batavia

Press release:

Officials from Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel have announced that they have entered into an agreement with the Riviera Theatre, located in North Tonawanda, NY whereby both properties will help promote each other’s musical events.

Each Riviera Ticket will have a free play coupon, valid at Batavia Downs, for attendees of the Riviera’s events.  Riviera will also display signage onsite noting Batavia Downs as a major sponsor of their facility.  General Admission Tickets will also be on sale for the Michael DelGuidice Show (Celebrating the music of Billy Joel) at the Riviera Box office for the discount price of $10. 

Batavia Downs will be giving away tickets to select Riviera events to customers via drawings, all while advertising those upcoming events on their website and social media pages. 

“The live entertainment industry is coming back in a big way, “said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We hope that by partnering with another facility we are able to help a fellow venue owner, and also provide more prizes in the form of Riviera tickets to our great guests here.  We want the people of Western New York to continue to support local live events which keep so many of our friends and neighbors employed.”

"Batavia Downs has been a major sponsor for the Riviera Theatre over the last three years, " said Riviera Theatre Executive Director David Fillenwarth.  "We are excited to partner with Batavia Downs to collaborate and help each other market our shows. The entertainment industry struggled as a whole the last two years and we are always looking for new ways to promote and host great concerts. Batavia Downs shares that same vision and this will open the door for bigger and better things to come in the future at both venues. I think we can all agree that there is always room for more live concerts in our lives."

Officials from Batavia Downs also announced continuing promotions for purchasing tickets at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop in the Batavia Downs lobby through Valentine’s Day with $15 in Free Play for each ticket purchased.

Those wishing to buy tickets online for upcoming Batavia Downs Events can visit https://www.bataviaconcerts.com.  Tickets for upcoming Riviera Theatre Events can be found at www.rivieratheatre.org/upcoming-events/.  Tickets for select events at the Riviera Theatre are given away via drawings on Wednesday nights at Batavia Downs.

Submitted photo.

The orchestra program will include a note to honor Leona Pastore, who died Sunday, Feb. 6, after an active life of 94 years. Choate surmised what it would say.

“We honor the memory of Leona Pastore, a longtime supporter in every way for the GSO. She wanted the GSO to succeed in every manner,” Choate said to The Batavian Wednesday. “She worked hard for the musicians, and was always very dedicated.”

The concert is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Genesee Community College, 1 College Drive, Batavia, with a pre-concert chat at 3:20 p.m.

An article in the GSO history notebooks includes a concert review written by Maurice Nicholson in 1953. Nicholson raved about guest soloists Paul Ruhland, a baritone, and “Mrs. Leona Azzi Pastore's" coloratura soprano. “Her lovely voice wafted through the air like a zephyr,” Nicholson wrote.

“And, judging from the applause, won the complete approval of the audience,” he said. “Her coloratura work in the Herbert number was well near perfect as was her interpretation of the Romberg melody.”

One of Pastore’s favorite quotes was that life is a song and love is music. She shared that love as a guest soloist for GSO, produced and performed on WBTA radio with her own show, was the soloist for the Genesee Chorale and Ars Nova Singers.  She also became an organist for St. Anthony’s Church and appeared in many Rotary Club Broadway local productions, including Brigadoon, Mame, Camelot, and Sound of Music.

She was recognized as an outstanding Italian American by the Paolo Busti Foundation for her accomplishments in music and was associated with the late author John Gardner’s Memorial Society. Society members often met at the Pok-A-Dot in Batavia, which was founded by Pastore and her late husband Philip. After his death in 2018, Leona carried on the Ellicott Street tradition of beef-on-weck and another popular fare in a low-key, friendly environment. 

Pastore’s passion for music began at the age of seven in a performance of The Little Drummer Boy and at 11, she joined the St. Anthony’s Senior Choir, becoming a soloist performing at all church functions. In her senior year, she became the soloist with The Choristers of Rochester Civic Orchestra, where she sang for multiple organizations, churches, and functions throughout the state.

After graduation from High School, she went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. where she majored in voice. Upon finishing college, she married her husband Philip and began raising her family, all while remaining active in her church and St. Anthony’s School, where she became President of the PTA.

Pastore was also known as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend.

For the full obituary, go to: 
https://www.thebatavian.com/obituaries

Top photo depicts soloists Paul Ruhland and Leona Pastore in a 1953 program. Courtesy of Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

File Photo: Paulette Pastore, Leona Pastore, and Phyllis Pastore-Beers outside the Pok-A-Dot in July, 2021

Jaylene Dersham scored 20 points on Tuesday to help Batavia beat Greece Arcadia 49-29 in girls basketball.

Jaimin Macdonald scored 12 points.

Photos by Steve Ognibnee. To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press release:

On Feb. 9 at 3:43 p.m, the Batavia Police Department responded to an address on Wallace Street for the report of a male who had been shot.

After arriving on location officers were not able to locate a victim. Officers conducted interviews with residents in the area and were able to determine that the call was placed by a juvenile.

That juvenile has since been identified and located.

It has been determined that the call was a false report and that there was not a threat to public safety in the area at the time of the call.

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the residents in the area for their cooperation and assistance, as it helped bring quick closure to the incident.

The old Genesee County Courthouse will be lit up for the next of couple nights in honor of the annual "Shooting for a Cure" pink basketball game this Friday night at Pembroke High School. 

Proceeds will go to cancer research for Roswell Park in Buffalo.

Press release:

On Feb 3, the Batavia Police Department K-9 Batu and handler Officer Stephen Quider received a donation from St. Joe's 6th-grade class in the amount of $181.

The funds were raised by the class to assist the City's K-9 Program with items such as food and veterinary bills for K-9 Batu.

K-9 Batu and Officer Quider are trained to assist the patrol officers with the tracking of individuals, locating items such as stolen property or items hidden by suspects, as well as handler defense when needed.

"K-9 Batu has quickly become an asset to the community and the support is greatly appreciated." stated Chief Shawn Heubusch, "Our program would not be possible without the support of the amazing members of our community that has stepped up to help out. I want to personally thank all the staff and students at St. Joe's for their kind donation."

If you are interested in donating to the City of Batavia Police K-9 fund please contact the Department at 585-345-6356 or email rpatterson@batavianewyork.com to learn how.

Newton’s third law states that for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction, and a downtown business owner has reacted to the ugliness of a pandemic with the beauty of local art displayed for all to see.

Enter Brian Kemp, owner of T-Shirts, Etc., and his employee Melissa Flint. By way of a brainstorming session last year, the pair created the TableTop Art Show in response to so many art galleries being closed due to COVID-19 protocols. It’s an event meant to highlight area artists and connect them to the community via in-person and online shows, business sponsorships and restaurants-turned-galleries.  

The tabletop idea is perhaps a bit of genius: invite artists to submit their works for a show, award prizes for the top three works, and about 15 of them get chosen for a wall display and placemat to be used at area restaurants. Patrons can view those top contenders in person while eating a meal, and then visit the online site to see all of the submitted pieces. 

“It’s really putting this artwork in front of people who wouldn’t get to see it,” Kemp said during an interview with The Batavian. “I want to make it a show of the year, and I  hope the interest increases. Some of the pieces will be available to buy. I just really want to feature artists.”

Kemp and Flint developed and implemented the idea a year ago. Batavia Society of Artists hosted the show in 2021 and provided the contributing artists. This year the show is open to all regional artists, and at no charge. Money raised from sponsorships goes toward prizes of $200, $100, and $50 for first, second, and third place, respectively. 

The Tabletop Art Show, now in its second year, came about as a solution to the lack of venues available for art displays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Creators Kemp and Flint kicked around some ideas and landed on the tabletop concept. It has grown since last year, Kemp said, and has pulled along an increasing list of participants.
There are 23 restaurants signed up this year to display the placemats at their establishments. Eli Fish Brewing Company will serve as host to selected artwork during March, and other businesses will support the event as sponsors. 

For anyone who has visited Kemp’s business, T-Shirts Etc. on Center Street, Batavia, it seems rather clear that he values local art. There are original pieces on his walls, and displays of last year’s TableTop artwork. 

This year’s show debuts and runs through March, chosen as the tabletop signature month for the yearly event. This is a way to display artist works — “bring art to the people” — and grace several restaurant tables with some local talent, Kemp said. 

Artists may submit up to three pieces each by Feb. 13, and all of those will be featured in a virtual portion of the show. Spectators will have more than a passive role of viewing; they will get to vote for a People’s Choice Award from March 1 to 31. Just 15 of all submitted works will be selected by the TableTop Art Show crew and shown off on placemats and the walls of Eli Fish Brewing Company at 109 Main St., Batavia.  

Anyone interested in sponsoring this show or participating as a tabletop restaurant may still have an opportunity to do so. For more information or for an artwork submission form, go to: https://tabletopartshow.secure-decoration.com/

Top photo: Business owner Brian Kemp shows off last year's placemat artworks that debuted at local restaurants for the inaugural TableTop Art Show. He's hoping that this year reaps even more artist pieces, community support and interest. Deadline for submissions is Feb 13. Photo by Howard Owens.

Antwoine Kush, 19, of Lockport, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, burglary 2nd, unlawful imprisonment, and robbery 3rd. Kush was arrested on a warrant in Savannah, Ga., and extradited back to Batavia, on charges stemming from an incident reported at 5:08 a.m., Dec. 16, on East Main Street, Batavia.  He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $25,000 bail, $50,000 bond, or $75,000 partially secured bond.  He was also arrested and arraigned on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a prior arrest.

Antwan L. Odom, 21, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd.  Odom is accused of striking a neighbor in the face with a fist causing a physical injury at 12:25 p.m., Jan. 25, on Miller Avenue, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Isaac D. Abrams, 21, of Alabama, is charged with burglary 1st. Abrams was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 9:48 p.m., Dec. 28, in Alabama. He was ordered held in jail. No further details released.

Stephen Gerard Ognibene, 64, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal purchase or disposal of a firearm and failure to report a lost or stolen firearm.  On Dec. 15, deputies Erik Andre and Jeremiah Gechell began an investigation into unaccounted handguns stemming from a criminal contempt arrest. It's alleged that Ognibene unlawfully disposed of two revolvers to an individual who could not legally possess firearms and failed to report to law enforcement that the firearms were lost or stolen. He was arraigned in City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Virginia Steen, 52, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Steen is accused of tampering with the property of another person in a common area of a residence on Gilbert Street, Le Roy, at 1 a.m., Feb. 6. The action allegedly violated an order of protection. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Jose Antonio Cruz, 28, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Cruz is accused of stealing from a business where he was employed on West Main Street, Le Roy, at 5 p.m., Feb. 1. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Quincy R. Byrd, 26, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Byrd is accused of driving a 2005 Toyota Camry without permission of its owner at about 3 p.m., Feb. 5, on Bacon Street, Le Roy. After being arraigned in Le Roy Town Court, Byrd was released to Lockport PD on an arrest warrant.

John A. Cabrera, Sr., 54, of Batavia, is charged petit larceny. Cabrera is accused of stealing two frozen pizzas and three cans of beer from a business on Ellicott Street, Batavia, at 11:36 a.m., Feb. 3. he was issued an appearance ticket.

Chantalle J. Bessil, 27, of Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, and suspended registration. Bessil was stopped at 9:29 pm., Feb. 1, on East Main Street by a Batavia PD patrol. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Carlene V. Santiago, 32, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Santiago was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident reported at 3:19 p.m., March 17, on Vine Street, Batavia. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Talana J. Savery, 22, of Fulton, is charged with failure to appear. Savery was arrested on a warrant after turning herself into Batavia PD. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance. 

Shawn M. Twardowski, 39, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Twardowski is accused of stealing beer from a business on East Main Street, Batavia, at 9:32 a.m., Jan. 26. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Gregory Reese, 52, of Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Reese was arrested on a warrant for alleged aggravated unlicensed operation in the City of Batavia at 12:23 a.m., Jan. 30, 2021, on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Andrew J. Draper, no age provided, of Batavia, and Crystal A. Mounts, no age provided, of Batavia, are both charged with petit larceny. Draper and Mounts are accused of stealing at 1:46 p.m., Jan. 29, from a business on Ellicott Street, Batavia. They attempted to leave the store with more than $700 worth of merchandise.  They were issued appearance tickets.

John Kenneth Hobbs, 34, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Hobbs was allegedly found in the presence of a protected party when authorities responded to a residence on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, for a medical emergency at 9:20 p.m., Feb. 1. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and ordered held on bail.

A 15-year-old male resident of Alabama is charged with promotion of a sexual performance of a child less than 17 and possession of sexual performance by a child. The youth was arrested by State Police in connection with an investigation begun at 7:28 p.m., Sept. 16, in the Town of Alabama.  The youth was issued an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

Manzel R. Maxwell, 30, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Maxwell is charged with a theft committed at 1:20 p.m., Dec. 6, in the Town of Batavia. The investigation is ongoing by State Police. No further details released.

Among the vendors at yesterday's Volunteers for Animals Vendor Fair, hosted by Batavia Downs, were Brock Bucceri and Hunter Wagner making their vendor show debut as entrepreneurs. 

During the pandemic, Bucceri and Wagner (along with friend Gavin Beck, not pictured) decided to start making their own fishing lures.

"We spent a lot of money on fishing lures at Dick's and Cabela's where a frog can cost up to $12," said 13-year-old Bucceri. "So we said, 'let's make some money off of it and we can get some free lures."

The trio makes the senkos they sell themselves. They design the frogs and have them custom manufactured, which they sell for $8.99.

Yeah, that's cheaper than the big retailers but Bucceri said they're still making money -- mostly with sales through Etsy -- because their frogs sell.

The first-ever vendor fair was a big success, according to Angie Knisley, who organized the event for Volunteers for Animals.  It raised more than $2,000 and the more than 300 people who attended brought in a large amount of food and other pet-care donations.

Traffic was tied up at West Main and Lewiston, Batavia, for about 20 minutes after a two-car accident at about 3:30 p.m. today.

No injuries were reported.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a water main break on Oak Street, in the southbound lane in the area of Noonan Drive on Monday, February 7, 2022.  There is the potential that the water may need to be shut off on Oak Street, from Union Street heading north to the City line.  In addition, the water shut-off would also impact all of Noonan Drive.

The length of time the water will be off is unknown.

Traffic will also be impacted in the area of Oak Street and Noonan Drive in the form of lane closures or lane shifts while the repairs are being made.

As always, when the water is restored it may be discolored.  Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

Press release:

A graduation ceremony was held on Feb 4 at the NYS Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls to recognize officers from across New York State who completed the intense two-week training school to become certified D.A.R.E. instructors. 

Officer Miah Stevens, the Department's officer assigned to the Batavia City School District as a School Resource Officer, completed the training and was recognized for her hard work and dedication to the D.A.R.E. program.

Officer Stevens is now certified to teach the D.A.R.E. curriculum to grades K-12. 

D.A.R.E. is more than just a "drug-resistance" curriculum. The D.A.R.E. Mission and Vision statements embody what the revamped program consists of; The D.A.R.E. Mission “Teaching students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives.”

The D.A.R.E. Vision, “A world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors.”

"We look forward to partnering with the Batavia city school district to deliver this important curriculum to students in the district and continue to build relationships throughout the community." stated chief Shawn Heubusch. "Congratulations to officer stevens on completing such an important and intense training curriculum."

Press release:

Brooke Tubbins, 41 of Batavia, pled guilty to one count of petit larceny in Batavia Town Court on February 1, 2022.  Sentencing has been adjourned to a later date.

Tubbins was originally charged with 3rd-degree grand larceny and 3 counts of filing a false instrument after failing to report income on two separate applications for SNAP benefits after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi.  Tubbins received $6215 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

Full restitution has been made to the Genesee County Department of Social Services and Tubbins will be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of welfare fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6541.

City Fire is responding to 541 East Main St., Batavia, where there is an alarm of fire along with a report of smoke coming from an apartment.

A first responder reports nothing showing. The apartment complex is being evacuated.

UPDATE 4:29 a.m.: Smoke is due to somebody cooking. No fire.

A house fire is reported at 31 Walnut Street, Batavia.

Dispatchers report multiple calls.

UPDATE 3:22 a.m.: City  Fire on scene reporting light smoke out of second-story window.  A patrol officer first on scene reported the fire may have originated in a downstairs kitchen and extended upstates.

UPDATE 3:23 a.m.: All platoons recalled to headquarters.

UPDATE 3:48 a.m.: All occupants were out of the two residences safely.  The fire is out and firefighters are conducting overhaul and checking for extensions.

UPDATE Friday morning:

Press release:

On Friday, February 4, 2022, at 3:16 a.m., the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 31 Walnut St. in the City of Batavia.  Initial fire units arrived to find smoke emanating from a two-and-a-half-story, two-family home.  Fire crews entered the home to find a fire in the kitchen that was quickly extinguished.  Three occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to the fire department's arrival.  Residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.    

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental by City of Batavia Fire Department fire investigators.   

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police and Water Departments, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, the American Red Cross, National Grid and National Fuel.

"Sometimes Memories Sneak out of my Eyes and Roll Down my Cheeks." -- Author Unknown

I can remember every inch of her small home on 25 South Street. I loved watching Lawrence Welk with her on Saturday nights. Her house always smelled like something homemade, especially her bread. Every Sunday, she would bring a dessert to our house. She shared her baking and cooking with her pastor and her mailman as she would leave her side door open so the mailman could take his weekly loaf of bread.

Her Catholic religion was a significant part of her life. She had a weekly ritual of going to St. Francis Cemetery to water the family flowers. I remember saying to her that I didn't know we had so many relatives, and she said they are not all relatives, just people who need us to water their lonely plants. Then, I remember her taking me to the Shrine of the Martyrs in Auriesville, NY, with the Rosary Altar Society members. She was president for 37 years. I swear that the bus ride was nine hours long.    I was always so proud of her for helping the sodality women up the steps of the bus and leading them to their seats. Then I realized she was their age.   

That ride from Batavia to Leroy always seemed so long because we had that ritual of saying the rosary. We always had to go to church early to get that good seat in the first pew. One Sunday, I didn't put my nickel in the collection basket at church and lied about it. When I got back to her house, I asked if I could walk to the corner store because I had found a nickel. That was the day I literally learned that lying doesn't pay.

In 1972,  I got my first teaching job in Leroy, NY. Taking my third-grade class to her house was such a great memory, remembering her smiling at my students and giving them one of her favorite molasses cookies.

She had an old 1962 Chevy that we all seemed to have owned one time or another. After we were married in 1974, we ended up with 62. The one thing you would never do is take down all of the statues that lined the dashboard. It was like a traveling altar. So one day, we were driving home from Batavia, and my husband said, you better turn all those statues to face the road because we have no brakes. We somehow made it to our apartment on Lake Street, and we believe Grandma and all her saints got us home safely.

My mind seems to be fixated on memories the older I get, and lately, I have been just thinking about my Grandma and how much I loved her and respected her.   I continue to miss her every day; my mother always told me I reminded her of her mother. She's the one that taught me how to cook, bake, pray, and crochet. That's probably true because today I have my list of people I pray for; I go to church early to get that good seat, crochet, and am told I make pretty good spaghetti sauce.   My grandmother died in 1983, our hearts were broken, but today my heart is filled with memories of her and all she taught me.

At her funeral at St. Joseph's Church in Le Roy, Father Zupa said when you pray, you now have another saint in heaven to pray to, Jennie Bellow. It is funny how memories take you back to an exact time, and you feel them drip down your cheek. Our memories are unique because they belong to us. To all the grandmothers young, old, and have passed, thank you, you are treasured. 

Rosie, this is dedicated to you. We shared the same Grandma and her love.

Richard Lewis Conte, 29, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, reckless driving, failure to keep right, and avoiding traffic device or intersection light. Conte was stopped at 10:50 p.m., Jan. 26, on Route 33 in Byron by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

John Laurence Lyons, 53, of HIlltop Drive, Le Roy, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing.  Lyons is accused of obstructing the breathing of another person at 11:45 p.m., Nov. 24, at a location on Hilltop Drive, Le Roy. He was arrested by Le Roy PD and issued an appearance ticket.

Gary David Doctor, 39, of Main Street, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration.  Doctor was arrested by Deputy Kevin McCarthy after dispatchers received a report at 10:56 a.m., Nov. 24, of a male passed out behind the wheel on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Doctor was issued an appearance ticket.

On January 1st, 2022 Officer William Yung was assigned to the midnight shift as Batavia Police Department's newest police officer.

Officer Yung was hired in May of 2021 and attended the Alfred State Police Academy hosted at Alfred State College in Alfred, N.Y. He completed the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Basic Course for Police which consists of a minimum standard of over 700 hours of training as established by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPCT). The Basic Course for Police Officers covers a wide range of topics including but not limited to, Ethics & Professionalism, Cultural Diversity, Bias-Related Incidents, Professional Communication, Persons with Disabilities, Crisis Intervention, Use of Physical Force & Deadly Force, Active Shooter Response and Decision Making. Officer Yung also had to complete numerous Reality-Based Training Scenarios.

Yung then went on to complete the Department's Field Training Program, which consists of an additional 400+ hours of training to teach recruits appropriate Department policies and procedures. Officer Yung also familiarized himself with the community, businesses, and streets during the field training process. He was assigned to all shifts and multiple Field Training Officers during the field training program.

Prior to becoming a City of Batavia Police Officer Bill served as a Public Safety Officer for Medaille College. He is a graduate of Hilbert College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and has volunteered numerous hours with a Boys and Girls Club.

Please join the Department in welcoming Officer Yung!