batavia

Genesee County 4-H hosted a Valentine-making workshop today at JOANN Fabric and Craft Store in Batavia. Children who participated made Valentine cards to distribute to local veterans.

About a dozen kids showed up over the course of the evening for skating under the lights at DeWitt Recreation Area last night. The Batavia Kiwanis Club served free hot cocoa.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Main and Bank streets, Batavia, believed to be with injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:15 a.m.: No injuries. 

Country Max, the pet and garden supply store at 610 E. Main St., is closing with the last day of business planned for Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

None of the regional chain's other 15 stores are closing.

Owner Don Payne said employees of the Batavia store are being offered jobs in either Geneseo or Brockport.

"We had entered that location more than seven years ago with a great deal of optimism but it has just not worked out," Payne said.
"We just have not been able to bring the stores business along far enough to make it even cover the costs."

The decision to close the store, he said, wasn't easy.

"We certainly leave the area with a heavy heart and wish to thank all of the people that have shopped at our store over the years," Payne said.

The planning committee for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will ask project leaders from seven project applications to make a presentation about their project at a future committee meeting, committee members decided during a meeting at City Hall this morning.

The projects are: 

• Carr's Reborn
• Ellicott Place
• Theater 56
• Healthy Living Corridor
• Healthy Living Center
• BID marketing/branding
• Public Market
• GO Art!

The committee is either looking for more information, to clarify other funding sources, to ask if the amount of DRI funding for the project could be reduced, or just to better understand the projects.

The DRI is a $10 million prize received by the City of Batavia from the state to help fund a variety of downtown projects intended to increase traffic and business in the city's primary business and cultural center.

Several other projects, the committee felt, were complete applications already and no additional information is required, such as Ellicott Station, Newberry Place, Jackson Square, renovations to the second floor of 206 E. Main St., and the Masonic Temple Building.

Six other projects were selected for a group submission; however, the applicants will need to go through a process similar to the state's Main Street Program, which provides funding at 75 percent of the project's total cost. Those projects include building renovation to 39-43 Ellicott St., Borrell Gym, facade work for 214 and 216 E. Main St., and Batavia Showtime.

This morning's conversation included some concern about some of the projects under consideration. 

Committee Co-Chairman Eugene Jankowski said he's hearing objections from local residents to using DRI prize money for the Healthy Living Center, which is a nonprofit, tax-exempt project. He said people felt the project backers, UMMC and the YMCA, being nonprofits, have other funding avenues not open to local business owners competing for DRI money. City Church Pastor Marty Macdonald shared the same concern and it was his perception that the project was well underway before the DRI award was made to the city.

Co-Chairman Steve Hyde said he was part of the project in its early stages -- he resigned after being selected for the DRI committee -- and he said organizers knew the city was applying for the DRI prize and that the potential of the grant was always part of the potential financing plan for the center.

There is also concern that the project is seeking $5 million, or half of the $10 million pie.  

Similar concerns were raised about the $3 million for the mall and $5 million for renovations to Ellicott Street (a median, plus pedestrian and bike paths).

Committee member John Riter expressed concern that both of these projects aren't far enough along and aren't able to provide the committee with enough information.

Hyde said the Genesee County Economic Development Center is taking a lead role in the revitalization of the mall and suggested that perhaps the mall should be included with a $1 million request to provide some start-up funds for the potential $30 million project. He said there is a developer interested but there needs to be some preliminary work done.

The committee appeared willing to consider that request.

The committee will present a list of projects totaling $15 million in requested funding and state officials will select the final winning projects for a total prize of $10 million. The current list is at $16,187,000.

Pre-Need Funeral Accounts in New York State are considered assets of the individual, not the funeral home.

Each year, those that have prepaid their funerals with a funeral home receive a tax document for the interest earned in the previous year.

If you have an account with any of our funeral homes, and did not receive your statement, please call us. We'd be happy to assist you.

From the GCEDC:

The annual meeting and luncheon of the Genesee County Economic Development Center will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at Batavia Downs in the Paddock Room.

Co-keynote speakers are Thomas Kucharski, president and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, and Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise.

According to the GCEDC, 2017 was a landmark year for Genesee County, and you are invited to learn more about how the center is connecting the "Buffalo-Rochester Metro Corridor" and advancing economic development regionally.

At the annual meeting, the GCEDC and its partners will be celebrated and highlights from 2017 will be reviewed; also, the economic landscape in New York State for 2018 will be discussed.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with economic and elected leaders from around the region. The GCEDC will unveil the "2018 Economic Development Partner of the Year Award."

Feel free to arrive an hour early, at 11 a.m., for an informal networking opportunity.

Batavia Downs is located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

To register for the event, click here.

For more information, contact Rachel Tabelski, Marketing & Communications director for the GCEDC, at rtabelski@gcedc.com or phone 585-343-4866, ext. 12.

      Jacqueline Saeli

Jacqueline M. Saeli, 52, of North Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with two counts of third-degree arson and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. Saeli is accused of starting a fire at 5:33 a.m. Jan. 6 at 8455 North Lake Road, Pembroke. The fire destroyed a shed and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Investigators say the shed and motorcycle were the property of her ex-boyfriend. The incident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Young, Investigator Christopher Parker, with assistance from the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department and the Emergency Management Office. Saeli was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Darcia Marie Golda, 46, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Golda is accused of stealing more than $31,000 from her employer, Rite Aid, at 4155 W. Main St., Batavia, between October 2016 and September 2017.

David Allen Gurgir, 56, of Hulberton Road, Holley, is charged with two counts of conspiracy, 4th, and four counts of conspiracy, 5th. Gurgir is accused of working with two accomplices to purchase a truck and complete all of the associated paperwork under false pretenses.

Daniel L. Schmiegel, 32, of Basom, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Schmiegel is accused of possession of an assault rifle and an ammo clip. Schmiegel was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Maurice G. Leach, 41, of Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, endangering the welfare of a child, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, using a vehicle without an interlock device, reckless driving. Leach was arrested by State Police in relation to an incident reported at 8:42 p.m. Thursday. No further details released.

It is once again cold enough to open the outdoor skate rink at DeWitt Recreation Area.

County Parks Director Paul Osborn said the rink will be open all day until 7:30 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia is hosting the evening skate and will serve free hot cocoa this evening.

A 37-year-old Batavia woman was caught smashing into a car window and stealing a purse, using credit cards from the purse, and later accused of using stolen checks, made a factual admission today to her crimes in Genesee County Court.

Brandi Marie Smith, of North Bennett Heights, entered a guilty plea to the Class E felony of grand larceny in the fourth degree.  

The plea satisfies all the charges against her and gives her a chance to avoid a prison term.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said if Smith abides by the court's orders while awaiting sentencing May 4, she will likely be given five years probation.

She is currently out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Smith was arrested in October and accused of smashing out the car window of a vehicle parked at a business, stealing the purse containing credit cards, debit cards and checks, and then using the items to make purchases at local stores.

She was charged with four counts of first-degree identify theft, four counts of forgery, three counts of second-degree identify theft, three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Later the same month, she was arrested again and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. 

As part of her plea, Smith is required to pay restitution.

Press release:

Please plan to join us for an evening of famous St. James desserts! The church’s Outreach Committee is hosting the first “Just Desserts” event: an evening of sweets and treats to raise funds in support of Community Health and Education for Rural Africa foundation (CHERA).

This project will encourage self-sufficiency through the development of a community maize milling cooperative. 

Shannon L. Klinkbell-Hayday, 41, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and falsifying business records. Klinkbell-Hayday allegedly made fraudulent return refunds at a business where she was working and then kept the return money.

Devin P. Hofert, 22, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Police came into contact with Hofert during an investigation into a domestic incident. He was also allegedly found with a hypodermic instrument. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

John A. Snook, 29, of Oak Orchard, Albion, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. Snook allegedly violated a stay away order of protection by going to the home of the protected person. He was jailed without bail.

Freddie L. Cunningham Jr., 56, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cunningham allegedly threatened harm to another person during an incident reported at 3:14 p.m. Tuesday.

Christopher Lynn Allison, 23, of Gaines Waterport Road, Albion, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Allison was arrested after Deputy Ryan Delong responded to a report at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 7-Eleven in Oakfield of a male unconscious in a vehicle.

Mason McFollins and Antwan Odom scored 19 points each to lead Batavia High School to a 73-55 victory at home Wednesday night over Charter School for Applied Technologies, a Section VI team.

Steve Gilebarto scored 16 points and Jonathan Liciaga scored 11.

McFollins hit five three-point shots.

For C-SAT, Jayden Galleage scored 24 points.

Randy J. Heslor, 24 of 3991 Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Heslor is accused of eating a deli sandwich in a store on West Main Street, Le Roy, and leaving without paying for it.

Robert T. Hoffman, 38, 45 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Hoffman allegedly pushed another person and stopped that person from calling police. He was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail. 

Aaron Maurice Jackson Jr., 27, of Andrews Avenue, Binghamton, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and speeding. Jackson was stopped at 1:14 a.m. Monday on Boardway Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Grand Jury Report: 

Foster M. Brandt is indicted on counts of felony DWI. Brandt was stopped Sept. 23 on Route 5 in the Town of Le Roy. He was convicted in 2013 on a charge of driving while ability impaired by drugs.

I drove around a bit this afternoon with the explicit goal to take some landscape pictures of Genesee County in black and white. It turned out there really wasn't enough snow on the ground to get the look I was after, but I like this shot from East Road in Batavia.