batavia

Batavia went into the fifth inning in softball on Tuesday, leading 7-4, but surrendered nine runs to lose a lead they wouldn't regain.

Final score, 16-8.

Ariana Almekinder fanned five for Batavia.

Offense:

• Ariana Almekinder, 3-4, double, RBI, 4 runs
• Libby Grazioplene, 2-4, 2 triples, RBI
• Drew Stevens, 2-4, 2 RBIs
• Kyleigh Kabel, 2-4, RBI
• Lyla Smith, 2-4, RBI double
• Hannah Carney, RBI, double

"We had one of those innings that a very young team will have," said Coach Robert Kersch. "Need to learn from our mistakes and continue to grow." 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Starter Brady Carney went all seven innings for the complete game victory on Tuesday as Batavia beat Olympia-Odyssey, 5-1.

Carney fanned seven, walked two and only gave up one hit.

Batavia offense 

• Carter Mullen, 3-4, triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• Maggio Buchholz, 3-4,  1 RBI
• Nolan Ball, 2-3, 2 runs scored
• Brock Bigsby, 1 hit, 1 RBI 
• Jameson Motyka, 1 Hit

"We're really seeing the ball well at the plate the last couple of games, and it's starting to show, said Coach Michael Sputore. "Pitching has always kept us close and now the bats are starting to wake up."

Batavia Now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

Empire Hemp Co., a trusted name in New York’s hemp and cannabis industry since 2018, is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its journey: the transformation of its retail space at 204 E Main St. into Mrs. Green’s CANNAry, the area’s first woman-owned, licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary.

Founded by Shelly Wolanske and Chris VanDusen, Empire Hemp Co. has built a reputation for producing high-quality CBD and THC products with a commitment to integrity, consistency, and care. With New York State cannabis regulations prohibiting vertical integration, the company made a strategic decision to expand in new ways. As a result, Shelly has launched Mrs. Green’s CANNAry as a standalone retail dispensary, while Empire Hemp Co. continues to focus on cultivation and manufacturing.

The new dispensary will proudly feature the Empire products that helped define the brand—such as the popular GOAT Infused Pre-Rolls—alongside a carefully curated selection of top-tier cannabis products from across New York State. Mrs. Green’s CANNAry will continue to serve the community with the same warmth, transparency, and customer care that have been hallmarks of the location since its original opening in 2021.

“Mrs. Green’s CANNAry is a natural next step,” said Shelly Wolanske. “We’re building on everything that made Empire special and bringing that energy into a fully licensed adult-use dispensary. I’m excited to create a space where education, quality, and customer experience come first.”

Empire Hemp Co. remains under the leadership of Chris VanDusen, operating from a new production facility in Batavia that better supports its continued growth. The company will expand its manufacturing of high-quality THC products for distribution to dispensaries across the state—including Mrs. Green’s.

“This is a win-win,” said VanDusen. “Empire gets to focus on scaling production and developing innovative cannabis products, while Mrs. Green’s CANNAry offers customers access to the very best flower, pre-rolls, and extracts that New York has to offer—including our own.”

The opening of Mrs. Green’s CANNAry is expected in early May 2025, and updates will be posted on social media as preparations continue. In the meantime, customers can continue to shop Empire’s full line of CBD products online empirehempco.com.

Adrienne S. Bechtold, 29, of Vine Street, Batavia, Jacob W. Patterson, 29, of Vine Street, Batavia, and Rebecca I. Patterson, 58, of Batavia, are charged with multiple crimes. (Note, the charges are not specified by person in the press release and it's unclear which charges apply to all and which might apply to only a single individual).  The charges are, six counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, three counts of promoting prison contraband 1st, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, three counts of conspiracy 4th, two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, moving from lane unsafely, and insufficient turn signal. On April 15, deputies conducted a traffic stop on the Thruway near mile marker 390.9 after observing alleged traffic violations. Deputies reportedly became suspicious of criminal activity after observing "several criminal indicators," so they requested the assistance of Batavia PD K9 Batu. As a result of the search, narcotics were allegedly located in the vehicle. After the search, one of the suspects produced more narcotics that the person had concealed on his or her person. The three people were transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing. At the jail, more narcotics were allegedly found on Bechtold and Jacob Patterson. They are accused of possessing two ounces of cocaine as well as fentanyl. Rebecca Patterson was released on an appearance ticket. Bechtold and Jacob Patterson were held pending arraignment. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, Deputy Alexander Hadsall, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, and Officer Stephen Quider, Batavia PD, handler of K-9 Batu.

Carrie Ann Stewart, 44, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd and petit larceny. Stewart is accused of entering and remaining in Walmart with the intent to commit a crime at 8:31 p.m. on April 14.

Michael Anthony Fanizza, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. Fanizza is accused of entering another person's residence in Oakfield and remaining there without permission at 1:20 pm. on April 18. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Michaela Ruth Bohn, 25, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Bohn was stopped at 11:44 p.m. on April 19 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen by Deputy Jonathan Dimming. He was issued traffic tickets and released. 

After two years as director of Richmond Memorial Library, Beth Paine has resigned the position, Board President Leslie Moma says.

Moma issued a press release Monday announcing Paine's departure. She was hired in March 2023 to replace former director Bob Conrad. 

"Beth will remain available to us as we transition to new leadership," Moma said. "Her contributions will continue to help the library serve the needs of our community.  During her tenure there were numerous positive developments: modernizing library policies, increasing operational efficiencies, overseeing improvements to our building and grounds, and evaluating staff skills and talents and promoting them to positions that enabled them to utilize their diverse talents.”

After her first year as director, Paine recommended that the library, for the first time in decades, take over its own financial and purchasing duties from Batavia City School District, which provided them as in-kind services as part of its landlord-tenant relationship. 

Paine's job responsibilities then included the payroll and related duties, she had said, and the library accounts payable clerk and accounts receivable clerk had taken over the bookkeeping tasks. The library also hired an outside accountant to “oversee all of these functions, and we have hired a payroll company to process our payroll,” Paine had said of the new arrangement.

Batavia police officers or seeking the public's assistance with an investigation into an incident in the parking lot of the East Main McDonald's on Easter Sunday that led to one man being stabbed.

When police arrived on scene, one male was located at that location.

The other male, who sustained a knife wound, was not at the scene when police officers responded to the report of a disturbance. He was latter located at a residence in the city. His injuries was not life-threatening.  CIty Fire and Mercy EMS responded to the residence and the person was transported to a hospital in Rochester for further treatment. 

All subjects believed to be involved in the incident have been identified and police say there is no ongoing risk to public safety.

Investigators are encouraging possible witnesses to come forward.

Tips can be provided by calling 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or by clicking here.

Press Release:

As the weather gets warmer, people are more likely to see wild and baby animals in their yards, parks, and wooded areas. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to remind residents to stay alert and cautious around wild, stray, and even baby animals.

Rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both animals and humans, but the good news is, it is preventable.

“Rabies is most often spread through bites from animals that have the disease, like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “Baby or young animals might look cute, but they can still have rabies. Don’t touch, feed, or approach wild animals or stray pets. If you see an animal that looks hurt or sick, call animal control instead.”

Rabies is deadly if not treated. If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound right away with soap and water and seek medical attention. All bites should be reported to the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments.

To stop the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents of the following:

• Make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Do not go near or touch wild animals, baby animals or stray cats and dogs, even if they seem hurt or lost. Report any unusual animal behavior. If an animal seems aggressive, confused, or unusually friendly, contact animal control right away.
• Follow leash laws. Keep pets on a leash so they do not encounter wild animals or strays. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance immediately and report it to the health department.
• Prevent bats from entering living spaces. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and contact the health department. DO NOT release it! For instructions on safely capturing a bat, watch this GO Health Minute.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans Counties, offered at no charge. 

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

• Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 7, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)

• Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 20, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:

• Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@geneseeny.gov
• Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram, and X at GOHealthNY.

Batavia Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park on Saturday.

Despite the rain, more than 5,000 eggs were eagerly scooped up by enthusiastic egg hunters who didn’t let the weather dampen their fun.

Photos by Kara Richenberg

"Upon the whitewashed walls, a woman’s shadow falls — a woman walketh o’er the darksome floors. A soft, angelic smile, lighteth her face the while, in passing through the dismal corridors."

That line from a Victorian-era poem by Emma Lazarus may not hold completely true to the bustling hospitals of today, but how many patients can probably relate to seeing that soft smile from a helpful nurse? Lazarus penned the poem about Florence Nightingale, a famous British nurse of the 1800s who offered comfort to soldiers during the Crimean War. 

She also serves as inspiration for a traditional ceremony conducted by the GLOW Nurses Honor Guard, a local chapter of the New York State Nurses Association.

“It’s been an organization for a really long time; it recognizes nurses who have passed on. Our purpose is simple: to honor our fellow nurses during their funeral or celebration of life,” member Amy Bontrager said to The Batavian. “We’re trying to get more recognition for it, because of all the funerals that I’ve gone to, everyone said, every single time they’ve said, ‘I didn’t realize this was a thing, this is great that you guys do this.’”

The local chapter is planning to honor nurses during National Nurses Week with a brief ceremony at noon, May 12, in front of United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North St., Batavia. This is the first time the ceremony has been held at the hospital. It includes a reading of a Florence Nightingale poem, some audience participation, and the honor guard in traditional nurses' all-white uniforms with blue and red capes, Bontrager said.

“The purpose is to remember those nurses who have previously passed on without having had a Nurses’ Honor Guard ceremony. Anyone who has previously lost a loved one who once served as a nurse — LPN, RN, NP, or the public in general — is welcome to attend,” she said. “To me, it’s important because I have an emotional connection to being a nurse; they do a lot of things no one ever knows about — a gentle touch, a smile, giving hope, the bigger picture that you’re making a difference. It’s very emotional.”

New York State Honor Guard’s vision is to “make sure that when a New York State nurse is coming to the end of life or has passed away, that nurse is not forgotten. Volunteer nurses from all over New York are committed to remembering the careers and commitment of their colleagues,” with a mission to pay tribute to these nurses, including living tributes to those who are approaching end-of-life care.

The organization has grown from one chapter to 24 that cover 59 of the 62 counties in the state, including Genesee. Many funeral homes are aware of this service, Bontrager said, and members hope to continue spreading the word so that nursing friends and families keep it in mind when planning to honor loved ones.

“We stuff it all down, but it’s in there,” Bontrager said of colleagues’ memories, and her own nursing experiences that began in the 1990s. “It’s very moving, just offering support to fellow nurses.”

And now and then there slips

A word from out her lips,

More sweet and grateful to those listening ears

Than the most plaintive tale

Of the sad nightingale,

Whose name and tenderness this woman bears.

Her presence in the room

Of agony and gloom,

No fretful murmurs, no coarse words profane;

For while she standeth there,

All words are hushed save prayer;

She seems God's angel weeping o'er man's pain.

And some of them arise,

With eager, tearful eyes,

From off their couch to see her passing by.

Some, e'en too weak for this,

Can only stoop and kiss

Her shadow, and fall back content to die.

No monument of stone

Needs this heroic one —

Her name is graven on each noble heart;

And in all after years

Her praise will be the tears

Which at that name from quivering lids will start.

And those who live not now,

To see the sainted brow,

And the angelic smile before it flits for aye,

They in the future age

Will kiss the storied page

Whereon the shadow of her life will lie.

Florence Nightingale By Emma Lazarus

For more information about the honor guard, go HERE. 

April 2025, I am sitting at the Florida airport, waiting for my flight. I look around at how things have changed since I first traveled as a young child: the signs about firearms, the bag searches, and the X-ray machine. I remember when you could have someone go to the gate, kiss you goodbye, and watch your plane take off. 

Every place I go to recently, I'm taken back to a time when I reflect on a specific time in my life.

When I passed Notre Dame High School, many memories flooded my mind. The first thing is the uniforms. When I went to school, I told my granddaughter that you had to kneel and make sure your skirt touched the floor, as I was folding her very short uniform skirt.

We connected with our friends in high school by walking and talking in the hallway. There was an origami folding puzzle we enjoyed -- sometimes referred to as a Cootie Catcher. I remember writing a note in religion class to one of my friends to have the teacher retrieve it from me, read it to the class, and post it on the bulletin board. That was our texting. 

If you wanted to make a phone call, you waited at home for your phone to be free. The phone was attached to the wall with a very long cord. We had a time limit on the phone. On just about every corner, there was a pay phone. When I think about using them, I cringe at how dirty they are now. 

I am unsure where the kids hang out today, but we hung out at Critics Ice Cream Parlor or Kustas Soda Fountain. If you were lucky to get a booth at Critics, you had your jukebox attached to the wall to play your favorite songs.

There was no such thing as Amazon. We had beautiful stores lining our Main Street. Anything you needed, you could find on Main Street. As a young girl, you would go to C.L. Carrs, Scott and Bean, and Alexanders to see the latest styles in girls' clothing. 

I only remember one person with a car in high school. The vehicle was called Captain America. We were all very fit because we walked to every place we wanted to go. On weekends, you would go to the movies at Mancuso Theater or Dipson Theater to see the latest movie. Now, you can watch hundreds of movies and television shows streaming on your flat-screen TV, phone, tablet, or computer. In my day, TV shows were in black and white, your TV set was in a cabinet, and the first remote I remember had a cord attached to the TV, allowing you to turn the TV on and off and adjust the volume. In our house, that remote was only used by our dad. 

The stores were not open on Sundays, and Sundays were for church. It was a family day. One corner store might be open for that emergency loaf of bread or milk. 

I try to explain to our grandchildren what it was like back in our day. I'm not sure they're interested, but when they're in their 70s, they'll try to share more about their past. I know our parents did, and I would give anything to hear one of their stories today.

In sports and in life, the opportunity to find the “sweet spot” is always worth the effort.

Look at the success of the new torpedo bats in baseball. Putting the weight and power to the sweet spot has everyone from the Yankees to youth players a smart way to play better.

How do we take that same innovation to our community? As an economic developer, it’s by focusing on the “sweet spot” of career discovery and exploration – the middle school and junior high years!

In March, I was fortunate to present at this year’s annual Genesee County Youth Bureau Conference at Genesee Community College. The youth conference gives 7th and 8th grade students another great way to learn about life skills and careers as they
continue their educational journeys. 

It was an outstanding program, and students left our sessions inspired to start thinking about what they can do in school and after graduation. 

These students are right in the sweet spot to start this journey.

There are great opportunities in emerging fields that they weren’t aware of. Companies are urgently looking to fill their workforce pipeline and there are many good paying jobs with the potential for long-term professional and financial growth.

They have time to grow the skills that it will take to be successful in them. They have time to test out what fields interest them, discover what works and what doesn’t, and get into great experiences offered by the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, Genesee Valley BOCES, their school, and new opportunities coming to Genesee County like national career readiness certificates with the ACT. 

Parents, I know this is a lot of information to take in. I want to make it simple for you. That’s why it’s okay to start with a conversation with Coach SwazZ. I understand the challenges, and the opportunities, and have pathways to fast track your child through a career exploration journey that combines their personal interests with experiential learning. We aim to create an ideal blend of passion and professionalism in supporting youth to achieve success right here in Genesee County.

Even with these advantages, we have to keep swinging. The torpedo bats have given the Yankees great early results, but every home run starts with a player that’s put in the effort to improve.

And there’s still going to be missed swings and strike outs. The fact is that 21.4% of students who enroll in college dropout their first year. 

Unfortunately, for some, their initial plans do not materialize due to various factors such as academic pressures, financial difficulties, or personal circumstances. Sometimes though it’s simply because they are not enjoying what they are learning in the classroom and there is nothing wrong with that!

There is a reason why so many of our partners in the workforce space focus on students at an early. Not every good paying job requires a college diploma and employers aren’t necessarily looking for college graduates because they are willing to train students and provide them the skills for success. The earlier we can connect with younger students the better the opportunity for them to learn about all the opportunities available to them in the workplace.

As a youth baseball coach and as a career coach, my message is the same. 

Control the controllables. 

Your work ethic, effort, body language, energy, attitude, passion, being coachable, going the extra mile and being prepared are all within your own control and will lead you to sustained success in your educational and professional journeys.

Visit www.gcedc.com/workforceprograms to access our free career checklist, featuring eight essential steps to jumpstart your professional journey.

If you are a student, parent, teacher, or guidance counselor, contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com to learn how to get involved today! 

Chris “Coach SwazZ” Suozzi is the Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Press release:

“A Haircut Always Helps!”

Cassandra Hirsch, Jamie Torrence, and co-workers at UConnectCare on Saturday afternoon enlisted the support of three barbers from My Cut in Batavia to provide free haircuts.

Hirsch, a data evaluator who also works with the homeless population, looked on in appreciation as My Cut owner Zach Watts and fellow barbers Connor Hyde-Hamilton and Ray Williams donated three hours of their time to the cause.

“Many of the homeless don’t have access to services such as haircuts and can’t afford one so we wanted to make a way for them to get one,” Hirsch said. “We reached out to My Cut and they jumped right in.”

The Recovery Station staff also shuttled participants to the event – running a van back and forth from different locations at three separate times.

Hirsch said Iron Reps Gym, Southside Deli, Eden Café and Cinquino’s Pizza donated door prizes while individuals gave toys and cash. Clothing was donated as well.

“We’re so grateful to all those who helped out,” she said. “The next time we have this, we hope to have some hairdressers for the women.”

Watts said he sees owning a barber shop as something bigger than himself.

“Just being involved in a barber shop, in general, is being part of a community gathering place,” he said. “Sometimes, people can’t make it to you, so it’s important that you go out and make it to them.”

Watts started My Cut about 4 ½ years ago and has seen his customer base increase significantly. It received the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District “Business of the Year” award in 2024.

He was quick to credit those who work at the shop.

“I’ve always said it’s the guys who have come in and joined me and are on this journey with me,” he said. “They’re the ones that make it work.”

Photos provided by UConnectCare.

May is right around the corner, and that means organizers are preparing — and seeking participants — for the annual Memorial Day parade down Main Street, Batavia.

The city invites you and your organization to participate in the parade, set for a lineup at 8:30 a.m. on May 26 at the East Town Plaza. The event is to begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Alva Place downtown.

Parade Chairman Bob Bialkowski said marshals will be on site to assign participants a place in the parade.

“When turning off of Main Street onto Bank Street, all units are to be silent out of respect for a memorial service at the Veterans Monument on Bank Street,” he said. “Your support is greatly appreciated.”

Bialkowski is asking for RSVPs as soon as possible to schedule you on the parade roster. A certificate of insurance or “hold harmless” needs to be returned with the RSVP, he said.

Some reminders about parade protocol:

• Throwing candy from vehicles is strictly prohibited.
• There will be no political campaigning, such as “vote for” signs, out of respect for the event.
• “Our veterans served our country, not political affiliations,” he said.

Send RSVP to Bob Bialkowski, 16 Union St., Batavia, NY, 14020, or email to bbwski@yahoo.com.

Empire Hemp has closed its doors at 204 E. Main St., Batavia, but not for long, the company said through an online post.

The store plans to close this Sunday, Van Dusen said Thursday morning.

After its expansion in 2019 to a larger processing facility and downtown Batavia retail store, the business secured licenses to cultivate and process THC cannabis three years later. However, under New York State’s “strict cannabis regulations, vertical integration is not allowed, meaning a single company cannot hold cultivation, processing and retail licenses,” the post stated.

“This meant our store could not be converted to a dispensary under Empire, so a major decision had to be made. Shelly (Wolanske) made the bold and inspiring choice to step away from Empire Hemp Co. and chart a new path forward, one that will stay to her values while embracing the next evolution of her journey,” it stated. “That path is now unfolding at Mrs. Green’s CANNary, located in the very same beloved space at 204 E. Main St. Proudly Genesee County’s first OCM licensed adult-use dispensary and 100 percent woman-owned, Mrs. Green’s CANNary will continue to reflect Shelly’s dedication to bringing a warm welcoming environment for all those who visit.”

To prepare for the new company, the East Main Street site has been closed since Sunday, and the owners are planning to reopen in early May, according to the post.

“The new dispensary will continue to carry Empire products, along with a diverse selection of cannabis offerings from across New York State,” it stated. “You can still shop all your favorite Empire CBD products online any time at Empire Hemp.”

Meanwhile, Chris Van Dusen continues to lead Empire Hemp Co. and has relocated operations to a new facility in Batavia, better suited to support the company’s growth and focus on cultivation and manufacturing, the post stated.

The Batavian reached out to Van Dusen and he said there would be more information forthcoming next week.

For more about Mrs. Green's CANNAry’s, go HERE. 

Tabu Thihele Gaines, Jr., 24, of Armstrong Place, Syracuse, and Sosa Stroman, 24, of Herkimer Street, Syracuse, are charged with grand larceny 4th, possession of burglar tools, and conspiracy 5th. Gaines and Stroman are accused of stealing from Dick's Sporting Goods at 5:36 p.m. on April 11. They were held pending arraignment.

Tyler J. Bull, 22, and Raymond L. Keffer, Jr., 48, are both charged with assault 2nd for allegedly causing physical injuries to each other during a fight at the Genesee County Jail on an unspecified date. They were arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Jason W. Alexander, 48, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, burglary 2nd, and criminal contempt 2nd. Alexander is accused of pushing and slapping a child on April 6 during an incident on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arraigned. An order of protection was issued. He was released. On April 7, Alexander is accused of entering a residence in violation of the order of protection. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Michael A. Shetler, 34, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and aggravated family offense. Shelter is accused of violating an order of protection on March 5. He was arrested on March 3. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered jailed.

Lisa M. Fox, 53, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of controlled substance 7th, and tampering with physical evidence. On March 28, Fox was allegedly found in possession of narcotics while being arrested on an unrelated matter. She was arraigned and released.

Nathaniel R. Davis, 29, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Davis was allegedly found inside of a residence on March 29 in violation of an order of protection while being arrested on a warrant. He was arraigned and released. 

Kyler A. Boskat, 22, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, conspiracy 4th, and criminal facilitation 4th. Boskat is accused of being an accomplice in a burglary on Hutchines Street on Jan. 12. Boskat was arrested on March 28, processed at the Genesee County Jail, arraigned, and released.

Benjamin A. Rachow, 42, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Rachow is accused of fighting on March 30 on Ellicott Street, allegedly punching one person and grabbing a second by the neck. He was arraigned and released.

David W. Rich, 74, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Rich is accused of damaging a vehicle on March 28 following an argument on West Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jessica L. Culver, 35, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Culver is accused of shoplifting from Family Dollar in Batavia on March 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Curtis McCall, 38, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. McCall is accused of slamming another person's hand in a door during an incident on State Street on March 28. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Lucas S Potrzebowski, 30, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Potrzebowski is accused of not returning property to a customer at UPS Store in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Raymond J. Dick, 60, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/drugs. He was arrested on April 10 following an investigation into an allegation that he was driving while under the influence of drugs on Feb. 25. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Derrick L. Washington, 52, of Batavia, was arrested on April 8 on a warrant for petit larceny. He is accused of stealing merchandise from Dollar General on Dec. 27. He was arraigned and released.

Richard J. Burdick, 47, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. He was arrested on March 31. Burdick was allegedly found in possession of narcotics on Jan. 10 during a traffic stop on Ross Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ali Arbai, 33, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Arbai was charged following a traffic stop on Main Street in April 6. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Michael A. Fanizza, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. He is accused of damaging a door during an argument on April 6 in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned and released.

Alisia L. Compton, 40, of Orlando, Fla., was arrested on April 2 on a warrant. Compton was charged with DWI on Nov. 22, 2022 and allegedly failed to meet the conditions of her conditional discharge. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Winston A. Lockhart, 30, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/Alcohol. Lockhart was charged following a motor vehicle accident on March 31 on March 31 on North Spruce Street, Batavia. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Sara A. Elliott, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Ellicott was arrested on April 4 following an investigation into a traffic stop on Dec. 19. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Kevin A. Cole, 46, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Cole was arrested on April 4, accused of failing to properly supervise a child who had run away from home numerous times. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Press Release:

All Babies Cherished will hold its 9th Annual Run Baby Run 5K on Saturday, June 7, to support its local pregnancy assistance center.

The race begins at 9 a.m. at the Northgate Community Center, located at 350 Bank Street. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome.

Registration is available online at RunSignUp.com. Spirit Timing will provide official timing.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in five age categories.

All proceeds will help All Babies Cherished continue offering free services and support to local women and families facing unplanned pregnancies.

For more information or to sign up, visit RunSignUp.com.