batavia

It wasn't much of a video, but it was just enough to help identify a suspect in two incidents of vandalism in May at the BOCES facility on State Street Road.

The video, posted on The Batavian, led directly to the arrest of a suspect, Christopher Michael Smith, 17, of Porter Avenue.

Smith is accused of subsequently, while the case was under active investigation, returning to BOCES on July 10, and causing more damage.

Smith was also accused last week of causing damage to vehicles at Godwin Pumps on Route 98 and Ashley Furniture on West Saile Drive.

Investigator William Ferrando said if not for reader tips, all five of these cases might still be open.

In connection with the BOCES allegations, Smith is charged with three counts of criminal mischief in the third degree.

Smith is accused of doing damage estimated at $950 on May 21, more than $1,300 on May 29 and more than $800 on July 10.

Name redacted upon request, 21, of Lake Road, Holley, is charged with DWI, a felony count of DWI (child under 15 in the car), failure to keep right and following too closely. xxx was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Colby Road, Darien at 11:57 p.m., Sunday, and then fled the scene. A witness described xxx vehicle, which was later reportedly spotted on Pearl Street Road, Town of Batavia. xxx was also charged with leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident, speed not reasonable or prudent, reckless driving and unsafe passing.

Kimberley Anne Showler, 46, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Showler is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Christopher Brian King, 19, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and improper left turn. King was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident at 5:17 p.m. Monday, at Route 33 and Hartshorn Road, Town of Batavia. King reportedly made a wide left turn while allegedly driving too fast. He reportedly lost control of his car and struck curbing at the intersection. Two other people were in his vehicle. Nobody was injured.

Benjamin Gove Evans, 22, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting from Bed Bath & Beyond in April.

Daniel Frank Martino, 22, of Red Maple Court, Amherst, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and following too closely. Martino was charged following a non-injury accident in the parking lot of Darien Lake. The accident was reported at 11:11 p.m. Tuesday.

Christine U. Rose, 23, of Cedar Place, East Rochester, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater) and unlawful possession of marijuana. Rose was charged after her 1998 Ford Taurus reportedly struck to parked cars at 12:39 a.m. Wednesday on northbound Route 77. There were no injuries reported in the accident. 

Jessica L. Ritch, 29, of North Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Ritch was charged following an investigation into an accident reported at 1:08 a.m. Wednesday in the area of 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien. Ritch's vehicle was reportedly found in a ditch along the road.

Frank Joseph Oddo, 29, of Alleghany Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and no/inadequate exhaust. Oddo was charged following a traffic stop at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Christine Lynn Aman, 45, of Big Tree Road, Hamburg, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, failure to obey a police officer and improper turn signal. Aman was stopped at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday after allegedly failing to stop for a deputy directing traffic at the intersection of Route 77 and Sumner Road, Darien.

A good number of the fans who packed into Dwyer Stadium on Wednesday got what they paid for, and some of them went home disappointed.

The Staten Island Yankees, behind the slugging of #1 draft pick Cito Culver, slammed the Batavia Muckdogs 10-1.

Culver, a Rochester-area native, playing his first game before a sort-of-hometown crowd, didn't take long to give friends, fans and family in the stands something to cheer about, driving a first-inning home run over the right field wall on the third pitch he saw (picture below).

In his third at bat, Culver hit another shot over the right field wall (pictured above) with two runners on base.

The home runs were Culver's HRs of 2011. He's now hitting .295 on the season.

The Muckdogs' (20-19, two games out of first) lone run came on a solo home run from German Medina in the sixth inning.

For the Muckdogs, Joey Bergman had two hits, raising his average to .327. Roberto Reyes also had two hits.

Starter Jose Almarante (2-2) lasted only 3.2 innings getting tagged for seven earned runs and raising his ERA to 4.26.

Culver and the Staten Island Yankees (29-9) return to Dwyer on Thursday. Game time is 11 a.m. The teams meet again on Friday at 7 p.m. (fireworks after the game).

The Staten Island Yankees arrived in Batavia this morning and climbing off the bus for a workout at the YMCA was the Yankees #1 draft pick in 2010, Cito Culver.

He's a Rochester native and this will be his first game played close to home.

Between the Yankee's connection and Culver's WNY roots, big crowds are expected at Dwyer over the next three days. Game times are 7:05 tonight, 11:05 a.m. tomorrow and 7:05 p.m. on Friday (with fireworks afterward).

Culver, who some predict is the future starting shortstop, replacing Derek Jeter for the Yankees, comes to town swinging a hot bat. He's hitting .350 over the past 10 games, including two three-hit games last week.

As for the young player, he's ignoring the Rochester-area media hoopla around his sort-of-homecoming and concentrating on getting ready to play his game.

"I try to stay away from looking at all that," Culver said. "I'm just happy that my mom and my sisters and my close friends can come watch me play. It's been a long time since my grandma and my grandpa came to see me play, so I'm really excited for that."

Meanwhile, the Muckdogs (20-18) are wrapped up in a tight pennant race, tied for second with Williamsport, one game behind three times tied for first (Jamestown, Auburn and Mohoning Valley, all at 21-17).

Staten Island comes into the series with a 28-9 record, seven games ahead of Brooklyn (21-16) in the McNamara division.

The Batavia Youth Center at 12 McArthur Drive was broken into over Friday and Saturday, with burglars stealing a pair of 37-inch flat screen TVs and video games.

The forceable break-ins occurred between Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3:15 p.m.

Besides the TVs, the thieves stole a Wii console and several Wii games.

The TVs and games are used by children who attend the youth center.

The Batavia Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving this crime. If anyone has any information about the burglary, they are asked to call the Batavia Police confidential tip line at 345-6370.

A reward is being offered for anyone who will provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

Two of Batavia's young officers recently attended their formal graduation from the Monroe County Basic Police Academy, according to Chief Randy Baker.

Officers Eric Dibble and Jason Ivison graduated together on Friday.

In order to graduate, the recruits completed classroom instruction, firearms training, defensive tactics and on-the-road field training for 16 weeks.

The academy, founded in September, 2010, trains officers for Batavia, Rochester, Greece, Gates, Monroe County and East Rochester.

Both officers received awards for their performance in the academy, Baker said.

Officer Dibble received the class Marksmanship Award for maintaining the highest average score during handgun firearms qualification. Officer Ivison received a Leadership Award for serving as a platoon leader during the academy.

Both officers are currently assigned to different shifts and working on their own.

A sunflower has popped up among the lillies at Jackson and Main streets, Downtown Batavia.

Independent Living of Genesee Region hosted a picnic for more than 60 people today at Dewitt Recreation Area celebrating the 21st anniversary of passage of the American with Disabilities Act.

After a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers, some of the guests enjoyed the park, chatted in the pavilion or played Frisbee.

A boy at Dewitt Park seemed to have found some playmates for a game of duck-duck-goose this afternoon.

A caller reports smoke coming from a wall at 100 Pearl St., Batavia, Paris Repairs.

City Fire Department is responding.

The first unit on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 3:33 p.m.: A firefighter on the roof reports nothing showing. The breaker has been shut off and the smoked stopped. "It appears to be an electrical problem," says a captain.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: City fire back in service.

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Jamie Scott Schlonski, 39, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th, criminal mischief, 3rd, possession of burglar tools and trespass. Also charged, Joseph Allen Hogan, 42, of Bank Street, Batavia. Schlonski and Hogan are accused of breaking into a location on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, at 2:05 a.m., and stealing the windows of the residence. The pair was arrested at 2:40 a.m. Schlonski and Hogan were issued appearance tickets. The case was investigated by Deputy John Weis and Deputy Jason Saile.

Grant A. Sundown, 47, of Skye Road, Basom, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. On July 3 at approximately 3:18 p.m., Sundown allegedly drove a vehicle into a set of stairs at a residence on Skye Road, Basom, while a person was standing on the stairs. There was allegedly an order of protection in place barring Sundown from having contact with that person. Sundown was jailed without bail.

A 52-year-old Batavia man barricaded himself in his residence, claimed to have a hostage and tried attacking deputies with knives and a sword during a standoff on Pine Hollow Drive on Monday.

The incident started at 8:30 p.m. when law enforcement was dispatched to 8 Pine Hollow Drive to deal with a subject who had allegedly threatened to stab two occupants of the residence.

When State Police and Sheriff's Office deputies arrived the suspect barricaded himself in the home and, according to a State Police press release, "threatened police with various cutleries, including a sword."

During the standoff, the suspect, Jody Blaine Gillett, claimed to have a hostage.

At one point, Gillett allegedly lunged at a deputy through a window attempting to stab the deputy.

After about two hours of negotiations, the State Police press release says, Gillett was "forcibly taken into custody."

Gillett was charged with menacing a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and two count of menacing.

He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on bail of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

There were no reported injuries related to the incident.

Earlier this month, Gillett was arrested on a DWI charge stemming from a rollover accident on Clinton Street Road in February. Gillett was also arrested for alleged DWI in Le Roy in January.

Monday, Batavia Downs opened its 2011 harness racing season. Like last year, I spent some time in the stables and the grandstands taking a few pictures of the big day.

Mark R. Wnuk, 49, of 127 Hewitt St., Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, following too closely, improper/no signal and moving from lane unsafely. Wnuk was stopped at 6:14 p.m., Friday, North Lyon Street in the City of Batavia. During the traffic stop, he was allegedly found in possession of a metal knuckles knife, which was attached to his motorcycle. Wnuk was originally observed driving on Ellicott Street. Wnuk was jailed on $20,000 bail.

Jamie Lee Broadbent, 28, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  Broadbent was taken into custody on a bench warrant out of City Court.

Douglas Nathaniel Clark, 18, of Milburn Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Clark is accused of throwing a rock at the Stafford Trading Post building on Main Road, Stafford, on June 18, causing damage to a window. The estimated damage exceeds $1,100. Clark was identified as a possible suspect when his mobile phone was found at the scene. 

Michele L. DiFalco, 22, no permanent address, is charged with resisting arrest. DiFalco is accused of violating the conditions of her release under supervision (RUS) contract. The RUS was related to three previous felony charges. Batavia Police responded to a report that DiFalco was inside a business in Tops Plaza at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Officer Kevin DeFelice attempted to arrest DiFalco and DiFalco allegedly refused to comply with the officer's orders. She then allegedly struggled with DeFelice. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $15,000 bail.

Gregory E. Armitage, 50, of Grand Island, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 3rd. Armitage is accused of taking a vehicle from the owner in early June to perform maintenance on it and then not returning the car to the owner.

Sean Michael Howell, 37, of Avenue D, Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Howell is accused of trying to evade the gate at Darien Lake Theme Park at 11:08 p.m., Saturday, and driving his vehicle into a ditch. During an investigation of the incident by Deputy Joseph Graff, Howell was allegedly found to be intoxicated.

Sammy Paul Davis, 44, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Davis is accused of sending threatening text messages to another person.

Jeffery S. Kunkel, 24, of Oehman Blvd., Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to keep right. Kunkel was reportedly observed driving a vehicle at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, in the left lane of Sumner Road while following his girlfriend. The couple was reportedly involved in a domestic dispute. Upon investigation by Sgt. Greg Walker, Kunkel was allegedly found to be driving while intoxicated.

Daniel Francis Maxwell, 58, of East Bethany Le Roy Townline Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Maxwell was charged following a one-car accident on Sweetland Road, Stafford, at 5:50 p.m., Sunday.

Lance David Compton, 19, of Washington Street, Attica, is charged with assault, 3rd. Compton is accused of getting into a fight with another individual causing serious injuries on June 25 in the Cherry Hill Campgrounds during the Tim McGraw concert at Darien Lake. Compton was also charged with possession of alcohol by a person under age 21.

Nicholas Anthony Thomasulo, 40, of Warboys Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Deputy Chad Minuto reportedly observed a vehicle operated by Thomasulo on Route 33, Batavia, stopped with its hazard lights on at 12:06 a.m., Sunday. Upon investigation, Minuto arrested Thomasulo for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

Justin Larry Balso, 20, of Loneoak Court, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, is charged with possession/consumption of alcohol by person under age 21. Balso is accused of possessing Rolling Rock Beer at 1:10 a.m., Sunday, and consuming it to the point of intoxication. Balso was arrested in the area of 8484 Route 77 by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Veniamin Boyko, 19, of Bennett Road, Hilton, is charged with possession/consumption of alcohol by person under age 21. Boyko was allegedly intoxicated while at Darien Lake Theme Park at 7:02 p.m., July 18.

Rubim Kozyluk, 18, of Sunset Circle, Brockport, is charged with possession/consumption of alcohol by person under age 21. Boyko was allegedly intoxicated while at Darien Lake Theme Park at 7:02 p.m., July 18.

Philip Jared Clark, 21, of 3763 Karl Road, Alleghany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlicensed operation. Clark was allegedly found in a parked car blocking a residential driveway on Route 77, Darien, at 8:14 p.m., Saturday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Nicholas Michael Hart, 18, of West Ridge Road, Brockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, operating on a suspended registration and no insurance. Hart was stopped at 1:20 p.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke by Deputy Dana Richardson.

Rachel An Fromwiller, 27, of Main Street, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and driver's view obstructed. Fromwiller was stopped at 2:37 a.m., Sunday, on Park Road, Town of Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Austin Keven Dorr, 20, of Washington Street, Attica, is charged with possession/consumption of alcohol by a person under age 21. Dorr is accused of possessing and consuming alcohol while at Cherry Hill Campgrounds at 8:40 p.m., Saturday.

Joshua M. Aldridge, 24, of Jackson Avenue, Lackawanna, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to obey a police officer. Aldridge is accused of driving a 1993 Saturn westbound on Sumner Road, Darien, at 10:58 p.m., Sunday, when he allegedly failed to stop when ordered to stop by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Tyler C. Herold, 20, of Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Herold was stopped on Broadway Road, Village of Alden, for allegedly not wearing a seat belt. State Police report that an investigation revealed that Herold was in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a small baggie of white powder. The contents of the baggie are being tested. 

Cuyler C. Gentile, 24, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Gentile was stopped by State Police for allegedly failing to keep right while traveling on Route 33 in the Town of Pembroke.  

Gianfranco Giacchi, 24, of 825 Center Road, West Seneca, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Giacchi was stopped at 11:46 p.m., Saturday, on Pearl Street by Officer Thad Mart.

Saturday was the final day of the Genesee County Fair, but I finally made it out to the fairgrounds to see what was going on, enjoy some fair food, a tractor pull and some rock 'n' roll, plus take a few pictures.

There are 41 photos in the slide show below. Recommended, click on the button in lower right for full-screen mode. Pictures may be purchased by clicking here.

A reader has alerted us that a bear has been spotted mosying along Route 5 near the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Perhaps remnants of cotton candy, caramel apples and fried dough proves irresistable to the omnivore.

After an evening at the Genesee County Fair -- yes, I finally made it, in the last hours of the last day -- I stopped by Center Street Smokehouse for some ribs and a drink. A band called The Feast was rocking the house, so I had to take a picture.

An electrical outlet is reportedly sparking and smoking at 10 Maple St., upper apartment (C), in the City of Batavia. The building has been evacuated. City firefighters are on scene.

UPDATE 9:33 p.m.: All units are clear. The problem, apparently, was overheated circuits. They were shut off. The landlord is aware of the situation.

Wednesday, I started a project about people working in the hot weather -- breaking news has gotten in the way of finishing it in the way that I planned.

I did get a chance on Wednesday to talk with David Bogue, a local UPS driver, Paul Bernardini, co-owner of Pauly's Pizza, and Jeff Wuest, owner of Excel Fence Company.

All three talked about the need to stay hydrated.

Bogue's truck doesn't have air conditioning and he's in and out of the hot weather all day, constantly moving.

"(Staying hydrated) is about all you can do in this," Bogue said.

Pauly's on Wednesday was, well, hot, like a pizza kitchen. 

"On a day like today, you wish it were December," Bernardini said. "There's not much you can do when it's 90 degrees outside. It's 100 degrees inside with the ovens going. You can walk into any place in town right now and it's going to be hot."

Bernardini said he makes sure he and his staff drink lots of fluids on hot days because there is no escaping the heat.

Wuest (above right, with Justin Finch, left) said dealing with the heat is just part of the job for him and his employees.

"We pack a cooler full of water and try to work at a steady pace," Wuest said. "We try not to over exert ourselves. We try to grab shade where we can and take breaks. Make sure to put sun block on and all that good stuff."

The concrete has been poured for the new South Beach patio and owner Ken Mistler said the patio will be open for business in two weeks "at tops."

After the concrete was poured and hardened a bit, it needed to be watered for several hours to help it dry slower and set harder.

Below, pictures submitted by Mistler of the work in progress.