batavia

A neighbor reports smoke coming from a mobile home in a park at 3322 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke fire with one engine from Town of Batavia dispatched.

UPDATE 8:21 a.m.: A chief on scene reports a burn barrel next to the trailer. All equipment can stay in quarters.

While at the GOP convention in Cleveland, Assemblyman Steve Hawley said he decided to organize an effort to honor the men and women of law enforcement, so he called on people in New York on Friday to wear blue.

Yesterday afternoon, Hawley, along with County Legislator Ray Cianfrini and City Councilman Adam Tabelski met at the Sheriff's Office on Park Road, Batavia, to tell representatives of the Sheriff's Office, State Police and Batavia PD that they appreciate their service to the community.

"I couldn't be prouder of what you do every single day, whether you're in the City of Batavia, whether you're in the County of Genesee or in Monroe County or the State of New York," Hawley said. "It's not an easy job. It never has been. When you put on that badge and uniform today more than ever you never know what's going to happen."

Hawley's call for support of local law enforcement comes in the wake of tragedies in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La.

"I can't imagine what you go through every time you put on the badge," Hawley said.

Tabelski said he appreciating the dedication police officers bring to their jobs.

"When you're hired as a police officer, it's more than just a job," Tabelski said. "It's a calling. It's something you are passionate about. We know about the difficulties you have to deal with and all the inconveniences you have to deal with, a lot more than just having to wear long sleeves on a hot day, so on behalf of the city, I just want to say, 'thank you.' "

Below, Hawley with members of the California Highway Patrol in Cleveland (photo submitted by Steve Hawley).

The staff at Tompkins Financial also expressed their support Friday by wearing blue.

Staff of Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates, P.C., Law Offices on Harvester Avenue.

A caller from Washington Towers reports seeing three youths on bicycles, two black and one white, steal cones that were around an excavator on Jefferson Avenue. 

Jefferson near Washington is closed this week for repair work.  

The youths were last seen heading south on Jefferson.

A two-car accident is reportedly tying up traffic a bit at Jackson and Ellicott streets. No injuries. City fire, police and Mercy medics responded.

A bicyclist was injured in a hit-and-run accident on West Main Street, Road, Batavia.

The injuries are reportedly minor.

There is only a limited description of the vehicle. It is reportedly black and will be missing a side mirror.

The location is in front of Delre's Greenhouse.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS were dispatched, but a Mercy medic who arrived on scene said fire would not be required, so Town of Batavia is standing down.

A Batavia man whose apparent domestic dispute ended after he allegedly threatened a police officer with a knife has chosen to take his case to trial rather than accept a plea agreement.

The agreement would have limited his prison term to three and a half years in exchange to a guilty plea to menacing a police officer.

Bill Thomas, 56, of State Street, was arrested in March after an early morning stand-off with the Emergency Response Team.

He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Thomas turned down the plea offer last week, but was back in Genesee County Court this afternoon because a police officer witness won't be available at the time of the original trial date. The new date for jury selection to start the trial is Oct. 11.

Press release:

The City of Batavia received notification this week from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) that it will be recognized for its performance management efforts with a Certificate of Achievement from the ICMA Center for Performance AnalyticsTM.

Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. said “Providing the public with access to information we use to make decisions as well as monitoring our progress is a critical part of ensuring we are transparent in how we operate the City.”

The City regularly updates its Strategic Plan outcomes and performance management system on the City’s website at http://www.batavianewyork.com/office-of-the-city- manager/pages/strategic-plan.

City Manager Jason Molino added, “Over the past six years the City’s Strategic Plan and performance measurement system has been a great tool to demonstrate a use of the City’s resources, meeting service demands and improving our service levels.”

“The certificate program recognizes communities that have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement using performance analysis,” said ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O’Neill Jr.

“Performance analysis is an integral component of professional local government management, and jurisdictions meeting the certificate qualifications serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

ICMA assesses a local government’s performance management program and encourages analysis of results by comparing to peers and gauging performance over time. Performance management aids in cost reduction, program prioritization, and quality improvement. It also encourages accountability and transparency. Certificates are awarded at the levels of Achievement, Distinction, and the highest level, Excellence.

Batavia is one of 53 local governments being recognized across the nation, and only the second in the State of New York to receive this type of recognition. 

About ICMA

IMCA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. The organization’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build better communities. ICMA identifies leading practices to address the needs of local governments and professionals serving communities globally providing services, research, publications, data and information, peer and results-oriented assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of people living in thousands of communities, ranging in size from small towns to large metropolitan areas.

About the Center for Performance Analytics

Center for Performance Analytics is dedicated to helping local governments use performance information to better the lives of the people they serve. The Center encourages the use and public reporting of comparative performance data in a positive, continuous-learning environment in order to foster organizational cultures that deliver results that matter. For more information on the center, please visit: www.icma.org/performanceinsights

Erin Marie Van Dorn, 28, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of harassment. She was arrested following a harassment complaint in the Town of Batavia. She allegedly repeatedly called and messaged two people, harassing them about an incident that occurred at 11 a.m. on West Main Street Road over the Fourth of July weekend. She was released with an appearance ticket to be in Town of Batavia Court on Aug. 4. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Shane H. Houseknecht, 24, of Churchville, was arrested by State Troopers on July 19 and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, controlled substance in a non-original container, both misdemeanors, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and speeding. Houseknecht was allegedly observed speeding on Route 33 in the Town of Bergen. Investigation revealed Houseknecht had a suspended driver’s license. Troopers allege they located three Adderall pills and a suboxone strip. Houseknecht was transported to SP Batavia for processing. He was issued an appearance ticket and uniform traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Bergen Court on Aug. 3.

A bail hearing in City Court today was continued to Aug. 4 for a man accused of having sexual contact with a mentality disabled family member because the suspect declined a bail evaluation interview with Genesee Justice.

Assistant Public Defender Lisa Kroemer explained to Judge Robert Balbick that her client, Eric Watson, declined the interview because he didn't understand the purpose or know anything about Genesee Justice.

Genesee Justice is a county agency that provides supervisory services on behalf of the court as well as assistance to crime victims.  One of the tasks of staff at Genesee Justice is complete a bail evaluation, which a judge can use to set an appropriate amount of bail for each defendant. The scoring system is intended to help judges determine the likelihood a defendant will make it to future court appearances.

Rather than set bail today for Watson, without that information, Balbick continued the case to the next available court date.

Watson is in custody and entered the courtroom dress in an orange jail uniform, moving slowing and balancing with a walker. As he approached the bench, Kroemer told him, "take your time, Mr. Watson."

Watson is accused of having sexual contact with a family member who was unable to consent due to mental incapacity to provide consent.

He is charged with second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act, and second-degree incest.

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Water service has been shut off by the City of Batavia Water Department to businesses on Industrial Boulevard, Apollo Drive and Treadeasy Way.

Crews are repairing a water leak.

There is no ETA for when service will be restored.

A pair of kitchen personnel and a corrections officer at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia have been placed on leave after they were accused of feeding chicken picked from the garbage to Muslim detainees for their Ramadan meals.

The three workers are facing possible termination and the case has been referred to the Inspector General of Homeland Security.

In a statement, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said, “The agency takes all allegations of employee misconduct very seriously and will respond appropriately based on the investigative findings.”

The investigation is ongoing and no conclusive findings have been released. The names of the employees have not been released.

Via our news partner WBTA.

Today, the YMCA replaced all of its treadmills as part of a plan that rotates in new machines every year.

Since the treadmills tend to wear faster, its more cost effective to lease, rather than own, the treadmills, explained CEO Rob Walker.  

The Y will make approximately $100,000 in lease payments on the machines over the next three years.

The Holland Land Office Museum's annual summer program, History Heroes, is in its second day of the eight-day schedule and today the children participating walked from the museum to Ken's Charcoal Pits for lunch and then to the Batavia Cemetery.

According to Anne Marie Starowitz, the students learned about some of the famous people buried at the cemetery, including members of the Richmond family, Joesph Ellicott and Philemon Tracy, and also visited the William Morgan monument.

Keith A. Wilkinson Jr., 61, of Quarry Hill Estates, Akron, is charged with: second-degree reckless endangerment; fourth-degree criminal mischief; and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. He was arrested after a joint investigation was completed concerning an incident which occurred at 7:35 p.m. on Nov. 21 at 315 Bank St., Batavia. Investigators from the Batavia Police Department and the NYS Environmental Conservation Police determined that Wilkinson did discharge a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling at that time. They determined the bullet did strike a home located within the City of Batavia. Wilkinson was due in City Court July 19 to answer the charges. PO Ivison and ECO Wilson were the primary investigating officers in the case, according to the report of Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack.

Ronnie W. Engelhardt, 27, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation, sixth-degree conspiracy, and third-degree false report of an incident. Engelhardt was arrested at 7 p.m. on June 1 and charged due to his alleged part in the false report of a motor-vehicle theft on East Main Street in Batavia in 2014. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 12 and then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Thad Mart.

David T. Neuhaus, 29, of Willow Street, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation, sixth-degree conspiracy, and third-degree false report of an incident. Engelhardt was arrested at 7 p.m. on June 1 and charged due to his alleged part in the false report of a motor-vehicle theft on East Main Street in Batavia in 2014. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 12 and then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Thad Mart.

Justin R. Shaffer, 29, of Gardeau Road, Perry, is charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation, sixth-degree conspiracy, and third-degree false report of an incident. Engelhardt was arrested at 7 p.m. on June 1 and charged due to his alleged part in the false report of a motor-vehicle theft on East Main Street in Batavia in 2014. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 12 and then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Thad Mart.

Paul M. Wieclaw II, 27, of Norton Road, Elba, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree burglary. He was arrested on a Batavia City Court Arrest Warrant and jailed without bail. The case stems from an incident which occurred at 1 a.m. July 8 on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He is was due in court today. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Jon N. Roblee, 40, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested after he allegedly had an argument with a coworker at Bob Evans Restaurant on Oak Street in Batavia and threw an item at her. The incident was reported at 7:30 p.m. on July 7. He is due in City Court on July 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

John R. Sherman Sr., 38, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. He was arrested at 5:45 a.m. on July 11 on Elm Street after allegedly pushing another person during a domestic incident. He was jailed on $750 bail. He was due back in court later that afternoon (July 11). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Gina Lynn Avino, 41, of Haven Lane, Batavia, is charged with second-degree obstructing governmental adminstration and second-degree harassment. At 2:09 a.m. on July 19 Avion was arrested on Haven Lane on these charges. It is alleged that during the investigation of a domestic incident, she pushed a City Police Officer who was assisting a Sheriff's Deputy on the call. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. She is due in Batavia Town Court on Aug. 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Rachellyn G. Burek, 34, of Main Street, Attica, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. She was arrested due to an incident at 9:30 a.m. on June 9 on Summit Street in Batavia wherein she allegedly had contact with a party protected by an order of protection. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court Aug. 2 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Nicole A. Mickey, 26, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and speeding. At about 12:47 a.m. on July 10, Mickey was arrested on Richmond Avenue in Batavia as the result of a traffic stop. She was processed at BPD headquarters, fingerprinted and photographed at the jail and then issued itckets. She was due in City Court this morning. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Benjamin G. Evans IV, 27, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. He was arrested on July 11. It is alleged that Evans possessed a bicycle that he knew to be stolen. It was reported stolen at 9 p.m. July 6 on School Street in the city. Evans was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Sgt. Christopher Camp, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 38, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and inadequate headlamps. He was arrested at 11:28 p.m. on July 4 on East Main Street in Batavia following a traffic stop. It is alleged that Fairbanks, who was the driver, possessed a quantity of marijuana and another controlled substance in the vehicle. He was due in City Court on July 19. The case has handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jonathan C. Hoges, 34, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. He was arrested at 11:29 p.m. on July 4 on East Main Street in Batavia following a traffic stop. It is alleged that Hoges, who was a passenger, possessed a controlled substance while in the vehicle. He was due in City Court on July 19. The case has handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Lonnie J. Ford III, 45, homeless, Batavia, is charged with public lewdness. He was arrested following an incident in Centennial Park at 6:06 p.m. on July 12 wherein he allegedly exposed himself and "urinated approximately on a tree." He was issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 2 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Melissa R. Piazza, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with being in a public park after hours. She was arrested at 12:10 a.m. on July 14 for allegedly entering and remaining in Austin Park after the park was closed. Piazza allegedly remained in the park after being afford the opportunity to leave with only a warning. She was released on an appearance ticket for City Court on July 19. The case has handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Priscilla M. Donahue, 38, of East Avenue, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested after allegedly stealing property from Dollar General on East Main Street in Batavia at 4:09 p.m. on July 11. She was issued a computer-generated appearance ticket for City Court on Aug. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Benjamin Gove Evans IV, 27, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested following the investigation into a bicycle that was stolen from outside the Richmond Memorial Library and was reported at 12:30 p.m. on July 9. He was due in City Court on July 19. The bicycle was recovered and returned to the rightful owner. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison. 

Michelle L. Misiak, 51, of Union Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested at 9:21 p.m. on June 14 following a NYS Parole home visit wherein she allegedly possessed drug paraphernalia. She was due in City Court on July 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia was arrested on July 18 for allegedly stealing food and liquor out of a freezer on the front porch of a residence on Manhatten Avenue in the city at 5:40 p.m. on July 16. The youth is due in City Court on Aug. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia was arrested at 1 p.m. on July 11 after allegedly found to be in possession of a marijuana pipe. The youth is due in City Court on Aug. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze.

Robert L. Carney, 24, of Walter Street, Buffalo, was arrested on July 15 after being located by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at Darien Lake. He was found to have a bench warrant for failure to pay a fine out of City of Batavia and turned over to Batavia Police.. At the direction of City Court Judge Balbick, Carney was released and was due back in court on July 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Board of Assessment Review currently has one position to fill. The term is a five-year term and will begin in October. The Batavia City Council is seeking a City resident who is interested in volunteering as a member of this committee and has knowledge of property values.

Residents interested in applying for this position can obtain a Committee/Board Volunteer Application from either the City Clerk’s Office or on the website at www.batavianewyork.com under Documents. The deadline to submit applications to the City Clerk’s Office is Aug. 15.

For further information, please contact the City Bureau of Assessment at 345-6301.

City police are responding to Dellinger Avenue for a report of several youths fighting. They are said to be heading north. This is one of several fighting incidents reported there today, says a dispatcher. Sometime after 4 p.m., a two-vehicle accident was reported on Dellinger. Injuries were minor, if any.

The Batavia Planning & Development Committee on Tuesday night approved a slightly modified plan to enclose a 1,700-square-foot patio on the west side of City Slickers Bar & Grill at 59 Main St.

Owner Ken Mistler's request focused on making the patio a bit smaller than what had been previously approved (in July 2014), reducing the size from 99 feet to 64 feet, and adding a small awning over the structure, which will feature six 12-foot, 6-inch retractable overhead doors -- four on the west side and one each on the south and north sides. The patio is located in an area next to M&T Bank.

"Patrons will be able to access (the patio) from the restaurant and also from the side and front of the patio," Mistler said, noting that the project will cost around $60,000. "(By enclosing it), we hope to utilize it more, especially in inclement weather."

Last week, Mistler's proposal was approved by the Genesee County Planning Board.

The patio will be able to seat 61 people, said Mistler, who added that he hopes to complete the project within the next several weeks.

In other action, the committee:

-- Approved a request by Michael Mammano, sign company agent, to place two lighted signs on the building at 69-71 Main St., which is being transitioned from First Niagara Bank to Key Bank. One sign will measure 2 feet, 8 inches by 17 feet, 10 inches and will go on the north elevation of the building and the other will measure 2 feet by 13 feet, 5 inches and will be placed on the south side of the building.

-- Approved a request by Batavian David Pero to subdivide property on Webster Avenue, the site of his sons' disposal business, Trash Away, LLC.  The larger parcel, consisting of vacant land, will not be used for any commercial venture at this time, Pero said.

-- Recommended that the City Zoning Board of Appeals denial a request by Randy White to create a second driveway -- measuring 16 feet wide by 60 feet long -- on his Lyon Street property. The board was not in favor of the additional overage and the fact that the applicant would be turning a larger portion of his yard into a second driveway.

​Batavia PD announced today that a 40-year-old Batavia man was arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a family member. Eric Watson is in Genesee County Jail with bail set at $20,000.

He is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a mentally disabled family member who is incapable of consenting to such activity. The allegations date back three years, but were just reported this year.

Watson is charged with second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act, and second-degree incest.

He is due to appear in Genesee County Court at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 21.

Det. Sgt. Todd Crossett and Det. Kevin Czora are the city Police Department investigating officers.