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Sponsored Post: Today is Senior Citizens Day at the Genesee County Fair

By Lisa Ace

Tuesday, July 18th Senior Citizens Day/Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center

  • 9am 4-H Horse Show—Western Classes (Horse Ring)
  • 9am 4-H Market Hog Show (Show Ring)
  • 10am Open Class Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
  • 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
  • 11am-1pm Home Depot Veterans DYI Workshop (Entertainment Tent)
  • 12pm 4-H Market Lamb Show (Show Ring)
  • 5-10pm Midway Opens (Amusement Area)
  • 4-10pm Faith at the Fair - Christian Music (Entertainment Ring)
  • 6pm North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch (Horse Ring)
  • 6pm 4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
  • 6:30pm 4-H Market Steer Show (Show Ring)
  • 10pm Exhibit halls & buildings close

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.​

Law and Order: Batavia man arrested two days in a row for incidents on Chase Park

By Howard B. Owens

Dalton C. Kelley, 19, of Chase Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Kelly allegedly damaged garage windows and pushed or threatened to harm other individuals during a disturbance on Chase Park at 6:55 p.m., Saturday. Kelley was also charged with harassment, 2nd, for allegedly striking a person at the same location at 4:42 p.m., Sunday.

Matthew D. Novak, 28, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, criminal mischief, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd. Novak was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident reported at 1:30 a.m., April 12. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Darazian W. Williams, 24, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Williams was arrested following a traffic stop at 6:30 p.m. July 9 on Law Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Melvin C. Tolbert-McDonald, 21, of Seward Street, Rochester, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Tolbert-McDonald is accused of striking another person several times and choking that person during a disturbance reported at 6:31 p.m. Saturday at a location on Pearl Street, Batavia.

Bonnie L. Cortright, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Police responded at 11:15 p.m. to 122 Summit St., Batavia, for a report of people being inside a vacant home. Also charged were Sabrina Higgins, 22, and Thomas Preedom, 29. Preedom, a parolee, was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Casey J. Halsey, 37, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Police responded to a report of a disturbance on Redfield Parkway at 4:34 a.m., Saturday. Halsey allegedly refused to leave a residence. He was jailed on $7,500 bail.

Willie Frank Irvin II, 35, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, speeding in zone, and tailgating. Irvin was stopped at 2:37 a.m. Sunday on East Main Street, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Fight reported on Summit Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A fight involving about a dozen people is reported on Summit Street between Washington Avenue and East Main Street. City police just arrived on scene.

Law and Order: Duo charged with drug possession after accident in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

Chris Kaboingo, 28, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th. Kaboingo was arrested following a property damage accident at 7:29 p.m. May 25 on Alexander Road, Alexander. He was allegedly found in possession of amphetamine pills. He was arraigned July 11 and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also charged was Darazian Willie Paul Williams, 24, of West Main Street, Batavia. Williams was also cited for alleged failure to keep right.

Alexander Albert Chandler, 25, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate plate lamp. Chandler was stopped at 9:50 p.m. Friday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Michael Lute.

Riley Kristine Davis, 20, of Gilbert Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. Davis is accused of shoplifting from a business on Veterans Memorial Drive at 12:11 p.m. on July 10. Davis allegedly stole jewelry. 

Nasir Chalee Nathan, 21, of Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Nathan was allegedly found in possession marijuana while in a parking lot off Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 12:43 p.m. on July 10 by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jessica Ann Shiltz, 33, Claybed Road, Filmore, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. At 12:27 a.m., July 13, Deputy Ryan DeLong observed a vehicle stopped at the side of the road on Colby Road, Darien. Upon investigation, Shiltz was found to be allegedly driving drunk. She was jailed on $250 bail.

Jay'von D Spivey, 18, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and resisting arrest. Spivey is accused of stealing a bicycle. He allegedly pulled away and resisted when police attempted to place him in custody. He was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Gregory Seppe, 59, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, burglary, 2nd, and conspiracy, 4th. Gregory Seppe was arrested with Brandon Seppe, 33, when the two men were allegedly found leaving the area of a reported burglary. Both were held without bail.

Olivia J. Paganin, 28, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and motor vehicle with lights that do not meet standards. Paganin was stopped at 1:15 a.m., July 1, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Sheryl A. Jeffery, 58, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Jeffery allegedly struck a registered nurse while being treated at UMMC.

Oak Street resident accused of selling crack cocaine

By Howard B. Owens
    Jason Giuliani

A 38-year-old Batavia man is being accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on three separate occasions.

Jason M. Giuliani, of Oak Street, was arrested at the Genesee County Jail, where he is being held on unrelated charged.

Giuliani is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges are Class B felonies.

Bail was set for Giuliani on these charges at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

Sponsored Post: The Genesee County Fair begins today! It's Emergency Responder Night

By Lisa Ace

MONDAY, JULY 17th “Emergency Responder Night” 

  • 9am 4-H Horse Show—English Classes (Horse Ring)
  • 9am Goat Show (Show Ring)
  • 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
  • 11am 4-H Beef Cattle Show (Show Ring)
  • 12pm Open Beef Show (Show Ring)
  • 12pm 4-H Dairy Cattle Fitting Clinic & Contest (4-H Dairy Barn)
  • 5:30pm PARADE LINE-UP – Genesee Speedway Pits (Fairgrounds)
  • 6:30pm GENESEE CO. FAIR GRAND PARADE through the Fairgrounds
  • 7pm - Karaoke (Entertainment Tent)
  • 9pm Outdoor Movie (Hill behind Parmelee Building)

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.​

Report of kids playing on tracks holds up train

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reported seeing kids playing on train tracks near Wortendyke Road, Batavia, including lying on the tracks while a train was coming. 

Deputies are dispatched. 

CSX is now holding a train to give deputies a chance to search the area. 

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A person in law enforcement informs dispatch about a graduation party in the area and kids from the party going up to the tracks.

Public notice issued for hearing on CBGD funding grant application for HP Hood expansion

By Howard B. Owens

Public Notice:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Genesee County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the submission of an application for Community Development Block Grant funding from the New York State Office of Community Renewal to provide financing to assist in the establishment of milk processing operations at the former Muller Quaker Dairy facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in the Town of Batavia, New York by HP Hood LLC.  More detailed information regarding the project will be presented at the hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the public hearing will be held at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY on the 19th day of July, 2017 at 5:30 PM. All persons who wish to speak will be heard. Written comments are invited and will be accepted upon delivery to: Clerk, Genesee County Legislature, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 prior to the hearing. The hearing location is in compliance with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

City repairing water main break on Walnut Street, service disrupted in area

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is on location of a water main break in front of 129 Walnut St. The water has been turned off on Walnut Street from the railroad tracks to the City line, and also on Law Street. We appreciate your understanding while this repair is made. City crews will make every attempt to restore water as soon as possible.

Possible structure fire reported on Oak Street

By Billie Owens

A possible structure fire is reported in the area of 167 Oak St. in the city. Heavy black smoke is reported in the area. City fire is responding. A firefighter in the vicinity reports nothing visible.

UPDATE 8:42 a.m.: Firefighters are at the scene investigating, but on initial search can see no smoke or fire.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: All units back in service.

Tonawanda water level appears to be receding

By Howard B. Owens

The water level on the Tonawanda Creek, as measured by the station behind the Genesee County Courthouse, peaked at just under 10 feet at about 8 p.m. and started to recede by 9 p.m., according to measurements captured by the USGS.

A flood alert remains in effect until Saturday morning.

Accident with unknown injuries at West Main and Lewiston, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported at West Main Street and Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: Minor injuries. Traffic is blocked.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m. Vehicles have been moved to a parking lot. Once firefighters clear up a little debris, traffic should return to normal.

Tonawanda close to nine-foot level

By Howard B. Owens

At 9 a.m., the water level of the Tonawanda Creek, measured behind the courthouse, was 8.5 feet and rising, according to the National Weather Service.

Flood stage is 9 feet.

The creek is expected to crest at 9.4 feet this afternoon.

Impacted areas include Kibbe Park, Law Street and Walnut Street.  

Also, expect flooding in the rural areas of Alexander and the Alabama Swamps.

Rocks spread happiness, kindness throughout Batavia

By Maria Pericozzi

The first of three sessions to spread kindness throughout Batavia was on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. where participants painted rocks, which will be placed throughout Batavia.

Participants pay $5 to cover the cost of paint and supplies, and bring a rock. Two more sessions -- July 27 and Aug. 17, from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. -- will be held at Art Ah La Carte in Batavia at 39 Jackson St.

Kim Argenta, owner of Art Ah La Carte, started the project after her friend, Kelly Carlie, told her about a project she runs in Le Roy, called “Le Roy Rocks.” Both are part of the nationwide “The Kindness Rocks Project.”

Tonawanda close to flood stage in areas of Law, Walnut and Kibbe Park

By Howard B. Owens

The City of Batavia is warning of flooding along the Tonawanda Creek in the areas of Law Street, Walnut Street and Kibbe Park.

The Tonawanda is expected to crest at 9.7 feet, which is above flood stage levels.

Residents in the affected areas are asked to keep vigilant and take precautions to minimize property loss.

State Street resident convicted of menacing a police officer sentenced to three years in prison

By Howard B. Owens

Sometimes good people do bad things, Judge Micheal Mohun told Bill Thomas before sentencing him to three years in state prison for menacing a police officer.

With the nearly 14 months already served in county jail, and time off for good time, Thomas should be back home with his family in a little over a year.

Family is a big part of the Thomas story, something Mohun noted during his sentencing remarks.

"You're a lucky fella," Mohun said. "Every time you've come to court, your family has been here. Your family has been very supportive. I see you are one of 10 kids, the second youngest. Your mother died in May while you were in jail. I'm sure that was very hard on you.  It gives me great encouragement that your family is with you and has backed you throughout your court appearances and your trial and now they're here with you today. That is a real testament to the Thomas family.

Then he added, "you're also lucky to be alive."

On the morning of March 16, 2016, Officer Pete Flanigan responded to a home on State Street to investigate a report of a disturbance. Bill's brother Rand answered the door and Flanigan saw Thomas, he testified at trial, with a knife in his hand. He said Thomas came at him with the knife and he thought he would have to shoot Thomas, but Rand, in trying to flee the residence, got in between the officer and his brother.

At a trial last month, Thomas was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon and menacing a police officer.

The mandatory minimum sentence for menacing a police officer is two years in prison, with a maximum of eight. 

Mohun also sentenced Thomas to one to three years on the weapons conviction, to run concurrently to the menacing charge. Thomas will also have a year and a half parole to serve when he's released.

Thomas has a prior criminal record, but nothing in the past 20 years and never had a prior arrest for any kind of violence.

He had been living with his mother, caring for her, prior to his arrest.

While Thomas, 57, was represented at the jury trial by the Public Defender's Office, retained counsel Maurice Verillo appeared for the defendant today. He argued for a minimum amount of time in prison and asked that his client's time in prison be at a facility close to Batavia so his family could easily visit him.

Mohun said he has no control over where the Department of Corrections sends Thomas, but he did attach the request to his file, so it is with him when he is processed, and all of the letters of support from friends and family the court received.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, who usually has something to say when asked what his sentencing recommendations are by a judge, made no statement in court today.

About a dozen members of his family were in court. After Mohun adjourned the case, they all stood. Deputies allowed Thomas to turn and say goodbye to his family.  Family members told him they supported him and loved him.

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