batavia

Press release:

The New York State Police along with UNYTS are giving the gift of life by hosting a blood and registry drive Jan. 3 at the State Police barracks at 4525 W. Saile Drive, Batavia.

“The New York State Police family is well aware of the importance of giving blood or by donating or receiving organs as we have seen both sides. Members and members' families have given or have benefitted from the gift of life,” said Trooper Victor Morales Troop A, public information officer.

The drive is being held during the most critical time of year for blood and is in conjunction with the UNYTS Holiday Heroes Drive, which began on Dec. 20.

“Donating blood during the Holiday Heroes campaign is an easy way to support and to give back to our communities. This blood drive in Batavia is one of three locations that we are holding drives, the first was in Clarence and the next will be at the Lockport barracks on January 8th,” said Major Michael Cerretto.

The blood drive runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include Donate Life Registry drive as well, where they’ll be encouraging the public to sign up to become organ donors on the NY State Donate Life Registry.

While walk-ins are welcome appointments can be made by contacting UNYTS at 716-512-7940 or www.unyts.org (Sponsor Code: 1983-Batavia or 1985-Lockport)

A two-car accident, with one person complaining of head and neck back pain, is reported at East Main Street and Masse Place in the city. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: The patient is being taken to UMMC.

The weather can only be described as nasty. It's 10 degrees, about four or five inches of snow is falling and it's still coming. The breeze is strong enough to add a pretty strong bite to the already low temperature.

And more is on the way. The winter storm warning remains in effect through tomorrow.

Press release:

Due to the Wind Chill Advisory in our area for the next two days, the Batavia Youth Center will be closed today and tomorrow (Jan. 2, 3). It is not safe for the children to be out and exposed to these cold temperatures. The Youth Bureau and Youth Center will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 6, 2014. 

UPDATES:

• Red Osier in Stafford is closing tonight due to weather.
• The county's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for this evening has been postponed and will take place Tuesday.

A fire is reported at Oak Orchard Road and West Saile Drive.

A person reportedly ran into a business and said there was a fire and a person from the business called 9-1-1.

Town of Batavia fire responding.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: A chief on scene reports it's a controlled burn at Offhaus Farm. Batavia back in service.

Snowy owls have become Batavia's latest tourist attraction. Birders are driving out to the Genesee County Airport from miles around to see the majestic raptors.

"It's very special to come out and see such an unusual bird," said Leslie Phillips, a Rochester resident who read about the "irruption" of snowy owls in Batavia through an e-mail discussion list for birders.

Irruptions are the irregular southern migrations exhibited by bird species that typically winter in Canada and the extreme northern United States, according to Cornell University's Project Feederwatch.

She was among six or seven birders who were on State Street Road this afternoon with scopes and binoculars watching the owls perched on snow banks or fence posts.

David Genesky, a conservationist who specializes in raptors, spent much of the day trapping the owls on behalf of a national snowy owl research program.

By 5 p.m. he had caught eight and believed there were at least two more in the airport area. (CORRECTION: It's eight for the season, three on Tuesday.)

Genesky collected a feather, for a DNA sample, and weighed each bird before banding it and releasing it. The whole process took about five minutes per bird.

"Personally, I just want to make sure the species is OK," Genesky said. "There's a lot of talk about global warming and climate change and how it would effect their nesting areas, and for me personally, that's what I'm concerned about."

Genesky said the collection of snowy owls at the airport is a great opportunity for the public to see one of the great birds of the wild up close.

"They've been as steady as can be for the last month," Genesky said. "People have come from miles away and gotten good looks at them."

Sharon Leising hasn't had to travel far this winter to see the owls. She lives on State Street Road, and when she heard about the trapping project today, she had to meet up with Genesky and learn about what he was doing. She was at the Emergency Training Center when Genesky brought one of the birds in for cataloging (inset photo; photo courtesy Sharon Leising).

"This is so exciting, to have something like this happen in our area," Leising said. "They're such beautiful birds."

Typically, snowy owls make their homes in the Arctic and don't often congregate in such numbers in the northeast.

"This year is probably is biggest number in 40 years," Genesky said. "It's very rare to get this many birds in the Northeastern United States.  The Western states have fewer birds. They seem to have concentrated here."

Genesky said the local snowy owl population seems to be in good shape.

"Believe me, these birds are all healthy," he said. "They're not starving."

While there may be as many as a dozen snowy owls in the airport area, that number will thin soon to one or two as the birds establish their territories for the rest of the winter. Grenesky said anybody interested in seeing the birds should get out to the airport soon.

Leslie Phillips

Justin Samuel Fagan, 26, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Fagan allegedly punched another person in the head causing that person to lose consciousness while at the Blue Dog Saloon on Attica Road, Darien, at 12:55 a.m. Sunday. Fagan allegedly fled the scene and was later located by a state trooper in Batavia.

Christopher Michael Rheinheimer, 24, of Chick Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely, unreasonable speed and refusal to take breath test. Rheinheimer was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 1:29 a.m. Saturday on Attica Road, Darien, which was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Sutton Ken Carhart, 19, of Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Carhart allegedly provided alcohol to several people who were under age 21.

Jacob Michael Risewick, 20, of West Bergen Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. Risewick was allegedly in possession of alcohol while at an underage drinking party on Clipnock Road.

Amanda Ashley Stranc, 22, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed not reasonable or prudent and moving from lane unsafely. Stranc reportedly observed a motor vehicle accident while driving on Attica Road, Darien, at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and lost control of her car, becoming involved in a secondary motor-vehicle accident, while attempting to stop and assist the other motorist. The accident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A 17-year-old resident of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st, and criminal trespass, 2nd. The youth allegedly hosted an underage drinking party at 8341 Harris Road, Le Roy.

Elijah Absalon Seelay, 18, of Old Meadow Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Seelay is accused of possessing marijuana while at an underage drinking party at 8341 Harris Road, Le Roy.

Mitchell Robert Mulford, 20, of Attridge Road, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of alcohol. Mulford was arrested at an alleged underage drinking party at 8341 Harris Road, Le Roy.

Miguel Angel Dejesus, 66, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is accused of violating a release under supervision contract. Dejesus was jailed on $2,000 bail or $5,000 bond.

Danny Jay Torok, 26, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is accused of a violation of a Family Court act. Torok is accused of failure to appear for a scheduled Family Court appearance.

Philip Robert Perry, 27, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failure to pay fine imposed by court. Perry is also charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Perry was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance while being processed into the Genesee County Jail.

Amy Vlack sent in this picture of the snowy owl that's been hanging out at the Genesee County Airport this winter.

An ambulance is requested to the Tim Horton's parking lot where a person has slipped and fallen, suffering a possible head injury.

City fire also responding.

UPDATE 8:21 a.m.: City fire back in service.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: The woman who slipped is being transported to UMMC with complaint of hip pain and back of the head pain. No loss of consciousness.

A garage fire is reported on Bogue Avenue, Batavia.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 1:24 a.m.: Engine 11 on scene reporting the fire may be out.

The call started as a report of a house filling with smoke, yet no fire seen, at 3065 Pearl Street Road, but when an East Pembroke chief arrived, he reported flames on the side of the house from an electrical wire.

Firefighters from East Pembroke, Town of Batavia and Corfu are all dispatched.

National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: Alabama requested to fill in at East Pembroke.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: Firefighters are starting ventilation of the house and checking for extensions. National Grid has a 35-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:01 a.m.: No extensions located. The fire is out.

UPDATE 12:26 a.m.: Town of Batavia code enforcement officer responding to the scene.

UPDATE 1:31 a.m.: East Pembroke and all responding agencies back in service.

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Larry's Steakhouse is located at 60 Main St. in Batavia; call 585-343-3400.

Batavia High School cheerleaders visited the VA Hospital this morning to visit with residents and perform their basketball cheers. One resident told the girls, "this is what he fought for" while thanking them for their visit.

Information and photo submitted by Justine Bonarigo.

The DellaPenna family is pretty certain this has never happened before in the history of Batavia basketball: Two sisters, on opposite sides of the court, cheering for their respective teams, when Batavia High School and Notre Dame meet Monday in the championship game of the Lions Club Tournament at GCC. Danielle is a senior at Batavia and Gabrielle is a freshman at ND.

Information and photo submitted by Tim Tucker.

The YMCA -- for youth development, for healthy living and social responsibility! A New Year for a New You! Our new winter session of classes begin on January 5, 2014. Below is a listing of some of our class offerings. Please click the graphic above for the full winter session guide. Register for one of our many classes today!

Youth Development Classes & Events

• Taekwondo
• Adult Taekwondo
• Youth Indoor Soccer
• New! Pee-Wee Champs
• Challenger Sports
• Winter Club Soccer
• JV & Varsity Club
• Vacation Fun Camp
• NEW! Youth Weight Training
• Gymnastic Classes
• Swim Lessons
• YMCA Day Camp
• YMCA Kinder Camp
• YMCA Camp Hough
• Birthday Party options
• Preschool Classes

Wellness Classes & Healthy Living

• Water Wellness Classes
• Spiritual Wellness
• Silver Sneakers Classes
• Cycling Classes
• Yoga
• New! Personal Training
• Pilates
• Zumba
• Sunday Strength & Sweat
• Athletic Aesthetics
• Ageless Fitness
• Interval Sculpt
• Cardio Sculpt
• Kickbox Cardio
• New! Full Body Blender
• New! Re-Boot Camp
• Adult Sports
• Adult Soccer League
• Pickleball
• Social responsibility & volunteer programs

Special Events

• Parents night out
• Family movie night

For more information on membership, classes and programs, please visit us online at: http://www.glowymca.org/

Sonya Marie Nashwenter, 30, of North Avenue, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Nashwenter is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Rodney Allen Atkins, 38, of North Avenue, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Atkins is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

The following indictments have been issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

James P. Garcia, Anthony F. Bovenzi-Ortiz, Michael A. Olivio and Larry E. Fitoria are accused of third-degree burglary for allegedly knowingly entering, or remaining unlawfully, in a store on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia with the intent of committing a crime on June 17. In count two, they are accused of third-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing property worth more than $3,000. In this case, cell phones and electronic merchandise valued at $9,824.09.

Danny J. Torok Jr. is accused of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling on Maple Street in the City of Batavia on May 16. In count two, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony, for allegedly violating an order of protection by physical menace which intentionally placed, or attempted to place, the protected party in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death. In count three, he is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure on a person's throat or neck.

Anthony L. Holohan is accused of criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class D felony, for allegedly intending to damage property on Gilmore Road in the Town of Pembroke on July 11. Two windows were damaged, which had a value of $2,260.

Sharnice S. Gibson is accused of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony, for allegedly intentionally violating an order of protection in the City of Batavia, which required her to stay away from the protected party.

Daniel J. Duryea is accused of allegedly driving while intoxicated on Sept. 1 in the Town of Alexander. He was allegedly driving a 2012 Dodge pickup truck on Route 238 at the time of the incident. In count two of the indictment, he was accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08.

Robert G. Woodhouse Jr. is accused of allegedly driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony, on Aug. 16 in the Town of Batavia. He was allegedly driving a 2007 Hummer on Route 5 at the time of the incident.

A car vs. tree accident, with injuries, is reported in the area of 47 Ellicott St. City fire and Mercy medics are responding or are on scene.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: One person was transported to UMMC.

Write-up by Joe Teresi:

T.F. Brown's and the Mancuso Family added another year to its long tradition of serving a Traditional Christmas Day Dinner to the Genesee County region. This year 320 meals were served on a cold, snowy Christmas Day.

The day started early as Rick Mancuso and his early morning crew arrived at the Restaurant just after Santa touched down at their house to prepare the restaurant for the dinner guests and ensure the dinner would be ready on time. The Batavia Lions Club assisted with serving the meal as well as providing toys to all of the children in attendance. This year the Community had an opportunity to assist in the dinner when T.F. Brown's hosted a holiday Happy Hour where customers dropped off toys for the event. The event was well attended with both the United Way of Genesee County and the Batavia Rotary making it their December meeting. A special gift for the holiday diners, was a poinsettia courtesy of Larry Delre and Delre’s Greenhouse.

In addition to the Christmas Day crew, special thanks go out to T.F. Brown’s staff including chefs Frank Yanik and Jeff Pangrazio. Also Maud Charpin in the office who handled reservations. The dinner would not be possible without the support of T.F. Brown's vendors who assisted with the Dinner, including the breadman, Jeff Condidorio. Also, thanks to all the social service providers who assisted us in getting the message out to the community.

While Christmas maybe over, the Mancuso Family looks forward to carrying on the this tradition in 2014.

Terry Irene Luczak, 63, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with DWAI-Drugs and possession of a controlled substance outside of original container. Luczak's vehicle was observed allegedly driving erratically in the City of Batavia and was followed to Target, where the vehicle was reportedly seen striking a handicapped sign in the Target parking lot at 4:07 p.m., Monday. Luczak was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Jenea Marie MacLeod, 29, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. MacLeod is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Shannon Marie Denison, 30, of Main Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Denison is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Kathleen E. Gonzalez, 51, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gonzalez is accused of shoplifting $30.12 in merchandise from Kmart.