batavia

Press release:

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a report of a house filling with smoke at 21 Manhattan Ave. in the City of Batavia.

Initial fire units arrived in four minutes to find light smoke emanating from a two-story, single-family home. Fire crews entered the home to find a fire in the closet that was quickly extinguished. Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to the fire department's arrival.

No injuries were reported.

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

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police and Codes Department, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, and the Genesee County Emergency Management Office.

(Initial Report)

Flames are shooting from the second floor of a house at 16 Highland Park. Children reported on the second floor; there is entrapment. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: Alexander's Fast Team is called to the scene along with Le Roy's rescue unit. Town of Batavia fire is asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: A second-alarm has activated. This is a working structure fire.

UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: "We have a report that everyone is out; we're doing a primary search," says fire command.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: "Heavy, heavy fire on the second floor," says fire command. "We have one (fire hose) line open. Heavy smoke and flames from B/C sides."

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Responders are told to access the scene via the Wood Street side.

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: Video added. There's no interview in the video. The scene commander isn't likely to be available for at least another hour. The fire seems mostly contained though firefighters are working to get to hotspots in the walls and attic. We will seek an update from City fire later tonight.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Oak and West Main streets in the city. A subject is complaining of chest pain. City fire and Mercy medics responding to the Speedway Gas Station parking lot.

Merry Christmas.

Press release:

The Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters will open its 15th Annual Art Show beginning Jan. 3rd at Pittsford Barnes & Noble’ Community Room. It is located at 3349 Monroe Ave.

This competitive, judged and juried show will display about 90 original paintings recently created throughout the Northeast. The plein air show runs through Friday, Jan. 31^st.

An Artists’ Reception and Award Ceremony will be Saturday, Jan. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Pittsford Barnes & Noble Community Room.

The art show is free to the public. Gallery hours are B&N store hours. For more information, visit www.gvpap.com or email  paint@gvpap.com.

"Plein air painting," meaning onsite painting in open air (natural light), is popular with artists and their patrons alike. Boats, rural barns, landscape vistas, gardens, cityscapes and waterscapes are all staple subjects in the plein air painter's repertoire. More than 85 percent of each painting in this show is produced on-site, "in the open air.” Painting mediums include oil, watercolor, soft pastel, acrylic and gouache.

The Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Inc. is an association of outdoor artists that promotes and inspires quality plein air painting. It was established in September 2005. Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Inc.

GVPAP currently boasts 55 artist members who live in the surrounding counties of Greater Rochester, the Finger Lakes, Western and Central New York, including residents of these communities: Pittsford, Fairport, Canandaigua, Batavia, Macedon, Ontario, Phelps, Kent, Livonia, Rush, Himrod, Caledonia, Dansville, and Rochester.

City firefighters are dispatched to 21 Manhatten Ave. for a report of smoking filling the residence. The building has been evacuated.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Fire command reports there is no active fire. The second story is charged with smoke; investigating.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A fire was found in a second-floor closet. Extinguishing.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: "Fire knocked down. Checking for extensions."

City police are responding to two vehicles parked roadside on Oak Street, just north of La Crosse Avenue.

"Apparently, some sort of road rage incident," the dispatcher says, adding that the caller reports "the suspect" pulled a knife on her. 

Then the caller reported that the person was following her down the roadway.

Police tell dispatch they are on scene just north of Tracy Avenue.

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 41, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree strangulation. Fairbanks was arrested following an investigation into a domestic dispute that occurred at 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 13 on Jackson Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 3:03 p.m. on Dec. 18 and jailed without bail. He was due to return to court on Dec. 19. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

Edward G. Ruckdeschel, 57, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with: unauthorized use of a vehicle in the second degree; grand larceny in the fourth degree; and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. Ruckdeschel was arrested following an investigation into a stolen vehicle complaint made at 4:47 a.m. on Dec. 7. It is alleged that the defendant stole a vehicle from a parking lot of a business in the city. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and jailed without bail. He will return to court at a later date (unspecified). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Sgt. Matthew Lutey, assisted by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

David Michael Martin, 59, of Scott Crescent Drive, Scottsville, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. At 4:10 p.m. on Dec. 22, Martin was arrested following an investigation into a larceny complaint (unspecified). Martin was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 7:30 p.m. the same day, then released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on Jan. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline.

Matthew Jacob Reid, 25, of Main Street, Warsaw, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; and unable to maintain lane. Reid was arrested following an investigation of a possible medical complaint reported at 12:27 a.m. on Oct. 12 on March Road in Bethany. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Bethany Town Court on Jan. 7. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Jamie Valerie Hart, 21, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; unlawful possession of marijuana; and speed exceeding 55 mph. On Dec. 21 at 3:57 p.m. Hart was arrested on Clinton Street Road in Byron. The defendant was released on appearance tickets and is due in Byron Town Court on Jan. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

On Friday, Durin Rogers was sworn in as the new full-time judge Batavia City Court and David Saleh was sworn in as the new part-time judge.

A water main break at the Days Inn, located at 200 Oak St. in the city, has prompted the hotel's evacuation. The initial report was that the break caused four feet of water to flood the kitchen.

City firefighters are on scene. A code enforcement officer is expected there in about 15 minutes and National Grid has a 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: The scene commander says "All utilities have been secured. The facility is evacuated. All units back in service."

Thursday evening, T.F. Brown's hosted its annual happy hour in support of the Community Christmas Dinner and it included an ugly sweater contest.

More than two dozen Batavia Middle School students visited offices in and around Batavia today for the school's annual "Give Back Day," when students deliver class-made presents to the people and organizations that have supported the school during the school year.

Among the stops pictured above was the State Police Batavia Barracks on West Saile Drive.

Other locations the students visited today included the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, the Fire Department, WBTA, DSS, and Family Court. After Family Court, they went to City Court to see Durin Rogers sworn in as the new full-time City Court judge.

Melzie Case submitted this photo from last night of deer strolling through the grounds of the Wilmott Cancer Center, located at 262 Bank St., Batavia.

Melody J. McMaster, 48, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. McMaster was arrested on Dec. 9 on Chestnut Street in Batavia after allegedly violating an order of protection by being inside the protected party's residence at 11:17 a.m. that day. She was issued an appearance ticket for Dec. 24 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Jose Fuentes, 39, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. On Dec. 17, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Fuentes in connection with an incident that occurred at 9 p.m. Dec. 13 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Dec. 24 in Batavia City Court.

Kyle Schroeder, 23, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 9:09 a.m. on Dec. 8 on East Main Street in Batavia after he allegedly took an item out of the packaging while in a local business and then attempted to conceal the item. He is accused of placing the empty packaging on the shelf and continuing through the store. He was due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

A deputy is responding to The Shoe Department store at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive for a report of a red GMC Acadia with its engine running in the parking lot with a small child alone inside.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m.: The vehicle could not be located when the deputy arrived.

Press release:

The Alzheimer’s Association® Western New York Chapter offers a number of free education programs about dementia and support services for those living with dementia and caregivers all across the region and has a program scheduled in Genesee County in January.

Chapter experts will present "Know the 10 Warning Signs" in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 4:30 p.m. The free class, at The Manor House (427 E. Main St.), outlines common changes that may indicate some type of cognitive impairment and lead to early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

“This is a great tool for starting a conversation with your doctor about changes you notice,” says WNY Chapter Program Director Rachel Rotach. “We also have resources across Genesee County to help those living with the disease and their care partners to ensure they are living a full life while making plans for the future”.

Preregistration is strongly encouraged by calling the Chapter during traditional business hours at (716) 626-0600, ext. 313, or 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at 800-272-3900

Additionally, the Chapter oversees several monthly caregiver support group meetings across the county, which allow caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges and hear advice for overcoming them:

• 3^rd Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 7 p.m. – Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia
• 3^rd Thursday (Jan. 16) at 1 p.m. – Genesee County Office for the Aging, 12 Bank St. in Batavia
• 2^nd Monday (Jan. 13) at 2 p.m. – The Greens of Le Roy, 1 West Ave. in Le Roy

Community social programs, or respites, are also available every month in Batavia and Corfu. This program provides relief to those who care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia and offers them some time to refresh and recharge, while their loved one is engaged in social activities in a safe environment.

St. James Episcopal Church at 405 E. Main St. in Batavia offers a four-hour program, starting at 10:30 a.m. on the second Monday of every month (Jan. 13). Those interested in this respite should call Barbara King at (585) 343-6802.

First Presbyterian Church of Batavia also offers this free service on the fourth Monday (Jan. 27) from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For additional information, please call Mickey Rodak at (585) 455-5940.

And Indian Falls United Methodist Church in Corfu at 7908 Alleghany Road offers a respite program on the third Wednesday (Jan. 15 ) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Celinda McQuiston at (585) 762-9105.

To learn more about other Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, contact the WNY Chapter office at 800-272-3900. You can also access dementia care programs and resources by calling the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

A woman who lives on Ross Street in the city has a criminal mischief complaint. She was just at Batavia Police Department and returned home and now all her tires are flat.

She told a dispatcher she believes someone slashed her tires while she was inside the police headquarters on Main Street. Police are outside with the caller and her vehicle now on Ross Street.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the Target store in Batavia after a caller reported to the emergency dispatch center that a man left a baby alone inside a black Volvo SUV in the parking lot, and a boy outside in the snow on a bench, and went inside the store.

He was seen standing at the customer service counter, described as a white male, about 40 years old, wearing a gray jacket.

He returned to his vehicle and a deputy is speaking with him now.