batavia

Friends and family have come through for Paul Konieczny, at least when it comes to the work of repairing the shattered foundation on his home at 144 Harvester Ave., Batavia, which collapsed in a storm July 31.

The work is getting done thanks to the volunteer effort of long-time friends, Konieczny teen-age children and other family members, but Konieczny said he still might not have enough money to meet all of the financial needs that go with making the repairs.

The materials for the new foundation alone costs more than $1,000.

"We're just day-by-day," said Konieczny.

And day-by-day met a bit of a set back yesterday when nearly an inch of rainfall in an hour caused more of the damaged foundation to collapse.

Don Johnson, a friend of Konieczny for 30 years, and a contractor, is working as fast as he can during his off hours to get the new foundation wall in place, knowing that any more rain before the work is done could mean more damage.

"He's willing to fight because he knows I don't want to leave," said Konieczny, who previously said he isn't going to leave the house that's been in his family for 130 years.

Johnson (top photo) said is effort is "just what friends do." He said, "We help as best we can at the things we can do."

Konieczny said he would welcome any financial assistance anybody might be able to provide.

"I'm grasping for hope," Konieczny said. "I pray to God we can get this done."

Bottom photos: Ron Gibble, another long-time friend of Konieczny's, pitches in with the help of Konieczny's son Andy. Daughter Kayla was also helping today. Gibble said he will do the plumbing work once the project gets to that point. The very bottom photo, one of Paul's sunflowers. Kayla said they used to have a neighbor who grew sunflowers and the neighbor and Paul would compete every year over who could grow the tallest sunflower.

A suspect in a series of burglaries in Le Roy and Batavia who was taken into custody during an alleged break-in a week ago has been charged with one count of burglary.

Russell P. Cessna, 24, of 18 Pleasant St., Le Roy, was arrested after being allegedly caught in the act on Summit Street, Batavia.

Investigators say Cessna made forcible entry into the residence and stole jewelry, cash and coins.

Following a series of similar burglaries in Le Roy, Batavia and other parts of Genesee County, the Le Roy PD, Batavia PD and Sheriff's Office cooperated on an investigation and set up a surveillance detail, which led to Cessna's arrest.

Cessna was taken into custody and held in jail on a warrant for alleged violation of parole.

Additional burglary charges are pending. He will be arraigned in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m., Tuesday.

Wortyndyke Road in the Town of Batavia is closed temporarily for repaving. There are barricades up at routes 33 and 5. No vehicles, including emergency vehicles, will be allowed.

Brad C. Doward, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the first degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment, 2nd. The 22-year-old was involved in a domestic incident Aug. 3 on Prune Street wherein he allegedly pushed a female acquaintance in the presence of a 10-year-old child. There's an order of protection in place directing the defendant to refrain himself from harassment against this female. He turned himself into the Batavia PD on Aug. 5, was arraigned and put in jail without bail pending his court appearance today at 1:30 p.m. The investigating officers were Frank Klimjack and Jason Ivison.

Press release:

Genesee ARC and the City Youth Bureau Parks program teamed up this summer to offer educational tours at ARC’s new Trash & Recycling facility, 3785 W. Main St. Road.

Children from all five city parks program sites signed up to learn about the city’s recycling efforts and how items are reduced, reused and recycled.  ARC Trash & Recycling Coordinator Mike Smith shared information about recycling seven different types of plastic, as well as tin cans, paper and the number one product recycled at the new facility, cardboard.

A new initiative called e-recycling was showcased during the tour, explaining the NYS law requiring recycling of electronics such as a computers, televisions, cell phones and electronic games.

(Photo: Mike Smith and a group from the Williams Park recreation program in front of piles of baled tin cans).

A one-car rollover accident with four occupants still inside is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 393.7. Unknown injuries. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: The vehicle landed on its roof and it's actually on the shoulder of Harloff Road. One person remains trapped inside. There are multiple cars pulled over near the accident scene.

UPDATE 7:36 p.m.: Two adults and two infants were in the car, with one adult still inside. A second ambulance is called along with traffic control.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: The driver is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 8:01 p.m.: The babies are being transported to Women's & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

Amy Swanson, assistant director for Crossroads House, sent along a couple of pictures from yesterday's Run the Roads for Crossroads House 5K. She said it was a "wonderful day" for a run. A total of 211 people turned out for the event. Collin Mulcahy finished first to win the Overall Male with a time of 17:19; Liz Valento was the Overall Female winner with a time of 20:35.

The complete results can be found at www.crossroadshouse5k.com.

Swanson wrote:

All proceeds raised today help support the mission of Crossroads House in providing comfort care to the dying. Individuals with three months or less to live can stay at Crossroads House completely for free where our volunteers and nurses take care of physical, emotional and medical needs.

We accept residents from not only Genesee County, but also Wyoming county as well. All of our funding comes from in-kind donations, memorials and community support like we experienced today! Along with the runners and walkers who turned out today, more than 50 area business sponsored this event!

Aiden, at 22 months, enjoyed his first visit to the Spray Park in Austin Park today while his family, from Clarendon, was visiting Batavia.

More shots from the Spray Park in today's 90-degree weather below.

The weather prediction for Sunday remains strong thunderstorms.

Joe Maiorano (top) and Charlie Hamilton (bottom) tie off during the annual Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills today. Maiorano came from Danbury, Conn., and Hamilton from Tampa, Fla., for the tournament.

The World Harmony Run passed through Batavia today.

The effort is a relay-run involving dozens of runners who have already traveled 8,500 miles on a 10,000-mile journey through all 48 continental states.

There are also running participants in 100 other countries around the globe.

Salil Wilson said the effort is intended to send a message that "peace and harmony starts with each person."

"It demonstrates," he said, "that there is far more that unites us as one human family than divides us."

The group, which includes runners from Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Belarus, and, of course, the United States, stopped for refreshments at the Peace Garden before heading east.

Click here for a map of the route the group has traveled.

Top photo and photo below, Laszlo Szente, of Hungary.

A Maple Street resident who admitted to welfare fraud will serve five years probation and must repay $11,341.18 after being sentenced in Genesee County Court.

Kerry Ackley, 39, admitted in May to a felony count of attempted grand larceny, 3rd.

She received benefits after failing to report her receipt of worker's compensation. She was originally charged with four counts of offering a false instrument for filing and the grand larceny charge.

Ackley is also barred from receiving food stamps.

A man who robbed a bank in Batavia in November 2007 entered a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, admitting to a total of five bank robberies in Western New York and Pennsylvania.

Michael Makolinski, 31, of Buffalo, faces up to 25 years in jail, a $1 million fine or both after pleading guilty to bank robbery.

“In his greed to steal the money of others, this serial bank robber thought he could prey upon banks located is some of our smaller communities, as well as in Buffalo,” said U.S. Attorney William Hochul. “As today’s convictions prove, the defendant’s belief was wrong.”

Besides the robbery of the Bank of America branch in Batavia, Makolinski, who appeared to display a gun in each robbery, hit banks in Erie, Pa., Irondequoit, Lewiston and Buffalo.

All of the robberies occurred between October 2007 and December 2007.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 13.

A two-car accident with possible minor injuries is reported on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, in front of Terry Hills Golf Course.

The accident is blocking.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:21 a.m.: One lane blocked. Debris in roadway. One person complaining of neck pain.

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.: One patient being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire back in service.

Press release:

City residents and those who work in the city are asked to provide input to the Batavia City Council through a Citizen Survey posted on the city’s Web site at www.batavianewyork.com.

Two years ago the city conducted a citizen survey to gauge how citizens perceive the quality of several city services. The survey also inquired as to whether citizens plan to remain in Batavia in five years and provided an area for general comments.

The data received from the survey was used to develop the city’s Strategic and Business Plan. Last year was an overwhelming success for our first year of implementation as the city achieved or exceeded nearly all of its identified performance measurements and key intended outcomes.

The results of the 2012 survey will again provide the city with information for its strategic planning process 2013 – 2015.

“This past year has been an enormous success for our city,” said City Manager Jason Molino. “It is important that we continue this planning process moving forward, and getting input from our citizens and workforce is vital to the planning success.”

The online survey can be viewed using any computer with Internet access. To find the survey, an individual will need to go to www.batavianewyork.com and click on the link labeled, “Citizen Survey.”

This link will take you directly to the survey which can be filled out online and submitted by the click of a button upon completion. All residents and those working in the city can take the survey, and the survey can be accessed more than once by eligible members of the same household.

For individuals without computer access, the Richmond Memorial Library is encouraging Batavia residents to utilize its free Internet service to take the survey. The library offers several computer terminals from which the survey can be taken. The service is free, however individuals must sign up to become a library member.

Membership to the Richmond Memorial Library is free and requires only a few minutes to provide some basic information. Summer library hours are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Residents can also pick up and submit a hard copy of the survey from the city clerk’s office at city hall.