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Car accident at Route 98 and West Saile Drive, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with possibly one minor injury is reported at Route 98 and West Saile Drive. It is partially blocking the roadway. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: A responder says extrication will be needed.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested. One vehicle has heavy front-end damage and will require a flatbed tow.

UPDATE 3:34 p.m.: The driver of a gray car in a ditch will require extrication.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: West Saile Drive is being shut down completely.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: An accident investigator is called to the scene. Some responders are put back in service.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: One medic is back in service after patient refusal of treatment.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: The other medic is transporting two patients to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: Town of Batavia is back in service.

UPDATE (by Howard): A witness said he saw the accident in his rearview mirror.  He said the black car turned right off West Saile Drive and swerved, for no obvious reason, into oncoming traffic. Even before the car started to swerve, he said the silver car was slowing down. The driver of the silver car needed to be extricated. Both the driver and her passenger were taken by ground ambulance to a hospital. The driver of the black car was not injured. We'll try to get an update from the State Police later.

Mark your calendar: 34th annual Picnic in the Park in Batavia

By Billie Owens

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council’s 34th annual family event “Picnic in the Park” takes place this Fourth of July. 

The festivities run from Noon until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4th, in historic Centennial Park at Richmond and Ellicott avenues in Batavia. As is tradition, the “Picnic in the Park” is kicked off by the Batavia Concert Band performing on the Main Stage at Noon.

This year’s “Picnic in the Park” includes all-day musical entertainment, arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more. Admission is free.

Please call GO ART! at 343-9313, email info@goart.org, or visit <http://www.goart.org> for more information. Applications are still available for artists, crafters, food vendors or nonprofits wishing to have a booth.

Transition ceremony for Robert Morris 'family' on Flag Day at Van Detta Stadium

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Robert Morris Elementary School in Batavia will be sharing the limelight with the old "red, white, and blue" on Flag Day -- June 14th. The students, as well as the faculty, staff and administration will participate in a joyful ceremony at Van Detta Stadium celebrating the transition each of them will be making in the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.

Robert Morris Elementary School will be closing its doors as of July 1st, and the Robert Morris Family will be turning their focus toward the future. The celebration will take place at 1:45 p.m., and is opened to anyone who would like to attend.

The Robert Morris Family would like to extend a special invitation to any, and all, of the staff/faculty from Robert Morris's past to join in the celebration. Robert Morris would like their students to remember that just as it is important to know where it is they are going, it is equally as important in knowing where it is they have been, and the school's history is rich with individuals who have helped make Robert Morris what it is today.

If you are a retired Robert Morris staff member, or a former Robert Morris student, and you are planning to join us on June 14, please gather at the entrance of Van Detta Stadium, by the large parking lot between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m. and someone will be there to greet you.

(The stadium is located at 120 Richmond Ave. in the City of Batavia.)

Photos: Special Olympics torch run

By Howard B. Owens

The Special Olympic torch was carried from Elba to Batavia today by a group of runners -- mostly members of the local law enforcement community -- with a stop at Woodward Field for a run around the track with Batavia fifth-graders.

The torch was carried from Genesee ARC's location in Elba to ARC's main facility on Walnut Street.

The fifth-graders were at Van Detta Stadium today to participate in a variety of track and field competitions, but mostly the event is about helping the Class 2019 get to know each other as they transfer from three different elementary schools into a single middle school.

The children also heard remarks by some Special Olympic athletes.

Woman accused of driving drunk prior to accident given year in jail for probation violation

By Howard B. Owens

A young Batavia mother who was among the first people in the state charged under Leandra's Law for driving under the influence with children in the car will spend a year in jail for violating probation by allegedly driving drunk again.

Michelle T. Crawford, 26, of 7963 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, sobbed throughout the court proceedings this morning and asked Judge Robert C. Noonan for another chance at rehabilitation.

Besides the violation of probation conviction, Crawford is still facing charges that she drove drunk March 8 and was involved in a rollover accident in Byron. Crawford was seriously injured in the accident and had her jaw wired shut for a period of time as a result.

Crawford was on probation, having recently completed one alcohol treatment program, at the time of the accident. While she wasn't convicted under Leandra's Law on the prior case, which was heard in Erie County, Crawford was found guilty of driving under the influence and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

In court today, Crawford's attorney said his client has a serious drinking problem and needs treatment, not jail time.

"Jail isn't going to fix Ms. Crawford," Attorney Louis P. Violanti said. "I realize society may demand jail time, but without treatment, she's going to end up doing life on the installment plan, one year at a time, three years at a time, until one day she wakes up and she's in her 60s and her life is gone and her children are grown."

Violanti said Crawford was recently accepted to an in-patient program and that her rehabilitation would be a long-term process.

When Crawford spoke, she cried through all of her statement.

"If I don't get this under my thumb, I'm never going to have my family," Crawford said. "Please let me be able to do this. Please from the bottom of my heart. I'm a good person. I just made poor choices and I just want to go home to my family and the people that I love. And I want to prove that I can be successful in life and not be harmful to anybody else, including myself."

Noonan said if Crawford was appearing before him for just the first time he would be a lot more sympathetic to her plea to be with her children, but Crawford promised Noonan once before, he said, to follow the orders of the court and then apparently violated them.

"You're very lucky you didn't kill a family or somebody else in your alcoholic stupor," Noonan said. "Now you must face the consequences.

"We're all very interested in doing something that will get Michelle Crawford going in the right direction in life," Noonan added, "but right now you must be punished."

The year in jail -- Crawford has already served about three months -- is the maximum penalty under the sentencing guidelines for her misdemeanor convictions.

Crawford still faces a misdemeanor DWI charge and a felony count of aggravated unlicensed operation.

Noonan said he and the attorneys are trying to come up with a plan for Crawford on those charges that will satisfy justice and get her help.

Volunteer training for 'Warm Line' - providing support, encouragement to local residents

By Billie Owens

In order to meet the needs of the community, there will be Warm Line Volunteer Listener Training from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at the Mental Health Association, located at 25 Liberty St. in the City of Batavia.

The Warm Line is a peer-to-peer award-winning program of the MHA that provides support and encouragement to individuals in our community.  The Warm Line is in operation from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 365 days a year.

If you would like to find out more about this training opportunity or general Warm Line services, please contact Charley DelPlato, Warm Line coordinator at 344-2611.

Reel Discussion at Richmond library: 'Hugo'

By Billie Owens

Reel Discussions at Richmond Memorial Library

Come view the free movie and join us for a group discussion afterward.

This week's movie is "Hugo." An orphaned boy secretly lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station and looks after the clocks. He gets caught up in a mystery adventure and when he attempts to repair a mechanical man.

For more information, call the library at 343-9550 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.

The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Batavia man accused of public lewdness while in infants section at Kmart

By Howard B. Owens

A 67-year-old Batavia man has been charged with public lewdness after allegedly being caught masturbating in the infants section at Kmart.

Michael John Liptak, of Pratt Road, was also charged with criminal mischief, 4th.

The incident was reported to the Sheriff's Office at 5:49 p.m., Monday.

Liptak was issued an appearance ticket on the charges.

(Initial Report)

School board members to consider passing tax exemptions for property improvements

By Howard B. Owens

City Manager Jason Molino got a warm reception Monday from the board of Batavia city schools when he pitched the idea of extending a pair of tax exemptions for property owners who make improvements.

The city council has already passed the exemptions and now Molino is trying to get both the school board and the county legislature to follow suit.

Getting the exemptions extended to the other agencies would "help us do a better job of marketing the exemptions," Molino said. "It would make it a much more attractive incentive."

One exemption applies to commercial or residential property owners and has been on the books in Batavia for some time. It would provide a tax abatement on the increased assessment that might result from restoration or significant improvements to a property.

Putting on a new roof, for example, wouldn't qualify, but if a property owner who resided there, installed a new roof, put in new windows and made other repairs to a rundown property, it could qualify for tax abatement.

An addition to a property that drives up the assessed value would also qualify.

The second exemption applies to owners of commercial property who convert the property to mixed use and include residential.

For example, a three-story downtown building that remained retail on the first floor but was converted to residential on the second and third floors would qualify.

The exemptions work like a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) in commercial development where the property owner continues paying taxes at the same rate on the original assessed value of the property, bu gets a graduated break on the taxes related to the increase in assessed value over a period of years.

The program, according to Molino, is designed to foster improvements to local property and drive the city's strategic goal of bringing more residents into Downtown Batavia.

No board members spoke against supporting the proposal.

The district's attorney will need to draft resolutions in order for the school district to adopt the exemptions.

"Anything we can do to strengthen the housing stock in the City of Batavia, we should absolutely be doing," Trustee Steve Mountain said.

Man suspected of lewd behavior being sought inside Kmart

By Billie Owens

A man is reportedly "touching himself inappropriately" in the infants' section of Kmart. Law enforcement is responding. He is described as an "older" person with red hair, having a "larger build," wearing jeans and a plaid hoodie. He is also believed to be intoxicated. The store is located at 8363 Lewiston Road in the Town of Batavia.

Law and Order: Orangeville man charged with two counts of menacing

By Howard B. Owens

Rodney L. McKenzie, 47, of Orangeville, is charged with two counts of menacing, including a count that alleges the use of a weapon. McKenzie was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 11:20 a.m., Sunday, in the Town of Alabama. No further details were release.

Paul H. Burch, 32, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Burch was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Roger K. Rumble, 27, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, refusal to take a breath test and speeding. Rumble was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Marche La'Shon Brown, 26, of Doran Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Brown was stopped at 3:15 a.m. Sunday on Route 98, Batavia, by Deputy Matt Fleming.

Coretta Melissa Pitts, 44, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Pitts was allegedly at the residence of a person she was ordered not to contact.

Jeffery M. Johnson, 24, no permanent address, is charged with menacing, 3rd. He was arrested by State Police for an incident reported at 11:27 a.m. Sunday in Oakfield. Johnson was held in jail.

Jerod P. Norcross, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Norcross was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 3:50 p.m., April 11, in Alexander.

Michael J. McCarthy, 24, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and inadequate plate lamp. McCarthy was stopped by State Police at 2:35 a.m. Saturday in the Town of Batavia.

Man in black hat, trench coat poses as police detective to try and gain entry to Batavia house

By Howard B. Owens

A Southside resident says a suspicious character came to his back door at 1:30 in the morning Saturday and claimed to be a detective investigating a report of a robbery at that address.

The resident, home alone watching TV, said the man was wearing a black hat, trench coat and carrying a cheap flashlight.

The resident called police and multiple units responded to the area but did not locate the suspect.

Det. Todd Crossett said the man did the right thing in calling 9-1-1.

"If we show up, we're going to be carrying identification and we don't wear hats," Crossett said. "We don't wear trench coats. When somebody shows up at your house at 1:30 in the morning, use extreme caution."

Crossett said when you get unexpected visitors in the middle of the night and you don't recognize them, can't see them, or don't see a car outside that your recognize, it's best not to open the door and to call emergency dispatch.

"Absolutely, give us a call," Crossett said. "We'll check it out. If it's a legitimate person who is trying to get ahold of you, well, then, OK, but absolutely give us a call."

The potential victim said the man told him, "I'm here to investigate a burglary. You need to let me in."

When the resident told the man he was calling 9-1-1, the man responded, "I am 9-1-1."

Kansas man convicted of enticing local girl to send him sexually explicit photos

By Howard B. Owens

A Wichita, Kan., resident was convicted Friday in federal court of one count of enticing a teenage girl to send him sexually explicit photos of herself.

The teen was from Batavia and Det. Todd Crossett and Office Jay Andrews helped bring the man to justice.

"He was definitely a sexual predator," said Crossett, who, along with Andrews, was in Wichita last week to testify at the trial. "He had a past history of doing this sort of thing and he does it again soon after he gets out of prison. That indicates the kind of person he is."

The man, Shane M. McClelland, 26, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison, and perhaps a life sentence.

The 14-year-old girl from Batavia testified at the trial and identified McClelland as the man she had seen in Web cam pictures.

According to prosecutors, McClelland over the course of days, pressured and persuaded the girl to email him nude photos.

Crossett testified about the chain of evidence and his exchange of text messages with McClelland while posing as the 14-year-old girl.

The case, Crossett said, that in this day-and-age, sexual predators are always close by.

"This is an example of what can happen if kids and parents aren't careful," Crossett said.

Notre Dame girls advance in state tourny, while Batavia and ND baseball teams lose sectional games

By Howard B. Owens

Behind the four-hit performances of Laurie Call and Kendra Wall, the Notre Dame Girls Softball Team powered its way to an 11-1 win over DeSales in the quarter final game of the state Class D tournament.

The Fighting Irish, hungry for a state championship, will face Forestville at Monroe Community Colleg on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

The Notre Dame baseball team didn't fair as well, dropping a Class DD sectional title game to Arkport, 3-2, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Batavia Blue Devils took a swing at a third-straight attempt to win a Class A Section V title, but dropped the Saturday game (a make-up for a rainout on Friday) to Honeoye Falls-Lima, 7-1.

Photos: CASA volunteers walk through Downtown Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Volunteers for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) walked down Main and Ellicott streets today as both a fundraiser and a chance to raise awareness about the agency's programs.

CASA provides services to children caught up in Family Court situations.

Director Ashley Hausfelder organized the event, which was sponsored by Brockport Wegmans, Target, Lucky Ducky Daycare, Floral Fantasies, Five Start Bank, Batavia Signs, Pembroke Family Medicine, T-Shirts Etc., Darien Lake Theme Park and Coffee Culture.

Photos: Johnny Bananas at City Slickers

By Howard B. Owens

MTV reality show star Johnny Bananas dropped into City Slickers in Downtown Batavia tonight. Bananas made the appearance to help support the new restaurant's opening week. The star of shows such as "Real World" signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.

Owner Ken Mistler said a big crowd showed up during the piano bar portion of the evening for the restaurant and bar's first Saturday night, even though there was a two-hour power outage downtown.

Local business owner accused of impersonating cop to keep potential competitor out of town

By Howard B. Owens

A local business owner has been charged with two Class A misdemeanors after allegedly making a phone call to a property owner on Ellicott Street and impersonating a law enforcement officer in an attempt to intimidate her from renting the property to a potential competitor.

Jason Lang, 28, is charged with criminal personation, 2nd, and aggravated harassment, 2nd.

Sgt. Ron Lobur said Lang turned himself in to State Police, was cooperative and was released on an appearance ticket.

According to Lobur, Lang allegedly called a property owner and left a phone message saying he was a State Police "detective" and warned her that a business she may be renting to has a reputation for selling synthetic marijuana and bath salts.  He allegedly warned her that she might not want to rent to this business.

Lobur noted that the State Police do not employ detectives. Rather, their detective work is done by investigators.

Lang, a Liberty Street resident, owns The Laughing Buddha on Ellicott Street and has admitted in the past to selling synthetic marijuana.

College trustees dedicate classroom in recognition of the late Lynn Browne

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees recognized the extraordinary service and contributions of the late Lynn E. Browne by dedicating the college's Library Instruction Classroom in his honor.

Browne served as a member of the Genesee Community College Foundation Board of Directors from 1997 to 2010, including nine years of service as treasurer. He was deeply involved in the fund raising initiatives that led to the expansion of the college's scholarship programs, and the construction of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union. He was a member of the committee that facilitated the foundation's acquisition of the former College Meadows, renamed College Village.

A native of Batavia, Brown was a graduate of the Wharton School of Business. After serving as an Army officer during World War II, he married Phyllis Shiekman, of Philadelphia, and relocated there. For many years, he owned and operated one of the nation's leading button distribution businesses. After the death of his wife in the 1980s, Browne returned to his hometown and immersed himself in community activities.

He was the first recipient of the Alpha Medal of Honor (2006), bestowed on area citizens during commencement ceremonies in recognition of outstanding philanthropic and volunteer support of Genesee Community College. His family returned his Alpha Medal to the college after his death, and it will be displayed in or near the Library classroom.

Browne contributed funds to assist in the renovation of the college's Alfred C. O'Connell Library during 1999-2000, and asked that the plaque recognizing his contribution be displayed outside the Library Instruction Classroom. The classroom is often used by students learning how to use library resources and conduct research, and it had a special meaning to Browne, according to Foundation Executive Director Richard Ensman.

Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino called Browne an extraordinary citizen who "poured his heart and soul into Genesee Community College."

The college foundation will host a public dedication event honoring Mr. Browne and the naming of the Library Classroom in the near future.

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