Photos: Fishing by the falls
Late this afternoon, Chris Hamel and his friend James Bonning were on the Tonawanda at the falls fishing.
batavia
Police looking for man who struck another with unknown object
Batavia Polcie are looking for a man allegedly involved in an altercation on Wood Street around 5:30 p.m.
The man allegedly stuck another person in the face with an unknown object.
According to Det. Kevin Czora, the suspect and the victim were involved in a verbal argument. The assailant went to his car, grabbed some sort of object, came back and struck the victim in the face.
The victim suffered facial cuts and was transported by ambulance to UMMC.
The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20s. He fled the scene in a red Chevy Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo may already have had a busted passenger window.
It's unknown, Czora said, whether the suspect was also injured.
Volunteers needed for First Presbyterian of Batavia's 'God's Little Acre' project
Batavia's First Presbyterian Church is running its planting project, "God's Little Acre," for the second year in a row. Volunteers are needed to help plant crops at the garden on South Main St. Rd. in Batavia on Saturday, June 5.
Volunteers will meet at the church, at 300 E. Main St. in Batavia, around 9:45 a.m. to carpool. Planting will end around noon. Volunteers will also be needed to weed, water and harvest throughout the summer.
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Secret Service offers fraud protection session in Batavia
U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Greg Gramiccioni and Letizia Tagliafierro of the New York State Attorney General's Office will be giving a presentation on fraud at the Office for the Aging, at 2 Bank St., in Batavia.
Free and open to the public, this presentation will be from 1 until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. It will include information on the different types of fraud currently being practiced, as well as how consumers can protect themselves. Topics include:
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Former corrections officer admits workers comp fraud
A former corrections officer admitted in Genesee County Court this afternoon that he filed false workers compensation claims and stole thousands of dollars from the state.
James S. Gibbs, 34, faced a 24-count indictment, but reached a plea agreement to admit to one count of grand larceny and one count of filing false instruments.
As part of the plea, Gibbs will be required to pay back to the state $40,000, with a $20,000 payment due before he is sentenced.
The maximum sentence under the plea agreement is four months of intermittent incarceration and five years probation and a $5,000 fine.
Gibbs was also required to resign from New York State Corrections.
Gibbs was arrested in October for receiving disability benefits while operating a company plowing snow and sealing driveways.
Prominent Batavia-area eye surgeon passes
Dr. Alan L. Siegel died Wednesday evening, according to an obituary posted by Michael Tomaszewski this morning.
The 57-year-old Siegel was a partner in University Eye Specialists, located on Summit Street in Batavia.
The obituary notes that Siegel had been under the care of hospice.
According to the company website, Dr. Siegel received his BA from Colgate University, an MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and performed his residency at Boston University Medical Center. Dr. Siegel specialized in cataract, eye muscle and laser surgeries.
No further details are available at this time.
Genesee ARC Scholarship Winners Announced
Genesee ARC Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship recipients Emily Hopkins, Danielle Hirtzel and Ashlea Harmon with Scholarship Committee Chair, Charles Graney.
Teens from Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama and Churchville-Chili High Schools are the recipients of the 2010 Genesee ARC Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarships. The $1,000.00 scholarship awards were presented May 25 at the Genesee ARC Community Center to Ashlea Harmon, Danielle Hirtzel and Emily Hopkins.
A member of the Batavia High School Class of 2010, Ashlea plans to attend Genesee Community College, then transfer to a four-year school to complete her course of study in Elementary Education, specializing in Special Education. Ashlea has given her time and talent to several volunteer opportunities such as Special Olympics, Challenger Sports, the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group Auction, Salvation Army and numerous Genesee ARC community events. She is also an active member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Danielle is graduating from Oakfield-Alabama High School and intends to pursue her career in Childhood Special Education. Danielle has dedicated many hours of community service helping with Challenger Sports, Stephen’s Table, Friends of Rachel program and other worthy causes. She is active in Girls Scouts, high school band, swim team, Library Club and a member of the National Honor Society. She will be attending SUNY Brockport in the fall.
The third recipient, Emily Hopkins, plans to attend SUNY Oneonta, to study Psychology, with aspirations of obtaining her Master’s Degree in School Psychology. A student at Churchville-Chili High School, Emily has volunteered many hours of service with Special Olympics, Batavia YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, Challenger Sports and Genesee ARC special events. She is very active in extra-curricular activities with her school and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Three $1,000.00 scholarships are awarded to high school seniors each year interested in working in human services, special education or related fields. The scholarship is in honor of Mary Anne Graney, a special education teacher, who died in 2004. According to Genesee ARC Scholarship Committee Chair, Charles Graney, “The scholarship is a living memorial, honoring Mary Anne’s commitment to Genesee ARC and enriching the lives of people with disabilities.”
Police Beat: Home Depot employee accused of stealing $2K
Grace Anne Stewart, 50, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Stewart is accused of stealing more than $2,000 in cash over a seven-month period while working at Home Depot.
James Matthew Rodriguez, 30, of Spring Road, Brockport is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Rodriguez was stopped by Town of Ogden Police and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a warrant.
Michael John Coffta, 18, of Burns Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. During a school-requested K-9 sniff search of school grounds at Oakfield-Alabama High School, the K-9 reportedly alerted on Coffta's vehicle.
Micheal J. Hodgins, 50, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI with no prior offense. Hodgins was arrested by State Police at 11:40 p.m., Tuesday, on Pearl Street in Batavia.
Batavia Lions present annual student awards
From the Batavia Lions:
The Batavia Lions Club recently presented its annual scholarships and awards to several local students at a ceremony held at the Batavia Party House.
Each spring, several graduating seniors at Batavia High School and Notre Dame High School apply for these scholarships, are interviewed by a committee of Lions Club members, and are chosen by the committee to receive $1,000 Scholarships.
In addition, selected students from both schools are awarded the Arthur Roth Fine Arts Award and the Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award.
A final award is the Batavia Lions Club Award in Communications which is awarded to a Genesee Community College student in memory of two former Batavia Lions and local media legends – Paul Bostwick, the former managing editor of the Batavia Daily News and James H. Gerrety, the former News Director of WBTA.
During the high school football season each fall, members of the Batavia Lions Club man the refreshment stands at both the Batavia and Notre Dame High School home football games to sell snacks. All of the proceeds are used exclusively for the scholarship and awards program.
The primary aim of Lionism is best expressed in our motto, “We Serve.” Each year, Lions perform services and provide goods for thousands of people throughout the world. Lions Clubs are non-political, non-sectarian service organizations composed of community members from all walks of life. The Batavia Lions Club has 53 men and women who enjoy good fellowship while working to assist their fellow Batavians and to make Batavia a better community. We currently meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 PM at Bohn’s Restaurant.
For more information, please write Membership Chairman, Batavia Lion Club, P.O. Box 456, Batavia, NY 14020 or simply speak to any member. The Batavia Lions Club congratulates all of these fine students as well as their parents and wishes them the very best in all of their future endeavors. It is comforting to know that our future rests in the very capable and talented hands of such outstanding young people.
Top photo: This year’s Lions Club Scholarship winners are Melissa Levins, BHS, Woodams “Woody” Clark, ND, Kristen Drilling, BHS, Benjamin Nowacki, GCC, Carissa Hyde, BHS, Erin Dobbertin, BHS, and Nichole Hart, ND.
Bottom photo: This year’s Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Awards were presented to Matthew Hoye, BHS and Matthew Thompson, ND. The Art Roth Fine Arts Awards were presented to Angel Ramos, BHS, and Erin Kruppner, ND. Erin is not pictured because she was away on a school sponsored fine arts field trip to New York City.
Harpist performs at GoArt! Salon
Harpist Patricia Worrad will play at GoArt!'s Seymour Place, at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Worrad will be playing traditional Irish tunes and classical pieces on a floor-standing lever harp, the design of which is based on the Celtic tradition. A themed dinner will also be served.
Advance reservation is required. The cost of the event is $18 per GoArt! member and $20 per non-member.
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Tuesday nights at Batavia Downs will showcase cruisers and their cool rides
The sun is shining and all systems are “go” for the 2010 Tuesday Night Cruises at Batavia Downs Casino.
Cruise director Darrell Mase (pronounced “Mays”) and Batavia’s Lone Wolf Cruisers are supervising the shows in cooperation with Batavia Downs Casino.
Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. in the north end of the BDC parking lot on Park Road (near the OTB Simulcast Center – formerly Matty’s Pizzeria). The cruises will take place every Tuesday – weather permitting - through Aug. 31.
The shows are free and open to cars, trucks and motorcycles. All cruisers receive $5 in casino free play and the chance to win other prizes from the casino’s promotion staff. A cruisin’ soundtrack will be provided by DJ Dennis.
Woman gets bit by dog after allegedly starting fight in neighbor's yard
"Scruffy" just did what his breed is wont to do when a person in his care is assaulted -- he attacked the aggressor.
An East Main Street woman was sent to UMMC around 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, after she allegedly went onto a neighbor's property and started fighting with a woman who was staying there.
Her leg was reportedly bitten pretty badly.
The woman whom "Scruffy" was reportedly protecting also suffered a dog bite, probably accidentally, when she tried pulling "Scruffy" off the other woman. She was also transported to UMMC.
When the incident started, "Scruffy" was quietly sitting on his own porch at 516 E. Main St., doing what he normally does -- just watching -- when the fight started. He jumped off the porch and attacked the woman who had allegedly come onto his property.
"Scruffy," if that's his real name, Sgt. John Peck wasn't 100 percent sure, is part pit bull.
Neither "Scruffy" nor his owner face any chargers since "Scruffy" did not leave his owner's property and didn't break any laws.
Peck said neighbors were familiar with the dog and described him as normally very friendly. The dog has no prior history of attacks or aggression. Peck said "Scruffy" was friendly with him when he approached.
Whether either of the women will be charged with any crime is unknown, Sgt. Peck said. The case is still open.
Peck said the women had been taunting each other recently, which seemed to precipate the alleged altercation last night.
The police are not releasing any names until and unless actual charges are filed.
(This is a follow up to this initial report.)
One-time wanted suspect sentenced to prison
A youth who was wanted by local law enforcement, and allegedly led Batavia Police, State Police and Sheriff's deputies on a manhunt in the city two months ago, was sentenced to prison time for a violation of probation.
Christopher Laird, 17, originally from Elba, but has also lived in Le Roy and Batavia, failed to report for probation meetings in early 2010.
Police eventually caught up with Lair in Le Roy on April 4, two days after the manhunt, which involved a State Police helicopter.
Laird's probation was revoked. He will spend one to three years in state prison.
Police Beat: Trespass charges filed against duo in Le Roy
Jesse Adam Dispenza, 24, of Union Street, Scottsville, is charged with trespass. Dispenza is accused of trespassing on the Dolomite property in the Town of Le Roy at 6:20 p.m., Saturday.
Marissa Christine Zeiner, 19, of Sunset Circle Lane, Brockport, is charged with trespass. Zeiner is accused of trespassing on the Dolomite property in the Town of Le Roy at 6:20 p.m., Saturday.
A 17-year-old resident of Maple Avenue in Le Roy is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop by Deputy Matt Butler at 5:03 p.m., Saturday.
Ami Kadar, 64, of Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Kadar was arrested this week by State Police on Maple Avenue, Elba, in connection with an alleged incident at 12:01 p.m., March 30. No further details are available.
Jorge L. Portugal-Pineda, 22, of Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe tires and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Portugal-Pineda was arrested by State Police on Transit Road at 3:15 p.m., Monday.
Ethan R. Kitanik, 19, of Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and ticketed for no headlights. Kitanik was stopped by State Police on Oak Street in Oakfield at 10:55 p.m., Sunday.
Juror in Scott Doll trial responds to verdict critics, discusses difficult deliberations
A juror in the Scott Doll murder trial contacted The Batavian today and after confirming the juror's identity, we agreed to anonymously publish this account of the juror's experience.
I just have a couple things to say about the Scott Doll trial. I was a juror who sat in the front row. I would not like to give my name or my number as I am not trying to cause any problems with this statement, just want to clear some things up, that have been on my mind since last Thursday.
I wanted to start off by saying that none of us in the jury chose to be in that box for the three weeks, we were chosen by both sides of the case as they felt we were the most impartial and non-biased individuals out of the pool they had to choose from. That being said, I would like to also tell everyone that none of us had preconceived notions as to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Doll. And for those of you who have comments such as "shame on the Jury," you were not in that deliberation room discussing the facts/evidence so you have no idea what we went through.
No one but the 12 of us that were locked in that room for 12 hours knows what we discussed, and let me tell you there was quite a lot of discussion taking place. I do not like the fact that almost instantly people comment that we locked up an innocent man, that there is a "real" murderer on the streets. To you all, we all examined the evidence, and listened to all the testimonies. We all listened to the opinions and concerns that each of us had, and NO ONE was forced into making a guilty verdict when we took our final vote.
We DID NOT rush things to get it over with. Anyone who had reservations on coming up with a verdict was allowed to voice their opinions. It all comes back to the evidence. Mr. Cambria told us to use our "common sense" when it came to deliberating on a verdict. We all felt that the evidence all pointed back to Mr. Doll, and to us that was "Common Sense" as that is what the evidence showed us. If there had been other evidence showing otherwise we would have considered it.
For the record, it's not the easiest thing to give a guilty verdict either. Knowing someone's life was in our hands weighed on our hearts and minds those final minutes of the trial. And it is definitely not easy to hear the cries and look at the faces of the family either, even when you know that the right thing was done according to the evidence that was presented to us. I'm sorry if that upsets some of you reading this, but trust me I have not nor will I ever forget this event. I have certainly not moved on with my life and left it behind. And I hope to never have to do something like this again.
My thoughts and prayers are with both the Doll family as well as the Benaquist family. I know that both families are now missing a member, and things will never be the same, and that is something that I will think about daily, for the rest of my life. If anyone thinks otherwise they are greatly mistaken.
Batavia Police announce results of May traffic enforcement efforts
Sixty-two drivers in Batavia received traffic citations in May as part of a joint Batavia PD and State Police effort to crack down on mobile phone use and seat belt violators.
The Batavia Police received a grant earlier to help fund increased enforcement of these laws as part of a statewide effort.
In May, checkpoints were set up on Law, Clinton and Oak streets.
The State Police cooperated in the last location, setting up its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit. Nine tickets were issued to truck drivers at the checkpoint near the Thruway entrance.
The city will conduct future enforcement actions as part of the grant it received from the governor's Traffic Safety Committee.
CORRECTION: Lt. Henning informed me that I got my enforcement grants mixed up. The grant for this particular set of checkpoints was for police to look for vehicle violations. You drive through a check point and the police check your registration and inspection, etc. There is another grant, also still active in the city, for seat belt and mobile phone violations. The May results of that enforcement effort have not been released yet.
Reported fight in progress with dog involved
A fight-in-progress has been reported at a residence near Pontillo's.
A dog was reportedly being used to attack a victim.
Police are on scene and have requested Mercy EMS for a person with cuts to the leg.
UPDATE 8:40 p.m.: A second ambulance has been requested to 516 E. Main St., where Mercy EMS reports a second victim needing transport to a hospital.
Official believes GCEDC offered a better package for Brothers International to stay in Batavia
When it comes to tax incentive packages, Genesee County has a few advantages over Monroe County, because of programs available targeted specifically for rural counties, according to Chris Suozzi, VP of business development for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
So when Brothers International announced it was abandoning Batavia, where it was founded in 2001, for Rochester, Souzzi concluded it wasn't purely a business decision.
"In my mind it was more of a personal decision on where they wanted to locate the company," Souzzi said.
We have a call into Travis Betters at Brothers International to get his take on the relocation decision.
Souzzi said he last met with Brothers six months ago and presented a side-by-side comparison of the Genesee County package with the Monroe County package. He said it "opened their eyes" about what Genesee County had to offer and was under the impression they would "stay put in Batavia."
He didn't learn of the decision by Brothers to move until Monroe County put out a press release about the location change.
While the current Brothers location is in an empire zone, to date the company has received no tax assistance through GCEDC, Souzzi said.
Photo: Flowers in the City
City employee Brian Metz hangs a flower basket from one of the light standards in Downtown Batavia.
