batavia

Brian F. Kent, 53, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd, assault 3rd, and obstruction of governmental administration 2nd. Kent was arrested on Dec. 24 in connection with an incident on Dec. 21. When officers attempted to take Kent into custody on a separate incident, he allegedly fought with two police officers, causing injuries to both of them. He was arraigned and jailed.

Nathan L Royse, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. Royse is accused of attempting to stab another person in Austin Park on April 23. He was arrested on Dec. 19. He was arraigned and released.

James E. Murray, Jr., 36, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 1st, and harassment 2nd. Murray is accused of violating an order of protection on Dec. 6 during an incident on Montclair Avenue. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed. 

Samuel R. Blackshear, 23, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 1st, criminal obstruction of breathing, and endangering the welfare of a child. Blackshear is accused of violating an order of protection at a location on Ellsworth Avenue on Dec. 15. He is accused of placing his hands around the neck of another person. She was reportedly unable to breathe. He was arraigned and released.

Douglas G. Goodwin, 33, of Alabama, is charged with reckless endangerment 2nd and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st.  On Dec. 13, officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Ellicott Street. When officers approached the vehicle, the vehicle was placed in reverse, and it accelerated almost striking one of the officers. The driver then fled the area. Goodwin was arrested on Dec. 14. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Adam J. Howard, 39, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Howard is accused of stealing a TV and Amazon Fire TV stick from a residence in Batavia. He was arraigned and released.

Cody M. Landin, 36, of Middlebury, is charged with DWI. Landin was reportedly involved in an accident on Dec. 14 on West Main Street. When police arrived on scene, he allegedly left and initially failed to stop when officers attempted to pull him over. he was arraigned and released.

Marcus Cauldwell, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th and endangering the welfare of a child. Cauldwell is accused of damaging a door in the presence of a child during a fight on Bank Street. He was arraigned and released.

William E. Tolliver, Jr., 62, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Tolliver was stopped on Dec. 20 on East Avenue. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Trace G. Brewer, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on Dec. 19 on two warrants. Brewer is accused of fleeing on foot from police when officers attempted to take him into custody, leading to a charge of resisting arrest and objecting to governmental administration 2nd. He was arraigned and released.

Samantha L. Tate, 32, of Batavia, was arrested on Dec. 19 on a warrant. She was initially charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs in March, 2023, and allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Robert Z. Johnson, 65, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Johnson is accused of hitting another person on Dec. 19 during a fight on East Main Street. In a separate incident on Dec. 18, Johnson allegedly threatened another person. He was issued appearance tickets.

Charles P. Stevens, Shelby L. Fryer, Jasmine C. Mayo, and Taylor A. Browne, no ages or residences provided, are all charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. They were arrested on Dec. 17 following a traffic stop on South Main Street, Batavian, and allegedly found in possession of narcotics. They were issued appearance tickets.

David L. Weaver, 34, of Batavia, was arrested on Dec. 18 on a warrant. Weaver was charged with harassment in December 2022 and allegedly failed to appear in court. Weaver was arraigned in City Court and released.

Cassandra F. Smith, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Smith was arrested on Dec. 17. She was accused of throwing an object at another person in violation of an order of protection. She was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Ajia R. Hasenauer, 31, of Rochester, was arrested on Dec. 17 on two warrants. Hasenauer is accused of using a vehicle without permission. Hasenauer was also issued multiple traffic tickets. She was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Janell M. Sauer, Colleen M. Hutchinson, and Brandon M. Seppe, no ages nor residences released, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. During a traffic stop on Dec. 17, all three were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. They were issued appearance tickets.

Victoria J. Paul, 33, of Le Roy, was arrested on Dec. 13 on a warrant. Paul was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd on Jan. 18 and allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Jade A. Fayko, 29, of Ridgeway, was arrested on Dec. 10, on a warrant. Fayko was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd in August 2023 and allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Richard D. Neal, 35, of Albion, is charged with DWI. Neal was stopped on Dec. 14 on West Main Street, Batavia. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Tyler Robert Cook, 24, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving on a suspended registration, no inspection sticker, and inadequate lights. Cook was stopped at 12:05 a.m. on Dec. 22 on South Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Mason Schultz. Cook was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Jamielyn Polizzi, 37, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with three counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child, harassment 2nd, and disorderly conduct. Polizzi was arrested on Dec. 29 after deputies arrived at a residence on South Street Road, Le Roy, to investigate a report of a disturbance. Polizzi was reportedly at the residence to pick up her daughter. Polizzi was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Robert Anthony Gayhart, 21, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dissemination of an intimate image. Gayhart was arrested on Dec. 28 following an investigation by Deputy Leah Bezon. He was held pending arraignment.

Joseph Carl Jeffords, 33, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and unlicensed operation. Jeffords was stopped at 2:22 a.m. on Dec. 31 on Bank Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mason Schultz. He was allegedly found in possession of narcotics.

More than 1,000 people attended Sunday's Great Train Show at the Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College.

Organizers said spectators attended from as far away as Syracuse, Watertown, and Ontario.  Vendors included businesses from Pennsylvania.

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers hosted the event.

The next show is Sept. 7.

Bergen resident C.M. Barons was inspired by the column published last week by Anne Marie Starowitz on her reading of old local directories. He also owns a couple of antique directories, one from 1992 and another from 1917. He also has a souvenir publication, "Illustrated Genesee County and its Industries," published by The Batavia Times in 1907.

Previously: Recovering local history in names and places from old directories

By C.M. Barons

The 1882 directory contains useful information such as "A barrel of apples, pears, quinces, or potatoes, must represent a quantity equal to one hundred quarts of dry grain or dry measure, and a person buying or selling either of these commodities in the state, by the barrel, is understood as referring to the quantity specified in this section." It also explains mortgage laws, wills, contracts and deeds. Rules of polite behavior include guides for cleanliness and proper dress for men and women. The section on helpful information concludes with a brief history of the county and its towns and villages. 

What follows is an alphabetical directory of residents by town, detailing street address and occupation. EG: BATAVIA Kibbe, Chauncey S. dealer in gloves and mittens, Gloversville, N.Y., res 33 State. McKenzie James, builder, 1/2 (Bergen,) Vill. (James and brother, David, built many of the era's homes in Bergen, including mine.)

The 1917 directory has a more familiar feel, opening up with an advertisement for Scott & Bean, dealers in dry goods, carpets, notions, lace curtains, etc. Another ad was placed by C. L. Carr, 101 Main St., pledging to carry as much splendid stocks of reliable merchandise, to sell at such reasonable prices, to give such pleasant, courteous service that you will instinctively turn to this store when in need of anything in the Dry Goods or Coat and Suit Line.

Other familiar businesses include Le Roy Lime and Crushed Stone Products, Batavia Times, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. (Rochester), H.E. Turner Furniture - Funeral Directors, Chas. J. Call, J G McJury Photographic (Bob McJury was a photographer/stringer for the Buffalo newspapers and the Batavia Daily.

The 1917 version of the directory (which bears the same cover plate as the 1950 version, image of the county courthouse) does include general information, but perhaps of a more down-to-earth practicality than mortgages, deeds and New York commerce regulations. There is a handy guide to weights and measures, e.g., an acre is 8 rods wide by 20 rods long; a pint of water weighs one pound. A spraying calendar for pesticide application on various produce crops, preventing crows and blackbirds from pulling up your seeds, farm animal diseases and do-it-yourself treatment, measuring a room for wallpaper- each is thoroughly covered in the volume.

The Batavia Times souvenir booklet is a trove of pictures--- the officers and directors of the Batavia Board of Trade, Batavia Mayor George D. Williamson, schools, churches and local businesses. There are also backgrounds of local businesses and business leaders such as the Richmond family, William Bohm, John Ward, Wiard Plow Co., Bidwell Thresher, Dr. Gray's Primrose Hospital and E H Gamble, giving mention to Eli Fish.

Also mentioned: Batavia Gun and Forging Co., Minor Shoe Mfg Co., W F Crickler, Fix & Fix Printing Establishment, Casey Moving, E J Salway, C M Ebling, The Eagle Hotel, Joseph Lapp, Wiss House, Beaudry Pipe Organ Co., W S & C E Housel, bankers, Miller Bros grain, A S Fisher & Son druggist and A J Tanner & Co canning.  

Batavia beat Greece Olympia in Boys Basketball on Friday 78-54.

Gavin White scored 27 points for the Blue Devils and Casey Mazur scored 24.

Batavia is 6-3 and play their next game on Jan. 15 at Greece Odyssey at 7 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

Grace Baptist Church announced today that they will serve as a host of the 2025 Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The unforgettable worldwide celebration event, centered on God’s love, honoring and valuing people with special needs will be held by host churches around the world simultaneously on Friday, February 7.

Grace Baptist is excited to join hundreds of other churches around the globe in celebrating people with disabilities as God’s image bearers. 

Night to Shine is hosted every year by churches on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Each event is unique to its location, but some cornerstone activities included across all of them are a red carpet entrance complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a King or Queen – the way God sees them each and every day. 

“Night to Shine is my favorite night of the year! It’s my favorite because we get to celebrate so many Kings and Queens and share how much they are loved by us and by the God of this universe. Our goal is to be able to get to every person with special needs around the world – until all are celebrated. No matter what city, no matter what country, no matter where you are, we want Night to Shine to be there.” said Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation.

As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with the official 2025 Night to Shine Planning Manual, personalized guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member, the opportunity to apply for a financial grant, and access to planning resources that will assist them in creating an unforgettable experience for their honored guests. 

The foundation also provides access to ongoing disability ministry resources through Shine On. Shine On, a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation, is a faith-based community – a source of inspiration, belonging, and education for everyone impacted by disability. Shine On envisions a global community of churches and families that foster belonging and purpose for all.

Over the past 10 years, Night to Shine, through hundreds of churches worldwide, has provided over half a million guest experiences and over a million volunteer experiences. 

For additional information on the Night to Shine hosted by Grace Baptist Church in Batavia, visit: https://gracebatavia.org/night-to-shine/. 

For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, please visit: www.timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine.

After Martha Horton lost her sister, who struggled with using pills and alcohol, to suicide in 1997, a pastor asked Horton to lead a recovery group, an experience that taught her another lesson about addiction.

Her sister Sharon had never been in any trouble, so when she ended up dead by her own hand while in county jail in Albany, a shocked Horton wanted to be helpful.

“I thought I was doing it for her,” Horton said. “I learned I was a codependent, which is also an enabler. I made a lot of progress, thanks to the Celebrate Recovery program.”

She mentored more than 60 women then and has gone on to make addiction recovery a focus of her ministry at EverPresent Church in Batavia. Horton and fellow minister Maury McCoy will be leading the Recovery Alive program, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the church, 4 Batavia City Centre. 

Based on the author, Christian counselor, and psychologist John Eklund’s book, Recovery Alive has become an international program that grew especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, Horton said. 

“It has twice the impact in half the time,” she said. “These things are all weaknesses that take us from our best life that God intended for us, and so this program works with us to find those weaknesses. Some people don’t even know the root of the problem, but we really get down to the root of the problem.”

It’s a program built upon the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, with use of scriptures and a handbook for participants to actively work through each step by answering thought-provoking questions and digging deeper to discover what may be underneath one’s hurts, habits and addictions. Or, as a brief promotional video describes it, hang-ups.

A weekly session of about 90 minutes each is to include a review of that week’s step, a guest speaker, and then breaking out into smaller groups to work on the handbook. While there certainly will be talking and sharing, part of the goal is to also help participants find out those buried root causes or issues and deal with them, Pastor Jason Norton said. 

“That’s powerful because a lot of people, a lot of these addictions are the results of an inner turmoil of some sort, an abuse, or a molestation, something, trauma,” Norton said. “This is more equipping people with tools to work the recovery.” 

Contrary to what some may believe, addiction is not just about drugs and alcohol, he and Horton said, and this program will address anything, from shopping, past abuse, and pornography to poor self-esteem, grief, depression, food, and any other issue that one needs help with. 

Chapters include The Power of  — Weakness, Humility, Surrender, Honesty, Confession, the Cross, Forgiveness, Ownership, Grace, One Day at a Time, The Altar, and of Service.

Full disclosure: the leaders can be available for ministerial and pastoral counseling and don’t have drug and alcohol counseling degrees, Norton said, “but all, most of us, have come from that background, probably half to three-quarters of our church are people that are in recovery.”

The handbook is described as a “practical, powerful and proven resource combining the raw honesty of the 12 steps with what Horton said is about finding your higher power, and she wants folks to come and check it out before deciding whether it’s for you or not.

“Just show up. A lot of people get to the point of just being so overwhelmed that they feel like, I can't, I just can't. I can't do it anymore. I can't stop doing what I'm doing, whatever it is,” she said. “But we get to what some people call the bottom of the barrel, and when we look at other people, we think they're at the bottom of the barrel, but it's an individual basis. We have to recognize when we're at that point, and then real recovery can begin.”

No one is obligated to attend every single session, she said; however, more progress will come with more participation. The program will last four to five months or longer, depending on the group's needs, and the cost is $20 for materials. Financial assistance may be available for those who can’t afford it. 

Three keys to Recovery Alive are power, as in your higher power; people — finding a safe community — and the process of working through the 12 steps, Horton said. Whatever is shared during the sessions and who attends must be kept confidential. “Boundaries” are discussed at each meeting to remind participants about the importance of privacy and respecting each other’s personal information, she said.

“There’s always a leader in charge,” she said. “And after a while, we talk about the five commitments: I commit to courageous honesty, to trusting and keeping the trust of the people in my group, to opening my heart to the healing, transforming power of God, to working the process, answering questions, and attending faithfully, to diligently seeking and ultimately attaining a sponsor and accountability partners.”

For a peek at the promotional video, go HERE.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to host its 53rd Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 1, at Batavia Downs Gaming, located at 8315 Park Road in Batavia. This signature event celebrates excellence by recognizing outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals for their achievements in business, community service, and volunteerism.

Tickets for the event are $65.00 per person or $480.00 for a table of eight. 

The evening’s schedule includes: 

5 p.m. – Hors d'oeuvres, entrée tables, and cash bar (no formal sit-down dinner will be served).

7 p.m. – Awards program, featuring dessert and coffee.

Chamber President Brian Cousins shared his excitement for this year’s ceremony, saying "Each year, our Chamber organization receives numerous nominations highlighting the incredible people and businesses in our community. This year’s honorees exemplify the highest levels of dedication, commitment, and excellence. They have demonstrated a steadfast devotion to our community, an unwavering commitment to the greater good, and a drive to make Genesee County the best place to live. We are thrilled to celebrate their inspiring stories and contributions.”

The 2024 Honorees Are:

• Business of the Year: H.E. Turner & Company, Inc.
• Small Business of the Year: Southside Deli 
• Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: Meraki Beauty, LLC
• Agricultural Business of the Year: Alexander Equipment
• Special Recognition of the Year: Genesee County 4-H Critter Crew
• Geneseean of the Year: Mickey Charters

For reservations, contact Kelly J. Bermingham at 585-343-7440, ext. 1026. Join us as we honor and celebrate these exceptional contributions to our community! 

260 Ross Street, Batavia OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 11AM - 12:30PM! Super solid and well taken care of 3 bedroom ranch home ready for your immediate occupancy!! This home is clean, freshly painted thru out and has been well maintained and upgraded thru out the years!! This adorable home has a lot to offer and will surprise you with all that you can’t see by driving by! The home is well laid out starting with large living room with pretty hardwood floors, oversized eat in kitchen and awesome huge pantry! There are three large bedrooms with hardwoods as well as plenty of closet space. One currently has laundry hookups should ups should you need/want first floor laundry capabilities! Downstairs is HUGE and provides a lot of additional living space! Partially finished with full bath it makes a fabulous recreation area. There is also tons of storage space and a place to have small workshop area as well. Not only is this home located in great quiet neighborhood but is located on half acre plus lot-the backyard will surprise you as it is fully fenced and private with large deck that overlooks a beautiful wooded lot not visible from the road! Check this one out for yourself!

Danielle Lovell is a former Batavia resident living in Los Angeles.  She and her family have been displaced by the fires raging in and around the city.  Below is an update in her own words.

Previously: Former Batavia resident who survived Katrina forced from home in LA by major wildfire

By Danielle Lovell

The past 72 hours have been a harrowing ordeal. Unexplainable fires have swept through my community, forcing friends to flee with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. In just the last 24 hours, I’ve been evacuated, returned home, and received yet another evacuation warning. To make matters worse, false alarms sent to our cell phones have caused heightened anxiety, leaving us in a constant state of vigilance, wondering what might come next.

Due to apparent issues with the alert system, I now rely heavily on the news to stay informed. While a distraction, like watching a movie, might provide temporary relief, staying updated is necessary. The air is thick with smoke, making each breath feel like scraping sandpaper against my throat and nose. Even indoors, the environmental toll is evident—dirt and soot wash away whenever I use the sink or shower.

Initially, I planned to volunteer at my local school to distribute supplies, but the growing danger kept me at home. Reports of arson in the neighborhood and needing to care for my pets have made leaving seem unwise. Fear has become a constant companion, compounded by the looting that’s taking place—an appalling exploitation of an already dire situation.

For now, my belongings remain packed, ready for another potential evacuation. I stay indoors, doing my best to eat, rest, and stay connected with family and friends through social media. Seeing the heartbreaking images of destruction flood in is overwhelming, especially when I feel so helpless to assist.

Schools remain closed, with no clear timeline for reopening. The forecast predicts more wind, though not as severe as earlier this week. Life feels like a relentless cycle of uncertainty—a game of hurry up and wait. The sound of helicopters and fire engines racing back and forth constantly reminds us of the precarious situation we’re in. I can only wonder what tomorrow will bring.

I was given some old books to look through for a possible article. I chose The First Directory of the Village of Batavia 1877-78 and a phone directory from 1950-51. You get a peek into what life might have been like during those eras. 

The early directory gives a little history of the village of 6,000. The Court House on Main and Ellicott was built in 1842 with a jail. The county clerk and surrogate's offices were in the front of Main Street. 

The small book explained the New York State Institution for the Blind. It also named the churches in the village: St. James Episcopal Church, The First Presbyterian Society of Batavia, the Baptist Society, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and the Methodist Church. 

There were three newspapers: The Progressive Batavian, Republican Advocate, and Spirit of the Times. 

There were six schools, three public and three private.   

The largest manufacturer was Wiard Plow. The Batavia Portable Steam Engine Company was another notable enterprise. Genesee Agricultural Works on Ellicott Street sold every possible farm implement used in farming, and all were operated by horse or steam power. Two hose companies took care of the village that was lighted by gas. A dollar store sold glassware, crockery, china lamps, and chandeliers. All goods were warrantied and sold for 99 cents and were cheerfully shown.   

The streets listed in the directory mainly were Main Street, Ellicott Street, River, Lyons, Evans, Oak, Walnut, Ross, Cherry, Bank, and Union Street. The book contains 46 pages; of the 46 pages, 14 include the names and streets of the villagers.

The 1950 phone directory had a hole at the corner of the book for you to hang near your stationary phone. Also interesting were the phone numbers. There were phone numbers with 2, 3, and 4 digit numbers, and a letter followed some phone numbers. A phone call outside Batavia but within the county costs 10 and 15 cents. Buffalo was 35 cents, and Seattle, Washington, $2.45. 

The job of the operator was vital. All calls out of the area required an operator. 

According to the Yellow Pages, you could buy a car from 28 places. Some names you don't hear today were DeSoto, Nash, and Studebaker.

Adding machines were also a very popular item to buy from many area stores, along with an address machine. There were seven department stores, 28 fruit and vegetable growers, 60 restaurants, 13 hotels, and 10 furniture stores. One ad I found interesting and a little upsetting was: "Dead Animal Removal, we buy grease, fat, bones, hides and skins. The highest price paid for horses, cows, sheep, and hogs." 

There were so many auto repair places that they took up an entire page. 

Before Dunkin Donuts, there were Freddie's and Jackie's Doughnuts. Many homes sold eggs because they had chickens in their back yards. You could buy baby chicks by calling the phone number 2150, which is listed in the advertisements.   

Most homes were heated with coal.   Colantonio Coal Co., Holland Furnaces, and Thomas Wood and Coal were the most popular places to buy coal. There were also 40 gas stations and 40 small grocery stores, most likely on every corner. The book was 180 pages long, and 81 pages contained the residents' names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Today, we have Dollar Stores, which are considered department stores. You can also rent furniture and appliances and lease a car. 

Some things do stay the same. Looking through the 1950 city directory, I recognized some existing establishments.    In no particular order they are: Max Pies, Arctic Refrigeration, Sallome Heating, Bohm Mortuary, Falcone Electric/Green Mountain Electric Supply, Genesee Lumber, Dougherty Heating, Batavia Downs, Batavia Players, McAndrew Funeral Home, Chapin Manufacturing, Adam Miller, Oliver's, Northside Grocery, Pero's Plumbing, Polish Falcons,  H.E. Turner Mortuary, WBTA, YMCA, YWCA, Charles Men's Shop, American Legion, Miss Batavia Diner,  The Kelly's Holland Inn,  Mancuso Bowling Lanes, Wortzman Furniture, Max Pies Furniture, Upson and Maybeck, Knights of Columbus, Batavia Marine Sporting Goods, R.A. Haitz,  and Wills Wallpaper and Paint. 

Please share the names of any other businesses from 75 years ago that are still here today. 

Back in the day, your phone book and directories were "smart device" connections to the world around you. Today, you can find everything you need on your iPhone. 

A semi-truck, with a NYS-licensed escort, carrying a large load and traveling north on Ellicott Street, struck the CSX overpass on the south side of Batavia late Thursday afternoon.

It's unclear if the impact caused the load to shift or just broke the plywood container around the item being hauled on the trailer.

At the time The Batavian was on scene, a crew was attempting to remove the box. The plan was to check the cargo and then if the truck could be safely backed up, and with Chapin's permission, park the trailer in Chapin's parking lot while the crew assessed the best way to proceed.

According to an officer on scene, the lead driver attempted to warn the truck driver to stop, but there was possibly an issue with the radios.

Batavia PD was on scene to take a report and direct traffic. Ellicott Street by the overpass is reduced to one lane while the accident is cleared.

Photos by Howard Owens.

When the Sunset Fire started to bear down on her Hollywood neighborhood on Wednesday evening, and the order to evacuate came, Danielle Lovell reminded herself to breathe.

She'd been through this before. In 2005, she and her family evacuated their home as Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans.

"I think the biggest takeaway (from Katrina) was -- and even last night -- just reminding myself to breathe and to stay calm," Lovell told The Batavian on Thursday. "You do not want to panic because you are in such a hurry, but breathe and stay calm. Getting out is the most important thing. Everything else is replaceable, and it'll be okay. As long as you're alive, it'll be okay."

Lovell grew up in Batavia and is a 1995 graduate of Batavia High School.

She and her partner, Scot Walsh, from Rochester, and their son Aidan moved to Los Angeles 16 years ago after a sojourn back in Western New York following Katrina.

Aidan was four months old when Lovell and Walsh had to leave New Orleans. They lived in the Garden District of the French Quarter.

When they heard news reports of Katrina heading toward the Crescent City, they got ready to leave but the evacuation order came a bit late, she said.

"We were trapped on the highway for a bit, but we were able to get out to just outside the city, which was at least safer than the fishbowl of New Orleans," Lovell said. "Within two or three days, we realized New Orleans was devastated. We couldn't go back. Then we drove the rest of the way, stopping in Tennessee and then to New York. We were in New York for about eight months or so and then got the offer to move out here to L.A."

Lovell is a special education teacher, Walsh is an operations manager at a nightclub, and Aidan attends UCLA.

Over the past 72 hours, at least five major fires have erupted in the Los Angeles area, claiming at least five lives and destroying hundreds of homes. The worst is perhaps the Palisades Fire, wrecking havoc and horror along the Pacific Coast Highway in the area of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica. The Eaton Fire started in the San Gabriel Mountains and has forced evacuations in La Canada Flintridge, Arcadia, Altadena, Pasadena, and Monrovia. The Hurst Fire struck Slymar in the San Fernando Valley, and the Lidia Fire broke out in the rural mountains north of Downtown LA.

The Sunset Fire, which forced Lovell and Walsh to evacuate their home, started in the Hollywood Hills and required evacuations in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Studio City, and Beverly Hills. So far, 43 acres have been burned.

Lovell said she's grateful for the local news outlets because that is how she first learned of the Sunset Fire.

"Thank God for you guys because that's what alerted me to this new fire," Lovell said. "Before anything happened, I walked out my door, saw the fire, and started knocking on my neighbors’ doors. I live in a little community, and then I just knocked on the doors. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew what to prepare for, because, unfortunately, I'd already done it before."

Her pets are Luna, a white Chihuahua, and Lux, a black cat. They're both safe, though Lux was a challenge to find in the house during the commotion of evacuation.

"They're just both really mad at me right now," Lovell said.

Her home is still standing and the evacuation order has been lifted.  She plans to return to her home today to check on it and repack and reorganize.

"Our fire started and spread so quickly that we didn't have time, you didn't have time to think you just literally got your pets, your medicine, and you threw it in the car," she said. "I got my laptop, and I left."

She isn't sticking around when she goes back today. She's worried about flare-ups, the potential for new fires, and the air quality.

"It's like a snow day of soot here," she said.

She wants to check on her house and her neighbors because of the potential for looting. Nearly all of her losses following Katrina were from looters, she said. Reports indicate that in the LA area so far at least 20 looters have been arrested."

"They should be arrested. That's not okay," she said. "That makes me very, very angry. I get very protective of my people, and that makes me very, very angry that people would even consider doing that, taking advantage of such a horrible situation. It's sickening, honestly."

Lovell is staying with friends, Scot is with friends, and so is Aidan. UCLA hasn't been evacuated but classes were canceled. 

Priorities are important in the face of imminent disaster, Lovell said.

"When you leave, when you evacuate, you grab your pets, you grab medicines for those pets, medicines for yourself; if you can find your important documents, cool," Lovell said. "If you can't, they're replaceable. Everything is replaceable. Your lives are not. Your health can be damaged forever. Just get out."

She also advises, "Keep an eye on the news."

That's what her sisters did for her while she was evacuating. They are in New Mexico, Rochester, and San Diego. They used Facetime to pass along information to Lovell.

"I'm driving to evacuate, and I don't know what's going on in my neighborhood at that point because I can't be watching anything," Lovell said. "They were on Facetime with me, keeping me updated on the status of the fire."

Lovell's friends and family have been an amazing source of support, she said. 

"I want to thank everybody for their love and support," Lovell said. "I think something to realize is that I'm here, but my family's affected back East. They're worried about me. I have family all over the country; they're all worried. This is an isolated area where it's happening, but these disasters are so wide-reaching. It's so important to just stay connected, and I want them to know I'm safe. Scot is safe. Aidan is safe."

Press Release:

Arc GLOW has recently opened its doors to the community by offering event space at the Community Center in Batavia.

For anyone looking to plan a large event, the Community Center holds up to 300 people and has a retractable room divider, allowing for a variety of different types of community events. Anyone interested in booking the Community Center forum should visit ArcGLOW.org/Community-Center-Forum-Rentals to learn more about the space, fees, and rental terms or to book an event.

The Arc GLOW Community Center is located at 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia. For any questions, contact Samantha Redden, business services manager, at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1816 or SRedden@ArcGLOW.org or Bill Sofia, director of business services, at (585) 658-3311 ext. 2262 or WSofia@ArcGLOW.org. 

Arc GLOW is a nonprofit agency servicing about 2,000 individuals throughout the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. For more information about Arc GLOW, visit ArcGLOW.org.

Press Release:

The Genesee Chorale is excited to kick off our new Spring season this Monday, January 13, at 7 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church (405 E Main St, Batavia). Rehearsals will take place every Monday at 7 p.m. throughout the season.

This spring, we’re bringing you two exciting concert series:

March Concert: A Throwback to the 1960s

• We’ll be revisiting the iconic sounds of the '60s with hits like Blackbird and The Sound of Silence.

May Concert: Chorale Favorites

• A celebration of our members' most beloved pieces from the past two decades.

We’re thrilled to share this season of music with you!

Whether you’re a new or returning member, you can register online at Genesee Chorale Registration. We can't wait to see you there!

Elba, making its first Rotary Tournament appearance in 30 years, is advancing to the championship game after beating Batavia on Tuesday 52-34.

The Lancers will play Notre Dame at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday.

For Elba, Sydney Reilly scored 15 points, Brea Smith scored 12, and Lydia Ross scored 10. 

For the Blue Devils, Jaimin Macdonald scored 13 points and Violet Lopez scored 10.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced its event lineup for the first 3 months of 2025.

ABBAMANIA returns to Batavia Downs on Friday, February 7. Doors are at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. ABBAMANIA will take you back in time to when ABBA was on stage, live in concert. ABBAMANIA performs 22 songs of ABBA in their two-set show with costume changes, choreography, comedy, and a great concert sound. Tickets start at $15, and guests get $10 back in Free Play. Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com.

The first ever Batavia Downs Meat Raffle to benefit Roswell Park will take place at Batavia Downs on Saturday, February 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first spin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and attendees receive complimentary draft beer, soda and water along with $15 in Free Play. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will receive 100% of the proceeds from the tickets and raffles. Penny auctions for baskets and merchandise will also take place.

The 6th Annual Batavia Brew Fest, presented by Genesee Brewery and Rohrbach Brewing Company is back on Saturday, February 15 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. For $30, attendees receive 2 and half hours of beer sampling from many WNY breweries. Early bird tickets available until January 29 for just $25. Light snacks will be served and attendees will receive a commemorative plastic sampling mug along with $15 in Free Play. Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

Returning again after several years of sold out shows is Music of the Stars on Saturday, March 22. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. The high-energy seven-piece band pays tribute to internationally famous artists, including Tom Jones, The Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Gary Puckett, Elvis, The Beatles and many more. Tickets start at $15 and guests get $10 back in Free Play. Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com. Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

On Sunday, March 23, the Record Riots Vendor Show, a vinyl record and music memorabilia event will run inside of the Park Place Events Center 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With 40 dealer tables and more than 10,000 LPs in the room, attendees will be sure to have a great time browsing a wide variety of music while connecting with fellow music lovers. Details can be found online at: https://www.recordriots.com/. $15 Early Admission Tickets or regular $5 admission tickets can be purchased at the door. Each ticket comes with $5 in Free Play for the gaming floor.

“We are looking forward to supporting Roswell Park for this Meat Raffle fundraiser, “said Byron Brown, President & CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “It’s something we’ve never done before, but we’re now looking to expand our offerings and try new things to go along with our guest’s favorite existing events.”

Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com and the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby of the main entrance of Batavia Downs. Hotel Specials for select events are available on the Hotel Deals tab on BataviaDownsGaming.com.

Other events scheduled for the 1st Quarter of 2025 at Batavia Downs include the return of live racing Mondays and Thursdays through February, The Experience Psychic Fair January 17 through 19 and the Legends & Stars Sports Expo on the February 22 and 23. Batavia’s Thursday Concert Series tickets are already on sale. Information on all events can be found in the coming weeks on the Batavia Downs Facebook page.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the winners of the People’s Choice and Director’s Choice awards for the 24th Annual Wonderland of Trees decorated trees. 

The winner of the People’s Choice Award is the Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden, and the winner of the Staff Choice Award is the City of Batavia. 

We would like to congratulate our winners and thank everyone who participated this year. This year’s Wonderland of Trees was one of the most successful in its history.

We had more trees this year than in recent years and they were all so beautifully done that the choices were very difficult. Also, thank you to everyone who donated towards the event, and all who came to see the wonderfully decorated trees.

A winter chill on Tuesday didn't stop the Batavia Society of Artists in its third attempt to hold the opening reception for its annual winter show at Richmond Memorial Library.

Snow storms forced the society to cancel its previously scheduled reception, the first one scheduled a month ago.

Andrea Kuehn, who entered three paintings, won the People's Choice Award, the only award handed out at this show, for her painting, "Stop and Smell the Flowers."

Photos by Howard Owens