batavia

The owners and staff of Alex's Place, Park Road, Batavia, are in mourning this weekend following the apparent death of head chef Russell Bugbee, 31.

While the Orleans County Sheriff's Office has not officially identified Bugbee as the driver of a car involved in a one-car accident at 11 p.m., Thursday, in Murray, Alex's was closed Friday after word of the accident reached owners Matt and Jennifer Gray.

The accident remains under investigation and official identification of Bugbee as the victim is awaiting a medical examiner's confirmation.

Matt Gray issued the following statement this afternoon:

On Thursday night, Alex’s Place lost our family member and friend Russell Bugbee. Russ was in a one-vehicle accident on Route 31 in the Town of Murray, New York and was pronounced dead at the scene. We were closed for business yesterday and we would like to thank the community for the support and understanding they have shown Alex’s and our staff. A native of Connecticut, Russ moved to Batavia in 2007 for what he thought was a six-month project to help an old friend out in a new business venture, the purchasing of Alex’s Place. He never left, growing to love the town and the people (and hating the snow). Over the last three years he made Alex’s his own with his creativity and dedication, becoming an integral part of our daily lives both at work and out. At just 31 years old and so talented he left us far too early. A memorial service is planned to be held on Monday, November 1st at Alex’s Place, time to be announced. A collection is being held for his family and donations can be sent care of Alex’s Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

An "unknown type fire" is reported at or near 2 Lewis Place in the City of Batavia.

City Fire Department is responding.

It could be a bonfire. The young people who called dispatch are said to have been "very evasive" on the call-back by authorities.

Cain Catino, 39, who tried to steal oxycodone from the Oakfield Family Pharmacy last month pled guilty this morning to attempted robbery, 3rd, in Genesee County Court.

The Seven Spring Roads resident had a knife in his pocket at the time of the attempted robbery, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman revealed this morning.

Friedman said Catino's case was scheduled to go before the grand jury next week and Catino was facing a possible charge of robbery, 1st, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Witnesses would testify, according to Friedman, that Catino was attempting to retrieve the knife when the pharmacy owner and his son were wrestling Catino to the floor.

Under terms of the agreement, Catino receives second felony offender status and will serve from one-and-half years to three years in prison.

Without the plea agreement, the attempted robbery charge could carry a maximum sentence of two to four years.

Catino's prior felony convictions are a grand larceny charge in 2008 and attempted robbery in 2009.

Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 22.

Catino's mother is accused of trying to smuggle drugs to him in Genesee County Jail earlier this month. Charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband are still pending.

A 40-year-old Attica man who was stopped on East Main Street, Batavia, just 12 days ago, admitted in Genesee County Court this morning that he was driving drunk at the time.

Roland J. Reed admitted to a felony count of driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation. He was charged under Leandra's Law because he reportedly had a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old in his car when he was stopped by police.

He was also charged at the time with unlawful possession of marijuana, refusal to take a breath test and moving from lane unsafely.

Reed also admitted to DWI convictions, one in Le Roy in 2009 and another in Monroe County in 2008.

He faces from one to four years in state prison.

Originally jailed on $25,000 bail, Reed will be released under supervision of Genesee County Justice as a condition of his plea.

In addition to prison time, Reed will be required to have an ignition interlock device for at least six months upon his release.

While out of jail awaiting sentencing, Reed will be undergoing treatment, according to his attorney, and looking for work. Judge Robert C. Noonan imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

A car accident with injuries has been reported at Main and Court streets, downtown Batavia.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

6:24 a.m.: Two flatbeds requested to the scene to move the vehicles. No word on how serious the injuries are.

6:50 a.m.: Accident scene is clear.

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I was asked to speak to residents of The Manor House this evening about The Batavian and the state of news media. The residents were a great audience, full of great questions. I promised them their picture on The Batavian.

Reader Amanda Bisig sent in this photo with this note:

My dad (John Bisig) sent me these photos that he took around 4:30 p.m. today, and asked me to send them in. They were taken on East Road in Batavia, where he was combining corn today. The photo you uploaded a few days ago of the Reinke irrigation system from the corner of Transit and Chapel roads in Byron is  also owned by the same farm (My-T-Acres) -- and we live in the farmhouse across the street from that one you photographed. Thought you might enjoy the photo!

An 18-year-old driver was shaken up and taken to the hospital Wednesday after losing control of her car on R. Stephen Hawley Drive and having it overturn.

Alexandra N. Vanburen, of Batavia, was transported by ground ambulance to UMMC.

No other people where in Vanburen's car and no other vehicles were involved.

The reason is not contained in the Sheriff's Office report, but Vanburen's 1999 Saturn traveled off the roadway and onto the gravel shoulder. She reportedly over corrected and lost control of the car. The car traveled off the north shoulder, hit an embankment and landed on its roof.

No citations were issues.

Deputy Chad Minuto handled the investigation.

(initial report)

John Christian Finkney, 22, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal impersonation, driving out of class, unregistered motor vehicle, switched plates, uninsured motor vehicle. Finkney was allegedly involved in a road rage incident on Oct. 15. As part of the investigation, a deputy asked Finkney for his name and date of birth. It was later discovered that he allegedly provided the name and birth date of his brother. He was arrested Wednesday by Deputy Eric Seppela.

Reader Amanda sent this in -- a picture of a rainbow over downtown Batavia at about 9:45 a.m.

The Batavia High School Baseball Team is trying a new fundraiser this year to help pay for spring training camp in Florida.

Instead of having to do a whole bunch of fundraisers like they usually do -- bake sales, car washes, candy sales, bowl-a-thons, etc. -- they are going to have a one-day sale of a big-ticket item. Would you believe mattresses?

Yes, quality mattress sets at 30 to 60 percent off retail prices will be on sale this Sunday in the school's big gym from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They may still have to do other fundraisers, but they hope to raise a good chunk money Sunday.

This novel idea has proven to be successful for sports teams at other schools in the area, including Albion, Medina, Akron and Holley.

It's the brainchild of Tom McNamara of Custom Fundraising Solutions in Buffalo. Batavia varsity baseball Coach Rick Saunders said a mutual friend introduced them and McNamara made his pitch. It sounded worthwhile, and the guy had good references, so the coach brought the idea to the parents and other coaches.

"It's up to the parents to execute the fund raising," Saunders said. "So it was up to them to decide."

They learned that the least amount of money earned from the daylong event was $1,200 in Akron. A big school in Buffalo took in $9,000 in profits. All profits go directly to the team. The parents, players and coaches all got onboard with the plan.

"Every year we go to Florida," Coach Saunders said. "The returning varsity and potential varsity players get to play college (level) baseball in the Florida sun. It's a nice experience for the guys.

"It costs under $800 per player, and that includes airfare, room and board, and all the baseball they can handle. It's a pretty good deal."

So if you and yours are thinking of buying a new mattress set, here's a great win-win situation.

The blue-and-white sales flier says:

• All sizes available (twin-king)!
• Pillowtops, orthopedics and memory foams!
• All brand-new with factory warranties!
• Name brands such as Restonic, Southerland and more!
• Free layaway available!
• Delivery available!
• Cash, checks and credit cards accepted!

(FYI: Southerland Sleep was founded in Nashville in 1893, a fourth-generation family owned company. Restonic is a U.S. company whose motto is "Hitting the Hay Since 1938." Both are considered top-of-the-line brands).

If you can get your hands on a flier, there's a coupon for $50 off any order over $500.

The school is located at 260 State St.

This morning, Suzanne Corona met South Beach owner Ken Mistler at a downtown bank and signed a contract agreeing to carry a sign in front of his restaurant for four hours that reads, "I Stole from South Beach."

The contract, Mistler said, is an admission of guilt. In it, Mistler agrees to drop criminal charges against Corona and she holds harmless Mistler, South Beach and all employees from any possible damages.

On Sept. 30, Corona was reportedly caught stuffing food from South Beach's buffet into baggies. When confronted, Corona, according to Mistler, dumped the food back onto the buffet. All of the items on the buffet had to be trashed right at the height of lunch hour.

According to Mistler, the resulting damage was more than $1,000, so Corona was facing a possible felony charge.

The 41-year-old Corona was in City Court briefly this afternoon on her other notorious legal case -- the public lewdness charge she admitted to in August.

Corona, who was initially charged with adultery for having sexual contact with a man not her husband in Farrall Park in June, was scheduled to be sentenced today.

The sentencing was continued until Nov. 24.

Judge Michael Del Plato only said that the proposed sentence "is something not available to me." He also instructed the attorneys on both sides that "what is confidential remains confidential."

Ashley Bedard is a graduate of Pembroke Central School and she is battling leukemia. To help Ashley, and her mother, JoAnne McInerney, while Ashley undergoes treatment for the disease, there's going to be a fundraiser this Saturday.

"Bash for Ash" will offer a steak dinner, Chinese auction and music, all for $10 per person. It will be held at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall on West Avenue in East Pembroke from 4 to 11 p.m., with dinner served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Donation for the event can be sent or dropped off to Sue Winkelman or Hope Wood at Tompkins Insurance Agencies, 90 Main St., in Downtown Batavia.

Monetary donations can be made payable to: "In Trust for Ashley Bedard"and mailed to: Bank of Castile; Attn -- Sue Winkelman, 90 Main St., Batavia.

For more information call Sue or Hope at 585-344-0833 or email:
<swinkelman@tompkinsins.com> or <hwood@tompkinsins.com>

(Portrait photo by Carlson's Studio)

The driver is out of the car and reportedly only shaken up following a reported roll over accident on College Drive near Bank Street Road.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

People -- including gay teens -- shouldn't be bullied.

That's the message Batavia High student Kelly Jones wanted to get out today.

After reading about Oct. 20 being a "wear purple" day in remembrance of five gay teens who reportedly committed suicide recently after being bullied, Kelly wanted to get as many students at BHS as possible to wear purple today.

Many did.

"I feel bad for people," Kelly said. "I see it every day. I've bullied and I feel horrible about it. I just think it's a horrible thing and I just don't want people to be bullied anymore."

Kelly found out about the day through a Facebook group, so she sent messages to all of her friends yesterday -- three times -- and asked them to make sure all of their friends at BHS knew about the plan.

Principle Chris Daily said Kelly's initiative and so many students participating is typical of BHS.

"We have an extremely caring and giving bunch of kids at Batavia," Daily said.

"We're lucky here," he added. "We have such a diverse population in this high school -- the haves and the have nots, all sorts, that people are used to people being a little different."

Though students said the school isn't without its bullies, and they want it to stop.

"It's not right for here," said Kelly, who is on the far left in the picture above. "This is a small town and everybody knows everybody."

Cassie Warren said she wore purple today not because she's seen a lot of bullying this year, but she has in the past.

"(I wore purple) because people who are like gay and lesbian, they don't have maybe the right to speak out because everyone teases them," Cassie said. "It's not right, so I wanted to show them that people care."

Rebecca Truesell said it was moving to see so many of her classmates in purple today.

"I kind of related to (the gays who were bullied) because I've been picked on my whole life," Rebecca said. "It means a lot to me (that her classmates are wearing purple). When I saw all of the people, I almost started crying. All of these people care and it didn't seem like they cared, but they really do."

A fire on Thursday caused $5,000 in damage and disrupted business for TopLine Shirt Co. But owners Tim Walton and Rob Credi say normal operations will resume on Monday.

Here's their full statement:

TopLine Shirt Co. is set to resume their normal business hours of M-F from 12-5 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 25 after cleaning up from a recent fire. TopLine had been operating on limited operating hours since a fire occurred at the shop last week.

The fire started around 6:30 on Thursday night when one of the flash ovens malfunctioned and caught fire. The flash oven is a dryer similar to a large heat gun that radiates heat downward to dry ink onto shirts after they are printed.

The fire quickly spread from the dryer and spread to shirts that were on a nearby table, and eventually to a box of cleaning rags that had cleaning chemicals on them. The fire was kept under control, by owner Timothy Walton, who was able to grab a hose that was connected to the washtub in the nearby bathroom and spray it to keep the fire down.

The total damage is estimated to be around $5,000 which includes the loss of an oven, table, heat press and clothing.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in downtown Batavia at Main and Center streets.

Batavia fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

One person has refused medical attention. One woman is being transported to UMMC complaining of neck, upper back and left shoulder pain.

UPDATE: Reader submitted photo.

James R. Sweet, 49, of 5 Shady Lane, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, reckless endangerment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Sweet is accused of intentionally driving his car into the lane of traffic occupied by another vehicle. The other car was reportedly driven by a person Sweet was ordered to stay away from. There was reportedly a child in that car.