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Town of Batavia renews declaration of State of Emergency for up to 30 days due to COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Public Notice

Town of Batavia State of Emergency Declaration

A State of Emergency was declared in the TOWN OF BATAVIA, effective at 6 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2020.

This State of Emergency has been declared due to the existing and continuing declared States of Emergency at the Federal, State, County, and City of Batavia, related to the COVID-19 virus.

This situation threatens the public safety.

This State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days or until rescinded by a subsequent order.

As the Chief Executive of TOWN OF BATAVIA, County of Genesee, State of New York, I, Gregory H. Post, exercise the authority given me under Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, to preserve the public safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of this Municipality.

I hereby direct all departments and agencies of TOWN OF BATAVIA to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary.

Gregory H. Post,

Town of Batavia Supervisor

Aug. 15, 2020

Genesee County has one new case of COVID-19 today

By Billie Owens

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Pembroke.
    • The positive individual is in their 60s.
    • The individual was not mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Twenty-five new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
    • Two of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
       
  • Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • Seven new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

City police ask for public's help on information related to car-into-house accident yesterday on East Avenue

By Billie Owens

Regarding the car-into-house accident yesterday shortly before 8 p.m., City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch says:

"We have received several inquiries regarding an update from the car/house accident last evening at 20 East Ave. At this time the incident is still under investigation and no further info will be released.

"We are asking that if any member of the public has any information to contact our dispatch center at 345-6350, and ask to speak with a supervisor, or call the confidential tip line at 345-6370."

The chief said media will be updated with future developments as they become available.

Previous report: Car strikes house, East Ave closed

Car vs. pedestrian accident reported on Walnut Street in the city

By Billie Owens

 A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at 21 Walnut St. The victim is breathing and alert, complaining of leg pain, according to a first responder on scene. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between South Main Street and Walnut Place.

Just Kings host drive-thru BBQ on Harvester Avenue until sold out

By Billie Owens

Just Kings, the newly formed group dedicated to achieving equality and racial justice in Batavia and Genesee County, is hosting a drive-thru cookout starting at noon Saturday, Aug. 22, until sold out.

It will be at 25 Harvester Center in the City of Batavia. Cost is $12 for a dinner with two sides.

Choose BBQ or pulled pork. Side dishes (you get two) are mac & cheese, collard greens or potato salad. You can get an additional side for $2 extra.

Dessert of banana pudding or sweet potato pie available for $3.

Event Date and Time

Sixteen GC students earn degrees from RIT

By Billie Owens

Rochester Institute of Technology conferred some 4,000 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2019-2020 academic year. A virtual celebration was held May 8 at rit.edu/classof2020.

The following Genesee County residents received degrees:

Marissa Dispenza, of Batavia, received a BS in Chemical Engineering;

Cody Zajaczkowski, of Le Roy, received a BS in Packaging Science;

Emma Riggi, of Le Roy, received a BS in New Media Marketing;

Samantha Porter, of Le Roy, received a BS in Psychology;

Elisha Muir, of Corfu, received a BS in Museum Studies;

Sarah Nati, of Corfu, received a BS in Applied Arts and Sciences;

Pradeep Kumar Molkhere, of East Bethany, received an MS in Manufacturing and Mechanical Systems Integration;

Jeanette Elia, of Batavia, received a BS in Business Administration-Accounting and an MS in Accounting;

Olivia Fox, of Alexander, received a BS in Applied Arts and Sciences;

Jeremy Boyle, of Batavia, received a BS in Supply Chain Management;

Kiera Gross, of East Bethany, received a BS in Computational Mathematics;

Katelyn Hersee, of Batavia, received a BS in Business Administration-Accounting;

Michelle Miller, of East Bethany, received a BFA in Industrial Design;

Chelsea Mountain, of Batavia, received a BS in Industrial Engineering and an ME in Engineering Management;

Allen Snyder, of Darien Center, received a BS in Mechanical Engineering;

Dennis Bleier, of Batavia, received an MS in Computer Engineering.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

Law and Order: Byron man accused of burglary, Oakfield woman accused of stalking

By Billie Owens

Paul William Tuttle, 49, of Route 237, Byron, is charged with: second-degree burglary; fourth-degree criminal mischief; and petit larceny. At 4 a.m. on Aug. 17 Tuttle was arrested following an investigation. It is alleged that Tuttle damaged and stole property after entering a residence unlawfully on Sautell Road in Bergen at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 16. He was virtually arraigned at Genesee County Jail on behalf of Bergen Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due in Bergen Town Court on Oct. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Melissa Dawn Woods, 39, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with fourth-degree stalking. On Aug. 16, Woods was arrested after a harassment complaint alleging that she stalked someone at 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 14 on Alleghany Road in Alabama. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on her own recognizance. Woods is due in Alabama Town Court on Sept. 28. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Brice Addison Lehtonen, 23, of Fargo Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely; and refusal to take a roadside breath test. Lehtonen was arrested at 2:13 a.m. Aug. 15 on South Lake Road in Pembroke following an accident investigation. He allegedly drove while intoxicated and went off the roadway on South Lake Road. He was issued an appearance ticket for Pembroke Town Court and is due there Sept. 30. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Gage Scott Oliver, 28, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; and having an inadequate headlight. Oliver was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Town of Le Roy at 9:52 p.m. Aug. 16. He was issued traffic tickets returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on Oct. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Clor, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Pair of big rigs crash at Ellicott Street near Harvester

By Billie Owens

Two tractor-trailers collided in the area of Ellicott Street and Harvester Avenue in the city. Unknown injuries. One of the semis may be on fire. City fire, police and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: A first responder says smoke is coming from under the hood of one of the trucks.

UPDATE 4:49 p.m.: Traffic will be redirected at Ellicott and Swan streets. Both rigs have Ontario, Canada plates.

UPDATE 4:53 p.m.: No injuries; small amount of fluids leaking -- hazmat response not needed, says command, adding that one lane of traffic remains open.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Two heavy-duty tows will be needed; both trailers are fully loaded with cargo. One vehicle is out of its lane. It appears it was following too closely and either swerved to try and avoid the collision, or the impact of the collision pushed it into the other lane.

Dog locked in Dodge minivan outside food entrance at Walmart

By Billie Owens

A dog is locked inside a Dodge minivan outside Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive, in the fourth parking row from the food entrance. The plate returns to a Dellinger Avenue address in the city. An animal control officer is responding.

It's 73 outside and somewhat muggy today.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: The officer went through the parking lot a couple of times, but was unable to locate the minivan and is back in service.

Class Six goes the distance in Batavia Open pace

By Billie Owens

Photo: Driver Drew Monti pushes Class Six into the lead to win the race.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The third time was the charm for Class Six who scored his first top-class victory in three Batavia Downs tries after he won the $8,500 Open I pace on Saturday (Aug 15).

Drew Monti pushed Class Six off the gate and to the lead where he would stay the entire mile. After getting to the half in :58.2, Under Paid (Denny Bucceri) launched a mild bid on the outside going to three-quarters, but never got close enough to contend and Class Six rimmed the final bend and headed down the lane. Iluvtomakemoney (Ray Fisher Jr.) who sat the garden spot for 7/8ths of the mile, popped the pocket and made a run, but that was futile as well and Class Six held on to win in 1:55.1. 

It was the fourth win of the year for Class Six ($7.70) who is owned by Eric Prevost and trained by Sabrina Shaw. 

In the $7,500 Open II pace, Western Conquest (Ray Fisher Jr.) also took advantage of the night’s front-end bias and went gate to wire with little opposition and denied the heavily favored Atlantis (Jim Morrill Jr.) at the wire in 1:57.1.

It was the second win in three starts and the fourth win of the year for Western Conquest ($17), owner Tanah Merah Farms and trainer Ryan Swift.

Several horsemen had a multiple win night led by Shawn McDonough who drove three winners while also training two of them. Billy Davis Jr. had a driving hat trick ahead of Jim Morrill Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. who each scored two pilot victories. Trainers Ryan Swift and Jim Clouser Jr. both sent two horses to the Purple Haze winner’s enclosure. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 19) at 5 o'clock.

Rollover accident reported in Corfu

By Billie Owens

A rollover accident is reported at 8814 S. Lake Road, Corfu. The occupant is out of the vehicle. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. Mercy medics are called to the scene in non-emergency mode for evaluation of the driver.

The location is between Scribner and Cohocton roads.

UPDATE 2:28 a.m.: The accident site is in the 8900 block of South Lake Road. A first responder says it has resulted in "a large power outage" in the vicinity. An electrical power box is "shattered and the wires are coming out of it and loose," says command at the scene. National Grid will be notified.

Motorcyclist down in roadway after colliding with car on Alleghany Road in Corfu, roadway shut down

By Billie Owens

A motorcyclist is seriously injured and down in the roadway after a collision with a vehicle at 9114 Alleghany Road, Corfu. Mercy Flight is called to the scene, ETA three minutes. Corfu, Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

The location is between Cohocton Road and "Corfu Plaza." Fire Police are asked to shut down the roadway at routes 5 and 77 and routes 5 and 33.

UPDATE 9:14 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne with the patient to Erie County Medical Center.

Batavia-based Graham Corp. lands $11M contracts for three oil-refining projects in Asia

By Billie Owens

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a Batavia-based global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, on Thursday announced that it secured $11 million in orders for three oil-refining projects in Asia.

Two projects are in Southeast Asia while the largest project is the first large order received in India by the Company and is with a new customer.

James R. Lines, Graham’s president and chief executive officer, said, “We believe our effective execution on strategy and our consultative selling platform enabled us to capture these awards during a period of intense competition and focus on price.

"We believe that our decision to localize in India provided us the opportunity to successfully compete on that project and is also keeping the bid pipeline in that country quite active. We continued to leverage our global fabrication supply chain where appropriate in order to compete effectively, and we stayed engaged throughout the nearly two year pipeline cycle with both buyers and end users to ensure we addressed their requirements.”

Robert C. Marquart

By Billie Owens

Robert C. Marquart, of Darien, NY, was called home on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at age 92.

He was the loving husband of 70 years to his wife, Boots.

Bob was a hobby farmer of 110 acres at the “dwelling place.” He loved nature and was an avid coin and pulley collector. He was very much loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Bob was predeceased by six siblings and his grandson Seth.

Bob is survived by his wife, Boots, his three daughters, Cindy (Jerry) Morrison, Claudia (Jim) Morrison and Cathy (Jeff) Houseknecht; grandchildren, Danielle (Clarence) Francis, Justin (Amanda) Morrison, Anson Arenas, Molly Morrison-Jolliff, Emily (Tim) Douglas, Elizabeth (Randy) Felski and Hannah (Sean) Congdon; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A private service will be held at a later date for the family.

Memorials can be made to the American Lung Association or the Central City Cafe in care of Asbury Methodist Church, Buffalo, NY.

“Hands of steel, heart of gold."

Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary Inc., 4 E. Main St., Corfu, NY.

Tops Friendly Markets adds beer and other adult beverages to curbside and delivery service, must show driver's license

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Beginning this month, Tops Friendly Markets* began offering another 1,800 new reasons for its customers to use the convenience of curbside or home delivery -- the bonus of adding alcohol to their online order.

Order all your favorite beers, seltzers and more adult beverages online with Tops! Shop online, sit back and we’ll be at your door in as little as one hour!

“This digital evolution will bring an enhanced shopping experience for our customers, and sets Tops apart in the marketplace as the first retailer to offer this added convenience to its customers,” said Ed Rick, director, consumer marketing & digital for Tops.

Customers will be asked to provide a valid driver’s license in order to close out their order whether it is a curbside pickup or a home delivery. Deliveries will not be left at a customer’s residence until this transaction is completed.

Visit instacart.topsmarkets.com https://instacart.topsmarkets.com/store/tops-markets/departments/32211/aisles/173099 to schedule same day delivery or a pickup order now!

*Available in NYS Tops Grocery Pick Up & Delivery stores only.

Get ready to take center stage: local dance studio accepting students for 2020-21 season

By Billie Owens

The Center Stage Dance Company is proudly accepting new families for 2020-21 dance season.

The studio is located at 214 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

For online registration details, text at (585) 344-5550 or visit in person at one of two upcoming registration events at the studio, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 26.

Visit the dance company's Facebook page to learn more.

Starting today, U.S. Census Bureau reps will be at Batavia Farmer's Market Thursdays and Fridays

By Billie Owens

U.S. Census Bureau representatives will be attending the Genesee Country Farmer's Market in Batavia on Thursdays and Fridays this month, starting today.

The outdoor public market is at Alva Place and Bank Street in the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District.

The census reps will be there Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.

The aim is to help attendees complete their online census surveys. Outreach efforts like this have been given a new deadline, the end of September, a full month short of the normal census taking timetable.

They plan to schedule their attendance in September, too, but the days and times are not yet determined.

The 2020 Census can be completed by online, by phone, or mail with a U.S. Census form. For FAQs, click here. The local agency spearheading the census here is the Genesee County Planning Department, phone is (585) 815-7901. To reach department Director Felipe Oltramari, email at:   Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us

A complete census is taken every 10 years and is vital for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is determining government funding levels for the next decade.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market @ The Downtown Batavia Public Market opened for the season June 5th and the season ends Friday, Oct. 30th.

Regular market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

In light of the current COVID-19 concerns, the Market has implemented enhanced public health guidelines to ensure the safety of Market customers and vendors. Social distancing is encouraged and the vendor stalls will be spaced accordingly. All customers and visitors of the market over the age of 2 years old must be wearing a mask to enter. 

The market participates in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), DUFB (Double-Up Food Bucks), NYS FreshConnect, WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) and Senior Farmer's Market Check programs.

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Genesee County Department of Planning
3837 W. Main Street Road
Batavia

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