy Bradley D. Mazur and Investigator Timothy Weis.

Rebecca J. Sando, 44, of 5678 Walkers Corner Road, Elba, is charged with criminal contempt. Sando allegedly approached a woman she was barred from going near.

Sarah J. Emerson, 25, of 15 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with harassment and criminal contempt. Emerson allegedly poured a can of beer on her husband and then allegedly pushed him on his chest and face. Emerson allegedly violated an order of protection. Emerson was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Shandell M. Lissow, 21, of Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Lissow allegedly borrowed a car from a friend and then failed to return it as agreed.

Stephen P. Medwid, 52, of 9364 Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08, failure to take breath test and failure to yield. Medwid was arrested following at traffic stop Friday at 9:29 p.m.

A driver on Bank Street Road in Batavia who tried to avoid striking a cat in the roadway Saturday wound up running into a tree instead.

The driver, Justin T. Barrett, 18, of 6855 Pauline St., Byron, was treated at the scene for a minor shoulder injury.

Barrett was headed northbound on Bank Street Road at 6:10 p.m. when he reportedly swerved to avoid the cat. He said he lost control of his 2004 Ford four-door sedan in the gravel shoulder after his car struck a mailbox at 7834 Bank Street Road. The car continued northbound on the shoulder, turning sideways, until it struck a tree.

There were no passengers in the car.

Deputy Bradley D. Mazur handled the investigation.

Care-A-Van Band opens up for Worship

The Fellowship of the Cross, a home church of Elba joined Care-A-Van ministries for street church today in Batavia. Pastor Mike Welch and members of his congregation came out to provide music and the message.

It was an awesome fall day on the streets today.  Pastor Mike gave an awesome message of how much Jesus loves each one of us.

Care-A-Van would like to thank Pastor Mike and the members of his congregatioin for sharing of their time and talents this past week for the cookout and street church.  A special thanks also to all the individuals who have donated of their time for the Care-A-Van Band this past summer.

City Fire has been dispatched to 37 Chase Park for an automatic fire alarm activation.

We were awoken at approximately 8:25 a.m. by a large boom that rattled our windows. A neighbor heard it, too.

A neighbor called dispatch.

A Batavia Police officer checked out the areas around Maple and Evans, including checking all the transformers in the area.

A few weeks ago, there was a report of a large boom in Attica and it turned out to be an earthquake.  I've checked the USGS site and so far no reports of any seismic activity.

Did you hear or feel anything?

It was a tough night for the Batavia Blue Devils in Victor.

A Victor team that executed well on both sides of the ball held Batavia scoreless through four quarters while running up a 40-0 tally.

Batavia could never really get anything going on offense, while the Victor team (also nicknamed the Blue Devils) were able to both run and catch through most of the night.

Victor also benefited from four turnovers.

Coach Dan Geiger said after the game it was a tough, tough loss for his team, but that they will be ready to get right back to work preparing for the next game. He said as always, Batavia has tough schedule, but that's no excuse. Each game, he said, the Blue Devils are ready to snap on their chin straps and fight to win.

The Victor team (now 3-0) scored on its first possession on a 30-yard pass from Richie Chute to Matt Koval.

On the next position, after an interception, Josh Maves scored on a one-yard run.

Batavia was down 14-0 as the first quarter ended. Victor added 13 more points in the second quarter on a Sean Hackel 3-yard run and on a blocked punt, which Ray Ali recovered in the end zone.

On its first position of the third quarter -- following another Batavia turnover -- Chute hit Connor Kimball on a 38-yard TD strike. Victor's final score came in the fourth quarter when Tommy Wagner punch over a 1-yard TD run.

Batavia drops to 0-3.

(At about 2:30 minutes into the video, Victor is credited with a touchdown. I've watched several times, and I don't see how the RB got within a half yard of the goal line. See what you think.)

Mercy EMS is enroute to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack, 3315 Park Road, for a report of a jockey who has fallen from a jogging cart at the track.

UPDATE: Medics are on site after entering the Richmond Avenue gate.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.): Emergency responders are enroute to Erie County Medical Center.

Sharon M. Burns, 20, 14 Parkwood Road, Hilton, is charged with petit larceny. Burns is accused of shoplifting several items from Target.

A 16-year-old was arrested by State Police at Alexander Middle School, 3314 Buffalo St., Alexander. The youth is from East Bethany. He was arrested Wednesday about 12:30 p.m.  He was issued an appearance ticket. No further details are available.

Kyle Washington, 19, of Lake Road, Pavilion, is charged with assault. He is accused of punching another man in the face Saturday during an argument on Clay Street. The man reportedly suffered a broken jaw. Washington was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Being a police officer is a tough job. You take a lot of crap, put yourself in perilous situations regularly and can put in long hours sometimes.

But it's also an exceptionally rewarding job. You get to do a lot of good for your community and help people lead better, safer, more productive lives.

There will be a civil service exam on Nov. 14 for a position with the Batavia Police Department. Applicants must register by Oct. 14

Starting salary is about $34,000.

For more information, including qualifications, visit the County's Human Resource page for the exam.

A fire early Thursday morning that killed Gary Horner, 58, was the result of careless smoking, fire investigators said this morning.

Horner died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Lt. Jay Steinbrenner, of the Batavia Fire Department.

The fire was reported about 3 a.m. Friday at 5 Dellinger Ave. when a passerby heard a smoke detector and smelled smoke.

Horner lived in a second floor apartment. The four occupants of the lower apartment were safely evacuated.

An automatic general fire alarm has been tripped at Batavia Middle School, 96 Ross St.

Engine 12 is responding.

UPDATE 7:47 a.m.: There was a problem with a relief valve on a water tank. All clear.

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There was quite the tug of war going on at the weekly cookout for Care-A-Van this evening. Pictured above is Pastor Mike Welch of the Fellowship of the Cross of Elba.

Pastor Mike and a few of his congregation members came out tonight to lend a helping hand for our weekly cookout at Edwards Street. We will be returning there on Sunday at 2:30 PM for Street church when Pastor Mike will be delivering the message.

This Saturday, Care-A-Van will be at 193 South Main Street Apartment Complex for grocery distribution.

We are thankful this was a fun tug of war. As we all know, many folks have their personal tugs of war going on in their lives. Care-A-Van goes forth to bring encouragment,, prayer,  hope and food to those in need.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support and encouragement.

God Bless and as we say at Care-A-Van

Keep the Light On!

Byron and Chris Ariyaratnam were all smiles this evening when I stopped by the location of their new business, Great Kutz, in Valu Plaza on West Main Street. Byron was busy training the new staff, who will be ready to start cutting hair in the morning.

Chris and Byron are partners in The Mane Attraction, and Byron is a partner in Mr. Wine and Liquor. They're the kind of local entrepreneurs Batavia needs. And they are proof that there are plenty of business people who believe in Batavia and are willing to invest both their money and their effort in building a sustainable Batavia business community.