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.
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.
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."
The audience was captivated listening to the inspiring speeches given by members Shirley Malone and Leslie Marino about leadership. Eva Miller led the club in table topics combining attendees’ real-life experiences and game shows from the 1950s. She had everyone in stitches laughing.
Ask member Sarah Kohl why Toastmasters is important and she says, “Realistically, everyone has to give a speech at some point in their life and you might as well enjoy the experience.”
Kohl recently developed a short video for the clubs Facebook page and website.
Toastmasters is the most cost-effective leadership training available and it's in a friendly, positive, motivating atmosphere. The results are proven! This training can help you move to the next level of your career.
Visit our website for more information SpeakUpToastmasters.org.
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.
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.
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."
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.
The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center has received mutiple calls about a white male wearing a camouflage jacket and carrying a sword walking on Vine Street toward Main Street in Batavia. City police are dispatched.
UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: A police officer in the area reports seeing no one matching that description.
Shaqueita L. Irvin, 27, Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child -- acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years of age. Irvin was arrested at 3:02 a.m. on Oct. 15 for allegedly failing to provide adequate supervision for her 6-year-old daughter more than 30 times. Her daughter has been dismissed from school and sent home on the bus; upon her arrival at her residence, nobody was there to receive her. The girl has been returned to school for supervision. Irvin was issued an appearance ticket for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Batavia City Court. The case of handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.
Zachari R. Morgan, 23, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing. At 4:24 p.m. on Oct. 17, Morgan was arrested after allegedly threatening to cause bodily harm to someone with a hammer in his possession. He was arrested at his residence and released on an appearance ticket. He is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.
Casey Daniel Nutting, 44, of Union Street, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; aggravated DWI -- a BAC of .18 percent or higher; and refusal to take a breath test. Nutting was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that law enforcement stopped for a suspicious condition. On Oct. 17 on Main Road in Stafford, Le Roy Police Sgt. Gregory Kellogg was following Nutting's vehicle and allegedly observed numerous traffic and vehicle violations before Nutting pulled into the Department of Transporation building on Route 5 in Stafford. Sgt. Kellogg stopped the vehicle to check Nutting's welfare. Genesee County Sheriff's deputies arrived and took over the investigation. It is alleged that they found Nutting to be intoxicated and he was arrested at 6:56 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Stafford Town Court on Nov. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen.
Jay Blatchley, 46, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Following the investigation of contraband that was found in Genesee County Jail, Blatchley was arrested at 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 19 after allegedly bringing narcotics into the jail without permission. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail (cash or bond unspecified). Blatchley is due to be in Batavia City Court on Oct. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.
John W. Walsh, 36, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with having an open container of alcohol. Walsh was arrested at 7:35 p.m. on Oct. 12 in front of the Speedway gas station and convenience store at 204 W. Main St. in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Sgt. Matthew Lutey.
Press release:
The Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates.
On Saturday, Oct. 26th, the Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden. It is located at 117-123 W. Main St. in Batavia.
“For the first time in history, voters in New York State have the opportunity to vote early, and it’s a really big deal,” said City of Batavia Democratic Chair, Erica Donnell. “Voting rights activists have been fighting for this for a very long time and now that we have a Democratic majority in Albany, we finally got the job done.
"The first day of early voting is October 26th so we felt that would be a great day for our candidates to get together with voters and celebrate this accomplishment.”
For more information about early voting visit geneseedemocrats.net.
Voters will also have the opportunity to meet some of the endorsed Democratic candidates running for office this year.
Chair of the Genesee County Democrats and Darien Town Board Member Michael Plitt says, “National politics seem to suck all of the oxygen out of the room these days, but if you really want to participate in democracy, the local level is the place to do it.
"When I knock on doors I like talking to voters about the things in their community that matters to them and where their vote can really make a difference.”
Participating candidates include City Court Judge candidate Benjamin Bonarigo, Ward 3 City Council candidate Nick Russo, Ward 5 City Council candidate Sammy DiSalvo, Darien Town Board Member Plitt, and others. Light refreshments will be provided.
A driver told deputies his left arm went numb while driving on Lewiston Road at 11:56 a.m., Sunday, causing him to lose control of his pickup truck, leading to a collision with a Honda sedan.
Both Clayton Thomas Skye, of Westfane, the driver of a red 2003 Chevrolet pickup, and Donna M. Woodworth, 58, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, were injured in the crash.
No citations were issued.
Skye's passenger, Lavern Aderman Jr., suffered minor injuries.
Skye was driving his pickup south on Lewiston Road between the Thruway overpass and Veterans Memorial Drive when it crossed the centerline into the northbound lane where it struck the driver-side fender of Woodworth's sedan.
The accident report says that Woodworth said she saw Skye's truck entering her lane of travel and tried to avoid a collision by entering the fog lane but she was unable to avoid the collision.
The accident report was prepared by Deputy Jordan Alejandro.
Plan lunch with us! We will have hamburgers, italian sausage and Gail’s famous stuffed pepper soup, along with bread pudding and pies for dessert.
Tickets for the special Mega Woody Pedal Car and the Buffalo Bills Turf are available before the raffle at Crossroads House, stop by anytime for tickets, 11 Liberty St., Batavia.
All baskets and mega raffles will be drawn starting at 3 p.m. the day of the event. See you at the ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia, on Oct. 26th!
Reader and photographer Frank Capuano sent us a picture he made this morning of the sky over Batavia.
The weather was beautiful today.
A three-car collision with injuries is reported at 8259 Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: There is entrapment. The location is between Cheryl Lane and Veterans Memorial Drive.
UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 63 and Galloway Road.
UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Ronald D. Meides said there were two vehicles involved in the accident, not three. Witnesses told officers that the red pickup truck was southbound on Lewiston Road when, for unknown reasons, it left its lane of travel and drifted into the opposite lane. A northbound blue sedan tried to veer onto the right shoulder to avoid a collision but could not as the truck continued on and struck the car. Meides said it was not a true head-on collision -- more of a "glancing front bumper to front bumper" crash. The sedan's female driver from Oakfield required extrication as did the male driver of the pickup truck. He had a male passenger; both men are from Lockport. All three were conscious and alert and able to answer questions when first responders arrived. The female was taken to ECMC; the men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. Meides said their injuries are serious but not life threatening. Drugs or alcohol are not factors, Meides said, adding that charges are pending.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is holding a free “Meet the Candidates” Day to enable local residents with disabilities -- or anyone from the community -- to hear and discuss issues with some on the ballot in the November General Election.
Our Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk points out that those who achieve local positions now may be the state and national leaders of tomorrow! So, whatever your political views, this is your year to get involved!
The event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, ILGR’s Main Office in the Crickler Executive Business Center, 319 W. Main St. in Batavia, in the Douglas J. Usiak Multipurpose Room.
To date, we have confirmations from Batavia City Court Judge candidates Durin B. Rogers (R, C, I) and Benjamin J. Bonarigo (D, WOR, GRE); and Batavia City Council Ward 3, Deborah Kerr Rosenbeck (LBT).
We have also invited those who are not running unopposed in the following positions, although not all will attend: Genesee County Legislators District 8; Batavia City Council wards 3 and 5; various local positions: Alexander Town Clerk; Bergen Town Clerk; Bethany Town Council; Byron Town Supervisor and Town Council; Darien Town Supervisor, Town Justice and Town Council; Pavilion Highway Superintendent; and Pembroke Town Justice.
They will address their constituents and take questions.
(The party abbreviations (in alphabetical order): C – Conservative, D – Democrat, GRE – Green, I – Independence, LIB - Libertarian, R – Republican, WOR – Working Families.)
If an attendee wishes to be familiar with the “hot” disability issues, sheets of suggested questions will be provided; but participants are encouraged to ask about public concerns that are close to them. The building is fully disability accessible.
To RSVP or get additional information call Donna at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
The Breast Cancer Coalition will present a talk on the long-term effects of radiation beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia.
This event is cosponsored by Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Senator Michael Ranzenhofer.
It is free and open to the public. No reservations necessary. The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.
Dr. Kevin J. Mudd, of the UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute, will be the speaker.
Radiation treatment for breast cancer is known to reduce recurrence and increase survival rates for the disease.
To contact the Breast Cancer Coalition, phone (585) 473-8177, email: infor@bccr.org or visit their website.
From the City of Batavia Fire Department:
It’s Fall and the Halloween celebration will soon be upon us. There will be children dressed in costumes excitedly running door to door to trick-or-treat, festive decorations like glowing jack-o-lanterns, paper ghosts and dried cornstalks adorning front porches – these are some of the classic hallmarks of Halloween that make the holiday special for kids and adults alike.
Unfortunately, these Halloween symbols and activities can also present lurking fire risks that have the potential to become truly scary. But by planning ahead, you can help make this Halloween a fire-safe one.
Taking simple fire safety precautions can help ensure your holiday remains festive and fun.
Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano and the City of Batavia Fire Department in conjunction with the United States Fire Administration would like to offer several safety tips:
Lastly, Chief Napolitano highly recommends keeping Halloween decorations away from any open flames, light bulbs and heaters. It is very easy for decorations such as dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper to catch on fire.
Napolitano also recommends keeping exits clear of any decorations so as to not block your exits in the event of a fire. Also, the Chief suggests testing your smoke detectors to ensure that they are working or request fire department staff to inspect and test for you.
If a resident has any questions or concerns regarding any of these tips, they can contact the City of Batavia Fire Headquarters at 585-345-6375.
Press release:
On Friday, Oct. 18th, Mercy Flight will be partnering with the City of Batavia Fire Department for Pit Crew CPR training.
“Pit Crew CPR is a team-oriented approach to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that has delivered outstanding results for sudden cardiac arrest victims," said Denise Cuillo, Mercy Flight’s director of Education and CQI. "By working together as a structured team to provide the highest quality CPR, we can greatly improve the victim’s chance of survival.
"A noticeable change to our approach that the community will see is that all care must be provided immediately, at the scene. In these crucial first moments, there is nothing that an ER can do that we cannot, and any delay in those treatments will greatly reduce the victim’s chance of survival. We cannot provide the quality of care and the structured teamwork necessary in a moving ambulance.”
With the implementation of Pit Crew CPR, bystanders may notice that emergency response crews are on-scene longer than they are used to seeing. While training is starting with the City of Batavia Fire Department, further application of this program will include training with volunteer fire agencies throughout Genesee County.
Training will take place at the City of Batavia Fire Department, 18 Evans St., Batavia, from 2 to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Each training is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. This event is not open to the public.
If you wish to receive more information about the implementation of this program, please contact Denise Cuillo (dcuillo@mercyflight.org; 716.626.5808, ext.1320).
About Mercy Flight
Mercy Flight Inc., d/b/a Mercy Flight of Western New York and Mercy EMS, is an independent, nonprofit provider of medical transport services. It began in 1981 as the first medically dedicated air ambulance service in New York State.
Today, the charitable organization operates four helicopter bases staffed by Pilots, Flight Paramedics and Flight Nurses in Buffalo (headquarters), Olean, Springville, and Batavia. Long-distance-air medical transports are conducted using a Learjet 31 and the same critical care medical teams that staff the helicopters. Flight physicians also join the team as needed based on the condition of the patient.
Mercy Flight’s ground ambulance division, Mercy Flight EMS, provides service for Genesee County, Niagara County, and the Town of Concord and Village of Springville.
Together, the organization’s employees, now more than 200 strong, support the mission of being “A BEACON OF HOPE...WHEN MINUTES MATTER.” For more information about Mercy Flight, sponsoring a patient mission at a donation of $1,420 or for details on upcoming events please visit www.mercyflight.org.
Gary Wayne Hensley, 44, of Burke Hill Road, Warsaw, is charged with second-degree burglary -- illegal entry of a dwelling, and fourth-degree grand larceny -- theft of a firearm. He was arrested Oct. 16 and arraigned in Alexander Town Court. He is being held in jail without bail due to prior felony arrests. It is alleged that on Sept. 7 at about 10:45 a.m. he entered a residence on Gilhooly Road in Alexander and stole a handgun and jewelry. He is due to appear in Alexander Town Court on Nov. 12. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.
Gregory James Baker, 39, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with three counts of second-degree criminal contempt for disobeying a mandated court order at 4:57 a.m. on Oct. 4. Baker was arrested Oct. 15 following an investigation.He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.
Gregory James Baker, 39, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Baker was arrested Oct. 15 following an investigation of a mental health call from a location on Pratt Road to dispatch at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 4. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.
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