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Football Preview: Blue Devils gear up for shot at fourth-straight sectional title

By alex brasky

The run which the Batavia Football team has put together throughout the past three seasons has been nothing short of historic. After years of dormancy, the Blue Devils are now coming off of three-straight Section V Class B Titles, and are the favorite to win their fourth in a row in 2017.

Season Outlook

In an attempt to ramp-up their regular season schedule, Batavia has gone outside of the box and scheduled teams which they hope will provide them with a steeper challenge than their 2016 slate -- in order to better prepare themselves for the postseason, where they've fallen just short of the State Final Four in each of their three Championship seasons.

However, upon researching each of their 2017 opponents, it seems as if the Blue Devils effort to do so may be all for naught - as they are likely to be favored to win many, if not all 7 of their regular season games. 

Although they come into this year sporting a new quarterback under center, the experience which they possess at almost every other position on the field will help ease any growing pains their signal caller may experience. In addition, Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs has proven himself to be one of the top-coaches throughout Section V, and his ability to game plan, and make halftime adjustments has been what has put his team over the edge since his first year at the helm. 

When it's all said and done, I truly believe we will see Batavia win their fourth-straight Sectional Title. They remain as the best team in their classification, and from my perspective, it will take a miracle of sorts to knock them off as Champion. However, the real question is -- can this team get to the Carrier Dome for the State Final Four?

Time will tell.  

Key Matchups

Week 2 -- Aquinas 

Aquinas isn't necessarily the team who is a favorite to win a State Title every year, and enter 2017 under new leadership. With that being said, I expect the Lil' Irish to be one of the stronger teams on Batavia's schedule this year - and could push the Blue Devils to the brink of defeat. 

Week 5 -- Bishop Kearney

Also entering the season under a new head coach, the Kings lost a bunch from their 2016 Class C Championship squad. However, they do have an experienced quarterback under center and the new HC which they have brought in has a reputation for success. 

Week 6 -- Wilson

Wilson has given Batavia the most trouble of any of their opponents in recent seasons  - most recently pushing them in what finished as a 12-6 victory for the Blue Devils last season. This year, I expect they will give the Devils another tough game. 

Key Players

Ray Leach (RB/LB)

Ray finished as a first-team All-State selection last season and may be the best player in Section V this season. He will be tough for any opponent to stop this season. 

Butch Ray (OL/DL)

Butch was also a first-team All-State selection in 2016 and is the definition of an unstoppable force on the line of scrimmage. He, like Leach, is one of the top-players in Section V this season. 

Chandler Baker (QB)

Chandler comes equipped with elite arm strength and could provide the Devils' passing game with a boost this season. In addition, his athleticism is top-tier which makes him a dual threat in this offense. 

Coach's Quote

"We have a very young team this season," began Batavia HC Brennan Briggs upon our preseason discussion. "We should get better as the season progresses and the younger members become more comfortable with their role."

"It is always tough to replace your QB as well as other key members of a football team," continued Briggs. "But the 2017 football team is looking to put their stamp on the Batavia Football program. We have a lot of guys in new positions, but they are coming along. The goal is to go 1-0, and get better every day. We have some very difficult games along the journey, but our hope is it will prepare us for a solid post-season run."

Alex Brasky is Editor and Publisher of Batavia's Best.

Vendors and merchandise wanted for second annual Trevor Mathiesen Vendor Blender at Dibble Center Sept. 10

By Billie Owens

The second annual Trevor Mathiesen Vendor Blender will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at The Dibble Family Center in the City of Batavia. It is located at 4120 W. Main St.

Cost is $30 per vendor table.

Trevor was a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly Oct. 22 at Strong Memorial Hospital. He loved to play hockey and was a member of the Buffalo Stars. He enjoyed four-wheeling, riding dirt bikes and he spent many hours fishing at Godfrey's Pond in Bergen. Trevor loved the outdoors and all animals.

All proceeds from the Vendor Blender will go to Trevor's parents, Amy and John Mathiesen, to be donated to the organization of their choice. Last year, proceeds went to purchase two boats and a kayak for use at Godfrey's Pond.

Anyone who would like to donate a basket, gift card or an item, please contact Kellie Wade and she will come and pick it up.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please print the following information and mail it to Kellie Wade, 7250 Ivison Road, Byron, NY 14422.

For additional information, call Kellie at (585) 201-3489.

  • Name
  • Business
  • Type of Merchandise
  • Address
  • City
  • State
  • Zip Code
  • Telephone Number
  • Email address

Law and Order: Canadian accused of stealing golf cart, getting into accident at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

Hofford Lindsay Ian, 53, of Bluff Trail, Nobleton, Ontario, Canada, is charged with: DWI; unauthorized use of a vehicle; leaving scene of an accident; refusal to take breath test; and moving from lane unsafely. Ian allegedly drove a golf cart without the owner's permission while at Darien Lake. While operating the golf car, Ian allegedly struck another vehicle and left the scene of the accident. He was jailed on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. 

Melissa R. Reinard, 24, of Pine Ridge Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Reinard was stopped for allegedly driving 53 in a 35-mph zone in Corfu by Officer Richard Retzlaff.

Galen Bena Sundown, 24, of Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .18 or greater; unreasonable speed; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle; and driving on public highway while using a mobile phone. Sundown was reportedly involved in a personal-injury accident at 2:34 a.m. Sunday on Council House Road, Alabama. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Wilson and Deputy Howard Carlson.

Sandra J. Kessler, 45, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by drugs. Kessler was arrested following an investigation of a reported suspicious condition on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Wilson, at 11:12 p.m. on Friday.

Anthony Professor Blackwell, 39, of George Urban Boulevard, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Blackwell turned himself in on a warrant. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Man accused of setting box on fire in attempt to steal Apple ear buds from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

A 19-year-old Batavia man has been charged with arson and petit larceny after allegedly setting a box on fire that contained Apple ear buds in an attempt to steal them.

The suspect then disposed of the burnt box under a metal display rack and attempted to leave the store before being intercepted by store security officers.

Arrested was John Rai Delara, 19, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia. He was charged with petit larceny, fifth-degree arson, and criminal mischief, 4th.

He was released on an appearance ticket.

Photo: Car wash today supports Batavia Cheer

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia High School cheerleaders have been conducting a car wash today on West Main Street, at Ziebert's next to Beverly's Florist. The car wash continues until 3 p.m.

Reader submitted photo and info.

Photos: Here and Now Festival in Austin Park

By Howard B. Owens

Austin Park was filled with praise and worship this weekend for the Here and Now Festival, featuring several Christian music acts and pastors along with dozens of vendors and activities for families.

More than 3,000 people turned out for last night's music and the festival continues today through 10 p.m.

Photo: Doggie Day at Dave's Ice Cream

By Howard B. Owens

Today is National Dog Day and so it was DoggieDay at Dave's Ice Cream on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

Dogs got free ice cream. It was also a fundraiser for Volunteers for Animals with hot dogs and soda.

Some readers may remember "Pachuco," who was our "Pets columnist" back when we first started and ran an adopt-a-pet column. When we first moved to Batavia in 2009, that first summer, we took Pachuco to Dave's on Doggie Day. Pachuco is nearly 10 years old, which is elderly for a dog his size. This is probably his last Doggie Day.

In the background, Rocky, who is doing very well.

Fundraiser set for toddler and family in treatment for leukemia

By Howard B. Owens

There's good news for 8-month-old Halani Rolle and her family. Doctor's say she's in remission for acute myeloid leukemia, but her treatments are far from over. (Previously: Infant in Batavia fighting the battle of her life)

She will have a bone-marrow transplant. Her sister Harlem is the donor.

There is a fundraiser for Halani and her family at the VFW on Sept. 2.

More information from her mother:

She has undergone three rounds of chemo and is currently in remission set to have a bone marrow transplant on Sept. 13th. Her sister Harlem is her match and will be her donor.

She is so appreciative to be helping her sister. Harlem says, "Mom, Halani is going to be just like me now because she's going to have my blood."

Halani is home for the time being and has been since Aug. 13 after spending three months in at Women and Children's in Buffalo. Halani will be readmitted to Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester on Sept. 5 to begin another round of chemo to bottom her out before transplant.

We are so blessed to have her home for her benefit, which is why we want to invite the public.

Halani has received so much support from the community and from people who have never met her. We want to give back by inviting everyone. It will be held at the VFW in Batavia near the sand wash on Sept. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 until Sunday. They include a meal, which consists of a chicken BBQ, mac salad, and salt patatoes, also a roll and one drink. It will also include a sheet of raffle tickets. There is cash bar and Macy Paradise will be the DJ. There will also be face painting for the kids. Brian Kemp of T-shirts Etc. is designing her shirts, which will be sold for $10 each.

Truck takes down power lines on Edwards Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A truck has reportedly hit a pole, taking down power lines in the area of 25 Edwards St., Batavia. 

No injuries are reported. 

City fire responding. 

UPDATE 8:09 p.m.: National Grid being notified. 

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: National Grid on location.

Green team wins Batavia Little League four-week season

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Green Team won the championship of a special four-week summer league that just completed the short season.

Jamarion Richardson, first row, Landon Santini; Preston Tobolski, Mac Wormley, Cooper Hamilton, Kyle Porter, Brady Mazur; Gavin Lawlis, Connor Scott, Alex Johnson, Alex DiFilippo; Assistant Coach Dave Scott, Head Coach Brenden von Kramer, Assistant Coach Tom Porter, Assistant Coach Chris Ball.

Not pictured, Nolan Ball and Kylan Ball.

Photo and info submitted by Tricia DiFilippo.

Law and Order: Warrant suspect allegedly carrying cocaine

By Howard B. Owens

Nicholas D. Martino, 37, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Martino was arrested on a warrant out of the City of Batavia and when taken into custody allegedly had a small amount of cocaine on him. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Jamie B. Wix, 41, of Rozzelles Landing Drive, Charlotte, N.C., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Wix was stopped at 1:29 a.m., today, on Park Road, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Central Avenue man nixes plea deal, opts for jury trial in second-degree assault case

By Billie Owens

A 38-year-old Central Avenue man charged with second-degree assault declined a plea offer this afternoon in Genesee County Court.

Jason E. Carpenter opted to take his case to trial, according to his attorney, Jerry Ader, and it was put on the court docket for the week of Nov. 13.

He was arrested in March following an investigation by City of Batavia Police Department into a fight involving multiple persons at the corner of Liberty and Sumner streets at 12:10 a.m. on Feb. 26. Carpenter is accused of punching another person in the eye, causing multiple facial fractures.

Carpenter is charged with second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony, and was subsequently indicted for the crime by the Grand Jury. The indictment alleges that with intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he caused such injury to a person, on Feb. 26 on Liberty Street.

If found guilty on the charge, Carpenter faces up to seven years in state prison.

Under a plea deal offered by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, the second-degree assault charge would be amended to attempted assault, a nonviolent Class E felony, with a prison sentence range of one-and-a-third to four years, which the judge would determine.

"He's not interested in the plea -- we'd like to schedule this for trial," Ader told Judge Charles Zambito.

Carpenter, a somewhat burly, bearded strawberry blonde who wore khakis, a plaid shirt in earth tones, and clutched a baseball cap in his left hand, did not speak in court.

Man accused of attempted murder agrees to plea deal that includes 15-year prison term

By Howard B. Owens
   Jeremy Armstrong

A man charged with attempted murder accepted a plea deal in County Court today that guarantees a 15-year prison term.

Jeremy R. "Boog" Armstrong, 27, faced a six-account indictment for the shooting of a victim on Jackson Street, Batavia, on Dec. 2. Today was his plea cut-off date and if the case had gone to trial and he was convicted, the maximum available sentence could have locked him away for 37 years.

Armstrong hesitated when first asked by Judge Charles Zambito if he was ready to agree to the terms of the plea. His attorney asked for a recess to confer with his client.

Because there was also a jury trial scheduled for the morning, the recess lasted two-and-half-hours while the attorneys in that case delivered their closing statements.

The plea deal satisfied two indictments, with the one that included the attempted murder charge being reduced to a lesser included offense under count two of attempted assault in the first degree. The second indictment included a count from a separate incident of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

When Zambito read the supporting circumstances for attempted assault, his attorney, Mark Foti, objected to "knowingly caused serious physical injury," and with the suggestion of District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, the language was changed to "intent to cause serious physical injury."

Again, Armstrong Hesitated, but after conferring with Foti entered his guilty plea.

He didn't hesitate when pleading guilty to the drug dealing charge.

Friedman said the agreement to nine years for criminal possession and the 15 years for attempted assault were "no more and no less," meaning Armstrong agreed to exactly that time in prison. The sentences would be served concurrently. His term of parole will be decided at the time of his sentence but will be between two-and-a-half and five years.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Oct. 6.

Batavians come together to answer hate and bigotry with calls for peace and unity

By Howard B. Owens

More than 200 local residents came together Thursday night at the YWCA on North Street, Batavia, to share words of peace and unity in response to the message of hate and bigotry in Charlottesville, Va., two weeks ago.

Speakers expressed both hope that our society can learn to live in harmony, and anger at chanted slogans and actions of the white supremacists who descended on Charlottesville.

Rev. Sheila Campbell recalled the murder of Heather Heyer, a counter-protester who was killed when a car allegedly driven by a white supremacist drove into a crowd of people, whom she celebrated as a hero who confronted the reality of injustice and inhumanity.

The last social media post by Heyer, Campbell said, was, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

Heyer, she said, was paying attention.

"The call for the removal of the Confederate statue was a cry for help and she responded in love by standing on the line of justice and equality," Campbell said. "Heather chose to stand on the side of that which unites humanity, which is encased in compassion and empathy. She made the ultimate sacrifice and her name will be forever etched in the annals which recall the blood of the slaughtered voices of justice."

Diana Kastenbaum, a Batavia resident and local business owner, openly confronted her own fear and anger sparked by what she saw on TV in Charlottesville and what she judged to be an inadequate response from some elected leaders and some in the media.

"Don't kid yourself," Kastenbaum said. "This march was not about statues and permits. It was about a group of people marching for equality and another group marching for superiority. There is no moral equivalency."

There were those, she said, who were slow to denounce the bigotry and hate, and even those who did denounce racism while glossing over the overt anti-Semitism, such as the neo-Nazis marching with tiki torches chanting, "Jews will not replace us."

She recalled driving to work the Monday after the protests and seeing two different pickup trucks driving in Batavia flying the Confederate flag from poles in the beds of their trucks.

"One pickup truck was parked in the same driveway of the house where three men on a darkened porch Heil Hitlered my family and I as we left Rosh Hashanah services last year," Kastenbaum said. "From that incident, I knew they were anti-Semitic. Now I know they are also racists. I wondered how many more Confederate flags I would see that day."

Brandon Armstrong, a local business owner, said he came to say a few words about racism.

"I can live my life and not worry about someone who hates me, but I need to know if I go to apply for a job am I going to get the same treatment as everyone else?" Armstrong said. "And if I do get the job, am I going to be treated fair or am I going to get the loan from the bank? See, it's not all about hate."

He said there needs to be a better understanding, and a better response, to what it is that holds poor minorities back from greater achievement, whether it's what they can and should do for themselves, or what needs to be done to help those who can't help themselves.

Other speakers included Father Ivan Trujillo, Dr. Mohammed Rumi, Pastor Jim Renfew, Pastor Ruth Warner (who also played a rendition of "What a friend I have in Jesus" on her oboe), Stan Schumann, president of Temple Emanu-El, and Jeannie Walton, director of the YWCA.

Rev. Roula Alkhouri, of First Presbyterian Church of Batavia, one of the event's organizers, helped open and close the vigil.

She said she was stunned about the news coming out of Charlottesville two weeks ago.

"I didn't know how to respond," Alkhouri said. "I was afraid. A part of me was afraid. As a woman. As an Arab-American. I thought of the fear that people like me experienced because of the hate of others. So I didn't know what to say, what to do. How do I respond? Do I even dare speak up? But then my faith, the example of Jesus in my life led me to say you have to speak up. You have to say something, you have to stand up for what is right.

"And these words from Romans 12:21 came to me. 'Do not overcome evil by evil but with good.' And so I thought what is good in this moment? I thought of the good that comes from us coming together, our standing and say we can love across the boundaries that separate us or seem to separate us, of race, of religion, of different wants or thoughts or political persuasions. We can come and say hate has no place in our country."

Rev. Sheila Campbell

 Rev. Roula Alkhouri

Pastor Ruth Warner

Father Ivan Trujillo

Brandon Armstrong

Stan Schumann

Lawley recognized as Top 100 Property & Casualty Insurance Agency

By Billie Owens

Press release:

For the 13th consecutive year, Lawley was ranked by Insurance Journal as one of the Top 100 largest commercial lines agencies in the United States. The company continues to rise on the list, this year moving up two spots to number 43.

“We strive to build and maintain the trust of our clients by providing recommendations that protect them through property & casualty insurance, employee benefits, risk management solutions or personal insurance. To see those efforts contribute to our growth is quite rewarding and we’re very pleased to see the progress we make each year,” said Bill Lawley Jr., Managing Partner of Lawley.

The annual list is ranked by total commercial lines property/casualty revenue for 2016 and comprises only those agencies that are privately-owned firms whose business is primarily retail, not wholesale. All information in the report was garnered from voluntary online submissions from agencies and brokerages.

Lawley was also recently recognized by Business Insurance as the 54th largest insurance broker in the United States, based on 2016 brokerage revenues.

To read the full list of Property & Casualty Insurance Brokers, click here.

About Lawley

Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting and ranked among the 100 Largest Insurance Brokers in the United States, according to Business Insurance magazine. 

For over 60 years, Lawley’s team of more than 350 associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes along with personalized protection for individuals and their families. Lawley is consistently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by Buffalo Business First.

Headquartered in Buffalo, Lawley has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Fredonia, Melville, Purchase, and Rochester along with Darien, Conn., and Florham Park, NJ. To find out more, visit lawleylnsurance.com.

Tow-truck driver drives off road after suffering medical issue

By Howard B. Owens

A tow-truck driver suffered a minor medical issue while driving on Clinton Street Road near Grand View Cemetary when he lost control of his vehicle while trying to pull over, and the truck continued to travel off the roadway striking some signs. He was not injured in the crash. Sheriff's Office, Batavia fire, and Mercy EMS responded.

Photos submitted by Brian Odachowski.

New support network forming for those in Genesee County who have arthritis

By Billie Owens

A new support network for adults living with all types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases is launching in Batavia on Sept. 27.

The Arthritis Support Network in Western New York will hold its local debut event from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Library, located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

It aims to help and support those with arthritis through connection, education and empowerment.

To RSVP or to get more information, contact Jim@Arthritisintrospective.org or go online to arthritisintrospective.org/local

DOT and City PD team up on random truck inspections

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia PD is randomly selecting semi-trucks traveling on Ellicott Street through the city for safety inspections. Officers pull over a truck and then instruct the driver to pull into the parking lot next to Falleti Ice Arena on Evans Street.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: There is another checkpoint for truck safety inspection selections set up on Ellicott Street between Liberty and Jackson streets.

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