Stories from

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at 24 Franklin St. in the city. The location is between Davis Avenue and Pearl Street. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: One patient is being transported to UMMC.

A pedestrian was struck by a gray four-door sedan at Washington and Thomas avenues in the city. The vehicle continued on Washington eastbound. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: Dispatch has updated the discription of the vehicle. It is silver or light blue in color and an older model. Male driver had brown hair and a mustache; female passenger had large sunglasses and dark wavy hair, according to a witness. A trooper may be behind the suspect vehicle now.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: A police officer at the scene says there are "several security cameras here at the intersection" and he may be able to get the vehicle's license plate after viewing the footage. An officer is possibly out with the vehicle matching the description at the West End Mobile Home Park.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: The victim/witness is not sure what damage is visible on the suspect vehicle. The officer says there's no evidence of vehicle damage left behind at the scene. There may have been a dog in the vehicle. The female passenger's sunglasses were heavily tinted.

• Algebra 1
• Geometry
• Global History
• Living Environment
• Earth Science
• English Language Arts
• Chemistry

The classes will be held on Aug. 13, 14, and 15, from 1-3 p.m. at BHS, 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

Register by Aug. 10 by calling the Batavia High School Counseling Office at 343-2480, ext. 2002.

The 17th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will be held at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility on Saturday, Oct. 20.

This event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association. Tickets are $30 per dinner and are available at the Athletic Directors Office at Batavia High School after Sept. 1.

Social Hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 then the induction ceremony.

Here are this year's inductees:

• Coleen Tooley Oleski -- Class of 1965
• Steve Frieday -- Class of 1968
• Rich Anderson -- Class of 1976
• Michele Smith Jones -- Class of 1982
• Gerry Carmichael -- 1983-2018
• Jon Sanfratello -- Class of 1992
• Ice Devils Hockey Team -- 1994-1995

For more information, please call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

Cynthia M. Mack, 51, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree criminal assault. She was arrested at 8 p.m. on July 20 on South Swan Street after she allegedly struck another person with an ashtray, causing injury. She was jailed without bail and was due back in City Court this afternoon (July 23). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Amy Marie Guiles, 47, of North Main St., Warsaw, is charged with second-degree harassment. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket following a report of a physical distrubance at an address on Route 19 in the Village of Bergen at 12:30 a.m. on July 7. The defendant allegedly struck the victim multiple times with closed fists. She is due in Town of Bergen Court on Aug. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Katlyn Marie Buzzell, 18, of Burke Drive, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. She was arrested at 2:17 p.m. on July 20 at a discount department store on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia. It is alleged that she stole property exceeding $1,000 while employed there. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth, assisted by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Lisa Darline Ayres, 52, of Garfield Street, Newark, is charged with: felony DWI -- with two prior convictions with the last 10 years; felony DWI -- operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; aggravated unlicensed operation in the firt degree; operating a motor vehicle without an interlock device; and refusing to take a breath test. Ayres was arrested following a traffic stop on McGregor Road in the Town of Darien at 11:06 p.m. on July 21. In addition, she is charged with: unsafe turn without signal; interferance with safe operation when passing on the left, and failure to yield the right on way on a left turn. She was arrainged in Town of Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. Ayres is due in Town of Darien Court on July 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

Kaitlin Marie Penko, 22, of Ocean Reef, Willoughby, Ohio, is charged with: DWI; aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or more; failure to dim headlights; obstructed plate, stopping or standing on a highway. She was arrested at 11:35 p.m. on July 22 on Colby Road in Darien following an investigation into a vehicle stopped on the roadway. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due on Town of Darien Court on Aug. 21. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Ricki Leigh Nersinger, 66, of Ireland Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or more, and following too closely. Nersinger was arrested after deputies responded to Route 5 in the Town of Pembroke at 10:22 p.m. on July 21 for a property damage accident. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on Aug. 28.

Jonathan Chris Shirley, 36, of Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal trespass. Shirley was arrested at 6:29 a.m. on July 21 following the complaint of a trespasser at an address on Bloomingdale Road. The defendant allegedly entered a dwelling twice unlawfully without the property owner's permission. The defendant was arraigned in Town of Alabama Court and jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. In addition, an order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim. The investigation was conducted by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young, Deputy Eric Meyer and Investigator Chad Minuto.

Jessica L. Deridder, 30, of 160 State St., Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest. She was arrested, arraigned and jailed without bail at 10:20 a.m. on July 17. It is alleged that on Ellicott Street in Batavia she ran from a Batavia Police Officer, knowing she was wanted for another crime. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Catherine Mucha, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Andre L. Dupra, 49, of Rochester, was arrested by troopers out of SP Batavia at 10:55 p.m. on July 21. He is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, and numerous traffic violations. Troopers stopped Dupra on Swan Street in the City of Batavia for failing to yield to oncoming traffic, a loud muffler, and no passenger side headlight. While speaking to Dupra, the operator, troopers allegedly detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Dupra was placed under arrest after failing multiple SFSTs and transported to SP Batavia where he refused to provide a breath sample.
Dupra was arraigned in the City of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance. Dupra is to return to the City of Batavia Court later in July.

Christina M. Kowalcyk, 48, of Fairway Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI -- first offense, and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more. She was arrested at 1 a.m. on West Main Street, Batavia. She was allegedly driving a vehicle that had a flat tire while she was intoxicated. A concerned citizen initially reported this to police. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is due in City Court on Aug. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszyzyk

Patricia L. Gertis, 58, of 48 Mt. View Drive, Arcade, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 12:25 p.m. on July 21 at Tops Friendly Market in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court July 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Catherine Mucha, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

A 16-year-old resident of Oak Street in Batavia was arrested and charged with petit larceny at 3 p.m. on July 13. It is alleged that the youth stole money from a cash register while working at Walmart. The defendant is due in Batavia Town Court on July 30 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Jennifer Ann Roskey, 37, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that at 5:18 p.m. on July 19 on South Main Street in Oakfield that the defendant violated a mandate of the court -- a stay away order of protection. She was issued an appearance ticket. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Jason A. McFollins, 40, of Union Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant and arraigned in City Court at 8:15 a.m. on July 22. He was jailed on $1,000 cash or bond and was due back in City Court this afternoon (July 23). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszyzyk.

Dekota Leiser, 26, of an unspecified address in Batavia, was arrested July 18 on a Wyoming Superior Court warrant after turning herself in at the Genesee County Jail in Batavia. She was transported back to Warsaw and put in Wyoming County Jail with no bail until the next court session for her arraignment. The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Investigator Aaron Anderson.

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the city at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue. One vehicle is blocking traffic. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: No injuries.

From the Batavia Police Department:

Found Cat

We found this beauty in the area of Elmwood Avenue in the city. The cat appears to be well-cared for which is why we think someone might be missing it. If anyone knows the owner, please call the Animal Shelter at 585-343-6410.

A car-pedestrian accident is reported at Main and Jackson streets in Downtown Batavia. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

A caller to dispatch says her children called her and said a male, unknown description since her children provided none, was looking into the windows of their home in the 3200 block of W. Main Street Road. He was last seen eastbound on foot on Route 5.

Sheriff's deputies are responding. The mother is returning home in her vehicle.

A two-vehicle accident is reported at Bank and Main streets in the city. One person has a leg injury. It is blocking traffic. City fire and Mercy medics are on scene.

A motorcycle vs. vehicle accident is reported at 4170 Batavia-Elba Townline Road. The location is between Pekin Road and Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A first responder asks that medics come in emergency mode. There are two patients.

A two-car head-on collision is reported at 1396 Main Road in Pembroke. The location is between Boyce Road and Alleghany Road. The driver of one of the vehicles has a head laceration; three others are "shaken up" but otherwise OK.

No word on injuries in the other vehicle. The accident is blocking traffic.

Law enforcement is en route. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with two ambulances, one from Mercy -- the second either Mercy or Darien. Mercy Flight is on standby.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: There are a total of two patients with minor injuries; one has a small head laceration; the other a leg injury.

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: Three patients were transported. This was not a direct head-on collision. A Ford Escape was westbound on Main Road when it veered into the eastbound lane and struck a Chevy Traverse; neither vehicle sustained significant damage. The Ford had damage to the passenger side; the Chevy had passenger front-end fender damage. A third, unspecified vehicle, was sideswiped in the collision but no one was injured. Two patients in the Ford Escape were transported to a hospital. The passenger in the Chevy was also taken by ambulance to a hospital.

Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello was on Route 262, heading to the barn fire on Terry Street in Byron when his unmarked SUV was struck by a van traveling on Byron Road. The impact pushed the unmarked vehicle into a utility pole.

No one was injured.

Sanfratello had his emergency lights flashing and siren blaring when he slowed at the intersection, but the van's continued through the intersection. The male driver of the van was evaluated at the scene and released. Three dogs that were traveling in the van with him were likewise uninjured.

A memorial at the utility pole that was struck -- to two Byron-Bergen School students killed in a crash at that intersection years ago -- was "obliterated."

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Reader Valerie Patrick informs us that the memorial was for two students -- Christopher and Victoria Claus.

A working barn fire is reported at 6866 Terry St. in Byron. It is almost on the ground and smoke can be seen from the Town of Batavia. There are several exposures and trees are said to be catching on fire.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with mutual aid from Bergen, Elba and the City's Fast Team. It has gone to a second alarm.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: All responding units to Terry Street are told by command "to back it down."

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The residents at the property where the barn is located were not home at the time. The mother of one of the residents said a young couple passing by rescued a cat that was inside the barn, which was a small two-story wooden structure.

Notre Dame High School sophomores Benjamin Streeter and Krysta Hansen, as well as junior Maddie Payton -- local leaders in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry -- have just returned from the annual Reality Check Youth Summit at Cazenovia College in Central New York.

During leadership workshops and teambuilding exercises with 150 other youth from around the state they made plans for raising awareness in their own communities about the impact tobacco marketing has on youth.

“The average age of a new smoker in New York is just 13 years old, and no one wants to see a kid start smoking,” Maddie said.

“It seems like tobacco companies are trying to deceive kids with packaging that looks like candy and thousands of flavors that appeal to kids like strawberry and bubble gum,” Krysta said.“The more kids see tobacco the more likely they are to start smoking. And we’re here to say we’ve seen enough tobacco in our communities.”

“Tobacco companies put most of their marketing in stores where 75 percent of teens shop at least once a week,” Benjamin said. “We’re speaking out in our communities and all across the state to protect youth from tobacco marketing and the dangers of tobacco use.”

Youth Demonstrated How Bright Colors, Tobacco Displays Appeal to Kids

During the Youth Summit, Reality Check members demonstrated how they believe tobacco companies’ deceptive marketing draws kids to tobacco products, using large displays of what would normally be considered kid-friendly items including large cutouts of:

• A kids’ birthday cake with cigarettes for candles, and a banner reading “The average age of a new smoker is 13”;
• A crayon box with cigarettes instead of crayons that reflect startling statistics about tobacco marketing and youth smoking;
• A claw machine filled with packs of cigarettes instead of stuffed animals and toys;
• An ice cream truck promoting tobacco product sales rather than ice cream sales; and
• Open packs of cigarettes on the blades of a working 8’ tall x 5’ wide mini-golf windmill.

At each demonstration, Reality Check youth explained how the supposed kid-friendly exhibits grab the attention of passersby just as the tobacco industry is grabbing youth’s attention with tobacco marketing in stores.

Reality Check empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.

The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education.

Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GLOW).

#SeenEnoughTobacco is an online campaign with the goal of safeguarding children from the billions of dollars of hard-hitting tobacco promotions in places where children see them.

Parents, community leaders and others interested in protecting youth are encouraged to learn more at SeenEnoughTobacco.org.

Press release:

The Genesee County STOP-DWI and Youth Bureau are having their Annual Night at the Ballpark on Wednesday, July 25^th at Dwyer Stadium.

The first 250 youth under 16 can get in free if they contact the Youth Bureau at 344-3960 to reserve tickets for the event.

Youth can come to the Youth Bureau to pick the tickets up or we will take their information and they can pick them up at the box office.

There will also be free Muckbucks to the first 60 youth, and more than 500 prizes and giveaways on hand. There will also be two bikes from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle given away, one for a boy and one for a girl.

There will be educational booths on hand, including one with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office with child ID kits. A juggler will be on hand as well for the kids’ entertainment.

Genesee County’s #1 crime fighting K-9 will be there to assist with the first pitch!

All of this is made possible from our wonderful sponsors and contributors: GCASA, Genesee County Sheriff’s Association, Kiwanis Club of Batavia, United States Gypsum Co., Batavia Lions Club, City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, Western New York Association of Chiefs of Police, Gerace Realty, Polish Falcons, Tops Friendly Markets, Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, and Alex’s Place.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05.

Press release:

Today, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced that a bill passed earlier this year aimed at helping local breweries, wineries and distilleries attain tax-exempt status when doing various sampling events in New York State (A.11203) will be amended to become congruent with current law.

Under the current version of the bill, a portion of the legislation restricts anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 from serving alcohol, which is contrary to current state law. Hawley announced the legislature has agreed to pass a chapter amendment resolving this issue before the bill is signed into law.

“It is extremely important to our producers, wineries, distilleries and breweries, who host many tasting and sampling events, that employees under the legal drinking age are still allowed to work at these events,” Hawley said. “Furthermore, this legislation provides a great boost to local businesses and tax credits will be available to New York producers who offer tastings on their own premises.

"I hope these sales tax exemptions will help boost economic growth in our state and encourage new businesses to open here as well. The bill will not be sent to the governor until the end of the year, but I’m pleased by its widespread support. I’d like to thank the sponsors of this legislation for dedication to helping and promoting our state’s businesses.”