batavia

A pair of local entrepreneurs who plan to open a teen nightclub in the former location of PowerHouse Gym on East Main Street, Batavia, say a major financial hurdle has been overcome and they're ready to move forward.

After initially announcing plans in January, just two weeks later, the venture had to be put on ice when Tim Walton and Mike Marchese learned they would need to install a $50,000 sprinkler system in the 7,350-square-foot facility.

Walton announced this week that additional, unnamed, investors are now involved in the project and Walton and Marchese have $100,000 available for the project.

Most of that fund is being bankrolled by Walton and Marchese, Walton said, but the local investors are willing to put in more money if needed.

"We don't want to cut corners," Walton said.

No opening date was announced.

"We've got a plan, contract and partnership that allows us to have direct access to over 20,000 teens in Western New York," Walton said. "We're going all out to make this a success."

Walton also announced a partnership with local DJ Marc Tillery.

"The move to buy into the DJ company was a move I made to allow us to have our own disc jockey company rather than have to hire out," Walton said. "I partnered with Tillery as a way to have more access to the current music, club mixes and even recording artists. Tillery has some connections with Hollywood stars, EA Sports, Boyz II Men, New Edition and his most recent connection is Island Def Jam recording artist Kenny Klassix."

Walton and Tillery previously joined forces in local marketing, as Walton bought out Tillery's advertising marketing company and merged it with his screen-printing business, TopLine Shirt Company.

Meanwhile, Walton has also sold out his interest in the DJ operation at Falleti Ice Arena to Firland Management.

The ice arena DJ operation was a venture he had gotten involved with in 2001. 

"I had a great time doing it while I did," Walton said. "It was great working with Rich Nobles, Dee Gugel, Bob Filighera and everyone else."

James Sunser, Ed.D, currently VP for Continuing and Extended Learning at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, has been named the new president of Genesee Community College.

He's expected to start his new job on Aug. 1 at a starting annual salary of $177,832.

The 51-year-old veteran educator replaces Stuart Steiner, Ed.D, who is retiring after 36 years as president and 44 years serving the college.

"We looked for all the qualities that Stu had given us over the years and tried to get a match," said Charles R. Ruffino, chair of the board of trustees. "No one is going to match Stu Steiner. He's one of a kind, but we were looking for a person is who is passionate, who lives and breathes community colleges, and who has financial experience."

Sunser is himself a product of community college education. According to a press release, Sunser graduated from Onondaga Community College in 1984, later obtaining a BS degree from Syracuse University, an MS degree from SUNY Brockport, a certificate of advanced study from the University of Rochester and his doctorate in 2010 from UR.

Neither of Sunser's parents attended college, but he told GCC's publicity office that his parents felt it was important for him and his sisters to attend college.

"My father was a very smart man and loved to learn," Sunser said. "Even though he didn't have a great deal of formal education, he was passionate about the importance of learning, and he urged me to get as much education as I could, and do as much good for other people as I could."

Sunser's family had limited financial resources, so he enrolled in Onondaga.

"A community college made all the difference in the world to me," he said. "My community college education gave me confidence, and opened up a world of opportunities."

His father, Carl "Sonny" Sunser, passed away in 1995 at 64 years of age.

"He would be very proud," Sunser said.

Prior to his current position with Onondaga, Sunser was was VP of finance, and it's that financial experience that was important to the search committee, said Ruffino.

"We’re looking at some difficult times, so we wanted a person who knows finances and would be able to cope with the possible problems coming up," Ruffino said.

Sunser's community activities in the Syracuse area include volunteering on the: YMCA of Greater Syracuse's Education Advisory Board; Syracuse City School District's Construction Advisory Council; Education Committee of Central New York Works; American Red Cross; and Onondaga Stop DWI.

Sunser and his wife, Roseann, a teacher, currently reside in Clay, a Syracuse suburb. They are parents of three children: Ryan, 23; Sean, 20; and Casey, 17. His hobbies include reading, especially books on leadership and history, golf, basketball and spending time with family and friends. The family plans to relocate to Genesee County this summer.

A farm supply company on Route 98 in Batavia will receive nearly $60,000 in tax abatements to help fund expansion and create four new jobs within the next four years, the Genesee County Economic Development Center has announced.

Monroe Tractor, 7941 Oak Orchard Road (the corner of Route 98 and West Saile Drive), plans to add 6,000 square feet to its existing 16,800-square-foot facility.

The total project cost is $514,000.

GCEDC said the tax abatements will not only create four new jobs, they will help retain 20 jobs.

For this project, according to GCEDC, for every $1 of tax abatement, $313 will be returned to the local economy over 10 years.

The Henrietta-based company, which has 11 locations in western and central New York, will receive a $39,287 property tax exemption and an estimated $20,000 sales tax exemption on materials used in the construction project.

The property tax exemption is designed to offset the increase in assessed value the project will generate.

Matthew Joseph Stefani, 21, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Stefani is accused of pushing another person to the floor during an incident at 3:19 a.m., Saturday.

Ronald M. Schutt Jr., 25, of Washington Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding (95 mph in a 55 mph zone), moving from lane unsafely, unlicensed operator, refusal to take breath test. Schutt was stopped at 3:36 a.m., Saturday, on Route 63, Town of Batavia, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Christopher Aaron Saddler, 27, of Lydun Drive, Albion, was arrested on a warrant related to an aggravated unlicensed operation charge. Saddler was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation in the Town of Oakfield. He was wanted on a warrant out of Batavia City Court and turned over to Batavia Police.

Michael Anthony Sweet, 25, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sweet's car was stopped at 1:43 a.m., Saturday, in the area of 5267 Route 33, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reported that he could smell the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the car. Sweet, the report reads, "eventually produced the suspected marijuana." 

Amy Elinore Bluhm, 23, of Morrow Road, Covington, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Bluhm's vehicle was stopped by Sgt. Greg Walker for allegedly traveling 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. Upon investigation, it was determined that Bluhm was allegedly driving on a suspended license and had a warrant out for her arrest. Bluhm was jailed on $500 bail.

Rebecca Ann Piechowiak, 21, undisclosed address, Darien, is charged with petit larceny. Piechowiak is accused of shoplifting from Target on at least three separate occasions. 

Michael Todd Dibble, 19, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child and unlawful possession of marijuana. Dibble is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at his home.

John E. Hehnen, 55, of Dorsch Road, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Hehnen was stopped at 12:23 a.m. Sunday on Akron Road, Town of Pembroke, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Edwin Leroy Stancliff, 31, of Alleghany Road, Pembroke, is charged with a felony count of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater (second offense), failure to keep right, unlicensed operation, aggravated unlicensed operation. Stancliff was stopped at 1:44 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 1405 Little Falls Road, Pembroke, by Deputy James Diehl.

George Aden Vancleef, 48, of Oak Street, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and driver's view obstructed. Vancleef was stopped at 12:36 a.m. Sunday on Akron Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Andrew L. Dailey, 28, of Washington Street, Spencerport, is charged with a felony count of aggravated DWI, a felony count of driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely. Dailey was allegedly spotted in his car stopped in the middle of the intersection of Roanoke and Sweetland roads, Stafford, at 10:12 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Matt Butler.

A 17-year-old resident of Fairport is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was stopped for alleged traffic violations at 5:31 p.m. Sunday, on I-490, Bergen, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves alleges that he could smell the odor of burnt marijuana come from the car. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Richard Dewey Smith, 18, of Macedon, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Smith was a passenger in a car stopped for alleged traffic violations at 5:31 p.m. Sunday, on I-490, Bergen, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Smith was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

A 16-year-old from Ontario is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was a passenger in a car stopped for alleged traffic violations at 5:31 p.m. Sunday, on I-490, Bergen, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Smith was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Anthony James Aina, 39, of Allen Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test and consumption of alcohol in a vehicle. Aina was stopped at 12:47 a.m. Monday on Oak Orchard Road, Elba, by Deputy James Diehl.

Ronald M. Odessa, 38, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and a one-way road violation. Odessa was stopped at 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the City of Batavia by State Police.

A trailer in Batavia that apparently hadn't been occupied for seven years and had no electricity or heat source caught fire Friday night.

The rear half of the trailer was destroyed.

A Sheriff's Office report says how the fire started is "unknown."

The blaze, at 9427 Alexander Road, was reported at 9:12 p.m. by a motorist from Attica.

The trailer is owned by Richard Hale, who told investigators that there was nothing of value in the trailer except some old lawn furniture and appliances.  

Hale, who lives on the property, said he didn't see or hear anything suspicious prior to the fire being reported.

Town of Batavia fire along with Alexander fire departments responded to the scene.

The Local Drug Task Force busted a suspected drug dealer late Friday night and it turns out to be the same man who was wounded in an unexplained shooting on Indian Falls Road nearly a year ago.

Taken into custody was Carlos A. Torres Jr., 35, of West Main Street, Batavia.

He was stopped at 9:45 p.m. on Lyon Street, City of Batavia, for suspected traffic violations. He was found to allegedly be driving under the influence of drugs and allegedly carrying cocaine, crack and heroin with an estimated street value of more than $7,000. 

"The weight of the powder cocaine, along with the number of bags of both crack and heroin, on top of his $4,000 (in cash), is significant for this county," said Sgt. Steve Mullen, head of the task force.

Torres came to the attention of investigators in May 2010 when he showed up at UMMC with gunshot wounds. 

At the time, he claimed he had been walking down Indian Falls Road when a car pulled up behind him, somebody demanded his wallet, then shot him. He called a friend who drove him to the hospital.

At the time, investigators couldn't corroborate his story. No shell casings were found in the area and no witnesses were located.

Eventually, Torres became the target of a drug investigation, which lasted about six months.

Torres was charged with one count of inadequate muffler, one count of improper or unsafe turn, one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd (intent to sell), and two counts of criminal possession possession of a controlled substance, 3rd (aggregate weight of the powder cocaine and crack).

Participating in the investigation and arrest were uniformed members of the Sheriff's Office, City of Batavia Police, Orleans County Major Crimes Task Force and the Gensee County District Attorney's Office.

A few motorcycle enthusiasts have found a way to bring thousands of riders to Genesee County this summer with a Round-up Rally on Aug. 12, 13 and 14 in the Clarion Hotel's south parking lot

Dave Kasinski proudly wore a shirt that reads, “It’s In Our Blood” with a silhouette of him, his brother and his son standing next to their bikes beneath the words.

Kasinski used to ride motorcycles during his college days but the hobby faded when it came time to raise his family. A few years ago, he took hold of the handlebars again and hasn’t looked back.

“When my son Sam went off to college, he ended up getting a motorcycle and so did I, so we could go riding,” Kasinski explained with a smile. Soon, his brother was riding along with them, too.

The trio has gone on trips to meet up with fellow bikers before -- that’s how they came up with the idea to host a similar event in Genesee County.

“That’s the thing, we’ve done it,” Kasinski said. “We pick two or three events a year and we just take a ride. That’s the whole fun part about owning a bike. No one wants to just ride around and around their own hometown forever.”

So in an effort to bring other riders here, Kasinski – with some help from the chamber of commerce – is hosting the Round-up Rally with plans to send riders downtown and throughout the county to check out what we’ve got to offer.

“Batavia has a lot to it – if you look at a map and see how all the streets come from different directions like Route 98, 63, 20, 33, 5 – every direction you could come from. We said, ‘Let’s bring 'em in from all over Western New York!’”

One event, aptly named Cruzin’ the County, aims to get bikers to do just that.

Businesses that aren’t located in downtown Batavia can sign on as sponsors of the event and then they’ll get the opportunity to have their place put on a map handed out to the riders. Places like Alli’s Cones and Dogs in Oakfield, Red Osier in Stafford and the Log Cabin in Corfu have already signed on.

“The map will show all the locations they (the riders) can go,” Kasinski explained. “It will also have an area for the business owners to put a stamp on it once a rider gets there. When riders come back to the Rally with a full sheet stamped, they can enter their map into a big cash drawing.”

The Cruzin’ the County cash winner will be announced at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13.

Riders will also have the option to participate in the Rally Mug Club. Round-up Rally planners are working to create a logo to be printed on coffee mugs. Riders who get the printed mugs can enjoy discounts at restaurants and bars in Batavia. Eight different places will be printed on the mug.

“If you’re not from Batavia you don’t know the places in the city,” Kasinski said. “But if you have a list and a map, and a choice of location, and a discount for having the mug, you’ll try somewhere new.”

On the last day of the Round-up Rally, Kasinski and his crew are planning a Poker Run to benefit a charity.

“We’ll pick a few locations from Cruzin’ the County and we’ll start at the Clarion,” he said excitedly. “Then, riders will go out to each place and get a poker card. At the end of the day, whoever comes back with the best poker hand will win a prize.”

There are still sponsorship opportunities available for the Round-up Rally, and planners hope this first year is a huge success.

“What we’re hoping to see is a little more sponsorship from the members in the city,” Kasinski said. “At minimum, if they would be willing to sponsor a rider they would be recognized for it and the charities we pick would do so well and the Round-up Rally would have an awesome first year.”

For more information, visit their Web site or contact Dave Kasinski at 585-768-7260 or John Kasinski at 716-683-7647.

The release of 2010 Census data last week seemed to tell the story of a dramatic shift -- the City of Batavia shedding 791 residents and the Town of Batavia adding 894 people.

Does that mean people in the city have been calling Louis Reeb to move them to the town?

Probably not.

Data now available on the Genesee County Planning Department map tells a different tale.

The most dramatic growth for Town of Batavia hasn't come from housing developments or single-family residences -- it's driven by government and educational growth.

In 2000, there was no Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. Now there is. The census track for Federal Drive has shown a jump in residents from zero in 2000 to 612 in 2010. Those 612 residents are, presumably, inmates.

In College Village, where some students from Genesee Community College live, the population has increased from 64 in 2000 to 366 in 2010.

Those two institutions, the federal jail and GCC, seem to have brought 914 residents into the Town of Batavia.

Take away those two facilities, and it appears the town would have 20 fewer people. The overall county decline would have been 1,206 residents instead of the 291 reported in the census.

To check out the block-by-block census report for Genesee County, click here, scroll to the bottom of the text and click "ok," then on the left is a menu called "map features," click the arrows; then, scroll down the menu of check boxes and find 2000 and 2010 census blocks and check those boxes, then click the arrows to close the menu.

You can zoom in on any section using the magnifying glasses in the top menu. To pan, you need to use the pan tool. When you find an area you want to check, click the "Identify" button and then click on the block you want to select.

A Batavia resident -- found by agents of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force in possession of numerous packages of heroin -- entered a guilty plea this afternoon to a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th.

Jarrett James Locicero, 21, of 320 W. Main St., admitted in Genesee County Court that he possessed heroin with the intent to sell it.

When he was arrested in mid-March, Locicero also possessed some marijuana, packaging for narcotics, a gravity knife and $4,000 in cash.

As part of a plea deal, Locicero will complete 28 days in substance-abuse treatment at Hope Haven. There were no conditions placed on his sentence. He will be sentenced following completion of treatment.

After a warrant was issued in March, Locicero was located in his car on Clinton Street, Batavia, and stopped by members of the task force and uniformed deputies. His apartment was also searched.

Following his arrest, Locicero was jailed without bail. He appeared in court today dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit.

His attorney, Earl Key, agreed to transport Locicero personally from the jail to the treatment program.

A little bit of snow -- and it was a very little bit -- hasn't kept Steve Hawley (pictured above) from opening Hawley Hots outside of Glass Roots on Center Street today. Steve said he'll be open daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

It came down to a tie breaker, but Batavia renewed it's crown as local mock trial champions following a match Thursday in Warsaw.

Warsaw and Batavia tied at 1-1 and 111 points each in Thursday's match, but because Batavia had the better record in the semi-finals, Batavia was named the winner.

Batavia was 2-0 in the semi-finals and Warsaw was 1-1.

A date for the regional mock trial competition has not been announced yet.

A person has suffered minor injuries, but is trapped in his car after a rollover accident on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 388, westbound lane.

The driver conscious and alert and talking with emergency dispatch.

He is injured and unable to get out of the car.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: The vehicle is on its wheels. "We will need to have the door popped," a Mercy medic informs a Batavia chief.

When I drove by the Batavia Police HQ this afternoon, I spotted a new sign out front.

Police believe Justice D. Osborne, 15, of 104 Pearl St., Batavia, has run away from home and neither her parents nor police can locate her. They are asking for the public's help in finding her.

There is no indication of forcible abduction.

She is  5’2”, 140 pounds. At the present time her black hair has long straight extensions. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, blue jeans and purple skate sneakers.

Anyone with information or who has seen Justice since her disappearance is asked to please call the Batavia Police at 345-6350.     

The photo is the most recent picture of Justice showing her new hair extensions.

Voters in Batavia today rejected a proposal to upgrade Van Detta Stadium and the athletic fields at John Kennedy School by a vote of 542 to 982.

With more than 1,500 voters, the turn out dwarfed what Business Administrator Scott Rozanski said is typical for a school district budget vote or board election. He said typically, turn out is about 600 people.

The proposal would have cost taxpayers about $110,000 more per year. It would have upgraded the stands at Van Detta as well as the locker rooms and showers, but most notably it would have converted the field to artificial turf.

The entire project was expected to cost $3.9 million.

A utility or electricity pole is on fire in the area of 8862 Route 98, near Rose Road, Batavia.

A deputy on scene says the fire is touching a high tension line that seems to be burning.

The pole looks like a newly installed pole, as recently as today.

Town of Batavia Fire is responding with Engine 24.

UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: The fire has burned itself out. National Grid has been notified, no ETA given, but it should easily be able to spot the charred pole, according to responders.

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The city's revenue from Falleti Ice Arena is expected to double under terms of a new lease negotiated with Firland Management.

Lease payments will jump from $7,000 a year to $15,000 a year and by the fourth year of the lease, reaching $20,000 per year.

Proceeds from the lease, Batavia City Manager Jason Molino said, are held in reserve.

“Those funds are to be put into a capital improvement fund for capital improvements that may need to be done to the facility that the city is responsible for at a later point in time," Molino said.

The city council is expected to approve the lease at its next business meeting.

(via WBTA)

Attorney Jerry Ader told a jury this afternoon that the case against his client rested on whether they believed the woman who claimed the defendant attacked her at knife point in her State Street apartment on Aug. 30.

After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury found Robert Thigpen III, 35, of 287 Flower City Park, Rochester, not guilty on all charges.

Thigpen was arrested in Batavia on Aug. 30 and charged with burglary, 2nd, menacing, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. 

"There are only certain things can all agree on," Ader said as he began his closing argument. "We can agree Thigpen is black and Morgan is white, and that’s the only thing we can agree on in this case. There is nothing (else) about this case that is black and white."

Ader said if the jury didn't believe Christy Morgan's version of events, there was no physical evidence supporting the case against Thigpen. There were no fingerprints on the knife allegedly used by Thigpen, which was put back in a knife rack in the kitchen, and no evidence Morgan was harmed. He also said that there was no evidence a car parked two blocks from the alleged crime scene belonged to Thigpen.

Thigpen also allegedly made threatening and harassing phone calls to Morgan after his arrest. Ader said there was no evidence to support those claims either.

In his closing arguments, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said police found Thigpen not far from the scene hot and sweaty -- perhaps he had been running, Friedman suggested -- after first being seen as he approached a car parked on Alva Place.

He suggested it isn't reasonable for there to be an answering-machine recording of mobile phone conservations and said, contrary to what Ader argued, that Morgan did not claim she received text messages.

Friedman also noted there was expert testimony explaining why that particular knife Thigpen was accused of using wouldn't have fingerprints on it.

What the defense was really trying to do, Friedman argued, was put the victim and the police on trial.

"People who lie have a reason to lie," Friedman said. "Why would she be making this up? This was her boyfriend a month earlier, so why would she make it up?"

Morgan testified that she went outside the evening of Aug. 30 to take her trash out and a man was hiding by the basement door of her apartment building. He then forced his way into her apartment, pushed her around, choked her, then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened her with it for about a minute. He then put the knife back in its place in the kitchen and left.

Morgan testified that Thigpen was accusing her of being involved with another man.

She said didn't call 9-1-1 herself because a few days before she had dropped her phone in some Kool-Aid, so the buttons were stuck. She used the recent call list to call two friends and asked them to call 9-1-1.

The trial took only one day -- jury selection was Monday and opening arguments began shortly after 10 a.m., Tuesday.