Skip to main content

Stories from

Corfu's Spencer Graff named to dean's list at The University of Tampa

By Billie Owens

Spencer Graff, of Corfu, earned dean's list honors at The University of Tampa for the Fall 2020 semester.

Graff is a Senior majoring in Sport Management. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the dean's list.

The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa, Fla. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University serves approximately 10,000 students from 50 states and about 130 countries. The majority of full-time students live on campus, and about half of UT students are from Florida.

Old Hippies' virtual Home to Home Concert #49 -- livestreaming

By Billie Owens

Good Morning! We hope y'all are doing well. EVERYONE'S INVITED TO OUR HOOT TODAY....SATURDAY EVENING Feb. 13 at 7 o'clock for our LIVESTREAM HOME to HOME CONCERT SERIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD #49.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL!

We, Bill & Kay McDonald (Old Hippies) are so thankful for meeting new friends and to everyone who has joined us in our home and for those who will in the future...As always, Kay and I really appreciate it as you help strengthen our audience by sharing this post with your catalogue of family, friends and neighbors.

Event Date and Time

Grand Jury: Adult male accused of rape and sex abuse of minor in 2014

By Billie Owens

Nicholas B. Turnquist is indicted for the crime of third-degree rape, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 23, 2014, that Turnquist, being 21 year old or more at that time, engaged in sexual intercourse with another person less that 17 years old in the Town of Darien. In count two, he is accused of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged in count two that on that day he subjected a person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

Dean M. Nohle is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 13 in the City of Batavia that Nohle knowingly possessed stolen property with a value exceeding $100 -- a 2014 Chevrolet. In count two, Nohle is accused of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a Class D felony. It is alleged in count two that he knowingly possessed stolen property with a value exceeding $3,000 -- the Chevrolet. In count three, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, as a misdemeanor, for operating the Chevrolet on Clinton Street while his license to do so was suspended by the NY Commissioner of the DMV.

Andrew L. Kosiorek is indicted for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on June 22, 2019, in the Town of Le Roy, Kosiorek stole property valued at more than $100 -- a 2018 Nissan Rogue. In count two, he is accused for criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that the defendant knowingly possessed stolen property -- a Rigid 5-gallon ash vacuum.

Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School announces second quarter 2020-21 honors

By Billie Owens

From the Byron-Bergen Central School District:

The second quarter High Honor and Honor Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Principal Pat McGee.

McGee and the Byron-Bergen Central School District staff offer their congratulations to these students.

Additionally, the District would like to correct three mistakes in the original publication of the first quarter Honor Roll listings (published on The Batavian Dec. 1, 2020). Logan Czachorowski achieved High Honor Roll, Kayden Crocker and Pearl Jolliff both earned Honor Roll. Their absence from the original publication of first quarter listings was a data input error and the District congratulates them on their hard work and academic dedication. 

Grade 7

HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Katelyn Ball, Sara Bishop, Liam Boyle, Sarah Campbell, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Laura Curts, Justin Deleo, Cole DiQuattro, Gary Donofrio, Ava Goff, Gianna Graff, Mia Gray, Megan Jarkiewicz, Carter Kuipers, Sidney Maher, Grace Mundell, Bradley Pocock, Colin Rea, Allison Rimmerman, Katherine Rogoyski, Simone Scharvogel, Rayne Sheard, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Evan Williams, Emma Wolfe.

HONOR ROLL -- Kayden Crocker, Logan Czachorowski, Grace DiQuattro, Nial Johnson, Malacai McGrath, Maryn Meier, Paige O'Brien, Evan Orto, Solomon Smith.

Grade 8

HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Ryan Benstead, Zachary Brookhart, Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Amber Cromey, Isabella Davidson, Craig DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Peyton Goodenbery, Ava Gray, Samuel Hersom, Eli Kupfer, Ella Lewis, Jackson Lundfelt, Martin Mac Connell, Anna McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Adam Piper, Sydney Salmonds, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Olivia Senf, Trent Sheard, Roman Smith, Lily Stalica, Rose Wilson, Mikayla Yohon

HONOR ROLL -- Isabelle Best, Noah Clare, Chesney Fregoe, Haylee Gartz, Landon Kent, Arianne McLaughlin, Kasey Pagels, Natalie Prinzi, Ian Pulcini, James Starowitz, Ruger Starowitz.

Grade 9

HIGH HONOR ROLL -- HannahRae Amador, Brody Baubie, Tyler Chapman, Grayson Erion, Gabrielle Graff, Mackenzie Hagen, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Colin Martin, Stephanie Onderdonk, Carter Prinzi, Victoria Rogoyski, Riley Sharpe, Malachi Smith, Emma Starowitz, Gabriel Vallese.

HONOR ROLL -- Jeffrey Borycki, Chloe Gilbert, Callista Kinkelaar, Lincoln McGrath, Travis Shallenberger, Liliana Vanegas, Connor Windhauser, Lydia Zaffrann, Megan Zwerka.

Grade 10

HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Alyssa Ball, Cassidy Ball, David Brumsted, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Kendan Dressler, Frank Hersom, Alec Kulikowski, Ryan Muscarella, Valerie Pastore, Kendall Phillips. Elizabeth Piper, Austin Salmonds, Emily Salmonds, Zoey Shepard, Matthew Tanner, Ava Wagoner, Lillian Walker, Leyna Wheeler, Hannah Wies, Emily Yun. Sydney Zastrocky.

HONOR ROLL -- Jack Benstead, Jason Bleiler, Hailey Canfield, Caris Carlson, Robert Gaylord, Andrew Rimmerman, Alexandria Schuck, Julia Will, Nicholas Zwerka.

Grade 11

HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Corin Abdella, Jared Barnum. Madison Burke, Caleb Calhoun, Caleb Carlson. Aidan Clark, Sadie Cook, Leanna Curts, Connor Gale, Christian Haller, Grace Huhn, Brooke Jarkiewicz, Danyel Nowatchik, Madelynn Pimm, Elli Schelemanow, Sasha Schramm, Aleigha Shallenberger, Grace Shepard, Alayna Streeter, Ella VanValkenburg. Alexandra Vurraro, Ashley Weit, Kaitlyn Windhauser, Corden Zimmerman.

HONOR ROLL -- Camryn Brookhart, Alexander Donnelly, Makenzie Eccleston, Meghan Kendall, Mikaylah Pocock, Elyssa Robbins, Jorie Strzelecki, Kaitlyn Zastrocky.

Grade 12

HIGH HONOR ROLL --Nicholas Baubie, Bianca Brumsted, Jonah Clare, Tylor Coats, Richard Denson, Jay Doyle, Veronica Duell, Joshua Fleming, Eden Goff, Sara Goodman, Devon Heick, Hope Hersom, Kelly Ireland, Carli Kirkwood, Colby Leggo, Logan Lewis, Julia Pangrazio, Andrew Parnapy, Bryanne Puma, Matthew Rada. Alaura Rehwaldt, Skylar Sharpe, Deacon Smith, Sarah Sue Streeter. Devon Zinter

HONOR ROLL -- Carleigh Buell, Zoey Chambry, Adriana Guzman. Aiden Kulikowski, Jaden Pocock. Joshua Swapceinski.

Law and Order: Le Roy man accused of driving in Wyoming County while impaired by drugs

By Billie Owens

Michael J. Stack Jr., 44, of Le Roy (no address provided) was arrested by NYS troopers out of Warsaw Feb. 7 for driving while ability impaired by drugs. It is alleged that Stack exhibited signs of impairment during a traffic stop on Route 246 in Town of Perry. According to their police report, Stack failed standardized field sobriety tests. He was transported to SP Warsaw barracks where he was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) from the Warsaw Police Department. Stack was released with appearance tickets for the Town of Perry court, where he is due at a later date.

A male who lives on Garfield Street in Holland and a female who lives on Cherry Tree Lane in Alden, both age 18, were arrested Feb. 16 in connection with an incident that occurred at Six Flags Darien Lake at 1 a.m. on Dec. 12. Their names are not disclosed because they may qualify for youthful offender status (at the time of the incident). It is alleged they climbed over multiple fences and trespassed in restricted areas of the Six Flags property. They were released with appearance tickets to be in Town of Darien Court at a date to be determined.

East Bethany's Donald Urbanczyk named to dean's list at Edinboro University

By Billie Owens

Charles Donald Urbanczyk, of East Bethany, was named to the dean's list at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania for the fall 2020 semester.

In order to attain this highly regarded academic honor, students must maintain a quality point average of 3.4 or higher, complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit and receive no grade lower than a C in any course.

Urbanczyk, whose major is Speech and Hearing Sciences, was among nearly 1,200 students named to the fall 2020 dean's list.

Richmond library Virtual Reel Discussion: 'Moonstruck' -- watch BEFORE Zoom discussion

By Billie Owens

Please be sure to watch the movie, “Moonstruck” *******PRIOR ******* to the scheduled discussion date. We will NOT watch the movie as a group.

Title is available on Netflix or watch on DVD.

Then on Thursday, Feb. 25th at 7 p.m., join us on Zoom for a virtual Reel Discussion about the movie.

Please register online in order to receive more details and information needed for the Zoom meeting.

Event Date and Time

Law and order: Pair of arrests for grand larceny in welfare fraud cases

By Billie Owens

Corrine Elizabeth Navarra, 39, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree welfare fraud. Navarra was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that starting on Jan. 17, 2020 she failed to report income while receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which would have lowered her benefit. It is alleged that Navarra received $3,840 in benefits that she was not eligible for. She was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Feb. 10 and released on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Jason William Doohan, 37, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. Doohan was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that on March 1 of last year Doohan failed to report income he earned scrapping metal, which resulted in Doohan receiving $1,464 in public assistance benefits that he was not entitled to. The defendant is due in Batavia Town Court on March 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

'Underground Railroad in the Niagara Frontier' is topic of HLOM presenter

By Billie Owens

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Michael Broccolo of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center as our next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series. The topic will be "The Underground Railroad in the Niagara Frontier."

The presentation will be conducted virtually via Zoom. To watch the presentation via Zoom please visit the museum's Facebook page or website for login information.

Event Date and Time

'Stitch' needs a new home without little kids; he's sweet, housebroken and has good manners

By Billie Owens

This is "Stitch." He's a 3-year-old blue-tick heeler mix. He needs a new home.

Mixing native dingoes with collies and other herding dogs, Australian George Elliott developed the blue heeler in 1840. The term blue-tick heeler is colloquial; they are also called Australian heelers, Queensland heelers and Australian cattle dogs.

In general herding dogs are resilient and highly intelligent. The American Kennel Club characterizes their temperment as "alert, curious, pleasant."

Stitch is a neutered male that is heartworm negative and up to date with vaccines. He comes from a home with five other dogs and young children. He is currently in a foster home.

The Volunteers for Animal at the Genesee County Animal Shelter do not know how he is with cats. They do know he is a very sweet and friendly dog. He bonds very quickly and closely with people. He loves attention. He is housebroken, crate trained and generally very good house manners.

He responds to commands and seems very teachable. He does get nervous about strangers coming into the house but after meeting them is OK.

He can become anxious with lots of commotion, but will go into his crate willingly and relax. It is recommended that he not go to a home with children under 10 or so. Stitch is not at the Shelter -- please do not call the Shelter for information.

If you would like to meet this sweet pup, email the volunteers:  info@vol4animals.org

Submitted photo and information.

Batavia's Lydia Geiger named to SUNY Potsdam's Honor Program

By Billie Owens

SUNY Potsdam recently named 58 students to the College's rigorous Honors Program, including Lydia Geiger, of Batavia, whose major is Music Education and Music Performance.

SUNY Potsdam's Honors Program offers highly motivated students the benefits of small classes and excellent professors, with special opportunities to pursue advanced independent projects.

Incoming first-year students with high school GPAs of 95 or higher are invited to join, as are second-semester students or transfer students with at least 13 credit hours completed and GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

To find out more about the Honors Program and all the ways that SUNY Potsdam fosters student creativity and research, visit https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/appliedlearning/studentresearch.

About SUNY Potsdam

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence.

The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

Law and Order: Man accused of reckless driving and more after police pursuit

By Billie Owens

Patrick Thomas Fuhr, 61, of Union Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with: unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree; reckless driving; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; failure to stop at a stop sign; and a red light violation. He was arrested on Feb. 4 after a police pursuit that occurred at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 29 in the City of Batavia and towns of Batavia and Pembroke. It is alleged that he fled in his vehicle from Genesee County and Livingston County deputies. Fuhr is due in City of Batavia Court on March 10 and Town of Batavia Court March 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Christopher John Raymond Diers, 38, is charged with third-degree burglary and petit larceny. He was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Jan. 5 for allegedly stealing property from Walmart then running from store security personnel when he approached the exit. He was put in Genesee County Jail until his arraignment at 6:15 p.m. in Genesee County Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Christopher P. Thomas, 38, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. He was arrested at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 29 on the Batavia Municipal Code violation for allegedly allowing his pet German shepard to run at large on a neighbor's lawn. He is due in Batavia City Court on March 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert.

Zachary John Wayne Marrow, 29, of Manhatten Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failing to appear in Batavia City Court after being given an appearance ticket. He was originally arrested at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at on East Main Street and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was arrested on the city court warrant for failure to appear at 9:10 p.m. Feb. 2. Marrow is due back in court March 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Old Hippies' virtual Home to Home Concert #48 -- livestreaming

By Billie Owens

Good Morning! We hope y'all are doing well. EVERYONE'S INVITED TO OUR HOOT SATURDAY EVENING Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. for our livestream HOME to HOME CONCERT SERIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD# 48.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL!

We, Bill & Kay McDonald (Old Hippies) are so thankful for meeting new friends and to everyone who has joined us in our home and for those who will in the future. . . As always, Kay and I really appreciate it as you help strengthen our audience by sharing this post with your catalogue of family, friends and neighbors.

Event Date and Time

Empty car careens into house in Elba, no injuries

By Billie Owens

An unoccupied car "drove into a house" at 5069 Hundredmark Road in Elba. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. "Negative injuries at this time."

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: The car reportedly "bumped into the house at a low rate of speed." A first responder on scene calls for another unit to respond with a lock-picking kit. "The keys are in the vehicle that's pressed against the house," he says. "No injuries."

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: A deputy reports that code enforcement went to the house and evaluated the situation and determined there are no code issues regarding structural damage to the house. The Elba assignment is back in service.

Stafford couple flat-out disputes 'Prognosticator of all Prognosticators'

By Billie Owens

For the record, people of Genesee County please know that at least one couple residing here takes issue with the 2021 foretoken of the season's weather revealed Tuesday.

That would be Stafford denizens Walt and Kathleen Kershenski.

"My Wife and I are going to dispute Punxsutawney Phil’s Prognostication regarding six more weeks of Winter," Walt declared in an email to The Batavian.

They have evidence, they claim, that puts the lie to the outlook of a world-famous woodchuck in the state below ours.

As everyone knows, on Feb. 2 furry Phil is awoken early by members of his "inner circle," all dressed to the nines, at Gobbler's Knob, borough of Punxatawney, Jefferson County, Pa. The rodent, a member of the family Sciuridae (belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots), manifests itself outside his earthen den to see if he can see his own shadow.

If the little seer does, as was the case the day before yesterday, lore has it that the end of this drear is not near.

In fact, there's suppose be a winter storm tomorrow and Saturday, dumping up to nine inches of lake effect snow, with wind gusts up to 45 mph, prompting the staunchly prescient Kershenskis to, hypothetically, yodel in unison "Pshaw!"

"To our surprise, on Groundhog Day this week we saw a flock of birds land in our crabapple tree next to our bird feeders," says Walt. "It was a flock of at least 20 to 25 robins. They stayed for a while and feasted on the crabapples and then left. Unfortunately I did not have my camera nearby, so I could not get a picture."

But we can imagine it nonetheless.

And know that monotonous chill will give way to green and warmth, that forsythia will suddenly sprout -- yellow as Harvey Ross Ball's original Smiley Face, and we'll be the happier for it.

"We just wanted to boost people's spirits," Walt says, adding hopefully "and maybe there will be an early spring after all?"

HLOM Virtual Java with Joe E.: Topic is early Methodist Church

By Billie Owens

On Thursday, Feb. 25th at 9 a.m. the Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting its next edition of its Virtual Java with Joe E. morning presentations. This month we welcome back local author Greg Van Dussen as he shares excerpts from his latest works on the early Methodist Church.

His latest works that will be covered are: "Circuit Riders on the Road to Glory" and "Circuit Rider Devotions Vol. 2." Both books are also available for sale in the museum bookstore.

Event Date and Time

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of lobbing lit bottle of flammable liquid on Osterhout Avenue

By Billie Owens

Charles J. Rodriguez Sr., 44, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree arson. His arrest on Feb. 2 stemmed from an incident at 6:25 p.m. Nov. 26 on Osterhout Avenue in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Rodriguez lit a bottle of flammable liquid and threw it at the front window of a residence on that street, breaking the window. The bottle did not go into the residence but it did cause a fire. An uninvolved person was inside the residence at the time and Rodriguez allegedly knew the person was in there. There was minor damage to the residence but no one was injured. The defendant was arraigned virtually in Batavia City Court and is due there on Feb. 25. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill.

Phllip Mitchell Gambino, 25, of School Street, Batavia is charged with second-degree menacing. He was arrested on Jan. 27 after an investigation of a disturbance call at Walmart at 2:58 p.m. on Jan. 20. It is alleged he menaced another person with a knife during a verbal altercation in the store's parking lot. Gambino was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to be in Batavia Town Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Patrick John Frawley, 58, of Breck Street, Rochester, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 10:07 p.m. on Jan. 30, Frawley was arrested at the Quality Inn & Suites on Park Road in Batavia for allegedly violating a stay away order of protection. He "was held at the Genesee County Jail for arraignment," which is set for Feb. 22. Bail, if any, was not specified. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Cecilio Alonzo-Martinez, 33, of Burke Hill Road, Perry, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or higher, and driving while intoxicated. At 2:28 a.m. on Jan. 31, Alonzo-Martinez was arrested after an investigation of a vehicle stopped in the roadway on Route 19 in the Town of Bergen. He was released on an appearance ticket and was due in Bergen Town Court this afternoon (Feb. 3). The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Adrian Ramone Taylor, 42, of Upper Falls Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass. At 4:51 p.m. on Jan. 28, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to Walmart following a trespassing complaint. Following an investigation, Taylor was arrested after leaving the scene. It is alleged Taylor entered Walmart after its corporate office banned him from entering all store locations because of a previous incident involving him (unspecified). He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Feb. 25. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Children playing on train tracks in Bergen prompts dispatch of deputies

By Billie Owens

Sheriff's deputies are responding to the railroad tracks behind Ralph & Rosie's Delicatessen at 19 N. Lake Road, Bergen, for a report of children playing on the tracks.

Of course, trains have been running there today.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: The deputy is clearing the scene and says CSX is in the area.

Deadline for beginning farmers to sign up for Cornell Extension's workshops on 'Starting a Livestock Farm'

By Billie Owens

There are many aspects to consider when starting a livestock farm, such as land, what to sell, and how to sell it. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s specialists Nancy Glazier and Joan Sinclair Petzen are offering a beginning farmer educational series via Zoom beginning 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24; second session is Wednesday, March 10.

The two sessions will cover resource assessment, business planning, basic bookkeeping and budgeting. Time will be available each evening for discussion. Follow-up sessions will be held biweekly if there is enough interest.

Event Date and Time
-

Authentically Local