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Batavia Muckdogs erase early deficit to pick up eighth win

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Catcher Zach Kasperowicz carries the Muckdog's mascot Dewey on his shoulders to greet members of the home team as they walk to the dugout before Monday's game while batboy Kegan Fisher snaps a photo..
Photo by Howard Owens.

The Batavia Muckdogs battled back on Monday from a three-run first-inning deficit to beat Newark at Dwyer Stadium 6-5 behind the 3-3, four RBI performance of catcher Adam Agresti.

Garrett Beaver worked a scoreless eight to pick up the win, and Trey Bacon retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, fanning Pilots to pick up his fifth save.

Starter Tyler Henshaw surrendered four runs over three innings, giving up six hits and two walks. He struck out three.

Ryan Kinney pitched four innings, walked one and collected seven strikeouts.

At 8-5, the Muckdogs are in third place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League's Western Division, a half-game behind Niagara and Elmira.

Reported attendance: 1,432

The next home game is June 22 against Jamestown. 

Photos by Howard Owens. For more and to purchase prints, click here.

Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Newark's Frankie DiMartino was caught in a run-down involving third baseman Giuseppe Arcuri for the third out of the first inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Left fielder Rashad Robinson
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Giuseppe Arcuri squares to bunt before taking the pitch.
Photo by Howard Owens. 
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Members of the KMS Dance Team.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Starter Tyler Henshaw
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
James Aselta
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Giuseppe Arcuri with a base hit in the third.base hit
Photo by Howard Owens. 
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Henry Daniels with a groundout in the fourth.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Giuseppe Arcuri scores the Giuseppe Arcuri run in the fifth after a base loaded double Adam Agresti doubled to drive in three runs and give the Muckdogs the lead, 5-4.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia Muckdogs June 19 2023
Before the bottom of the fifth, children 12-and-under attending the game run around the infield.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Anti-Rabies immunization clinics for Genesee County

By Press Release

Press Release:

Genesee county health has scheduled its anti-rabies clinics. 

There is no charge for the vaccine, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal at all times. Limit 4 pets per car. Anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia):

  • Thursday, August 10th, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 12th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact the health department at 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us

Batavia Concert Band announces 99th season of music

By Press Release
batavia concert band 2021
Batavia Concert Band opening 2021
File photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

The Batavia Concert Band will be returning for its 99th season of public concerts in Batavia’s Centennial Park (the rain venue is the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College).

Concerts will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 9. Light refreshments will be available for purchase, including freshly popped popcorn–an audience favorite!

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire has something for everyone: marches, Big Band and swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in between.

The Band consists of 45-55 brass, woodwind, and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, and others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure -- all love to play!

Returning for his tenth season as conductor is John Bailey, Instrumental Music teacher at Pembroke Central School District and the organization is under the leadership of General Manager Jason Smith, along with a talented group of officers and a dedicated Board, led by Board President Dan Fischer The July 12 concert will be conducted by Batavia native and resident Joshua Pacino, current band director at Batavia’s Notre Dame High School. The Albion High School band director, Mike Thaine, will conduct the July 26th concert.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during World War II and in 2020 during COVID.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

Concerts are also currently supported and funded in part by Platinum Sponsors Genesee Community College, Brighton Securities, Farm Credit East, and WBTA, as well as local businesses, program advertisers, service organizations, and individual patrons. Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Band should contact a band member at any concert.

The Batavia Concert Band is also excited to announce the return of radio station WBTA (AM 1490 / FM 100.1) as the Official Media Sponsor for our 2023 summer concert series! Be on the lookout for appearances by band members on WBTA’s “Main & Center” program, where we will go into some depth about the band’s makeup and its history. Also, be listening for weekly radio ads promoting the musical selections for the upcoming concerts and announcing our weekly sponsors.

For information, please visit our Facebook page and www.bataviaconcertband.net to learn more about the Band and our sponsors, and “we will see you in the park!”

SUNY Canton Announces Part-Time Honors for Spring 2023

By Press Release

Press Release:

Area students have earned Part-Time Honors at SUNY Canton during the spring 2023 semester.

"Your commitment to balancing multiple responsibilities while pursuing your education is truly admirable," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "By earning Part-Time Honors, you have demonstrated exceptional determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence. You have shown that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible. Keep up the remarkable work, and may your academic journey continue to inspire others."

The college created this award to recognize students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in 6 to 11 credit hours of coursework. It stands alongside the college's Dean's and President's lists as one of the top awards for academic success during a single semester. A complete list of all honor students runs on www.canton.edu.

The Part-Time Honors list includes:

  • Dawn Hunter, a SUNY Canton Legal Studies major from Batavia.
  • Tonya D. Dioguardi, a SUNY Canton Health Care Management major from Le Roy.

Batavia slave 'free at last' and honored during Juneteenth service

By Joanne Beck
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Next to the headstone marker of Adeline “Addy” Barbara in the Historic Batavia Cemetery Monday morning, Annette Daniels Taylor sings while accompanied by Ted Caning on steel drum, both part of the GLOW Creatives through GO ART!, with Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Performing artist Annette Daniels Taylor had planned to review the life that Adeline “Addy” Barbara most likely endured for her 46 years in captivity as a slave in Batavia, but that wasn’t the focus of Monday morning's Juneteenth memorial service, so she turned to a poem titled “Dreaming.”

The piece journeyed back into memories of tall trees, running barefoot, glistening cocoa-brown skin under the hot sun, smiling teeth, beautiful souls, and dancing with one another.

“We danced to drums of waterfalls, drums of hoofbeats, drums of heartbeats, drums of rain storms, drums of drought, drums of baby's breath, drums of aching souls, drums of flying feet, drums of running legs,” Taylor said at the Historic Batavia Cemetery. “Drums without shame, drums without whips, drums without cuffs, drums without ropes, drums without branding irons, I still hear them beating, but only in my dreams, dreams of freedom.”

Addy’s last name was Barbara, though she belonged to the Rev. Lucius Smith, an Episcopal priest who owned her as a member of his family. She was a slave from the tender age of four until she died in 1857 at age 50. The memorial service was to honor and dignify her life for those 46 years in between.

The Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough performed a memorial service and dramatic reading, proclaiming Addy “free at last.” Way down yonder, in the graveyard walk, I’m gonna meet with my God, and we’re gonna have a talk, she said. “I’m free at last, I’m free at last.”

“Thank God almighty, I’m free at last. And in the words of Harriet Tubman, I’d rather be dead and in the grave than be a slave,” McCullough boldly said in Addy’s spirit. “I’m free at last.”

“Her marker reads Addy for 46 years, the faithful colored servant of the Reverend Lucius Smith and family, died Jan. 28, 1857 … This means that Addy began her burden for the Smith family at the age of four; this is Lucius Smith's marker, very symbolic, as you can see, even in death — even in death — her slave master overlooks her,” McCullough said. “The word servant and this X on her marker, connotes the idea that Addy had a choice. The word servant is an exchange of a kind or pleasant word that is being substituted for an explicit or offensive word. In this context, the use of the word servant camouflages the truth that Addy was indeed a slave. She was the slave of the Episcopal priest, Reverend Lucius Smith. And she was burdened with the lifelong responsibility of sacrificing her own humanity for the benefit of another person.

“The word servant downplays the psychological burden of surrendering one's humanity. So today, as a community, we gather, acknowledging the truth of Addy’s condition. Addy was not a servant, she was a slave,” McCullough said. “We join hands and hearts today to remove the veneer and allow the truth to take its rightful place. Addy was a slave.”

Batavia’s St. James Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches had established plots in the cemetery since 1823, which is why Lucius Smith and his family were buried there. The Rev. Deacon Diana Leiker spoke on behalf of St. James to assure folks that the Episcopal Church is righting those wrongs of the past.

“The church as a whole is working very, very hard with our black brothers and sisters to learn more, to be open to what we did, to help people to heal. We are recognizing all of the despicable, tragic things that were done on behalf of the church or with the church being complicit in letting things happen,” Leiker said. “So we just want you to know that this is wonderful. We had no idea that Lucius Smith owned someone. So we're really thankful that this was being brought to light. And we just want you to know we are doing a lot of hard work nationally.”

Rev. Roula Alkhouri, of Batavia First Presbyterian Church, was one of the organizers of the special Juneteenth event. It came about from McCullough’s pain that bubbled up after learning about Addy. It raised questions of how to move on yet not ignore an important piece of the past.

“What do we do with this pain? What do we do with this history? And so we've been talking and praying and thinking, and so that's kind of like, okay, Juneteenth is coming up, can we celebrate her humanity? Can we look at the story and reclaim it in a different way? And so that's what brought it together for us,” Alkhouri said. “And then we talked, we connected with (Batavia Cemetery Association President) Sharon Burkel, and said, Can we do this? And she said, Absolutely.

“I feel like always, whenever we bring up the hard parts of our lives or our history, it brings healing. You know, it's like, people don't want to talk about the painful stuff. But if you don't, you'd never heal," Alkhouri said. "And if you don't honor the lives of people who suffered, then it gets repeated in different forms. But it does, always, I mean, you see it in families the same way, not just the nation. So we're hoping to be part of that healing for the nation.”

A monetary gift will be used to add another inscription on Addy’s headstone. This will help to tell “a different side of the story and reclaim her humanity and her being created in the image of God,” Alkhouri said.

addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
 Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Rev. William Wilkinson
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
In the foreground, the gravestone of Episcopal priest Rev. Lucius Smith, which towers over the grave marker of his former slave, Adeline “Addy” Barbara.
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Sheila Holley.
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Diana Leiker and Diane Cox, deacons at St. James Episcopal Church.
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
Mike Stuart.
Photo by Howard Owens.
addy memorial service juneteenth 2023
After the ceremony, Linda Conway studies the headstone of Adeline “Addy” Barbara.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Muckdogs split double header in Auburn

By Howard B. Owens

After sweeping the Auburn Doubledays in a double header at home on Friday, the Batavia Muckdogs split a twin bill at Falcon Field in Auburn on Saturday.

The Muckdogs took the first game 3-1, and lost the second game 3-0.

Batavia is now 7-4 on the season.

Jack Keeler went six innings giving up on earned run to pick up the win, his first W of the season.

Trey Bacon pitched a scoreless seventh for his fourth save.

Anthony Calabro hit a triple, his one hit of the game, scored a run and picked up an RBI.

In the second game, Preston Prince, from Hilton, lasted four innings, giving up three runs, two earned, and only two hits, but yielded four walks. He struck out three. He was tagged with his first loss in three appearances.

The Muckdogs are back home on Monday to play Newark.  Game time is 6:35 p.m.

Photo: Local militia musters for Pathways Through History at HLOM

By Howard B. Owens
genesee county militia 2023
Members of the Genesee County Militia were outside the Holland Land Office Museum on Saturday as part of the New York Pathways Through History program. From left, Mike Gates, Brian Seward, John Wingate, Joe Bucolo, and John Della Penna.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Spartans down Ithaca, 16-12, in error-filled NFA game

By Mike Pettinella
Spartans Football

The Genesee County Spartans outlasted the Ithaca Warriors, 16-12, in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action Saturday night at Genesee Community College.

After Ithaca scored on an interception in the game's opening minutes, the Spartans took the lead for good with 24 seconds left in the first quarter on a five-yard run by fullback Brandon Bethel and the point-after kick by Marc Montana.

The home team made it 13-6 midway through the second quarter on a 70-yard burst up the middle by Jed Reese, who burst through the line and ran untouched to the end zone.

Montana's 28-yard field goal gave the Spartans a 16-6 lead early in the third quarter. Ithaca scored on a touchdown pass with 1:09 left in the game.

The game was marked by more than a dozen turnovers and at least that many penalties, including several personal fouls (and a couple of ejections) for unsportsmanlike conduct.

For the Spartans, Cody Wenner, Amir Cleveland, Tre Woods, Keith Neureuter and Max Rapone had interceptions, with Rapone's play ending a last-ditch effort by Ithaca in the closing seconds.  Defensive end Gunner Rapone had another outstanding game for Genesee.

The Spartans, 2-1, are home again next Saturday for a 7 p.m. clash against the Broome County Stallions.

Photos by Nick Serrata

Spartans Football
Spartans Football

 

Spartans Football
Spartans Football

Photos: Downtown Batavia's inaugural Cider Walk

By Howard B. Owens
cider walk

The Business Improvement District hosted its inaugural Cider Walk, modeled after the popular Wine Walk in the Fall, in Downtown Batavia on Friday.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk
cider walk

Photos: Electronics recycling event in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia Downs Jackpot 5k 2023

A steady stream of vehicles pulled through the parking lot of the DSS office on West Main Street Road, Batavia, for the annual electronics recycling event on Saturday hosted by Sunnking and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

The event makes it easier for people to drop of large electronic items, including TVs, as well as large amounts of electronics, all for free, with staff on hand to empty the vehicles.

Photos by Howard Owens.

steve hawley
Assemblyman Steve Hawley directing traffic. He said one of his first jobs when he was younger was as a flagman., when he was younger,
electronics recycling
electronics recylcing

UMMC's Lemonade Stand helps support patients, teaches children community care

By Howard B. Owens
lemonade stand

The UMMC/RRH Lemonade Stand, after a successful debut last summer, was back at Centennial Park on Thursday, this time with live music.

One reason to bring it back, said Lori Aratari, senior development officer for UMMC, was that last year's event raised $15,000, which was double the amount anticipated.

That's great, but really, it really is about the kids.

"That's the biggest thing," Aratari said. "We're getting kids involved in philanthropy at a young age and showing them the importance of giving back and especially supporting health care in our community."

This year, donations to the event will be used to assist patients dealing with congestive heart failure.

"We're going to be able to purchase these kits. They're $60 each, and these kits have some tools that patients can use to help keep them out of the hospital," Aratari said. "The tools include a digital scale and a blood pressure machine that's digital. So being able to give them the tools will help keep them home and keep them healthier."

There were 260 patients who came through UMMC in the past year to be treated for congestive heart failure. 

"If we can get every one of them a kit, that would be wonderful," Aratari said. "Every dollar we raise will stay here and will allow us to buy those kits."

Photos by Howard Owens.

lemonade stand
lemonade stand
lemonade stand
lemonade stand
lemonade stand
lemonade stand
lemonade stand

Three new shows at GO ART! feature the whimsical, the imaginary, and the realistic

By Howard B. Owens
Patricia Schafer
Patricia Schafer with some of her artwork on display at GO ART!
Photo by Howard Owens.

Patricia Schafer has been painting for years and years, she said, but she never thought about placing her work in an art show until she started to get a little unexpected recognition.

"It was so exciting, Schafer said. "I never had a show before. I've gotten to this stage of my life without a show; though I've been painting for a long time, but I never really had confidence in my work. Through the Chili art group, I've won a couple of ribbons here and there. And I thought, Oh, wait, there is somebody who likes my stuff."

GO ART! invited the Spencerport resident to show a bit of her work in Medina, and that led to a full show that runs through August at Seymour Place in Batavia.

She's titled the show, My Whimsical Heart, a totally appropriate description of her work, which is mixed media -- mostly painting and collage -- and features bright colors, mostly people, with creative, shall we say, whimsical backgrounds.

"If I do a landscape, and I do have a couple of landscapes, people are like, 'you gotta get back to those people. We love those people and the backgrounds.' So, people recognize my work, which is nice."

She said she paints for the love of it, for the joy of it.

"This is kind of like a relaxation hobby," Schafer said. "For me, I love it. I love color, it makes me happy. If you have a day that you're kind of down about stuff, that's just why I do it."

Patricia Schafer
Picture titled 'Lulu.' Louise Brooks was a silent movie star who later moved to Rochester and died in Rochester in 1985.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Patricia Schafer
Justin Reynolds
Justin Reynolds
Photo by Howard Owens

Corfu resident Justin Reynolds describes his seascapes and landscapes as somewhere between the abstract and realism.  They're never of any place he specifically remembers visiting.

"I've been asked a lot tonight if they're from specific places, and they're really not from places. I guess they're in my head or maybe I have been and forgotten. They're all very just kind of conjured up," he said.

Painting, Reynolds said during the opening of his show at GO ART!, takes him to different places.

"I think I always gravitate (to these places), in my mind, when I think of where I'd like to be relaxed and find some peace," Reynolds said. "I think those are some of the places I picture. So a lot of times, I'm painting where I could see myself unwinding and detaching from the stresses of life."

Patricia Schafer
carla coots
Photographer Carla Coots
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photographer Carla Coots, a Le Roy resident, is best known for her music photography.  She can often be found at the Smokin' Eagle in Le Roy, snapping shots of bands playing in the bar.  Some of her best work is displayed on the venue's walls.

She also likes trees. Well, she likes photographing other things, but she does like trees, and trees are the focus of her show that opened Thursday at GO ART!

Coots is a retired special education teacher.  She took up photography 16 years ago when she was looking for something to do in the arts. 

"I think that I got into it because I needed to, and it was a good, really therapeutic thing," Coots said. "Art is a form of communication. I think that it really helped me get through a lot of things that I was going through at that time."

carla coots

BCSD receives Utica National school safety excellence award

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District is proud to announce it is one of at least 165 school districts and the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group's "School Safety Excellence Award" for 2023 at the Titanium with Honors level. 

The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts' safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff, and visitors safe. Batavia City School District officials received a certificate to commemorate the district's safety efforts and a $500 award for use in furthering those efforts from Utica National representatives. 

Utica National's School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels—titanium, platinum, and gold—in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. 

Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation, and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety, and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys. 

“We’re proud and encouraged to receive this award from Utica National,” said Batavia City School District Superintendent Jason Smith. “The health, safety, and security of our students, faculty, staff, and community is our top priority. We’re consistently evaluating our programs, and this award will certainly go towards our continued efforts.” 

"Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts," explained Brian Saville, Senior Vice President of Utica National's Educational Institutions Unit. "Districts that go 'above and beyond' to provide a safe, healthy, and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we're pleased to count Batavia City School District among them."

For more than 45 years, Utica National Insurance Group has kept kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone. 

Three Rochester women arrested in Batavia in connection with theft reported in Erie County

By Howard B. Owens
mcbean mug shot
Ashanay McBean

Three women from Rochester were arrested following a felony traffic stop June 13 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, and were then accused of possessing more than $6,000 in stolen property.

A felony traffic stop is conducted when police officers consider it a potentially high-risk situation. Officers keep their distance from the vehicle and order the occupants out of the vehicle with their hands in view.

The incident began at 12:26 p.m. when the Erie County Sheriff's Office contacted local law enforcement about a theft of property from an undisclosed location in Erie County. A suspect vehicle was apparently believed to be eastbound.

henderson mug shot
Jayona Henderson

Later, a patrol spotted the possible suspect vehicle on West Main Street Road, Town of Batavia. 

A felony traffic stop was initiated in Batavia just east of Oak Street.  All three occupants exited the vehicle without incident. 

The suspects were identified as Klara A. Bates, 31, of Agnes Street, Rochester, Jayona D. Henderson, 20, of Hooker Street, Rochester, and Ashanay J. McBean, 27, of Terrace Street, Rochester.

The vehicle they were in was reported stolen on May 28 to the NFTA Transit Police.

bates mug shot
Klara Bates

All three were charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, a Class D felony.

Bates, Henderson, and McBean were arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court. Bates and Henderson were released and turned over to the Erie County Sheriff's Office to face potential further criminal charges. McBean was held because a town court cannot set bail for a defendant with two prior felonies.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Batavia PD, State Police, the NFTA Transit Police, and the Ultra Organized Retail Crime Investigation unit.

Hawley opposes construction of casino in downtown Rochester

By Press Release

Press Release:

Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) denounced the recent reports of a deal between Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration and the Seneca Nation to build a casino in downtown Rochester. 

The construction of a new casino in the area would be damaging to the local economy and would jeopardize the more than 400 jobs at Batavia Downs. Local officials and New York lawmakers were also not included in any discussions between the governor and the Seneca Nation. 

Hawley is frustrated that local businesses and communities are once again not being given priority by the state government

“The recent news of the deal between the state and the Seneca Nation is disappointing and yet another example of the livelihood of local businesses, like Batavia Downs, being trampled on by this governor’s administration,” Hawley said. “A move like this that doesn’t take into account the needs or desires of the community while purposely shunning local leaders from the conversation will undoubtedly do nothing more than hinder the local economy and create further consequences down the road.”

File photo

SUNY New Paltz announces dean's list for spring 2023

By Press Release

Press Release:

SUNY New Paltz announces its Dean's List for the spring 2023 semester, a recognition for students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load. The students are:

  • Macy Midla of Batavia 
  • Lucia Sprague of Le Roy

Two-vehicle accident at Ellicott and Liberty streets in Batavia

By Joanne Beck
MVA Ellicott St. and Liberty 6/15/23
Photo by Howard Owens.

A Chevy HHR was northbound on Liberty Street around noon in Batavia Thursday when it apparently ran a red light, City Assistant Police Chief Chris Camp said.  The vehicle was struck by a Ford sedan that was traveling southbound on Ellicott Street.

One occupant was in each vehicle, and both were evaluated at the scene, Camp said. The status of the patients is unknown. 

UPDATE: The driver of the sedan, Edwin Perez of Holley, was cited for allegedly running a red light, according to new information released by Batavia PD. Contrary to earlier eye-witness statements, Camp said, the driver of the HHR did not run the red light. 

Statement by police: "Upon review of the street camera at this intersection, it was determined that the silver SUV, that was traveling northbound on Liberty Street, in fact, had the green light. The silver four-door sedan, traveling south on Ellicott Street, traveled through the steady red light at Liberty Street and struck the silver SUV in the intersection."

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