batavia

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo made a campaign stop -- he's running for governor -- in Batavia this afternoon at Larry's Steakhouse on East Main Street.

The room was packed with local Democrats and several members of the media.

We'll have more coverage later.

UPDATE:  My digital recorder failed me. I was planning to post an audio of Cuomo's speech, but the file didn't save right.  All I have is his meeting with reporters (audio starts just after a TV reporter asked about his plans for the lieutenant governor). There are more pictures after the jump.

Andrei P. Sliker, 19, of 15 Thorpe St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt. Sliker alleged grabbed and pushed a woman who had a court order of protection against Sliker. Sliker was jailed without bail.

Matthew R. Hinze, 19, of Batavia, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, loud/inadequate muffler, a license plate violation and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hinze was stopped at 11:09 p.m., Friday, on Route 63 in the Town of Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Jennifer Pearl Hepp, 28, of Walker Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, aggravated unlicensed operation and driving left of the pavement markings. Hepp was stopped at 2:42 a.m. on Route 238 in Alexander by Deputy Jason Saile.

A 17-year-old from Walker Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Walker was charged after a drug-sniffing K-9 reportedly alerted on his vehicle.

A 17-year-old from Big Tree Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Walker was charged after a drug-sniffing K-9 reportedly alerted on his vehicle.

Michele Marie Davis, 27, of Wyoming Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Davis was stopped at 1:48 a.m., Sunday, on Perry Road in Pavilion by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Charles William Wilder, 27, of Crane Raod, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 or greater and improper left turn. Wilder was stopped at 2:29 a.m., Sunday, on South Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Angela A. Snyder, 32, of 432 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Snyder is accused of shoplifting from the Dollar General.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democrat running for governor, is reportedly going to make a campaign stop in Downtown Batavia this afternoon. He's scheduled to stop at Larry's Steakhouse, but that could be moved to the Homestead conference facility inside the mall, and he will appear either at 4:30 or 5 p.m. (we've heard different accounts).

One protester is already outside of Larry's. His name is Jay D. Fuller and he's from Medina. His sign reads, "Healthcare is about caring, not $$$" and "Paladino is right." When I spoke to him, he talked about some land-use/political issue in Medina. The connection, I gather is that Cuomo authorized state grants to the family Fuller has a dispute with. "I think he should know who the money is going to," Fuller said.

Meanwhile, as I left Larry's, Joe DioGuardi's tour bus drove by. DioGuardi is a Republican running for Senate. I'm not sure if he was just passing through or if he made an appearance. The bus turned off of Jackson Street, which is where the local GOP has set up shop.

It's been said that the Pok-A-Dot was John Gardner's favorite eatery. In "The Sunlight Dialogues," Gardner mentions the 56-year-old diner in one passage.

For 14 years, the John Gardner Society has gathered at The Dot to remember the man and read from his work.

Saturday, nine people took turns reading from a variety of his works, including novels, poems, short stories and nonfiction.

Pictured above, Erica Caldwell, owner of Present Tense Books on Washington Avenue.

After the jump are more pictures from the event.

Bill Kauffman, master of ceremonies.

Maureen Maas-Feary

Tracy Ford

Brian Paris

Helen Maier

Terry Abrams

Lucine Kauffman

John Gardner's younger brother, Jim Gardner.

John Maier

CSX is planning to shut down the railroad crossing at Seven Springs Road from Monday at 9 a.m. through Tuesday afternoon.

Supporters of Genesee ARC were on hand Saturday evening for a dedication ceremony at its new community center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

Tom Houseknecht, center above, also announced that Genesee ARC's fundraising campaign for the facility exceeded goals. A total of $761,307 was raised. The goal was $750,000.

The center was also officially named the Edward S. Houseknecht building. Edward, who died at age 3, was the first child of Ralph Houseknecht Sr. and his wife. The tot inspired the entire Houseknecht family to aid other families with children with disabilities.

Pictured with Tom Houseknecht are his sisters, Katie Houseknecht and Mary Kay Barton.

A driver said he was "playing with the radio" just before his car crossed into oncoming traffic on Lewiston Road, leading to a two-car accident at 6:42 p.m., Saturday.

The driver, Matthew J. Zon, 29, of East Main Street, Bryon, was transported to UMMC with non-life-threatening injuries. He was also cited for allegedly moving from lane and unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

Thomas Oliver, 34, of Iris Avenue, West Seneca, who was driving the other car, was not injured.

Neither driver had passengers.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Cory Mower.

(initial report)

Mercy EMS is being dispatched to Austin Park where a child has fallen off a swing and suffered a possible broken arm.

GCASA held their 11th Annual Awards Dinner Friday evening at the Holiday Inn.

Dr. Russ Marchese was presented with the Volunteer Service Award. Dr. Russ, his partner Dr. Marcella and staff partnered with Care-A-Van Ministries and local agencies this past summer to hold the Second Annual Caring for the City Day which included a free dental clinic. 68 people from the community received free dental services including fillings, cleanings and teeth extractions. Dr. Russ and his wife Wendy are very active within in the community.

The guest speaker for the evening was Ms. Millie Tomidy, Executive Director  of Mental Health Associaton in Genesee County.  The Emcees for the evening were Justin and Liz Calarco-Smith. Other awards given out in the evening included: 

Leadership award to Dr. Lait Jain, Caring Community Ward to Medina Area Association of Churches, Business of the Year Award to Tully's Good Time Restaurants, School Recogniton Award to Kendall Elementary 5th Grade Team, Dove Youth Award to Maura Chmielowiec, Criminal Justice Award to Edwin Mileham, Special Recognition Award to Chuck Kron and Directors Award to Robert Balbick.

Care-A-Van Ministries would like to thank Dr. Russ and his staff for continuing to reach out to the less fortunate here within the city of Batavia.

Batavia police are on the lookout for six youths who are reported to be stealing pumpkins in the city. Three other young people reported that the mischief-makers went into a house on Oak Street, but couldn't, or wouldn't, identify it.

Dispatch also mentioned Summit Street in connection with this incident. No word on the total of pumpkins involved.

A two-vehicle accident with possible injuries is reported in the area of 8297 Lewiston Road in the Town of Batavia. It is blocking southbound traffic, but there is a lot of distance between the two vehicles.

There is debris everywhere. Law enforcement on scene requests traffic control.

Town of Batavia Volunteer Firefighters and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 6:51 p.m.: The two vehicles are about 200 yards apart. One is heavily damaged. The debris field is described as pretty large. Northbound Lewiston is being shut down at Veteran's Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Police are requested to shut down southbound traffic on Route 63 at Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road. Another fire police vehicle is called for at Galloway Road.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: Route 63 is re-opened to southbound traffic at Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road. Traffic at Galloway Road is also re-opened.

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The owners and staff of Alex's Place, Park Road, Batavia, are in mourning this weekend following the apparent death of head chef Russell Bugbee, 31.

While the Orleans County Sheriff's Office has not officially identified Bugbee as the driver of a car involved in a one-car accident at 11 p.m., Thursday, in Murray, Alex's was closed Friday after word of the accident reached owners Matt and Jennifer Gray.

The accident remains under investigation and official identification of Bugbee as the victim is awaiting a medical examiner's confirmation.

Matt Gray issued the following statement this afternoon:

On Thursday night, Alex’s Place lost our family member and friend Russell Bugbee. Russ was in a one-vehicle accident on Route 31 in the Town of Murray, New York and was pronounced dead at the scene. We were closed for business yesterday and we would like to thank the community for the support and understanding they have shown Alex’s and our staff. A native of Connecticut, Russ moved to Batavia in 2007 for what he thought was a six-month project to help an old friend out in a new business venture, the purchasing of Alex’s Place. He never left, growing to love the town and the people (and hating the snow). Over the last three years he made Alex’s his own with his creativity and dedication, becoming an integral part of our daily lives both at work and out. At just 31 years old and so talented he left us far too early. A memorial service is planned to be held on Monday, November 1st at Alex’s Place, time to be announced. A collection is being held for his family and donations can be sent care of Alex’s Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

An "unknown type fire" is reported at or near 2 Lewis Place in the City of Batavia.

City Fire Department is responding.

It could be a bonfire. The young people who called dispatch are said to have been "very evasive" on the call-back by authorities.

Cain Catino, 39, who tried to steal oxycodone from the Oakfield Family Pharmacy last month pled guilty this morning to attempted robbery, 3rd, in Genesee County Court.

The Seven Spring Roads resident had a knife in his pocket at the time of the attempted robbery, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman revealed this morning.

Friedman said Catino's case was scheduled to go before the grand jury next week and Catino was facing a possible charge of robbery, 1st, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Witnesses would testify, according to Friedman, that Catino was attempting to retrieve the knife when the pharmacy owner and his son were wrestling Catino to the floor.

Under terms of the agreement, Catino receives second felony offender status and will serve from one-and-half years to three years in prison.

Without the plea agreement, the attempted robbery charge could carry a maximum sentence of two to four years.

Catino's prior felony convictions are a grand larceny charge in 2008 and attempted robbery in 2009.

Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 22.

Catino's mother is accused of trying to smuggle drugs to him in Genesee County Jail earlier this month. Charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband are still pending.

A 40-year-old Attica man who was stopped on East Main Street, Batavia, just 12 days ago, admitted in Genesee County Court this morning that he was driving drunk at the time.

Roland J. Reed admitted to a felony count of driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation. He was charged under Leandra's Law because he reportedly had a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old in his car when he was stopped by police.

He was also charged at the time with unlawful possession of marijuana, refusal to take a breath test and moving from lane unsafely.

Reed also admitted to DWI convictions, one in Le Roy in 2009 and another in Monroe County in 2008.

He faces from one to four years in state prison.

Originally jailed on $25,000 bail, Reed will be released under supervision of Genesee County Justice as a condition of his plea.

In addition to prison time, Reed will be required to have an ignition interlock device for at least six months upon his release.

While out of jail awaiting sentencing, Reed will be undergoing treatment, according to his attorney, and looking for work. Judge Robert C. Noonan imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

A car accident with injuries has been reported at Main and Court streets, downtown Batavia.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

6:24 a.m.: Two flatbeds requested to the scene to move the vehicles. No word on how serious the injuries are.

6:50 a.m.: Accident scene is clear.

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I was asked to speak to residents of The Manor House this evening about The Batavian and the state of news media. The residents were a great audience, full of great questions. I promised them their picture on The Batavian.

Reader Amanda Bisig sent in this photo with this note:

My dad (John Bisig) sent me these photos that he took around 4:30 p.m. today, and asked me to send them in. They were taken on East Road in Batavia, where he was combining corn today. The photo you uploaded a few days ago of the Reinke irrigation system from the corner of Transit and Chapel roads in Byron is  also owned by the same farm (My-T-Acres) -- and we live in the farmhouse across the street from that one you photographed. Thought you might enjoy the photo!