batavia

There is a manhunt in progress, with one suspect in custody around Route 63 and Townline Road.

Two other suspects are reportedly still at large, possibily armed, and on foot.

We don't know at this time what triggered the manhunt.

A helicopter has been called in to help with the search.

Batavia Police and Sheriff's Office units are on scene at multiple locations along Route 63.

UPDATE: There is a reported "money trail" south of the subject's vehicle.

UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.: Sheriff Gary Maha has confirmed the suspects are wanted in confirmed the suspects are wanted in connection with a bank robbery in Elba.

And, a woman just drive up to the command center, ran up to the sheriff and said she saw a subject running in a field north of Townline Road just minutes ago. The subject is east of 63, running north.

UPDATE: Helicopter on scene now.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: Second suspect in custody. Two more at large.

UPDATE: 10:52: One of the suspects in custody has reported there were only three subjects in the getaway car.

UPDATE 11:02 a.m.: Dan Fischer at WBTA is reporting that all schools in Genesee County have been placed on lock down.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.:  K-9, officers on foot and a helicopter has been searching a area to the northeast of the John Deere location.  Now officers are discussing a report of foot prints in a field south of Townline Road. Air 1 has just been moved to that field, where a border batrol K-9 unit found the tracks.

UPDATE: 1:01 p.m.: Maj. Cummings of the NYSP just told the assembled media that the cordoned area is 5 miles.  Sheriff Maha said, "We have two suspects in custody. We have this person identified. He might as well give up."  Cummings encouraged people in the area to make sure their cars and houses are locked and don't let anybody in.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: Sheriff Maha just requested that all schools be unlocked. "We have two suspects in custody and a good idea where the third suspect is, so we don't see any reason to have any schools locked."

UPDATE: Took a while to get this video processed ... it's not quite done.  My battery is almost dead, so I'm inserting the code for it now ... should appear shortly ... and shutting down laptop unless there is a significant development.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6qjSUqZkPk]

UPDATE: 2:30 a.m.: The at-large suspect has been identified as Michael J. Wells, 24, of Buffalo. He is 6' and 200 lbs. No other details about his background were releases.  If my battery lasts long enough, I'll post a photo shortly.

UPDATE 2:42: The third suspect is in custody.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Below is cellphone video submitted by Paul G. Barrett of Batavia depicting the apprehension of the final of three bank robbery suspects after a five-hour manhunt.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkR1piCpX8Q]

A drug-related search warrant was enforced at 36 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, last night leading to the arrest of four people, including two on drug-dealing charges.

The warrant was executed by the Batavia Police Department Emergency Response Team as part of a Local Drug Enforcement Task Force operation.

Taken into custody were:

• Jemell D. Allen, 20, of 1639 Norton St., Rochster (pictured lower);
• Calvin S. Carver, 20, of 108 Stratford Park, Rochester (pictured top);
• Jaron T. Thompson, 20, of 711 Church St., Medina;
• Lana C. Digennaro, 37, of 36 Dellinger Ave., Batavia.

Allen and Carver were arrested for allegedly selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent on two occasions while in the City of Batvia.

During the search of the Dellinger Avenue residence, Allen was allegedly found in possession of seven bags of crack cocaine and marijuana.

Carver was also reportedly found holding marijuana. It was also discovered that Carver is reportedly wanted in Rochester on a warrant for another marijuana-related offense.

Thompason was also reportedly at the residence and found to possess marijuana.

Investigators claim Digennaro knowingly allowed Allen and Carver to deal drugs from her house.

Allen was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Carver was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Thompson was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Digennaro was charged with criminal nuisance in the first degree.

Allen and Carver were taken to Genesee County Jail and are being held without bail.  Thompson and Digennaro were issued appearance tickets.

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Neil W. Phelps, 55, of 2494 DeNoon Road, Caledonia, has been charged with reckless driving.

Phelps was reportedly the operator of a tractor on eastbound Main Street in Batavia last month that struck several cars and pushed one with two occupants inside about a tenth of a mile down the roadway.

The Sheriff's Office press release says that Phelps operated the tractor "in a manner which unreasonably interfered with the free and proper use of the public highway and unreasonably endangered users of the public highway."

Phelps is set to appear in Batavia Town Court on July 16 at 1:30 p.m. for arraignment on the charge.

A 17-year-old Byron gril is charged with petty larceny. The teenager is accused of putting items in her purse at Wal-Mart and then walking past all points of purchase.

Markeda Starks, 18, of 7 Mill St., #7, Batavia, is charged with petty larceny. Starts is accused of shoplifting at Wal-Mart.

Toni White, 28, of 14 S. Main St., Batavia is charged with petty larceny. White is accused of stealing from Wal-Mart.

Shaleesa Woods, 18, of 2964 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is accused of stealing from Wal-Mart. She was charged with petty larceny.

Emilea Webster, 20, of 126 Frank St., Medina, Batavia, is accused of shoplifting from Wal-Mart. Webster was charged with petty larceny.

Timothy Wood, 20, of 115 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged of petty larceny. He is accused of shoplifting from Wal-Mart.

Teri Sczepanski, 47, of 2034 Lewiston Road, Basom, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Sczepanski allegedly drove another person's car without permission.

Federal charges have been filed against Dalton Wilke, the accused child pornographer from Livingston County that Batavia Police Detective Todd Crossett helped apprehend last August by imitating a 15-year-old in online conversations.

Wilke, 45, faces a felony charge of using the Internet to persuade or entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Wilke reportedly had pictures of minors engaging in sexual activity on his computer when he was apprehended. He faces charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. 

He faces five to 20 years in prison on the child pornography charges and up to 10 years for the enticement charge.

Doug Houseknecht, a city worker, grinds old paint from the stop-light post at Main and Center. The city is repainting the base of the light polls up and down Main Street -- the first time since there were installed that they've been refinished. Houseknecht said they get sanded down, primed and then two coats of black paint. The city started on the project at least a week ago on the west end of Main.

A former Batavia Middle School teacher is being honored by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association as a Distinquished Alumni of the Year.

Rosa LaSorte Rich, currently living in Brockport, taught at the school from 1973 to 1989.

Richard Boardman, a 1963 SUNY Brockport graduate who met her in 1959 as one of his class advisors and has since followed with admiration her professional and volunteer career.

“I can’t come up with one special act or accomplishment, because there are many, but the success of each was the result of the accumulation of the smaller, day-to-day positive contributions she makes, which are necessary to make individuals and society better,” Boardman wrote in his nomination letter.

Fire units are responding to a report of a brush fire or mulch fire burning close to a garage at 142 Tracy Avenue, between Hart and North.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: All units returning to station. Small mulch fire with minor extension into garage.

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If it seems like there are fewer helping hands at Wal-Mart in Batavia these days, it's because there are.

A corporate spokeswoman confirmed rumors that the local site recently let go an undisclosed number of temporary workers.

Michelle Bradford, who works at the mega-chain's Bentonville, Arkansas offices, said: "We adjusted staffing at that store. We reduced the number of temporary workers. They are hired knowing their positions are temporary and subject to elimination at any time."

She would not divulge the number of downwardly adjusted staffing, but offered that Wal-Mart has several valid reasons for fluctuating the numbers of its employees. These include, but obviously are not limited to, being busier or slower, job performance or the lack thereof, training and scheduling requirements and "the needs of our employees."

Furthermore, stores are staffed "on a case-by-case basis" and these adjustments are, to be clear, made "from time to time."

A fully involved dumpster fire has been reported at 8351 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Shortly after the initial call went out, a police officer on scene reported the fire was knocked down substantially using fire extinguishers, but flames were still present.
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Godfrey's Pond celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday and more than 200 people showed up to celebrate during the open house and BBQ.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a state Assembly proclamation commemorating the event.

"For the past 100 years, Godfrey's Pond has expanded to become one of the leading sports clubs in Western New York, if not our entire state," Hawley said.  "I am very proud to join my fellow outdoors sports enthusiasts here for this wonderful occasion and would like to thank the members of Godfrey's Pond for their dedication and leadership in responsible environmental stewardship."

Pictured with Hawley is SCOPE representative Jack Taylor.

Robert J. Propst, 29, of 45 Central Ave., Batavia, was charged with charged with harassment in the 2nd degree and endangering the welfare of a child following an alleged dispute at his home address. Propst reportedly hit a woman and the act was allegedly witnessed by a child. He is being held on $2,500 bail. The alleged incident occurred at 1:10 p.m. yesterday.

Jonathon Kent, 21, of 59 Mill St., Apt. A, Batavia, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputies came into contact with Kent following a suspicious vehicle complaint at Batavia Mobile Home Park.

Donald A. Bouse, 37, of 36 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, and Jason T. Helles, 35, of 419 E. Main St. Batavia, were arrested yesterday following a traffic stop.  Members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force report they observed Bouse driving without a license.  Upon investigation, deputies determined that two bench warrants for Bouse had been issued in Monroe County.  The warrants were for petty larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Helles was reportedly found in possession of a suspected crack cocaine pipe and prescription pills.  Bouse was issued a ticket and released to Monroe County officials. Helles was issued an appearance ticket. UPDATE: I was curious how the Sheriff's deputies knew Bouse was driving without a license. Chief Brewster replied with this statement: "We were aware that there were outstanding warrants for Bouse as well as the fact that his driving privileges had been taken away. It was just a matter of finding him and when we did, he happened to be driving. "

Conor M. Kobis, 18, of 81 Pound Road, Elma; Shawn M. Riccio, 18, 24 Cardinal Lane, West Seneca; and, Michael J. Walsh, 18, 315 Eden St., Buffalo were charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by persons under 21 yesterday. The trio were reportedly observed drinking in the parking lot at Darien Lake, where New Kids on the Block were playing. All three were issued appearance tickets.

UPDATE: Just received from Le Roy Police:

William Parker, 36, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt for having contact with a person who had an order of protection against Parker. Parker was found inside the home of the protected person. He is held on $750 bail.

Our friends from Ride to Recovery stopped by our pickup truck to get some sweets before the parade started.

Pastor Eric Sheppard of Church on the Rock in Attica joined us for street church on Central Avenue. We had 16 folks attend.  We helped 37 families with Groceries with a total of 98 family members. We had 82 people attend the weekly picnic.

There would have been some really cool video of the parade, but this PR director needs a few more lessons in running the video camera!

Have a super week!

A man on Central Avenue in Batavia stabbed himself in the groin with a knife during a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.

The original call had the woman claiming the man had hit her and then went in the house to grab a knife. She later reportedly changed her story and said she was not hit.

When police arrived, they found the man with the knife sticking out of his groin area.

Emergency workers were concerned about pulling the knife out on the scene and Mercy Flight was called.

Since this is a domestic dispute and the man did it to himself, we're withholding the exact location and names of the individuals involved. No chargers are planned.

City fire crews are responded to 400 Towers, 400 E. Main St., Batavia, for a general fire alarm.

The fire alarm was activated. No word yet on whether there is an actual fire.

Here is the entire content of an e-mail from Batavia Councilman Bill Cox, Ward 1, on consolidation:

Here are my initial thoughts.

It took a lot of time and in-depth discussion for the consolidation committee to identify the major elements of a consolidation. That work had to be done to be able to go on from there. They did a good job putting their arms around issues. I believe the committee accomplished 50% of what ultimately needs to be done.

This committee or a new committee needs to address the other 50% which is to identify where you can consolidate operations to cut personnel, share existing equipment, share the cost of new equipment, share maintenance expense, share overhead to eliminate some management, etc.

Consolidation is all about cost savings through permanent cuts in operating costs, it is not about new revenue. Its about getting more done with less cost. Consolidating for the sole purpose of getting $923,000. in new revenue sharing from NYS is not a sufficient reason to consolidate. There is no guarantee how long it will be given. The State is in dire economic condition, and it cannot be relied on for the long term.

The report did not deal with the most significant areas that could represent real savings which is the cost to the city for police and fire protection. This represents about $6,000,000 annually. This is the area we  have to address first. We are choking in the cost to continue these services under the existing collective bargaining agreements. This appears to be taboo.

There was no mention of any real specifics how to cut anything except one or two small cost reduction references. All the debt stays the same, all the taxes are still separated, all the main cost items remain in place. The other area which dwarfs all costs is consolidation of school districts. This alone would be tremendous and it would not even require the town and city to consolidate governments.

Until real cost reduction is identified in specific amounts and departments with a solid plan of action of how and when to implement the cuts, I could not vote for consolidation as it was presented. There is insufficient information to determine if a consolidation makes sense for the tax payers.

I am strongly in favor of reducing the cost of government and one good way to do this is through consolidation, but specifics of how, what, when, where, and how much, has to be identified and agreed upon prior to proposing anything for our taxpayers to decide. We have to reduce the tremendous burden of taxes in multiple categories our taxpayers are saddled with and this report did not address how we get there.

Public meetings on consolidation will be held Thursday and again June 30 at Batavia High School. Both meetings are at 7 p.m.

A 53-year-old man is Genesee County's first confirmed case of H1N1 flu, inaccurately referred to as Swine Flu.

UPDATE: WBTA interviewed Randy Garney, interim health director.

The Genesee County Health Department announced this morning that the man was diagnosed in an Erie County emergency room.

He was not hospitalized and is now recovering at home.

Officials are working to determine who may have been exposed during the man's contagious phase. Officials will notify close contacts and family caregivers for signs of illness.

H1N1 is prevalent in the state, according to the health department, and it has been found in numerous counties.

Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chill and fatigue. Some victims have reported diarrhea and vomiting, as well.

The health department warns that anyone with these symptoms should stay home. If medical attention seems needed, people should contact a doctor to determine if emergency care is necessary.

Take these precautionary measures to stay healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Place your used tissue in the waste basket.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

According to the state's health department site, 1,356 cases have been reported in the New York, including 493 outside of NYC.