batavia

The little lemon-lime-eyed minx above lives in the area of Raymond Avenue in the City of Batavia.

Her name is Clover and she's a rover, having "slipped out" under cover of darkness Saturday night.

Clover is solid black, 5 years old, petite and "very shy." She has a pink and black collar with a weensy bell dangling from it.

She is the pet of two little girls who "are devastated" by her disappearance. Their brother is not too bothered by the situation, according to Dad, because he holds no strong opinion of the feline one way or the other.

Asked about sundry details that make Clover special, Dad says she's goat-like, in that she butts her head into you robustly when she wants to be petted. And Clover is a tad obsessive-complusive about grooming, to the point of having thinned out her fur on her bottom half and her tail. 

He said she reminds him of the cartoon character "Toothless" from the DreamWorks animated film "How to Train Your Dragon."

The other cat in the household goes in and out all the time, but Clover never gave any indication she was the least bit interested in the outside world.

It is possible, Dad, we asked, that she plotted this breakout long ago and was waiting for the opportune moment? (Who was training whom?)

Dad thinks someone should come up with a Tile for finding missings pets, just like they have for missing car keys. He's sure there's a market for that. He'd buy one.

If Clover is found or spotted, please call 297-9080, or email:   bhoag@wellsvillegroup.com

Mike Hodgins reads "House by the Side of the Road" by Sam Walter Floss. Mike said this poem was one of the favorites of his father, John Hodgins, the late local artist and county legislator.

Message from Pastor Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church: April 26th -- "What is Saving Your Life Right Now?"

A bicyclist and a motorcycle rider were both seriously injured this evening in a crash on Route 5 at Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

A 17-year-old female from Batavia, whose name was not released, was riding a bike northbound on Wortendyke, according to the Sheriff's Office, when she attempted to cross Route 5.

Joshua Fullmer, 27, of Harvester Avenue, was eastbound on a 2014 Yamaha motorcycle.

The motorcycle collided with the bicycle.

Both patients were transported by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center. 

The crash is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office. Charges may be pending.

Also responding to the scene were the State Police, Le Roy Ambulance, Town of Batavia Fire, East Pembroke Fire, Mercy EMS, and members of the Emergency Management team.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department wants to warn citizens of a dangerous mixture of cocaine currently on the street. There have already been two overdose cases today.

The warning comes in an attempt to stop further overdoses, which can be fatal. Police are working to locate the source and put a stop to further incidents.

Victim information and statuses are not being released.

Anyone with information can contact the Genesee County Drug Task Force at (585) 343-3020, the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370 or online here.

The Batavia Police would also like to offer assistance to persons who are struggling with addiction. Through our Police Assistance Addiction & Recovery Initiative, or PAARI program, we have partnered with the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA) in an effort to decrease the number of opiate-related deaths and reduce the crime associated with opiate abuse.

Anyone who is struggling with addiction can come to the police department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we will assist in locating a treatment program, with no questions asked. We strive to help and support those who are looking to break the chains of addiction.

Several citizens have taken advantage of the program and we feel this is another way in which we can help win the war against drugs!

It's a beautiful spring day so Tiffany Martin helps Owen Elmore learn how to ride his electric scooter on Morton Avenue, Batavia.

A reader tipped us to a trio of dinosaurs marauding through Downtown Batavia. We hunted them down and shot them (with a camera) while they were passing by St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

James Anthony Colantonio, 50, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to stop at a stop sign. At 9:30 a.m. on April 20, Colantonio was arrested on the charges on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia after he allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. He was released with appearance tickets and is due in Town of Batavia Court on June 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Justin O. Porter, 28, of Bennington Street, Rochester, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree; unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree; unlicensed operator; and speeding. According to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Porter was stopped in the area of Swan and Ellicott streets in the city at 5:27 p.m. March 23 following the alleged observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. After an investigation by members of the Genesee County Drug Task Force, it is alleged that Porter possessed some marijuana and was driving while his privilege to do so was suspended in New York State. He was issued appearance tickets for June 2 in Batavia City Court.

The 17th birthday of Madison Fix was celebrated with a parade of Jeep Wranglers on River Street in Batavia yesterday followed by a visit by the Wrangler Club to Premier Genesee to wave hello to residents of the facility.

Photos submitted by Renee Wapniewski.

David Penepent, a Mortuary Dcience professor, has been volunteering his time, along with two of his students, in New York City since April to assist with handling the remains of COVID-19 victims.

The 57-year-old Batavia native started "Hands with a Heart" to transport the bodies of those who have died from overwhelmed funeral homes to other states in behalf of grieving families.

Penepent was featured today in a story in The New York Times.

“It’s a godsend,” said Joe Neufeld Sr., the owner of the Gerard J. Neufeld Funeral Home in Queens, which is just blocks from Elmhurst Hospital Center in one of the hardest hit areas in the country. “He came out of nowhere to save us.”

This Saturday, staff from H.E. Turner, including Steve Johnson, who teaches with Penepent at SUNY Canton in the Mortuary Science Program, will join Penepent's team to help with the effort.

"We will be doing so voluntarily and without charge to the state, funeral homes, or families affected," Johnson said.

For the Class of 2020, the traditional rites of spring, such as prom, and commencement ceremonies jeopardized, parents and teachers have been looking for other ways to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduates.

Yesterday, staff and teachers at Batavia High School drove to the homes of seniors and installed law signs to help recognize those on the cusp of receiving diplomas.

The effort was initiated by Kristen Fix.

Batavia PD detectives are looking for the public's assistance in locating Nasir Nathan in relation to an alleged gang assault that occurred on Highland Park on Oct. 4.

The Oct. 4 incident lead to the arrest of Riley B. Mayer, who pled guilty to assault in December, and the arrest of Terrance Falk in December.

There is a warrant out for Nathan's arrest.

Det. Eric Hill said there is no apparent direct connection to the April 9 hit-and-run that led to the arrest of Devon Wright last night, but that the individuals involved in both incidents know each other and there have been ongoing disputes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370, or online here.

Devon Wright, 18, of Batavia, has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident on Highland Park the night of April 8 that sent one person to the hospital.

Wright allegedly resisted arrest and damaged property at Batavia PD headquarters after being taken into custody following a traffic stop last night.

Investigators say that Wright intentionally drove a silver sedan into the victim and then fled the scene leaving the car in the front yard of a residence on Highland Park.

He is charged with: attempted assault, 1st; resisting arrest; obstructing governmental administration, 2nd; criminal mischief, 4th; criminal nuisance, 2nd; and harassment, 2nd.

Judge David Saleh in an electronic arraignment to maintain social distancing ordered Wright held on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond. His return date to Batavia City Court is May 18 at 1 p.m.

Batavia PD thanks the public for tips leading to the arrest of Wright.

Previous stories about Wright:

• Law and Order: Highland Park teen accused of burglary, criminal mischief and assault at Main Street gas station
• Nov. 2019 Law and Order
• February 2020 Law and Order
• Highland Park teen accused of stealing cash and harassing minor

Submitted photo and press release:

Head Start, a preschool program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, is taking applications for the 2020-21 academic year.

Head Start has centers in Albion, Batavia, Kendall and Medina, with an enrollment of 189 children.

Since 1965, Head Start has provided quality comprehensive services in Education & Child Development, Health & Nutrition and Family & Community Engagement at no cost to parents.

At Head Start, every staff member knows each child and family has unique talents and interests of their own.  By partnering with families, providing individualized learning experiences and support, children and families learn, grow and get ready for school.

Children are eligible for the Head Start preschool program if they are 3 years old on or before Sept. 15 or 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, and if they reside in Orleans or Genesee counties.

Priority for enrollment is given to foster children, homeless, families on public assistance or those whose income is below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and children with diagnosed disabilities.

Families may begin the application process by calling the Head Start Administrative Offices at (585) 589-5683. Give your child a “Head Start” that will last a lifetime!

Photos submitted by Jason Smith, taken in his back yard in Batavia.