batavia

A 23-year-old man who went on a crime spree in Batavia in January while awaiting sentencing on a prior conviction was in Genesee County Court today to plead guilty to attempted robbery and three other charges.

He was originally scheduled to be sentenced today on his Dec. 5 guilty plea to a charge of criminal possession of stolen property.

Today, Daniel Jon Lewis, who has been a resident of Lima, admitted to using a knife to try and rob a person on Bank Street in Batavia on Jan. 1.

He also admitted: to stealing a 2015 Chevy Silverado from a location on Clinton Street Road on Jan. 2; to stealing a 2008 Dodge Caliber from a location on Creek Road on Jan. 3; to stealing a credit card and debit card. He admitted to three counts of grand larceny.

The admission could satisfy all of Lewis's other pending charges, including charges of theft and possession of stolen property in the City of Batavia, Town of Batavia, and Town of Stafford. Among those charges is an accusation that Lewis stole a Spectrum work truck on Jan. 25 and led police on a chase that resulted in property damage to fences and other vehicles on property along Oak Street.

As part of the plea, Lewis agreed to waive his right to appeal on most issues, although he could potentially appeal related to his conviction and sentence. If he doesn't file an appeal within 45 days of his sentence, the other pending charges will be dismissed.

Lewis is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail on the robbery charge. He appeared in court today with his hands cuffed, in an orange jumpsuit and his long hair in a bun.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on his prior conviction as well as his conviction today on April 9 at 10:15 a.m. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

By Samantha Stryker, Adult & Community Services librarian, Richmond Memorial Library.

April 1 is Census Day, and Richmond Memorial Library is taking steps to make it easier for the community to participate. 

For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is offering and encouraging the option to complete the Census online. Beginning in mid-March, most households will receive a postcard with a code to complete the Census online, with options to complete the Census by phone or to request a paper form.

Any library user with a valid library card can use a computer at the library to securely complete the Census.

To obtain a library card, bring photo ID with proof of current address to the library. Lost your card? No problem! The library will waive the $1 replacement card fee during the months of March and April to increase access to computers.  

The library will have a dedicated phone and computer terminal for use by anyone wishing to complete the Census. Librarians can offer assistance in locating the online portal and will help patrons contact the Census Bureau by phone to complete the Census or request a paper form. 

The paper form will be available in English and Spanish.

In addition to English, Census questionnaire assistance will be available in 12 languages: Arabic, Chinese [Simplified], French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Census Bureau is also providing language guides in 59 non-English languages.

When you participate in the Census, you are contributing toward a more complete count for the Genesee County region.

A complete count helps the appropriate amount of federal funds to be dispersed, which includes everything from money for infrastructure to agriculture to health care to education. Congressional representation in Washington, D.C., is also determined by Census data.

“Every missed count equates to $30,000 lost in regional funding per person,” said Genesee County Complete Count Chair and County Legislator Shelley Stein. “We appreciate the initiatives by Richmond Memorial Library and other community partners to help ensure a complete count.”

Complete Count Committees have been established all over the country to help encourage full participation, and Genesee County is no exception.

"We were invited to participate in Genesee County's Complete Count Committee when it formed," said library Director Bob Conrad. "Many agencies agreed to help just by spreading the word to their users that the Census is safe, secure, and mandatory to take.

"But libraries play a dual role, actually offering the technology and assistance that some people may need to participate. When these other agencies refer people to us, we want them to be able to take the Census, and to discover what else the library has to offer, whether it's the first time they've ever set foot in one, or the first time since losing their card."

For more information about the Census, visit census.gov or stop by the library! For information about the library, visit batavialibrary.org. 

Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment.

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Submitted photo: Library Director Bob Conrad, right, shows Genesee County Legislator and Complete Count Chair Shelley Stein the "Census station" at Richmond Memorial Library. The library has a phone and computer terminal dedicated solely for use by those wishing to complete the Census.

Plush Kevin Dozier, 23, charged with arson and attempted murder, has a new attorney, so his trial, scheduled to start next week, has been delayed.

Fred Rarick, who has taken over Dozier's case from Tom Burns, said new information has come to light as well that indicates Dozier may have an alibi for June 15, when he is accused of starting a fire at an occupied residence on Maple Street in Batavia.

The earliest date for the delayed trial to start -- when both the court is available and Rarick doesn't have a scheduling conflict -- is July 13.

Dozier is being held on $100,000 bail.

Rarick informed Judge Charles Zambito that an investigator has been assigned to Dozier's case to determine if Dozier's possible alibi can be substantiated. If it can, Rarick will file an alibi motion.

There was no discussion in court about why Rarick replaced Burns as Dozier's attorney.

While there is no current plea offer, Zambito set a plea cutoff date of May 15.

Dozier is also charged with criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief in the third degree for alleged incidents while he has been in custody. District Attorney Lawrence Friedman intends to try those charges separately and they will be dealt with after the arson/attempted murder trial.

Samantha Gail Reff, 30, of Middle Road, Caledonia, is charged with: Leandra's Law -- driving while ability impaired by drugs with two child passengers less than 16 years of age; driving while ability impaired by drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and speeding. Reff was arrested March 10 after an investigation of a traffic stop which occurred at 10:38 p.m. on Dec. 3 on Kelsey Road in Batavia. Reff was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on April 2. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Ann Marie Boyce, 43, of Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated DWI. On March 5, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Boyce at 1:32 p.m. on Jackson Street in Batavia. She is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on March 25. Post was assisted by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Luis J. Santiago, 31, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 5:02 p.m. on March 8, Santiago was arrested after he allegedly violated an order of protection at an apartment on Edward Street in Batavia. He was processed, issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

Julio Vazquez, 19, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal tampering. On March 5, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Vazquez after a road-rage incident on Pearl Street in Batavia at 9:59 a.m. He is due in Batavia City Court on March 17. Post was assisted by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Smoke is reported coming from a residence at 31 Summit St. in the city. Some callers also report flames showing. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 6:11 p.m.: It's a working house fire. It's gone to a second alarm. Alexander's Fast Team and Darien's Rescue unit are called to the scene along with Mercy medics. Town of Batavia fire is asked to stand by in quarters.

The location is between Washington Avenue and East Main Street.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: No injuries were reported, according to Chief Stefano Napolitano. The fire started on the back porch.

UPDATE 6:57 p.m.: There was a significant amount of fire on the backside of the residence when firefighters arrived, the chief said, but the fire was knocked down quickly and firefighters are doing overhaul and trying to ascertain how the blaze began. The chief said residents self-extricated after neighbors started pounding on their windows to alert them. Early detection devices did not go off because the fire was contained to a rear mud porch and there was no extension into the main structure or the basement. Chief Napolitano said residents were "very lucky." One of the two downstairs residents was asleep when the fire broke out; both got out along with their two dogs. Their cat was rescued and given air by Mercy EMS, which revived the animal. A lone female who lives upstairs also got out OK.

Top photo by Howard Owens. 

Photo by Mike Pettinella.

UPDATE: Photos below by Frank Capuano.

Bob Trombley had a nice side hustle going -- selling items that reminded people of pleasant pasts on eBay -- but doing that, working at the hospital in Warsaw, while raising four kids kept him a bit too busy.

So he decided, why not make the nostalgia business his main focus.

Saturday, joined by his wife and one of his children and the Chamber of Commerce, he cut the ribbon on his brand-new retail store in the Harvester Center, Vintage.

Just before cutting that ribbon, he recalled one customer who bought a radio-controlled car from him online. After the customer received it, he wrote Trombley a two-page email recalling the same RC car he lost at 13 and then spent 20 years looking for it again.

"Getting that meant everything to him," Trombley said. "It made me feel good about connecting those items to the past for people."

He wanted more of that.

“I noticed that a lot of items I sold online brought people happiness because they were things from their past," Trombley said.  

The new thrift and consignment store, will be more than a place to buy knickknacks from the past. He plans open mic nights on Thursdays (7 to 9). On Saturdays, parents can bring their kids in to "bang on the guitars on the wall" (and maybe get a free guitar lesson) (11 to noon). There will also be game nights and quilting lessons.

“We want a real sense of what it was like for me growing up in the '80s, just a real sense of a real community place," Trombley said.

Here's the Vintage internet link for hours and directions.

Last week, Batavia scored 310 points in the final round of the Scholastic Bowl season to become the 2020 champions. Batavia beat out other finalists, Pembroke (270 points) and Attica (230).

Michael Robert Simcick, 26, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; refusal to take a breath test; unlawful possession of marijuana; failure to stop at stop sign; and moving from lan unsafely. At 1:26 a.m. on March 8, Simcick was arrested on Perry Road in Pavilion after a traffic stop for a violation of vehicle and traffic law. An investigation allegedly determined him to be intoxicated by alcohol and in possession of marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Pavilion Town Court on March 17. Genesee County Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush handled the case, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein, and the Le Roy Police Department.

Shane R. Reisman, 50, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: failure to stop at a stop sign; driving while intoxicated; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway; and refusal to take a breath test. Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Reisman at 2:36 p.m. on March 2 on Trumbull Parkway in Batavia after a traffic stop. Reisman was later released with appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on March 18.

Baltazar de la Rosa Sifuentes, 26, of Parkland Creek Lane, Chili, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; and moving from lane unsafely. At 9:30 p.m. on March 6, Sifuentes was arrested after an investigation of a single-car accident on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford. He was released with appearance tickets and is due in Stafford Town Court on March 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Jessica Lyn Revier, 35, of Hall Road, Holley, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; failure to stop at a stop sign; and speed not reasonable and prudent. At 7:55 a.m. on March 7, Revier was arrested on North Bergen Road in Byron. She allegedly drove her vehicle off the roadway while in an intoxicated condition. Revier was released on appearance tickets and is due in Byron Town Court on March 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Phillip Detraell Byford Jr., 29, of Brockport Spencerport Road, Brockport, was arrested March 3 on two separate warrants out of Batavia City Court. It is alleged that Byford stole from the Speedway convenience store at 204 W. Main St. in Batavia at 8:44 p.m. on Jan. 24 and then failed to appear in court after his appearance ticket was issued. He was arraigned in city court and released. He is due back in court on March 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Chance J. Barnwell-McClary and Marvelous C. Williams are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 10 in the Town of Byron, that the defendants knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- fentanyl -- with the intent to sell it. In count two, Barnwell-McClary and Williams are accused of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that on Oct. 10 in the Town of Byron that the defendants knowingly possessed or sold gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, vials, capsules or other material suitable for packaging individual quantities of narcotic drugs or stimulants under circumstances that evinced the intent to use or unlawfully manufacture, package or dispense narcotic drugs or stimulants.

Niasia S. Jiggetts is indicted for the crime of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that in 2017 at an apartment in the 4000 block of West Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, that the defendant, being age 18 or older, intentionally caused physical injury to a person under age 7. In count two, she is accused of another count of second-degree assault. It is alleged in count two that last year on Thomas Avenue in the City of Batavia that the defendant, an adult, intentionally caused physical injury to a person less than 7 years old.

Edwin Peart Jr. is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 29 in the City of Batavia the defendant knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. In count two, Peart is accused of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged in count two that Peart introduced dangerous contraband -- cocaine -- into the Genesee County Jail. In count three, he is accused of tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count three that on Aug. 29, believing certain evidence was about to be produced, he tried to suppress it, by an act of concealment, alteration, destruction, intimidation or force. Peart is accused of retrieving bags of cocaine from his underwear while being processed at the jail, placing them in his mouth and chewing them, "refusing all commands to open his mouth and spit the substance out."

Walter H. Bennett is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 24 in the City of Batavia that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with the intent to sell it. In count two, he is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that on Oct. 24 in the City of Batavia that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed a controlled substance -- cocaine.

James R. Blakeslee is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 28 in the Town of Le Roy on Route 19, Blakeslee drove a 2003 Dodge while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. In is alleged in count two that the defendant had a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time, according to an chemical analysis of his breath. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Blakeslee is accused of having been convicted of DWI as a misdemeanor on Sept. 16, 2014 in Wyoming County Court, and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Schnell A. Ogletree is indicted for the crime of driving while ability impaired by drugs, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on Sept. 14 in the Town of Stafford that Ogletree drove a 2012 GMC Terrain on Route 33 while her ability was impaired by the use of drugs. In count two, she is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that when she drove that day she knew or had reason to know that her driver's license was suspended or revoked by authorities. In count three, Ogletree is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that on that day she knowingly and unlawfully possessed a controlled substance -- cocaine. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Ogletree is accused of having been convicted of driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol. It is alleged in Special Information that the defendant was convicted of this on June 12 in the Town of Onondaga and this conviction forms the basis of count two in the current indictment.

Shamya Brown is indicted for the crime of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on March 19 in the Town of Batavia that Brown stole cosmetics and/or skin care items having a value exceeding $1,000.

Kyle Christopher Madden, 27, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with: fourth-degree grand larceny; third-degree identity theft; and criminal impersonation in the second degree. Madden was arrested after an investigation of a larceny complaint at 5:52 p.m. Feb. 10 on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. He was released with an appearance ticket and is due in Le Roy Town Court on March 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Henning, assisted by Investigator Christopher Parker.

Nashiem R. Harris, 21, of Batavia, and a 17-year-old female, also of Batavia, were arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies following a traffic stop on Route 246 in the Town of Covington at 7:45 a.m. on March 4. Harris is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree, and failure to keep right. The juvenile is also charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree, and stopping on pavement. A 2012 Ford Fusion was observed by law enforcement stopped in the middle of the driving lane on Court Road by Silver Lake Road. Two subjects exited the vehicle, switched seats, and then continued driving on Court Road, according to the report prepared by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan. Officers followed the vehicle and observed as the vehicle was being driven entirely on the left-hand side of the roadway. A traffic stop was conducted and the odor of burned marijuana was allegedly detected. A partially smoked marijuana blunt was allegedly located in the center console during a subsequent vehicle search. Both drivers allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests and were then evaluated by a Certified Drug Recognition Expert at the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, who determined them to be impaired by the use of drugs.

On Tuesday GO ART! held a ceremony to award funds to recipients of the New York State Council on the Arts' Decentralization Regrant Program.

Below are the Genesee County recipients.

Reach Grants were awarded to:

• Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble (Concert Season 2020 Mr. Mustard Beatles Cover Band Collaboration) -- $4,395
• Genesee Symphony Orchestra ("Destinations") -- $4,650
• Arc of Genesee Orleans (Film Festival and Art Show) -- $4,425
• Holland Purchase Historical Society (Holland Land Office Museum Guest Speaker and Concert Series, Mystery Theater) -- $1,000
• Elba Betterment Committee -- (EBC Music and More) -- $2,265
• Woodward Memorial Library (Summer Arts Camp) -- $1,500
• Genesee Chorale (2020 Series) -- $5,000
• ACORNS (Music in the Park) -- $350
• Gillam Grant Community Center (Cultural Connections) -- $4,993
• Batavia Concert Band (2020 Concert Series) -- $5,000

The lone Spark Grant recipient is:

• Judd Sunshine (Erie Canal Songwriting Project) -- $3,300

Ripple Grants were awarded to:

• David Burke (12 Center St., Batavia, External Mural) -- $2,500
• Bart Dentino ("The Spaces Between the Leaves") -- $2,500
• Mandy Humphrey (Routes 19 & 5 Mural) -- $2,500
• Eric Zwieg ("Slow Moving Grief") -- $2,500

All the awardees were grateful for the funding, which will help provide cultural and artistic programming to benefit the local community. It will also help create new works, and boost arts education for K-12 public school students.

Pauli Miano, a member of the Elba Betterment Committee, is delighted because the grant will allow her community to put on seven concerts in Elba's park this summer. Miano wrote the grant request along with another committee member, Kelly Dudley, who first suggested it.

The Elba concerts will feature area musicians, and there will be food and theme-related activities at each, most of which will be provided by local nonprofits, school groups, and businesses and restaurants.

Miano says all the bands have been booked and some other commitments have been made -- rock paintings ("Rock out with Bobby and the Pedestrians"), wine and cheese with Jimmie Leggs (jazz); and a car cruise. Shows start in June with The Corfu Pembroke Community Band (All- American theme) and run through August.

Top photo, from left: Theresa Kehl, education/decentralization grant coordinator for GO ART!; Jessica Torrey, GO ART! board president; Kelly Dudley and Pauli Miano, both of the Elba Betterment Committee.

Jeff Allen, director of Crossroads House in Batavia, will receive an award tonight from the Chamber of Commerce at the Geneseean of the Year. The awards dinner is at Quality Inn & Suites.

Tompkins Bank of Castile is Genesee County's Business of the Year. Tompkins will receive the award tonight during an awards dinner at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

Press release:

Projects to revitalize an important downtown corridor in Batavia and to add 22 megawatts of community solar capacity in Genesee County received approval from the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors at the agency’s March 5 board meeting.

The seven projects approved for assistance have pledged more than $45 million of capital investments.

The Ellicott Station project, a $22 million mixed-use brownfield redevelopment project in Downtown Batavia, plans to construct 55 workforce apartments as part of an adaptive reuse of a former manufacturing facility on a brownfield site that would transform a major gateway to the city, and has applied for support from the New York State Office of Community Renewal.

Ellicott Place is a $3.1 million redevelopment of 45-47 Ellicott St. by V.J. Gautieri Constructors. The project includes the construction of 10 second-floor apartments at the existing facility, along with the development of first-floor storefronts and building-wide façade improvements.

Both projects support Genesee County’s EDGE economic development strategy for housing to support the growth of local businesses and were recognized as strategic projects in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) announced by Governor Cuomo in 2018.

Five community solar projects proposed by Borrego Solar include capital investments of approximately $21.6 million, and over 15 years are projected to produce more than $2 million to local taxing jurisdictions, including the Elba, Pembroke, and Akron school districts. Each project would also contribute $25,000 toward a community benefit agreement to support STEM education and economic development initiatives.

Borrego’s projects will be located at 3104 W. Main Street Road, 3232 W. Main Street Road and 5230 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road in the Town of Batavia and at 241 Knapp Road East and 241 Knapp Road West in the Town of Pembroke.

UPDATE from Batavia PD:

The male in the photos has been identified. Batavia Police Detectives have located and spoken to the person. There is no credible threat to the schools at this time. The Batavia Police Department would like to thank all of our media partners for spreading the information and the citizens of Batavia for all of their tips. We appreciate everyone’s effort in helping us keep our schools and children safe!

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for the public's assistance in identifying the male seen in the photos. The male has been seen outside local schools on 03/04/2020 and 03/05/2020.

School officials from the Batavia City School District and St. Joseph School notified police of the individual. Staff from St. Joseph confronted the male, who then fled prior to police arrival. A search of the area was conducted but the individual was not located.

The Batavia Police, Batavia City School District, and St. Joseph School would like to assure the public that there has been no threat to the schools at this time.

The security measures in place in conjunction with school staff training are what have brought this individual to police attention. Additional steps have been taken to further protect students and staff and will continue until this individual is identified.

Anyone with information in reference to the identity of the male may contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311, or the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, or the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.

Former customers of the Dog & Cat Surgery & Wellness Clinic have been contacting The Batavian expressing concern about the apparently sudden closure of the company's office in the Harvester Center.

Clients have said the closure struck them as unexpected and their biggest concern has been retrieving medical records for their pets.

Dr. Matthew T. Will, in Alden, has made arrangements, he said, to take over the practice and is encouraging clients to contact him either to transfer care for their pets to his office or to obtain medical records.

He provided the following statement:

Dr. Raymond Long, DVM, retired this past Monday. This is certainly a milestone for Dr. Long but has presented some immediate challenges for his clients and patients. In the past 24 hours, I have had discussions with Dr. Long, and have made arrangements, with his permission, to provide for patient care.

Starting yesterday, Dr. Mathew Will, DVM at Country Village Pet Care Hospital located at 13269 Broadway St., Alden, will handle Dr. Long's retirement transition for all current patients. My hospital is a full-service hospital. Our phone number is 716-937-4588. Our website is www.aldenvet.com.

I know that with this change that some clients may have some concerns. I want to assure everyone that my main objective is to promote the continuity of care of every patient and make this transition as seamless as possible.

Current clients that have immediate sickness should feel free to call my office right away. Sick patients will receive any priority. Patients with chronic medical conditions or on daily medications will receive expedited priority and be accommodated.

Any clients needing prescription refills, appointments, needing medical record information or having any patient questions can speak to our medical team. We are here to help every pet parent and their pets.

Cory Richenberg places a race car on the track of the annual Boy Scout Pinewood Derby at United Methodist Church in Batavia on Saturday.

About a dozen high school students from the region took part in the classroom lecture portion of a 14-week tractor safety course sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension at Java Farm Supply in Batavia on Saturday.

The classes are held at multiple farm equipment sales locations in the county with a safety-driving test this spring at Empire Tractor.

The instructor Saturday was Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Topics over the length of the course include tractor controls, preventative maintenance, operation, connecting equipment, driving practice, a written test, and a skills test. Students who pass the course will be licensed to operate farm equipment.