batavia

A potentially dangerous snow squall is moving through the region and is expected to hit Genesee County by 12:45 p.m., according to the the National Weather Service.

A weather warning has been issued.

The Weather Service warns of poor visibility, heavy and blowing snow, with wind gusts of 30 mph.

The warning is based on radar images. 

The Weather Service warns of "dangerous life-threatening travel" during the squall.

The Batavia City School District’s Board of Education (BOE) has named Anibal Soler Jr. as the district’s next superintendent. Soler Jr. is set to begin on Jan. 20.

Patrick Burk, Batavia City School District’s Board President stated, “The board is confident that Anibal Soler Jr. will lead our district as we work together to deliver the best education possible for our students. Our search process narrowed the field to three excellent candidates. We value all of the input from our stakeholders and community members.

"With his dedication, enthusiasm and knowledge, our board feels that Anibal has the educational capacity and attributes to move us forward. We are united in making Batavia City Schools the best district for our students and we feel that we are making the right decision in hiring Anibal.”

Soler Jr. is the associate superintendent of Strategic Alignment and Innovation for the Buffalo Public Schools, New York state’s second-largest school district, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he oversees four areas: adult education, district athletics, the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, and the district school improvement strategy known as Strong Community Schools, which encompasses 11,000 students and 21 schools across the City of Buffalo. This Strong Community Schools effort has moved persistently struggling or failing schools to good-standing rating by the New York State Education Department.

From 2016 until 2018 Soler Jr. was the principal of North Park Academy, an elementary school in the Buffalo Public School District. In this role, he led a staff of more than 50 and 250 students and supervised all instructional and operational aspects of this Pre-K through 8 community school.

From 2009-2016, Soler Jr. was the principal of East High School, the largest comprehensive high school in the Rochester City School District, with between 1,500 to 2,000 students and a staff of almost 250. Through his leadership, the school was removed from the New York State Education Department’s Persistently Dangerous list in 2011.

Soler Jr. serves as an adjunct professor at Canisius College in Buffalo. He began teaching in 2000 as an art teacher at Thomas Middle School in the Rochester City School District.

“I wish to thank the Batavia Board of Education for offering me this exciting opportunity to be the next Superintendent of Batavia City Schools," Soler Jr. said. "I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected to lead your high-quality school system. I also look forward to joining and serving the amazing students, parents, talented staff, and community partners of the Batavia City Schools.

"Together, we will continue to make Batavia City Schools a premier district that effectively serves and supports all students and families.”

Soler Jr. holds a Bachelor of Science from Daemen College, a master’s degree from Nazareth College and Certification in School Administrator and School District Administration from St. John Fisher College. He also holds a certification as a New York State School Administration Supervisor. Soler Jr. is currently enrolled in the doctorate program in Educational Leadership at the University of Rochester.

Kevin MacDonald, district superintendent of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, acted as the search consultant and noted that the search process was a true collaboration between the Board of Education, district staff, and community.

Photos and information courtesy of Jason Smith.

Resurrection Parish Faith Formation students in grades 2 and 3 made their First Reconciliation last week.

The cake was donated by Debbie Mullen and students were recognized at Mass by teacher Beth Hofmaster, Pastor Father Ivan Trujillo and Faith Formation Director Jason Smith.

Katty L. Jackson, 23, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; fourth-degree criminal mischief; second-degree strangulation; and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. Jackson was arrested at 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 7 on East Main Street, Batavia, following an investigation into a physical domestic incident. She was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in jail. No bail specified. She was due to return to city court Dec. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissigner, assisted by Officer Lindsay Christopher.

Nicole R. Griffin, 37, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. She was arrested at 5:47 p.m. on Dec. 14 following a physical altercation inside Walmart in Batavia. Griffin was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 23, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Culver was arrested at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 on Walnut Steet after allegedly threatening to subject a person to unwanted physical contact during a domestic incident. Culver was issued a computer-generated appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Michelle L. Sahr, 52, of North Main Street, Albion, is charged with second-degree harassment. Sahr was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Dec. 8 on Prospect Avenue in Batavia after allegedly showing up repeatedly at a residence and being told each time she needed to leave. Sahr was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Thomas James Noce, 26, of North Lansing Circle, Rochester, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 or more; DWI; reckless driving; failure to stop at stop sign; and operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device. Noce was arrested on Dec. 16 on Clinton Street Road in Bergen at 10:50 p.m. on Dec. 16 following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident. He was issued appearance tickets and released and is due in Bergen Town Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Matthew G. Vandyne, 57, of Purdy Road, Canandaigua, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- second offense; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more, with a prior conviction; and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Vandyne was arrested at 1:06 a.m. on Route 237 in Byron following an investigation. He is due in Byron Town Court on Jan. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Linda Marie Doucette, 54, of Lake Road, Brockport, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; and moving from lane unsafely. Doucette was arrest following an investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 7:38 p.m. on Dec. 13 on Reuben Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. She was issued appearance tickets for Dec. 23 in Alabama Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Sgt. Michael Lute.

Baillie Marie Schwab, 20, of Maxim Road, Attica, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Schwab was arrested at 5:07 a.m. on Railroad Avenue in Alexander following a complaint of a female slumped over the wheel in a vehicle in the middle of the roadway in Alexander. She was released on appearance tickets and is due in Alexander Town Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Todd J. Pangrazio, 43, of Annamarie Terrace, Cheektowaga, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree and passing a red light. At 5:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, Pangrazio was allegedly observed passing a steady red light at the intersection of Main and Court streets in the City of Batavia. A traffic stop was conducted. It was determined that Pangrazio possessed a suspended NY non-driver ID with 10 or more scoffs on 10 or more dates. He was issued an appearance ticket and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on Dec. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Eric J. McGill, 36, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with trespass. He was arrested at 5:37 p.m. on Dec. 14 in Walmart in Batavia after entering the business, from which he was previously banned. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Vincent A. Sanfratello, 53, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. He was processed and arraigned in city court and is due back in court on Jan. 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

A Batavia man awaiting trial on arson and attempted murder charges was arraigned on a new criminal complaint stemming from his alleged behavior while in custody since his arrest in June 2018.

Plush Dozier has been indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief in the third degree.

It's alleged that on Aug. 4, 2018, he kicked out a plate of glass in a holding cell at the Genesee County Jail, which caused more than $5,000 damage. He's also accused of causing more than $250 of damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle on Aug. 20, 2018.

Dozier is being held without bail for allegedly setting fire to a house on Maple Street in the city with the intent of killing his girlfriend on June 15, 2018.

While awaiting his criminal proceedings, Dozier has been housed at least some of the time in solitary confinement at Attica Correctional Facility.  

In September, the Commissioner of Mental Health determined that Dozier is mentally fit to stand trial. He is expected to go to trial the week of March 16.

See previous coverage:

• Man accused of arson and attempted murder will receive mental health treatment before case proceeds
• Law and Order: Rochester man accused of menacing officer and damaging door of Sheriff's Office vehicle
• Grand Jury Report: Man accused of arson and attempted murder in Maple Street fire
• Arson and attempted murder charged in Maple Street fire
• Man accused of arson and attempted murder deemed fit to stand trial

Each month at Jackson Primary School, students learn about a different character trait and this month they learned about kindness.

The community member who helped them with their kindness lessons this month was Capt. Greg Ireland, Batavia Fire Department. Ireland made a video where he read a book about kindness and gave the children a tour of the fire hall.

Today, he had lunch with several of the students and talked with the children about kindness, especially how firefighters are kind. They all ate pizza. One student from each class was selected to attend the lunch based on a teacher recommendation for exemplifying kindness at school.

All of the students at the lunch received a certificate recognizing their kindness.

On Dec. 8, Resurrection Parish Faith Formation celebrated a Sacrament of Confirmation Commitment Mass. Then families prepared greeting cards and children colored pictures and they prepared to distribute cookies to homebound parishioners.

Lunch for students and families was donated by Sodality of Resurrection Parish.

A 44-year-old State Street man admitted in court to stealing $344.50 from the Days Inn in Batavia in October, but as part of a plea deal may with have an opportunity to enter a judicial diversion program.

It will be up to Judge Charles Zambito to decide whether Thomas P. Moynihan can enter a substance abuse program following a report by probation officials to determine his potential eligibility for the program.

Moynihan is due back in court Jan. 3 to hear Zambito's decision.

If Moynihan successful completes the program, his felony charge could be reduced and he would be eligible for probation with no jail time.

If he doesn't successfully complete the program, he would be looking at a prison term of two to seven years.

Moynihan has no prior prison record.

He was arrested by Batavia PD after he went into an area designated for employees at the Days Inn, confronted an employee, demanded money, and then fought with the employee before fleeing.

The employee was not hurt in the incident.

Today he entered a guilty plea to robbery in the third degree.

A 37-year-old transient with roots in Batavia will spend 12 and a half years in prison for his first-degree robbery of the Speedway at 204 W. Main St. in September.

Dustin Wayne Bogue was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.

He entered the Speedway at 1:51 p.m. Sept. 14 and Batavia PD responded to a report of a robbery. He was later arrested following an investigation. 

Under terms of a previous plea agreement, the maximum sentence Bogue faced was 15 years. He could have gotten a minimum of 10 years. District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said Judge Charles Zambito decided to split in half the maximum statutory time of 25 years, which is how he arrived at 12 and a half years.

Bogue has previously served prison terms for unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree assault, and criminal contempt.

His father, Lewis W. Bogue Jr., was convicted in Genesee County Court in 1995 of rape and sodomy (Dustin Bogue was not the victim). Zambito, according to Friedman, said he realized Bogue had a rough childhood but he said that was no excuse before imposing the prison term.

Batavia police officers received delivery of cookies and milk, donated by Batavia's Original, yesterday afternoon from the local GORUCK club.  

Rucking combines strength and cardio training. It is walking with weighted ruck backpacks.

Photo: Officer Wes Rissinger, Officer Miah Stevens, and the Dentino family, Gabrial, 2, with his father Colin, Ryan, 7, and Maria. Colin and Maria participate in GORUCK events.

A caller to dispatch reports a male in front of Genesee Dental on Main Street in Downtown Batavia was observed drinking a half pint of alcohol and he is now "checking the doors, air boxing and doing pushups on the sidewalk." City police are responding.

Press release:

The Saturday night (Dec. 14) live card of racing at Batavia Downs has been cancelled due to heavy snow and inclement weather. This ends the 2019 racing season in Western New York as this was the last day of the meet. 

Live harness racing will return to the oldest lighted harness track in America in July.

Western Regional Off Track Betting would like to thank all the horsemen, horsewomen, fans and staff for the record season Batavia Downs had this year and wishes everyone a very Happy Holiday Season.

Above, Vicki McKeirnan, Gail Montgomery, Sandy Tabone, and Joe Zaso and the cache ready to distribute for the annual Washington Towers Christmas Door Decorating Contest: 

On Dec. 10^th, Washington Towers held its Christmas Door Decorating Contest, a longstanding tradition.

Fifty residents participated in 2018 and received a prize. This year even more tenants signed up.

It should not have to be said, but fairness in these matters is of utmost importance.

"Several years ago we decided we needed 'outside' judges so it would be fair," says Washington Towers property manager Valerie Tidwell, who was not forthcoming about the backstory or how the tipping point was reached in determining the "need."

Yet, paradoxically, without any whiff of concern over whispers of nepotism, Tidwell took it upon herself to enlist her three aunts, "The Sisters," and one of their friends and they've been at the annual task ever since -- for more than 12 years now.

With the contest reins firmly in hand, Vicki McKeirnan, Gail Montgomery and Sandy Tabone, along with Sandy’s friend Joe Zaso, all "fun and funny" people with "huge laughs" set their hearts and minds to make the holidays special inside Washington Towers.

The Sisters donate all of the gift bags, each filled with a pleasing array of items including: slippers, socks, hats and gloves, kitchen and bath towels, stationary, candies, holiday items and more. And the cache is brought in in advance and organized.

For their mission, which they volunteered to accept, they don't dillydally. They take their judging duties very seriously although their attire suggests otherwise.

They painstakingly go to each contestant's entrance and critique the door decor by means of an intricate scoring system. Ask the details though you may, they will not be shared. (The Batavian, though tempted, dared not broach the subject.)

The judges pick the mise-en-scène winners and deliver the prizes of gift bags.

Despite the purportedly elaborate scoring calculus, all participants receive a prize, definitely a case of “Everyone Gets a Trophy.”

Regardless, competition for one of the top spots is consistently fierce. After all, bragging rights last an entire year!

The denizens of Washington Towers are so grateful to The Sisters -- and The Friend -- for their time, the gifts and most of all, the holiday cheer they bring.

"They brighten the season for our residents and our staff," Tidwell said. "The residents love it and I love it, but I also know that they love it!"

Photo and information courtesy of Valerie Tidwell, property manager, Washington Towers.

You name it, it was done, roof windows furnace etc...Many nice features including entry hall with laundry area off the garage. Love a place to kick off your shoes and storage-leading into large and cozy kitchen with dining area next to gas fireplace – so so homey!

Look out to a slider door to peaceful backyard or curl up next to fireplace while you eat and entertain! Also has large front living room and three good sized bedrooms. Don’t forget the two car garage and very large and dry basement for all your extra storage or hobbies.

Come see! Click here for more information or call Lynn Bezon today. Call 585-344-HOME (4663).

Edward C. Simmons, 33, of Applegate Drive, Medina, is charged with: second-degree burglary -- illegal entry into a dwelling; fourth-degree grand larceny -- a rifle; and grand larceny -- property value greater than $1,000. Simmons is accused of breaking into a residence on Sept. 16 on East Shelby Road in Oakfield and stealing a 22-caliber Remington rifle and other property valued at $1,000 or more. Following an investigation, he was arrested on Dec. 9 and arraigned in Oakfield Town Court. He was then released on his own recognizance and is due back in court at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Loftus.

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

Brandon Gene Rindell, 38, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more, and DWI. On Dec. 12 at 7:33 p.m., Rindell was arrested after his vehicle was involved in a motor-vehicle accident in the Village of Corfu. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Village of Corfu Court on Dec. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Mellanie Golamb, 36, of Folkestone Lane, Penfield, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; moving from lane unsafely; and failure to notify the DMV of an address change. On Dec. 10 at 7:33 a.m., the dispatch center received a call of a vehicle being operated irratically. Following a traffic stop on Stephen H. Hawley Drive in the Town of Batavia, standard field sobriety tests were performed. Golamb was arrested and processed at the Genesee County Jail. She was released on appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Chad Cummings. Deputy Lonnie Nati also assisted along with Genesee County Corrections officers.

Karen M. Lau, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated  -- a BAC of .18 percent or more, and DWI. She was arrested at 8:16 p.m. on Nov. 30 on East Main Street in Batavia after she was allegedly found sleeping in the driver's seat of her vehicle parked in the parking lot of a business. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Angelo James Voltura, 24, of Meiser Road, Corfu, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated; speed not reasonable or prudent; and failure to keep right. Following the investigation of a single-vehicle accident at 1:41 a.m. on Dec. 11 on Pratt Road in the Town of Batavia, Voltura was arrested. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on appearance tickets. He is due to return to court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Kyle J. Schroeder, 23, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested following a shoplifiting incident at 9:09 a.m. on Dec. 8 at a business on East Main Street in the City of Batavia. Schroeder is accused of taking an item out of the packaging while at a business and attempting to conceal that item while continuing through the store. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Quinton J. Edmonds, 31, of Rochester, appeared in Genesee County Court on Thursday afternoon, along with his attorney Fred Rarick, for a hearing on motions to suppress evidence in the case against him.

Edmonds is currently being held without bail at the Genesee County Jail on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 43-year-old Michael Paladino.

On June 1 at about 12:45 a.m., Edmonds was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a female on the sidewalk near 5 and 7 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Paladino heard the argument and attempted to intervene. A physical altercation then ensued between Paladino and the suspect. During the altercation, Paladino sustained life-threatening injuries.

On Oct. 30th, Edmonds refused to appear in County Court, Rarick apologized to Judge Charles Zambito and scheduled a suppression hearing in his absence.

During today’s hearing, Rarick argued that police did not have probable cause to detain Edmonds and that the “Show Up” procedure was very suggestive.

“Based on the information I was provided -- black male, black and white shirt -- that’s all they had when they detained him,” says Rarick.

District Attorney Larry Friedman called Sgt. Dan Coffey to the stand during the hearing to explain how the incident unfolded at 5-7 Ross St.