batavia

It was all fun and games in the children's section of the Richmond Memorial Library this afternoon as staff threw a birthday party for the library.

Batavia's library, founded with a gift from the widow of Dean Richmond, is 125 years old this month.

Today, the children participating in the party made birthday hats and played games.

SAVE THE DATE! Our Spring Fashion Eyewear Event will be held Thursday, April 24th from 3-7 p.m. Featuring the new Prada and Dolce & Gabanna 2014 collections. Come and browse all their newest Italian-made designer frames, offered at substantial savings!!

A Batavia man who admitted in February that he stole a debit card to make purchases over the Internet told Judge Robert C. Noonan today that he's turned his life over to Jesus.

Bruce J. Brade, 33, of Galloway Road, read from a long, typed-written statement that ended with his request for leniency. 

Within terms of his plea deal, Noonan sentenced him to six months intermittant jail time and five years probation.

That settles a case from January in which Brade was arrested on charges of identify theft, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th.

He still faces future prosecution for allegedly stealing checks from his grandmother over the course of several months in 2013 while he was living with her. The value of the checks allegedly totaled $3,680.

Brade told Noonan that he knows he's done wrong and that he's hurt people. He said he's sold many personal items in order to make restitution to his victims and intends to pay back every dime he stole. He said he relies on his relationship with God to move forward and three men in his church who mentor him and hold him accountable. He said he's enrolled full time in a four-year college and has applied to a nursing school.

He's also receiving guidance and a counseling through the Veterans Court and is involved with the VA. He's receiving tuition assistance through his G.I. Bill of Rights.

"I take full responsibility for my stupid choices," Brade said.

He said he hates jail and never wants to go back. He said he doesn't understand why some people who have been in jail get themselves in trouble again.

Noonan said he found the Probation Department's pre-sentence report on Brade "rather interesting." The report says Brade is disingenuous about some of his statements, according to Noonan.

Probation, the judge said, "is probably a good way to ensure you're supervised."

It's supposed to be spring, right? Well, it snowed today and it should be in the low 20s overnight.

That might seem unseasonably cold, but according to the Farmer's Almanac, the average last day of frost in Batavia -- with a 50 percent probability -- is May 4.

Plan your spring planting accordingly.

Above, snow dusting cars at Falleti Motors.

A woman with a snow-speckled blue umbrella on East Main Street.

The Tonawanda Creek along West Main Street.

An accident involving a truck and another vehicle is reported in front of the Community Action Center, 5073 Clinton Street Road. The driver of the truck is pregnant and law enforcement on scene has requested a medic to evaluate her. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding and Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: The town assignment went back in service about five minutes ago.

Skyler Hampton works intently on his animated character "The Boxer" during an animation workshop this morning at GO ART!

Youngsters 9 to 12 years old are being shown the foundations of animation by Dave Puls, creative director for Animatus Studios in Rochester over the course of a three-day workshop.

Dave Puls.

Cole Ashley and Skyler Hampton.

The Boxer.

Lily Whiting at work on her project.

Melissa R. Piazza, 25, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass, harassment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Piazza allegedly told another woman that she was going to kill her, broke a screen window and was trespassing on residential property. The alleged incident was reported at 7:47 a.m. Sunday. Piazza was jailed on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving with no headlights and failure to keep right. The teen was stopped at 10:20 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Jeremy A. Preston, 23, of Prospect Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Preston was stopped at 10:35 a.m. Thursday on Prospect Avenue by Officer Devon Pahuta.

Michael L. Williams, 34, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Williams allegedly slapped a child during a domestic incident. He also allegedly grabbed and punched a woman while a child was watching. Williams was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Bobby L. Mobley Sr., 55, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, refusal to take breath test and driving with inadequate stop lamps. Mobley was stopped at 11:37 p.m. Saturday on Central Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Jason Ivison.

Krisopher A. Anderson, 22, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Anderson was charged following a call for an alleged domestic incident at 2:40 a.m., Saturday.

Sara T. Cupler, 21, of Church Street, Alabama, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cupler was arrested by Officer Devon Pahuta following a call to assist another agency at a residence on West Main Street, Batavia.

Bernard Lee Evans, 43, of Cato Street, Pavilion, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Evans was arrested while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail on new charges stemming from an alleged incident on March 26 on Starr Road, Pavilion. No further details released.

Christopher Edmond Nanni, 18, of Fox Road, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession marijuana and speeding. Nanni was stopped on Drake Street Road, Oakfield, at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Michael A. Michalow, 56, of Baitz Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving without an ignitiation interlock, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, no stopping/standing on public highway, refusal to take breath test and unlicensed operation. Deputy James Diehl was dispatched at 9:11 p.m. April 4 to a report of a disabled vehicle blocking the roadway on Ledge Road, Alabama. Following an investigation, Michalow was arrested and jailed on $15,000 bail.

Megan Theresa Gill, 20, of Church Street, Le Roy, is  charged with harassment, 2nd. Gill allegedly grabbed a victim's arms and held them behind his back during a fight, which was reported at 3:32 p.m. April 5 at a location on Perry Road, Pavilion.

Gregory A. Dejesus, 23, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dejesus is accused of striking a victim in her the face with a closed fist during an argument, which was reported at 3:32 p.m. April 5 at a location on Perry Road, Pavilion.

Aaron M. Hatt, 18, of Alexander, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and harassment, 2nd. Hatt was arrested by State Police following a report of an alleged incident at 11:03 a.m. Friday in the Town of Pembroke. No further details released.

A caller to dispatch complains of loud music and profanity coming from a place in the first block of Harvester Avenue in the city. Batavia police are responding.

A man who reportedly threw a ham at another customer inside of Sav-A-Lot is on the lam on Ellicott Street, according to dispatchers.

Police are responding after a manager complained that the man on the lam threw a ham at another customer.

The victim of the ham-throwing incident is in the parking lot.

Law enforcment is on scene at Radio Shack on Veterans Memorial Drive investigating a theft of items from the store.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male wearing "sparkly jeans." He's also missing a front tooth, is skinny and was wearing a baseball cap.

It's unknown if he fled on foot or got into a vehicle.

There's been a rash recently, according to Batavia PD, of counterfeit $20 bills being passed at local businesses.

The counterfeits are being discovered at banks after local businesses make their deposits.

Officer Eric Hill said it should be pretty easy to spot the fakes. They are photocopies of actual $20s. Hills recommends businesses use a counterfeit pen on all $20s coming into their shops.

"They will not pass the pen test," Hill said.

Here's more information on how to spot fake currency.

Batavia PD is looking to talk with anybody who might have information about the bills.

BPD can be reached through dispatch at (585) 345-6350 or leave a message on the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 387.6. Town of Batavia fire is responding along with two Mercy ambulances. A crew from Oakfield is requested to fill in at Town of Batavia's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: A Mercy Flight helicopter is called and will land on a field at Genesee Community College adjacent to the Thruway.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.: Mercy Flight has a five-minute ETA.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: Mercy Flight is transporting a patient to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by a reader.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 386. No injuries, but fuel is leaking. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: The Department of Environmental Conservation is contacted as required because of the fuel spill. Wind is reported as 7 mph from the southeast.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by a reader.

A caller to dispatch reports that two black males about 17 or 18 years old are creating problems on Pearl Street in the city. The caller said that they broke a window at a residence, kicked in someone's back door and are entering the house. In addition, they were said to be causing a ruckus and disturbing neighbors in the area. City police are responding. A red Dodge Intrepid may be involved.

A caller to dispatch reports that a father was yelling at his young child at Williams Park, then left without the child. Batavia Police are responding.

Spencer Hubbard, 2014 Mr. Batavia, presented a $2,200 check today to Jess Tomidy, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Genesee County. The Mr. Batavia competition at Batavia High School raises money for the winner's charity of choice. After winning the competition last month, Hubbard said he picked Habitat because, "I feel like it's a basic need, that people need homes. A lot of people are homeless who don't deserve to be. They really need that help."

Police were dispatched to a parking lot after receiving a complaint that a white male, shirtless, with tattoos and on a skateboard was spitting on parked vehicles. He is now said to be skating down East Main Street.

A caller to dispatch reports a little girl about about 4 is wandering up and down Thomas Avenue in hot pink PJs and appears to be unsupervised. Police are responding.

UPDATE 1:36 p.m.: Issue resolved.

Federal agents, including ATF agents, showed up at a residence on Jackson Street, Batavia, this morning to execute a search warrant.

An agent said the residence, 152 Jackson St., is the home of James D. Holstein, who is under federal indictment and out on bail. He's accused of violating the terms of his release, leading to the search this morning.

The indictment, according to the agent, is related to an arrest by State Police reported by The Batavian in 2010. We've requested a copy of the indictment from the office of William Hochul, U.S. Attorney for WNY.

UPDATE: Holstein is facing a three-count federal indictment issued by a federal grand jury Oct. 3, 2013. The counts are aiding and abetting wire fraud, money laundering and making a false statement. 

It's alleged that between Jan. 2006 and Jan. 2012, Holstein would agree to purchase items from online sellers and then issue the sellers counterfeit checks for amounts greater than the purchase price. Holstein allegedly asked the sellers to wire back the balance of the overpayment. After wiring the money order, the sellers would learn the deposited check was counterfeit and the amount of the check would be charged against their bank account.

Holstein then allegedly kept a portion of the overage for himself and wired the balance to unknown persons throughout the world by way of Western Union and MoneyGram.

Once Holstein was informed by Western Union in January 2009 that he was engaged in fraudulent activity, and then advised again by local law enforcement in April and June 2010, Holstein allegedly continued to wire money to people in Ghana, Nigeria and Great Britain.

For those transactions, Holstein allegedly used the name of his son.

The indictment lists three domestic victims: J.S., a resident of Golden, Colo., $2,910; V.K., a resident of Greenwood, S.C., $2,370; and, A.H., a resident of Elkhart Lake, Wis., $1,500.

The indictment lists nearly 60 transactions in amounts ranging from $40 to $300 to people in Ghana, Nigeria and Great Britain.

Holstein is accused of using these transactions for the purpose of money laundering.

He is also accused of making a false statement to a federal agent. He allegedly told the agent in 2010 that he had stopped wiring money to a woman in Lagos Island, Nigeria, when in fact he continued to wire money to her.

Medina, Notre Dame and Batavia softball teams played a scrimmage today at John Kennedy School. It's the first scrimmage of the year. Batavia HS student Zachary Lee submitted these photos.