Stories from

Multiple callers in the area of Cook Road and Creek Road, Alexander, have called dispatch to complain of a man in a maroon minivan going door-to-door selling vacuum cleaners.

He's reportedly pushy.

On New Year's Eve.

A deputy is dispatched to investigate.

A team coached by Buddy Brasky plays defense, but lockdown all you want, you've still got to score to win games.

The Blue Devils didn't do that very effectively Wednesday night in the Lions Tournament finale at Genesee Community College against University Prep.

The final score, 57-45 in U-Prep's favor.

"They're scoring 80 points a game and we held them in the 50s and we score 40 something," Brasky said. "You're not going to beat good teams scoring 40 something points."

There's no doubt, U-Prep is a good team. The Griffins' feature a 6'4" post player in Jeenathan Williams and an athletic guard in Isaiah Brinkley, and even with schemes designed to limit their scoring opportunities, Williams notched 23 points and Brinkley had 18.

Williams scored 14 points in the second half.

"We tried to lock him up," Brasky said. "Then Brinkley hit a couple of threes against the zone. That was another part of the game plan: Always know where he is, and close out hard on him, and make him put the ball on the ground. But you can't always find him."

For most of the first half, the game looked like it might be all Batavia.

The half ended with the Blue Devils up 12-4. Brasky thought the margin should have been bigger.

"We got that seven-nothing lead and then we missed three little easy chippies inside," Brasky said. "It could have been 15-4 or 18 to 4, so I thought that was a key part of the game right away."

The Griffins' rang up a surprising number of offensive fouls in the first quarter, which kept putting the ball back in Batavia's hands.

"That's one thing we take pride in," Brasky said. "We do take a lot of charges. But specifically for this game, yes, they look to put their head down and attack the paint. We really emphasize stepping in and taking charge and we did. We were hoping that would make them more tentative. I think it did that in the first quarter."

Brasky said he would need to review the game tape to see what changed either in the defense or U-Prep's offensive scheme to see why things turned around so dramatically in the second quarter when the Griffins' outscored Batavia 22-10.

Batavia's offense came primarily from Malachi Chenault, 13, Ryan Hogan, 10, Tee Sean Ayala, eight.

U-Prep's game plan seem to be to deny in the paint and let the Blue Devils fire away from beyond the arc. Batavia has gunners who can hit from that distance, but too few balls dropped in the bucket.

"I think the real story of the game is, we couldn't shoot," Brasky said. "Let's call a spade a spade. I mean, they packed the zone. They know Malachi and Jake are our two biggest weapons and they packed it in and didn't give us many looks. They gave us any shot we wanted on the perimeter and we couldn't hit many of them."

Batavia actually had five three-pointers compared to only two for U-Prep, but it wasn't enough.

In the paint, Chenault once again showed how much his grown since last season as a low post player, good footwork, fighting for position and attacking the glass. Several of his points came on offensive putbacks.

"He's a senior now," Brasky said. "That's number one. He's a three-year starter, and (Jeff) Redband's not here anymore and we need a go-to guy, so, yes, he's stepping up like a senior should. We talked about that in the off-season. He really worked hard on his game and he's really producing for us."

Batavia is now 7-1 and U-Prep is 7-3. Both are Class A2 teams, so a sectional meeting come postseason isn't out of the question. Brasky likes his team's chances against the Giffins if they work out the kinks with their shooting.

"We can play with them," Brasky said. "If we make some improvements, I think we can compete with them and I think we can beat them."

All-Tournament Team honors went to Tyler Prospero, Notre Dame, Tommy Mattison, Albion, Chenault, Batavia, Ayala, Batavia, and Brinkley, U-Prep. Williams, U-Prep, was named most valuable player.

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Here's a portion of a press release from Empire State Development about a series of grants recently approved.

Empire State Development today announced that its Board of Directors recently approved $101.1 million in economic development resources for 23 projects that are spurring growth and opportunity in every region of the state. The funding supports projects that are creating 634 new jobs and retaining 1,531 existing New York State jobs – many of which have already been created or retained. The approved assistance is leveraging more than $822 million in private investment and other public funding to support local businesses and projects that are strengthening local economies today, while building a strong foundation for future economic growth and job creation.

“The funding approved by the Board is supporting regionally significant projects that are fostering growth and creating new opportunities statewide,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “Whether it’s by aiding business expansion and retention, supporting local revitalization projects, or bolstering regional tourism, the funding approved today will boost economic activity from New York City to the Finger Lakes.”

...

Finger Lakes Region 
Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing (Finger Lakes Region - Genesee County) – $5,000,000
The Genesee County Industrial Development Agency, doing business as Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), will use a grant of up to $5,000,000 for the cost of land acquisition,  engineering, and soft costs related to infrastructure development for 1366 Technologies, Inc., the first tenant of the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Alabama, NY. 1366 Technologies is a solar energy company with an innovative approach to manufacturing the silicon wafers that are the building block of solar cells. The company chose the STAMP site out of 300 possible locations due to the site’s positive momentum and commitment to growing manufacturing interests. This project will be completed in August 2016 and aligns with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s plan in that it supports advanced technology and manufacturing and is identified as key to the region in the Industrial Development and Infrastructure category. 

Press release:

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is looking for a few good architects (We really need those!), historic district residents (And these!), historians, or volunteers who have significant interest in the commitment to historic preservation. 

If this sounds like you, and you are a City resident, submit your application today! 

The HPC works toward the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts in the City of Batavia. For about an hour a month you can help preserve our historic community.

Volunteer today to see the difference you can make! Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office or online at www.batavianewyork.com in the documents section. Get your application in before the end of January.

Some of the activity at our bird feeder this afternoon.

Volunteer firefighter David Beehler Jr., 37, was laid to rest today in Fairview Cemetery in Pavilion.

Beehler died Dec. 22 in an off-duty motor-vehicle accident on Fisher Road, Oakfield.

A former member of Pavilion Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a captain, Beehler was a member of the Elba Volunteer Fire Department at the time of his death.

Read his full obituary here.

University Prep and Batavia High School will vie for the Lions Tournament Championship on Wednesday following dominating victories in the opening round games Monday night at Genesee Community College.

U-Prep beat Notre Dame 80-36 behind Isaiah Brinkley's 20 points, with Joe McGrady adding 14 to go with 10 rebounds. For the Fighting Irish, Tyler Prospero had 13, Jordan Lyons had seven, and C.J. Suozzi, seven.

In the nightcap, the Blue Devils beat Albion 58-38. Off the bench, Tee Sean Ayala scored 15 points, all coming off of five three-pointers. Malachi Chenault scored 11, Adonis Davis, seven. For Albion, Tommy Mattison hit five three-pointers and scored 19 points.

Batavia is now 7-0 on the season.

U-Prep and Batavia will play at 8 p.m. Wednesday at GCC.

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We got a bit of snow in Batavia tonight, and it looks like it will keep falling until early morning. Then it's just cold and dreary for the next few days.

A rollover accident is reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 389.1

Unknown injuries. Not blocking.

Town of Batavia fire responding.

A chief responding reports the onramp is very slick.

UPDATE 10:21 p.m.: The rescue engine can remain in quarters.

With temperatures at or near freezing and the possibility of freezing rain or snow, the Genesee County Warming Shelter will be open tonight for women and children.

The shelter is located at the Methodist Church on Lewiston Road.

Batavia Cab Co. will be providing rides there from McDonald's on both East and West Main Street, from approximately 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Todd Allen Weigert, 20, of Helena Street, Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro responded to the 7-Eleven in Bergen at 12:16 p.m. Thursday following a complaint of people possibly using narcotics in the parking lot. An investigation led to an accusation that Weigert possessed a quantity of a suspected narcotic and paraphernalia.

Scott W. Froebel, 47, of Colby Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate stop lights and open container. Froebel was stopped at 9:26 p.m. Dec. 19 on Prospect Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Joshua M. Pierce, 20, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Pierce allegedly failed to appear in City Court on a traffic violation and an unlawful possession of marijuana charge. 

Shane Zimblis, 44, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Zimblis was arrested upon his release from the Wyoming County Jail, where he was held on unrelated charges. Zimblis is accused of contacting a protected individual in violation of an order of protection. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Fargo Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was arrested following a search of his vehicle at 12:01 a.m. Thursday by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Joshua Richard Nanni, 21, of Broadway Street, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful dealing with a minor, 1st. Nanni was charged following an investigation into a loud noise complaint at his residence at 6:08 p.m., Tuesday. He is accused of providing alcohol to persons under age 21. Also charged was Dylan Ricky LaFramboise, 21, of Broadway Street, Oakfield.

Duty Everett Casell, 24, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, no helmet, uninsured ATV. Caswell was arrested following the completion of an investigation into an accident at 7:55 p.m. Oct. 31 on South Main Street, Oakfield, involving an ATV. Caswell's ATV reportedly hit the rear end of a parked car. Caswell and his passenger were ejected from the ATV. Caswell allegedly fled the scene and located a short distance away. He was transported by an ambulance to an area hospital for medical treatment 

A white male has reportedly attempted a robbery at the Yellow Goose, 64 S. Main St., Elba.

The would-be robber "threatened with a gun," according to a dispatcher. He issued verbal threats only, the dispatcher said.

The suspect is described as a white male, brown hair, bangs straight across, wearing a dark blue jacket and a baseball cap.

It's unclear if the suspect received any cash or left empty-handed.

The suspect left on foot, unknown direction of travel.

Law enforcement responding.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: A deputy on scene reports, "no robbery here." He said a person told the clerk, "If somebody enters with a weapon, duck."

A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service out of Buffalo for tomorrow evening through Tuesday morning.

The forecast calls for sleet, freezing rain and perhaps snow, from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m..

Snow accumulations up to two inches are possible.

The combination of mixed winter precipitation will likely make untreated surfaces slippery and travel hazardous. Elevated surfaces, such as bridges and overpasses could freeze over.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with entrapment is reported in the area of 173 Main Road, Pembroke.

That's at the county line.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 10:27 p.m.: Wires may be down in the area.

UPDATE 10:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight is nearly on location. The patient is being extricated.

UPDATE 11:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight is about to go airborne to return to quarters.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: Reader submitted photos posted.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: A source shared that an 84-year-old driver is banged up but should be OK. The victim thinks he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

A two-car accident has been reported at the intersection of routes 33 and 237, Stafford.

Unknown injuries.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:01 p.m.: No injuries.

This slide show is a collection of some of the photos from 2015 of the fires, accidents, ceremonies and other events involving our first responders in 2015.

It was a year in which law enforcement responded to at least three incidents where officers' calm professionalism, despite the looming risk to their own safety, avoided rash action and prevented the situation from getting worse.

This year, we tragically lost a volunteer in the line of duty, and another had his life threatened, plus whether volunteers or paid personnel, these professionals have sacrificed time away from family, businesses and jobs to respond to both the routine and the difficult calls and they put in countless hours training.

We thank our first responders for keeping us safe and responding when we need them.

Merry Christmas from all of us at The Batavian.

Here are some pictures from yesterday evening of local Christmas lights, starting with the DiSalvos on Fargo Road, Stafford, followed by the Calls' place on Main Road, Stafford, a house on Naramore Drive, Batavia, Joe Gerace's place on Vine Street, Batavia, a house on Washington Avenue, two on Richmond Avenue, South Main Street, Batavia, then Elba, and finally, the window display for Charles Men's Shop, which won the BID window display contest.

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia, with the support of the Salvation Army, along with supporting volunteers handed out nearly 100 gift baskets to local families at the YWCA on Wednesday evening.

This is the first year local Kiwanians organized the holiday gift program for families identified through schools and social service agencies.

The holiday totes contained food, candy, toys, games and vouchers for a free turkey along with all the other fixings that go with a traditional Christmas Day dinner. The families also received a ready-made piecrust and the fillings for baking a pie. Children received winter gloves and a book donated by the Richmond Memorial Library. 

Santa visited and children could share their wishes for Christmas and the family will receive a free 8x10 print of the children with Santa.

Financial support game from numerous local businesses.

Pictured are some of the people who helped with the project. From left, front row, Jeanne Walton, Jacob Lewis, Pete Guppenberger, Patti Pacino, Mark Lewis; Middle row, Patricia Kurtz, Katie Landers, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Kristi Tretter, Jim Pacino, Mike Rimmer; Back row: Matt Landers, Cindy Baldwin, Jonathan Tretter.

Debra M. McKnight, 56, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. McKnight allegedly stole a wallet at Batavia Downs. McKnight was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Matthew Williams, 27, no residence provided, is charged with petit larceny. Williams is accused of stealing an ATV from a location on South Main Street, Elba. State Police say Williams noticed an ATV on private property and pushed it down a trail, where he filled it with gas and drove it away.

Maria L. Martinez, 20, no residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and controlled substance not in original container. Martinez was stopped by State Police on Route 237, Stafford, for allegedly speeding. Troopers say she was in possession of 32 diazepam pills in a plastic bag and nine grams of marijuana.

Michelle Blanche Alberico, 51, of Mapledale Acres, Barneveld, is charged with possession of 10,000 or more untaxed cigarettes, possession or transportation of untaxed cigarettes for sale, operator's view obstructed, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Alberico was stopped at 1:47 a.m. on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Andrew Hale. Alberico was allegedly in possession of 450 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.

Earle D. Webb Jr., 29, of Joseph Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal trespas,s 2nd. Webb allegedly broke the door and entered the residence of an acquaintance at 12:30 p.m. Friday at a location on Central Avenue, Batavia.

Mael L. Tomlin, 23, of Chase Parkway, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Tomlin is accused of pulling a woman's hair during an argument.

Joseph Matthew Mika, 18, of Pine Hollow Drive, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Mika is accused of sending harassing text messages to a female victim.

T.J Woodward, owner, with Matt Meyer and Timothy D. Woodward of Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc., load up not even two-thirds of the boxes containing donations for Stockings for Soldiers.

Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC, of Perry, and Marley Funeral Home, LLC, of Attica, also participated in the second annual Stockings for Soldiers.  

This year's contributions well surpassed last year’s contributions, with enough donations for more than 600 stockings, along with donations toward the cost of the shipment coming into the company's three locations.  

Stockings will be shipped to three different locations where U.S. troops are currently stationed.

Woodward would like to give a special thanks to Mr & Mrs. Tim Landers and Mr & Mrs. Jim Palermo for their donations toward shipping.

Photo and info submitted by T.J. Woodward.