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Photos: The 1961 commencement that should have been

By Howard B. Owens

Prior to 1961, Batavia High's graduating classes held their commencement ceremony at Mancuso Theater, but in 1961, with a new high school built, school officials told the Class of ' 61 that its graduation would be at the new facility. 

There was talk of protest then, but it took the class a half century to actually pull it off.

As part of the class's 50th Reunion, class members walked from Batavia Middle School to the former Mancuso Theater, now City Church, and held a ceremonial commencement with current BHS Principal Christopher Dailey handing Jim Owen back his original diploma as a symbolic graduation. Dailey then delivered the same commencement speech delivered to the Class of 2011.

Ellicott Street resident accused of burglarizing local business

By Howard B. Owens

A suspect in one of the alleged burglaries over the summer in Batavia has been arrested, but police say the 55-year-old Batavia resident is not a suspect in other burglaries.

Paul C. Wapniewski was taken into custody following an investigation and indictment by the Grand Jury.

Wapniewski, a resident of 410 Ellicott St., Batavia, is accused of breaking into Delavan's Restaurant, 107 Evans St., on May 6.

Following arraignment in Genesee County Court, Wapniewski was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

He was charged with burglary, 3rd, criminal mischief, 2nd, and petit larceny.

There have been at least 10 other burglaries of businesses in the city this summer, but police say Wapniewski is not a suspect in those crimes.

More than 200 items up for auction to benefit Child Advocacy Center

By Howard B. Owens

Kiwanis members in Batavia have compiled more than 200 items that will be auctioned off Saturday at Batavia Downs to help raise funds for the Child Advocacy Center.

The center provides assistance to children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse and helps with the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.

Kiwanis has set an ambition goal of raising $150,000 to help the CAC move into a non-rental location as a cost-saving measure in an era of tighter budgets and reductions in state and federal grants.

(See previous story).

Tickets for the event Saturday are $40 per person or $75 per couple. The event starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.

After a jump, a list of the items available at the auction.

Bidding on a Brighter Future Gala 6 p.m. Sept. 17, 2011

1. Picnic Basket (Misc.) donated by gflannery -- value $25
2. Champagne Christmas basket donated by gflannery -- value $25
3. Christmas Basket and Delevan’s GC -- value $45
4. Music Basket (limited CD, Harmonica, etc.) by GF -- value $30
5. Precious Moment Basket donated by GF -- value $30
6. Christmas Basket donated by GF -- value $25
7. Christmas Plate/Sweet Esctacy Gift Certificate -- value $35
8. Misc. Kids Basket/$50 bond donated by First Niagara -- value $15
9. Valentine Basket donated by GF value $20
10. Misc. Kids Basket donated by CAC -- value $20
11. Misc. Kids Basket donated by GF -- value $15
12. Misc. Kids Basket donated byGF -- value $25
13. Points of Harmony Acupuncture Gift Certificate and basket -- value $60
14. Misc. Kids basket donated by CAC -- value $20
15. Precious Moments Basket donated by GF -- value $30
16. Photo Album/Candle/Precious Moments/misc. by GF -- value $25
17. Red Hatter Bear/Mother Basket/$20 Delevans GC -- value $40
18. Misc. Kids Basket donated by GF -- value $20
19. Misc. Kids Basket donated by CAC -- value $20
20. Misc Kids Basket donated byCAC -- value $15
21. Man's gift set mug/beer/hat/Buck knife donated by MF -- value $35
22. Misc. Kids Basket donated by CAC -- value $15
23. Misc. Kids Basket donated by CAC -- value $15
24. Precious Moments Basket donated by GF -- value $40
25. Precious Moments Basket donated by GF -- value $25
26. Precious Moments Basket donated by GF -- value $35
27. Princess Basket donated by GF -- value $20
28. Misc. Kids Basket donated by Flannery’s -- value $25
29. Pet Basket donated by Golden Oak Kennels -- value $75
30. Christmas Basket -- value $15
31. Longaberger Basket -- value $35
32. GCC Basket mugs/shirt -- value $25
33. Picnic Basket -- value $30
34. Fairy Basket -- value $15
35. Wine/Snacks -- value $35
36. Tastefully Simple donated by Deborah Snyder -- value $75
37. Buffalo Bills Basket
38. Chamilia Bracelet donated by Valle Jewelers -- value $115
39. 26” Men’s Mongoose Bike donated by Andre Dunlap NYSP -- value $200
40. Child Rocking Chair donated by Solar Giant -- value $30
41. Child Rocking Chair -- value $30
42. Child Rocking Chair -- value $30
43. Bank of Castile Snack Basket -- value $100
44. Hilton Head House, S.C. -- one week Nov. 5-12 -- value $7,000
45. Sea Glass Tower condo -- one week -- value $1,348
46. Carolina Grande Condo -- one week -- value $1,404
47. Country Comforts B & B, Keuka Lake -- one night -- value $115
48. Deep Blue Pool and Spa -- 4 person -- value $8,000
49. Seneca Niagara Casino bus trip and $35 free play for two -- value $130
50. Free Weight Machine donated by Affordable Floorcovering -- value $450
51. Beaded necklace and bracelet set donated by Batavia Peace Garden
52. Photography Gift Certificate -- value $150, donated by Robert Knipe
53. Bill's Auto: one-week stay at 5 bedroom, 3 bath condo in Myrtle Beach
54. D and R Depot -- 2 chicken pot pies every week for a year!
55. Pancake Breakfast Basket donated by Donna Lougheed -- value $40
56. Chest of lottery tickets, Gen. Co. Clerk's office staff  -- value $25
57. Cooler items donated by Bivona Child Advocacy Center -- value $40
58. Sofa donated by Max Pies
59. Seneca Niagara Casino bus trip and $35 free play for two -- value $130
60. YMCA membership 3-month membership
61. Stay and Play from Batavia Downs food/free play
62. Basket donated by Country Cottage
63. Shop Vac from Donna Ferry -- value $75
64. Party Lite basket from Tara Pariso -- value $50
65. Hardcor Audio -- car starter $270
66. Keurig coffeemaker and 4 boxes of coffee -- value $158
67. Wine/Cheese/Food basket
68. Wine/Cheese/Food basket
69. Wine/Cheese/Food basket
70. Wine/Cheese/Food basket
71. Terry Hills Golf 18 hole, Greens fee for two --  value $90
72. Terry Hills Golf 18 hole, Greens fee for two -- value $90
73. Vintage purse/Valle Jewelery donated by Larry -- value $150
74. Billy Idol album donated by Larry -- value $50
75. Mark Sanchez frame donated by Gary Maha -- value $300
76. Handmade jewelry donated by Mary Pat Magde -- value $100
77. Little Girls Birthday Party donated by From Toes to Bows -- value $40
78. Golf Bag donated by Waste Management -- value $150
79. Wine/Candle Basket -- value $40
80. First Birthday -- value $15
81. Wine/Glasses -- value $35
82. Sport Basket/Digital photo value$40
83. Deluxe Car Basket Donated by Ed Minardo -- value $70
84. Cooking Basket -- value $20
85. Christmas Basket -- value $20
86. Summer Pack -- value $20
87. Christmas Basket -- value $20
88. Salad Bowl -- value $20
89. Child Basket -- value $20
90. Eight bottles wine -- value $100
91. Johnson Guitar donated by Larry Friedman -- value $70
92. Adam Miller Basket -- value $ 30
93. Flower Basket donated by Pavilion, Leroy, Stafford Kiwanis -- value $30
94. Golf pack donated by Mike Flannery -- value $30
95. Wine Basket -- value $30
96. Baby Basket with personalized baby announcement frame -- value $80
97. Wine/Cake Basket donated by Frank Ciaccia -- value $100
98. Back-to-School Basket with Microscope -- value $ 50
99. Paris Hilton Bag donated by Days -- value $100
100. Guys T-Shirt and Beer Basket donated by Eastown Bev -- value $50
101. School Supply Basket donated by Judy Lamanna -- value $50
102. Christmas Mugs -- value $20
103. Garden Bag -- value $25
104. Snowman Basket -- value $ 30
105. Coffee/Chocolate Basket by Ler, Staff, Pav Kiwanis -- value $35
106. Girls night out by Ler, Staff, Pavilion Kiwanis -- value $60
107. The Color Salon Basket -- value $50
108. Chocolate/Wine Wyo. Co. DSS -- value $100
109. Godiva Basket donated by Boshart -- value $100
110. Lottery Ticket and $50 bill donated by Pat Corona -- value $52
111. Bathroom makeover gift basket from Sonya G. -- value $40
112. Victorinox Knife Set from Batavia Resturant Supply -- value $58
113. Harley Davidson Basket from Stan’s H.D. -- value $40
114. Two urns -- value $120
115. Japanese Maple from Pudgie's -- value $89
116. John Hodgins painting value -- $100
117. Chevall Mirror donated by Zeches -- value $89
118. Wine refrigerator from John Forsyth CPA -- value $800
119. Wortzman Sofa
120. four prints of Roy Mason paintings framed, from Pacinos
121. Five small gardens -- value $50
122. One large lamp from Attica Furniture -- value $150
123. Floor mirror donated by Mike and Norma Day -- value $300
124. School Basket donated by Santy's -- value $25
125. Delta Sonic donated by Santy's -- value $60
126. Handmade pottery donated by Practical Potter -- value $40
127. B&B Liquor w/glasses donated by Joan Ferry -- value $25
128. Breakfast Basket donated by Donna Ferry -- value $35.00
129. Perry Farmer’s Market by Megan Hauser -- value $25.00
130. Large dog bed donated by ARC -- value -- $60
131. Wine tray and chocolates donated by Donna Ferry -- value $50
132. Hand-painted glasses Stabell Studios -- value $50
133. Box of 25 cigars -- value $135
134. Godiva Chocolate Liquor, Tequila Rose w/chocolate – Joan Ferry -- value   $40
135. Dog Lover’s Bag from Donna Ferry -- value $35
136. Candle Basket  from Joan Ferry -- value $35
137. Terry Hills greens fees for 4 -- value $180
138. Gas grill w/cover Lowe's -- value $200
139. Bill’s merch. Donated by Oakfield M&T Bank -- value $50
140. Oliver's chocolate basket -- value $30
141. Four box suite seats for Buffalo Sabers game in Nov. 11 or March 12 -- value $500
142. One-year membership to BJ’s Wholesale Club
143. Fountain of Youth Organics gift bag w/kids art supplies
144. Gift basket of 31 bags donated by Greta Barnet -- value $48
145. Baking basket -- Pacinos -- valued at $25
146. Gevalia Coffeemaker and accessories donated by Days Inn -- value $50
147. Christmas lap quilt donated by Caroline Milligan -- value $200
148. Cathedral window lap quilt donated by Caroline Milligan -- value $250
149. Certificate for a handmade memory quilt donated by Caroline Milligan -- value $100
150. Original watercolor by Lucy Norton, Notre Dame student, value -- $50
151. Car detail kit -- value $50
152. (2) Treasures of Batavia Photos donated by St. James church -- value $80
153. Kindle and cover -- donated by Mary Ann Wiater/ Gen. Co. Bar Assoc. -- value 250
154. Tea and cookies -- Pacinos -- value $50
155. Spaghetti dinner -- Pacinos -- $25
156. Wine and sweets -- Pacinos -- value $25
157. Curves Basket -- value $50
158. B. Conable art work
159. B. Conable art work ES
160. Original Lorie Longhany drawing -- value $75
161. Original Lorie Longhany drawing -- value $75
162. Original Lorie Longhany drawing -- value $75
163. Original Lorie Longhany drawing -- value $75
164. Weekend at Beaver River Lodge -- Barry Miller -- value $400
165. ESL promotional items -- value $20
166. Hans Moller Jeweler sterling silver pendant -- value $80
167. YMCA three-month membership
168. Dog bed/grooming basket from DAS PetTails -- value $40

Gift Certificates

1. TF Brown-s -- $20
2. Alabama Hotel -- $25
3. Center Street Smoke House -- $20
4. Alex’s Place -- $25
5. Delevan’s -- $20
6. Spa by Artemis -- $50
7. Genesee Carquest -- $20
8. Village Inn -- two brunches -- $20
9. Darien Lake -- two passes -- $85
10. Rancho Viejo dinner for two -- $30
11. O’Lacy’s -- $20
12. O’Lacy’s -- $20
13. Tops Market -- $20
14. Continental School of Beauty -- $25
15. S & S Limo -- $50 off future rental
16. S & S Limo -- $50 off future rental
17. Batavia Tailors & Cleaners -- $50
18. Carlson's Studio -- $100
19. Sport of Kings -- $10
20. Sport of Kings -- $10
21. Twilight Meadows Restaurant -- $15
22. Twilight Meadows Restaurant -- $15
23. Twilight Meadows Restaurant -- $15
24. Mt. Morris Furniture -- $25
25. S & S Limousines -- $50 off future rental
26. Carlson's Studio -- $100
27. Kravings Kafe -- four $5 off coupons
28. Scooter's Family Restaurant donated by Gui’s -- $10
29. Scooter's Family Restaurant donated by Gui’s -- $10
30. M and M Meats -- $25
31. Radiance Spa -- $80
32. Blue Pearl Yoga -- seven classes -- $70
33. Select Collision Detail -- $175
34. Tops Market Gift Card -- $20
35. Oil Change donated by Santy's -- $30
36. Oil Change donated by Santy's -- $30
37. Bourbon & Burger Co. -- $25
38. First Choice Travel -- $250
39. Hot Head Salon -- $20
40. Red Osier -- $15
41. (3) Mark's Pizzeria gift certs good for one large pizza each
42. (2) Adult passes for Hidden Valley Animal Adventures -- $32
43. Lambert’s Design Jewelers -- $100
44. Larry’s Steakhouse -- $20
45. Gerace’s Hair Care Center -- $25
46. Alex’s Restaurant -- $15
47. The Mane Attraction -- $20
48. JCPenney -- $20
49. Alex’s Restaurant -- $20

Landing zone for Mercy Flight being set up at UMMC

By Howard B. Owens

City Fire is being asked to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight at UMMC.

No word on the nature of the medical emergency.

Mercy Flight has a five- to eight-minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:19 a.m.: The landing zone is being moved to the Little League field.

UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air.

Main and Bank blocked by an accident

By Howard B. Owens

An accident at Main and Bank streets in Batavia is reportedly blocking traffic.

There are no injuries reported.

Meanwhile, Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding to an accident on the Thruway in the eastbound lane at mile marker 390 (near the Batavia off-ramp). There are reportedly minor injuries in that accident.

Photos: Public nature trails off Donahue Road, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

When I did the story on the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant I didn't get around to taking a walk on the nature trails off Donahue Road, behind the plant.

The trails are maintained by the treatment plant staff and open to the public for hiking (no hunting, trapping or fishing allowed).

This even, I took Pachuco for a walk and brought my camera along. To give you idea of what's there, here are a few of the photos I took.

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing a bottle of Bacardi

By Howard B. Owens

Jeffrey J. Cervone, 43, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Cervone is accused of stealing a bottle of Bacardi from Mr. Wine and Liquor at 5 p.m., Wednesday. Cervone reportedly left the scene in a pickup truck, which was later stopped on Lewiston Road by a Sheriff's deputy. Cervone was a passenger in the truck and was placed in Batavia Police custody. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Scott G. Tooley, 26, of 199 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Tooley is accused of pushing a woman to the ground while she was holding a child. Neither the woman nor the child were injured. The incident was reported at 10 a.m., Tuesday.

Rebecca Nicole Bethune, 22, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Bethune is accused of hitting another person in the head with her fist. The incident was reported at 2:10 a.m., Tuesday.

Jeffrey David Whitmore, 21, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, is charged with menacing. Whitmore is accused of pointing a shotgun at a person during a car repossession. The incident was reported at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday.

Michael Abdullah Jamil, 27, of School Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child, petit larceny and harassment, 2nd. Jamil was arrested following an alleged domestic incident at 5 a.m., Wednesday. Among the accusations are that he disabled a phone in an attempt to prevent a call to police.

Le Roy resident accused of punching and kicking another person

By Howard B. Owens

A former Batavia resident who has had a few run-ins with the law the past couple of years is back in jail, this time with bail set at $15,000.

Robert J. Eppolito Jr., 29, of 61 Church St., Apt. #2, Le Roy, is being charged with one count of assault, 2nd.

Last night, Le Roy Police responded to multiple calls about a disturbance in the area of Bacon and Lake streets.

Eppolito is accused of striking another person several times on the head and face with his fists, knocking the victim to the ground and then kicking the victim in the face with his foot.

The victim reportedly suffered a possible eye socket fracture.

In September, 2009, Eppolito was accused of having sex in public with a woman and in a separate incident of slamming another woman against a wall.

Eppolito lived in Oakfield at the time.

In June, 2010, Eppolito was accused of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd, while a resident on Maple Street, Batavia.

This past Monday, law enforcement officials were heard on the scanner chatting about Eppolito being released from jail that day.

Possible gas siphoning at UMMC parking lot

By Billie Owens

A caller reports to dispatch that two vehicles in the parking lot of UMMC have their gasoline flaps open and have had fuel siphoned out of them. City of Batavia police are investigating.

Photo: Volunteers of America opens resale shop in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

There's a new thrift store in the city.

Volunteers of America has opened a resale shop in East Town Plaza, next to Aldi's.

The 13,600-square-foot store employs nine people and offers up the usual variety of thrift store items, from clothing and used books to furniture and housewares.

Store manager Jamie Reece said VoA offers a variety of services to help people who need a restart in life -- from work experience programs and new wardrobes to victims of domestic violence.

VoA is also interested in working with and assisting other charities in Genesee County.

"We're still reaching out to the other non-profits," Reece said. "We're trying to work with the other non-profits in the area, anyway we can help."

Party-backed candidate wins Batavia's Third Ward primary

By Howard B. Owens

Kathryn Balbick-Bellamy won the Democratic primary for the Third Ward City Council seat Tuesday.

She beat Dan Jones 46-19.

Balbick-Bellamy was the party-backed candidate, with Jones deciding to run after party leaders made their nomination choice.

In Darien, winning the Republican primary for town board were Kathryn Phelps and Michael Fix. Phelps had 74 votes, Fix 70, with David Riker picking up 13.

In Bergen, Michael Johnson won the Republican primary for highway superintendent with 108 votes over Chad Roggow, 52.

In Alexander, William Schmieder picked up 108 votes while Roy Haller had 111, giving them both wins in the town board Republican primary over Eric Wagner, who had 93 votes.

Parents at Robert Morris express concerns about school consolidation ideas

By Howard B. Owens

To whatever degree a proposal to reduce city elementery schools from three to two is a trial balloon, in a meeting with parents at Robert Morris School on Tuesday night, it went down like a lead Zeppelin.

If Batavia City Schools Superintendent Margeret Puzio (top photo) hoped to woo some of the 70 parents in attendance, she would have been hard-pressed to find one fan of the idea by the end of the meeting.

Even parents who saw the need -- such as Phil Ricci, a budget ambassador for the school district -- said they hated the idea.

A consolidation of school districts -- one proposal shutters the current administration building and converts Robert Morris into new district headquarters -- would save as much as $1 million annually.

In an era of declining state aid combined with a property tax cap, the district board is forced to find ways to reduce spending that is "thinking outside the box," Puzio said.

She said if the 2-percent property tax cap had passed a year earlier, it would have led to a budget shortfall of $426,064. The cap would have limited the recent property tax increase to $280,106, instead of the $706,170 actually raised.

Plus, the district relied on a one-time federal grant of $567,584 to help balance the budget in 2011-12.

But on Monday night, there were times when parents seemed to simply oppose consolidation of the district's elementary schools regardless of budgetary constraints.

"It doesn’t seem we have a chance for honest input," Caroline Richardson said (first insert photo). "It seems like the decision is already made. It seems like there are no other options other than cutting down our programs again."

The consolidation proposals all involve the district selling its current administration building and then locating those offices to one of the elementary schools.

In each case, students are shuffled in a way that all grades would be at one school or another, such as all K-2 students at John Kennedy or all fifth-grade students at Batavia Middle School.

Cost savings would be achieved primarily through the elimination of some school-level administration and possibily some teaching positions.

The plans all end the idea of community schools serving K-5 students in their own neighborhood.

And that seemed to be the biggest sticking point for parents.

Some parents noted that under the proposals, instead of having their three children at one school, such as Robert Morris, they would end up with a kindergartner at one school, a third-grader at another school and their fifth-grader in the middle school.

Bonnie Vickery pointed out that schools rely on a lot of parent involvement both for educational support and fund raising.

If students are at more distant schools, and in some cases students will only be at a particular school for a couple of years, parents will be less likely to get involved, Lisa Macdonough (second inset photo).

"It's going to hurt schools way more than you realize," Vickery said. "I know the board is doing the best that it can and I know you want to do the best for the students, but there is a sense of community that is going to be lost."

While Puzio pointed to educational advantages of putting, say, all the second graders in one school instead of three, many parents weren't buying it.

A couple of parents cited reports they said showed that students who attended community schools achieved higher test scores, and students who made fewer transfers from school to school are more likely to graduate from high school.

"There are other options you need to be looking at that don't effect the children," Richardson said. "This is a community that has a lot of children in it who are disadvantaged to begin with and now we're going to disadvantage them again by taking them out of their neighborhoods."

Another person said many parents bought their homes where they did to be close to a community-based school, which brought a round of applause from other parents.

Puzio explained that part of the school district's goal was to preserve class size, which in Batavia is traditionally 20 students per class.

But when Macdonough said she would accept more students per class if it meant preserving community schools, nearly every parent applauded.

Another parent picked up the theme.

"Studies have shown that with a quality teacher who wants to be there, class size has little effect," Janelle Marble said. "We need to cultivate good teachers who want to be in their classrooms, who love teaching."

Near the end of the meeting, Ricci spoke up and said when he heard the consolidation plan, he became frustrated. He likes having his children attend Robert Morris, but he also knows the school district is facing a difficult budget situation and the board is doing the best it can on behalf of the children.

"I know all of these guys and know they are not trying to screw over the kids," Ricci said. "If this doesn't work, and it might not work, we as a community need to come together and come up with other options."

A group of parents are organizing a communitywide meeting to discuss consolidation at 7 p.m., Sept. 26, at Richmond Memorial Library. (Location TBD)

The first fire alarm of the year at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

There is a fire alarm at Oak Hall in College Village with "light smoke" reported.

As far as we know, this is the first fire alarm at College Village of the 2011-12 school year.

Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE: A source more aware of previous calls says that prior to this call, there were at least three, and maybe five, calls so far this academic year.

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing child's dirt bike in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Benjamin W. Muntz, 22, of 6966 Knowlesville Road, Basom, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Muntz is accused of entering a barn on a residential property on Judge Road, Alabama, and stealing a small-sized, child's dirt bike.

Janet Rae Langer, 33, South Street, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Langer is accused of striking another woman in the head and pulling her hair. The alleged incident was reported at 7:20 p.m., Saturday.

Spencer J. Hilderbrant, 17, of South Street Road, Pavilion, and Jamie L. Gutowski, 18, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, are charged with trespass. Hilderbrandt and Gutowski are accused of being on the property of Rolling Hills Asylum, Bethany Center Road, Bethany, without permission of the owner.

Roy K. Way, 31, of 32 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and no seat belt. Way was stopped at 12:06 p.m., Monday, on Brooklyn Avenue after allegedly being observed speeding on Pearl Street by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Jared L. Diehl, 23, of 4563 Chapel St., Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating without headlights. Diehl was stopped at 12:02 a.m., Tuesday, on Gateway Drive, by Officer Darryl Streeter.

Photos: Fire training at old Batavia Motel

By Howard B. Owens

Town of Batavia's volunteer firefighters got some live-fire training Monday night as vacant rooms at the condemned former Batavia Motel were set ablaze.

The fire department will be using the dilapidated motel on West Main Street Road for live-fire training in increments over the next several weeks. There's no current plan to burn it to the ground in one session.

Chief Randy Randy McIntire said such live-fire training is invaluable and gives volunteers a chance to work under conditions that are even a little more intense than what they face at the fire-training center.

"For some of these guys, it's the first time they've gotten into a room with fire rolling near their heads," McIntire said. "Some departments just get training that is hot and smoky. I want these guys to get experience with fire rolling over their heads."

Photo: New development coordinator receives welcome gift from council members

By Howard B. Owens

At Monday's Batavia City Council meeting, council members Bill Cox and Bob Bialkowski welcomed recently appointed Economic Development Coordinator Julie Pacatte to her new job by presenting her with a "Treasures of Batavia" picture collection. It was purchased from St. James Episcopal Church, which is selling collections of pictures to raise money to help restore the church's bell tower. Cox said he saw the pictures and thought they would be a nice way to welcome Pacatte to her new position.

City council presents annual community awards

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia City Council presented its annual community awards at the start of its Monday night meeting.

Above, Toni Funke, accompanied by her husband, accepts the City Employee of the Year award. Funke, who works for the Youth Bureau, has been employed by the city since 1987.

David and Rachel Fasano were named Homeowners of the Year. The Otis Street residents were honored for the upkeep of their residence showing "exceptional pride of ownership."

Gail Steven was named Community Volunteer of the Year. She was nominated because of her involvement with the Batavia City School Board, 12 years on the Youth Board and she's a current member of the Consolidation Charter Task Force.

Target was named the Business of the Year.

Car egged on Allen Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car was reportedly egged within the past hour to 90 minutes on Allen Street, Batavia.

City PD responding to take a criminal mischief complaint.

UPDATE: City PD received a report earlier on Jackson Street of a similar incident.

UPDATE: A reader on Cherry Street also reports having his car egged, but he didn't call police.


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Police warn of 'You won the lottery' scam

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from the Batavia PD:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating an incident of attempted fraud. A Tracy Avenue resident has reported being contacted by telephone by a male subject who identified himself as a lottery official. The local resident was informed that he or she had won a lottery and needed to forward an amount of cash in order to collect the winnings.

The male caller provided some legitimate lottery information, however, identified himself by different names during separate conversations.

The resident did not forward cash as requested and has been advised to cease any contact with the suspect.

Residents need to be on guard for this and similar incidents of fraud that are continuing and ongoing.

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