Abigail, age seven, shows us her cat-face at GoArt!'s annual "Picnic in the Park." She had just been to the face painting booth.
While I was there taking pictures, I ran into Genesee County native Lynda Breckenridge Gaetano, author of the "Up-South series."
Gaetano now resides in Austin, TX, but was raised on a dairy farm in Bethany.
City Fire Department is responding to a report of a house fire at 29 Burke Drive, Batavia.
Residents called dispatch and said they came home, opened the door and smoke was pouring out and the fire alarms were going off.
UPDATE 6:30: "Fire knocked down. Checking for extension."
UPDATE: At the time I left the scene, caused still not determined. Firefighters were ventilating the house before continuing investigation. The residents' pets were removed for their safety.
A caller reports heavy smoke coming from the grill area of 44 Main St., Batavia.
City Fire Department requested to the scene to investigation.
UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: Ladder 15 on scene. Nothing showing.
UPDATE 12:38 a.m.: Appears to be a grease fire under the grill. Firefighters will need to dismantle the grill to get to the fire.
A car fire is reported at 157 Vine St., Batavia.
The caller reports wires in the engine compartment are burning.
City Fire Department is dispatched.
UPDATE 12:23 a.m.: Engine 12 and Ladder 15 were dispatched. Ladder 15 is returning to station.
UPDATE 12:32 a.m.: Engine 12 clears the scene, responds report of smoke at Wendy's.
When Robin Cotler and the Images Evolution Dance team performed in the town of Ladek Zdroj, Poland, last year, they probably never expected to be invited back so soon.
Cotler -- the founder and director of Images Evolution and its housing studio, "Images in Dance" -- travelled with her students to the small mountain town last year as part of a cultural exchange program. She said they were recommended by a previous participant.
"Soul Force" is the name of the work they performed for the people of Ladek Zdroj. It was so well received that the group was invited to come back this year for a repeat performance and commissioned to perform another piece as well.
"As far as I know, we're the only company they've invited two years in a row," Cotler said, adding that performing groups are normally asked to come back every other year or so.
Dancers' ages range from 16 to 23. They are pictured above, along with Cotler (left). They are, from left, Joseph Cotler (back), Krista Montrone, Emily Drilling, Robert Tyler, Kristen Drilling, Laura Neth (back), Charity Newton (front), Noelle Cotler, Stephanie Denzler and Stephanie Breining.
Last night, on the eve of their departure for Poland, Images Evolution treated locals to "Soul Force" -- and to a premiere performance of "I Am," the new piece they are bringing to Poland -- at its Liberty Street site.
Cotler got the idea for "Soul Force" from research she had done on the founding of the United States. "Soul Force," according to Cotler, was the name some of the first Americans gave to the idea behind founding our country.
"The whole purpose of the U.S. being formed," Cotler said, was so that people could live together in peace, freedom, and respect. That's kind of gotten lost."
Images Evolution's performance is about these ideals and how things like greed, vanity and political manipulation have gotten in the way.
"I Am," on the other hand, has more personal themes.
"It's almost a sequel (to "Soul Force")," Cotler said. "It's about finding yourself, and finding love for yourself. Once you love yourself, then you are able to love others."
Here is a selection from "Soul Force."
And here is a selection from "I Am."
Cotler sees dance as an art that helps to "open people up and break down defenses." She is very happy to bring that art to Ladek Zdroj, a community she called "the definition of underserved and underfunded."
In addition to bringing Image Evolution's performance to the people of Ladek Zdroj, Cotler will be helping to create a dance academy there.
"Last year we formed some real bonds," she said. "(The people of Ladek Zdroj) talked to me about having me help them pioneer a new program."
She hopes that by helping to get this new dance company off the ground, she will be providing the town with a resource for creative, artistic expression that would not otherwise be available.
"Images in Dance" offers dancing lessons to children, teens and adults, and has locations in Batavia, Akron, Perry and Brockport. For more information, visit their website (www.imagesindance.com), call 343-2818 or e-mail imagesindance@yahoo.com.
A possible tractor-trailer fire is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 387.6. The vehicle is an orange truck with a box trailer. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.
A truck driver says she saw a car stopped in front of her on West Main Street Road on Friday but simply couldn't stop in time to avoid a collision.
The driver of the car, Dawn M. Newton, 50, of Shepard Road, Batavia, was taken to UMMC with only minor injuries, even though her 2000 Chevy sedan was heavily damaged.
The truck driver, Janice C. Kelley, 58, of Montana Road, Savannah, was cited for allegedly following too closely.
A driver reportedly failed to see a car that had stopped for a left-hand turn on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, at 4:07 p.m. Friday, causing an accident that sent one person to the hospital.
Injured was Lisa M. Bailey, 49, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, the driver of the car that was hit.
Jonathan P. Hoca, 23, of Woodrow Road, Batavia, was westbound on Pearl Street Road in a 2008 Chevy sedan when he struck Bailey's 2002 Pontiac sedan.
Hoca said he didn't see Bailey slow down to turn.
Sgt. Greg Walker investigated the accident and reported that another car was also traveling westbound between Hoca's and Bailey's cars and that car swerved around Bailey's vehicle.
Hoca was cited for allegedly following too closely.
Kelly Kubala from Go Art! opened the 2011 Ramble Music and Arts Fest in Downtown Batavia shortly after 11 this morning.
The Ghost Riders followed and more musical acts will be performing throughout the day, plus there's food, crafts and arts.
Parking is available off School, Jackson and Center streets.
The event goes until 9 p.m.
UPDATE: Video shot by Steve Ognibene:
A homicide in Buffalo early Friday may have a Genesee County connection.
The Buffalo News reports that Joseph Hale, 35, was shot in the back while in the area of St. Paul Mall and Ellicott Street. He later died at ECMC.
A reader informs us that Hale was a former Batavia High School student. A public record check shows that a Joseph Hale, 35, has lived in Buffalo, Batavia and Corfu.
From the Buffalo News:
"Homicide detectives are attempting to trace the victim's whereabouts before the shooting incident occurred," said Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives. "Mr. Hale was seen in the Allentown area earlier in the morning and prior to the shooting."
This is the city's 21st homicide of 2011.
A fire in a compactor has been reported at Tops Market, 390 W. Main St., Batavia.
City Fire Department responding.
Responders are asked to enter through the rear of the market.
UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: There is smoke in the rear of the building.
UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: Majority of the fire in the container knocked down. Back of the store being ventilated.
Joshua Stanley Martaus, 27, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument and petit larceny. Martaus was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart. During the investigation by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, he was allegedly found in possession of two hypodermic syringes.
Tyler Scott Brand, 19, of Pearl Street, Springville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and operating in violation of a conditional-use license. Brand was stopped for allegedly going 49 in a 39 mph zone at 10:13 p.m., Saturday on Route 77 in Darien by Deputy Ron Meides.
Thomas R. Hendershott, 41, Sunrise Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating without insurance. Hendershott was stopped at 10:46 p.m. Tuesday on Stevens Street, Oakfield, by Sgt. Greg Walker.
Jeffrey Donahue, who spent more than 35 years working in local media, has been named full-time director of the Holland Land Office Museum.
Donahue has been serving in that capacity on an interim basis for several months. The HLOM board approved his permanent position earlier this week.
For anybody who has visited the museum recently and had the good fortune to have Donahue provide the museum tour, it's clear Donahue knows local history thoroughly and is passionate about it.
"I always say history is like producing a television show," said Donahue, who worked for 25 years as a producer, editor and photographer for the Batavia cable channel. "People come into the museum expecting to be told a story, a story of history, and that's what you do in television. You tell a story."
Donahue also spent 10 years with WBTA.
Bob Turk, president of the HLOM board, said the board is confident Donahue will continue to be a real asset to the museum.
"We are very pleased that Jeffrey accepted the position," Turk said. "Not only does Jeffrey posses a great knowledge of local history but also has the vision to move the museum forward."
Here's an advisory notice from the City of Batavia to residents regarding some road repairs.
Please be advised that Tom Greenauer Development has been contracted by the City of Batavia to replace the sanitary sewers, house lateral service to the ROW and repave the roads on North Street from Seneca Avenue to Ross Street, and on Ross Street from North Street to Miller Avenue. Work is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, July 5.
It will be necessary to close the roads to thru traffic from July 5 to Sept. 9; however, there will be an opening in the barricades to accommodate you in order that you may have access to your driveway/home. This opening is also to accommodate emergency vehicles. It is our intent that the closure is not to be used by the public or yourselves as a route for thru traffic. If your purpose of travel is other than to get to your home please use an alternate route.
There may be occasions where you will not be able to park in your driveway; however, there will be areas that you will be able to park in close proximity of your home.
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may impose on you, however, this closure is necessary in the milling and re-paving of the roads and is vital to your safety and the safety of the public.
Call the following phone number if a problem should occur: 1-716-675-9434.
Thank you for your cooperation, patience and consideration.
Tanner Kolb is a 2011 graduate of John Kennedy Elementary School. She will enter sixth grade at Batavia Middle School this fall. Earlier this year, Tanner was nominated by her fifth-grade teacher, Cassandra Phillips, for the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference that is held in Washington, D.C.
Any financial assistance to help offset the costs of Tanner's trip would be greatly appreciated, says her mom, Cheri Kolb.
Tanner was accepted into the program and is scheduled to attend Oct. 8-13. Her teacher believes her to posses the academic requirements, strength of character, and leadership ability that are the considerations for this conference.
During the conference week, Tanner will attend focus groups revolving around the themes of leadership, freedom, struggle, courage, change, and making a difference at home. She will have various opportunities such as touring Our Nation’s Memorials, the National Museums of AmericanHistory and the American Indian, a walking tour of the Capitol, a photo opportunity at the White House, and a sleepover at the Maryland Science Center.
The goal and purpose of this conference are to build on leadership traits including character, communication, problem solving, respect and teamwork.
Although three students from John Kennedy School were nominated, Tanner is the sole student who is planning to attend the conference and represent the Batavia City School District. She is eager to return home with an expanded set of skills to share right here in our community.
Tanner’s family has planned several fundraisers (to be announced) and has applied for scholarship assistance as the cost of tuition and airfare are significant. There has also been an account set up in Tanner’s name at East End Beverage, on East Main Street, for can and bottle returns.
A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be without injuries, is reported in front of Pauly's Pizza, 314 Ellicott St., Batavia. It is blocking traffic. Batavia PD on scene.
Here's a press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
As Independence Day lies just around the corner, the people of the United States owe a “Happy 235th Birthday” to Lady Liberty.
Friends and families will gather together to celebrate, and celebrate they should! We have a lot to be thankful for as Americans, leading the world in freedom, liberty and opportunity. We are all truly blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth.
However, we have not earned our place as world leaders by chance. The sacrifice and selflessness displayed by the men and women of our armed forces for hundreds of years have allowed the United States to obtain and preserve our status as the standard that every other nation looks to for guidance.
In Western New York, our communities are filled with these courageous heroes who have served in the past, while our children and grandchildren continue our proud traditions overseas. I implore the
people of our community to take a moment this Independence Day to thank a veteran for everything they have done to make this country great.
An accident involving a tractor-trailer and a car is reported at 3924 W. Main St. in Batavia. It appears the tractor-trailer rear-ended the car. The woman who was driving the car is injured and may need extrication.
Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding. The location is in front of Pyramid Prosthetics and next to Johnson Automotive.
Mercy Flight is put on stand by.
UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: The medic on scene has determined Mercy Flight is not needed.
UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: The woman is out of the vehicle.
UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: The victim is being transported to UMMC complaining of minor arm pain and some pain to the back of her head.
UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: The roadway is re-opened.
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