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Press release:

Are you a foodie who loves to cook and aims to learn more about this craft? Under the aegis of freshLAB, Batavia Development Corporation is co-hosting a Foodie Challenge with the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Deemed the official start to recruiting aspiring restaurateurs for freshLAB, this one-day challenge will offer kitchen access and chef mentoring by Chef Tracy Burgio, the certified Culinary Arts Instructor at the Batavia CTE Center.

The Foodie Challenge is limited to 25 participants from seasoned cooks to homemakers who are encouraged to share sweet and savory flavors.

During the competition, a Selection Committee will taste all flavors in order to offer top competitors free tuition to an upcoming restaurant ownership Boot Camp that will take place at the freshLAB facility in Batavia. This boot camp will offer a series of restaurant ownership workshops taught by industry experts, which includes two more juried tastings. The boot camp is set to begin in October and will run until January.

“I challenge students and feel this awesome project is an extension of our approach in the classroom,” said Chef Burgio.

Interested in participating in the Foodie Challenge? A few notable twists add interest to the challenge:

1. You must be a “Spirited Foodie” -- which is defined as a courageous person who seeks new food experiences.

2. The Spirited Foodie must source at least one ingredient regionally to prepare the recipe.

No professional cooking experience necessary, only a good recipe and a $25 entry fee. Bring your own ingredients; any necessary cooking equipment will be provided along with chef guidance. Register online at www.freshLABBatavia.com. 

The deadline to enter is Sept. 9. Each Food Challenge entry will be provided one free guest admission to the ticketed tasting evening event on Sept. 23. Tickets to this event are $20 per person and may be purchased at www.freshLABBatavia.com

All recipes must be prepared at Batavia CTE Center commercial kitchen on Sept. 23. Student porters will be enlisted to help navigate the kitchen efficiently. Foodie Challenge entrants must prepare 150 two- to four-ounce samples.

A ticketed tasting event will cap off the evening. Proceeds will benefit the Batavia CTE Center Culinary Arts Club. Ticketed guests will cast their votes for his/her favorite sweet or savory sample, which will be granted the People’s Choice Award.

This event will take place at the Batavia CTE Center from 5-7 p.m. following the competition. Tickets to this event are $20 per person and may be purchased at www.freshLABBatavia.com.

“Creative business ideas set companies apart,” commented Steve Pies, board director for Batavia Development Corporation. “We’re looking for flavors not available in Batavia. There’s a huge opportunity for the right concept.”

Pies is referencing the Clue Group market research indicating Genesseeans spend $12,400,000 to eat and drink outside the area every year. freshLAB was conceived to tap that immense market potential, strengthening the local industry to keep dining dollars local. The Foodie Challenge is what the business world would call “ideation,” a way to churn unique ideas.

The Foodie Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Batavia Development Corporation, Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, Batavia Business Improvement District and the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Questions regarding the Foodie Challenge may be directed to Julie Pacatte at the Batavia Development Corporation at (585) 345-6380. Registration form available online at www.freshLabBatavia.com.

Town of Batavia Fire Department took delivery of a new ladder truck this week and it should go into service within a couple of weeks.

Ladder 22 is the second ladder truck for the fire department, will be housed at Station 2, and become a primary response apparatus on many calls, said Paul Barrett, a past chief who was chairman of the committee overseeing this purchase.

The truck replaces two pieces of equipment, a tanker sold a couple of years ago in anticipation of buying this truck, and an engine that was recently sold.

"If you have to do a rescue, it's a two-fold piece of equipment," Barrett said. "It's got engine company equipment on it. We can do all your engine-type work and also truck work. So it's like a combination piece for us."

Town of Batavia already had Ladder 25, which remains at Station #1. That truck has a 100-foot ladder with a bucket. Ladder 22 is a 75-foot straight stick. 

With growth on the east side of Batavia, from new housing to the ag park, along with calls to College Village, the new ladder will help improve the department's capabilities for the kinds of situations they might face.

"With its versatility and with it being in a single axle, it's shorter than the other truck or ladder truck, which will allow us to get into places that we wouldn't be able to get the other," said Chief Dan Coffey.

It cost $830,000 and acquiring it was a three-year-long project, including a year from the time the custom-built truck was ordered until delivery.

The truck carries 480 gallons of water and 20 gallons of Class A foam. It can pump 1,500 gallons per minute.

Training for firefighters on the new truck starts this week. Once training is completed, it can be placed in service.

Night photo by Paul Barrett.

The champions of the inaugural season of the Lady Irish Men's Basketball League is 585 Showtime after the squad beat Hickory 70-58 at Notre Dame High School yesterday.

Members of 585 Showtime: Jalen Smith, Justin Washington, Ballard Maye, Dashawn Suber, Tajzay Powell, David Andrews, Chezeray Rolle, Adam Brasky and Ryan Hogan.

Smith led all scorers with 36 points.

Billy Brown Sr., 34, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment, 1st, criminal contempt, 1st, criminal mischief, 4th, criminal contempt, 2nd, and coercion, 2nd. Brown was charged following a report of a domestic incident at 9:14 p.m. Aug. 14 on Walnut Street. Brown allegedly fled into the swamp area near Walnut and was tracked by Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro. Brown was located and taken into custody without incident. He was jailed without bail.

Brian K. Dyer, 50 of North Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd. At 8:49 p.m. on Aug. 14, Batavia PD responded to a location on North Street for a report of a landlord-tenant dispute. Dyer was arrested for allegedly threatening a tenant with a wood dowel and attempting to strike the tenant with the dowel.

Dashawn A. Suber, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for a court appearance.

Katelyn C. Kubala, 28, of Meadow Lane, Attica, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for a court appearance. Kubala posted bail and was released.

Kodey R. Mills, 24, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Mills is accused of damaging a sign on the side of the road in front of a business on West Main Street, Batavia.

Christopher P. Sullivan, 37, of South Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for court. 

Grayson J. Finnin, 21, of Old Buffalo Road, Warsaw, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for a court appearance.

Keyanna L. Gibson, 19, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Gibson is accused of scratching another person during a dispute on Maple Street, Batavia. That person is under 17 years of age.

Barbara E. Ferrando, 45, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Ferrando was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at 12:25 p.m. on Aug. 13 at a location on Summit Street, Batavia.

Steffon G. Philip, 31, of Lyell Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for court. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Maurillio Osorio-Carreno, 33, of South Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for court.

Travis A. Weatherbee, 30, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in court.

Terry Lee Lamere, 52, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for court.

Ernest D. Lane, 59, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, and aggravated family offense. Lane was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 1 p.m., Friday. He was jailed without bail.

Lee A. Baxter, 33, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Baxter is accused of sending text messages to a person in violation of a court order. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Olivia Marie Lyons, 24, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with petit larceny. Lyons is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

An accident with injuries is reported in the eastbound lane of the Route 490 at mile marker 1.

Le Roy fire and Bergen fire dispatched.

Dispatchers have received only one call on the accident.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Minor injuries, if any.

UPDATE 11:31 p.m.: The vehicle is about 50 feet in the swamp.

UPDATE 11:41 p.m.: Tow company will check on the vehicle. If they can't extract it tonight, they'll come back in the daylight to remove it.

A two-car accident with entrapment and injuries is reported on Route 77 in front of the Flying J, Pembroke.

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire dispatched.

Two ambulances requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:12 p.m.: Two people entrapped, including the driver. The other in a backseat. All other occupants out of the vehicles.

UPDATE 11:15 p.m.: Ambulance from Darien requested, non-emergency.

UPDATE 11:26 p.m.: First patient extricated.

UPDATE 11:27 p.m.: Second patient extricated.

A car has reportedly stuck a tree and at least one person is entrapped with possible serious injuries in the area of 321 Bovee Road, Bergen.

Begen fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE: We heard no more traffic on this call. It was actually in Monroe County (though still Bergen's district). It's not likely we'll have any further updates.

Two of the Sheriff's Office longest-serving members retired yesterday, John Dehm and Barb Eddy (pictured with Undersheriff Greg Walker and Sheriff Bill Sheron).

Dehm started with the Sheriff's Office in June 1980. By then, he'd earned a degree from Buffalo State in Criminal Justice and scored second on the deputy's exam. After a short stint at Genesee Community College as a security guard, then-Sheriff Roy Wullich called him for a job, assigning him, as was the case with all new deputies who hadn't yet been through the academy, to guard duty in the jail.

He worked road patrol until 1993 when he became the agency's youth officer, a job he described as both richly rewarding and stressful.

"I might still be part of interacting with the Child Advocacy Center to see that that's carried out and that the cases of child sexual abuse are handled in the correct way," Dehm said. "I really believe it takes special training in order to investigate those types of offenses. A lot of compassion and we have a team, not only just one person, we have a whole team of experts who collaborate together to make sure the best outcome prevails."

In 1989, Dehm was trained in forensic interviews, a skill that was a major part of his job as a youth officer.

"One of my passions is getting sex offenders," Dehm said.

When Dehm started as a youth officer, the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program was still active and that was a big part of his job in the beginning, but becoming certified as a DARE officer wasn't easy. He had to travel to Albany, be interviewed by multiple people to ensure he was the right caliber for the job and pass a test.

"I actually see many of my students who are probably now  36 or 37 years old and they still say 'Hi' to me," Dehm said, "to this day. It was a wonderful experience working directly with the kids."

In retirement, he's still going to be working with kids. This fall, he starts a job as a security aide at John Kennedy School.

"I think with all the skills I have as a youth officer, I think I'm going to be able to use those skills and my talents as a youth officer to the advantage of the kids in that school," Dehm said.

While Dehm, a father of three adult children and stepfather to an 18-year-old daughter, anticipates having more time to do things around the house and spend more time with his wife, he isn't giving up on his other passion -- scuba diving.

For years, he and his partners (other men in law enforcement) have run a scuba business. It's something he still enjoys and thinks he's good at, he said.

"I've been scuba diving for 40 years," Dehm said. "I've been doing a dive business fo over 20. We do underwater video photography. I think my skills are pretty sharp underwater. We can tell how different things work for different municipalities and assisting in whatever underwater things that they need. And any infrastructure that needs to be inspected."

Dehm, a 1975 graduate of Notre Dame High School, said he also looks forward to spending more time outdoors -- hiking, biking, camping, and he would really like to delve more into photography. (He's been documenting various Sheriff's Office events for a few years.)

Barb Eddy's law enforcement career actually started with the FBI in its Buffalo office; but having been raised in Bethany and attending Alexander schools, she missed Genesee County.

"Obviously, the FBI was a great job but my my heart wasn't in the City of Buffalo," Eddy said. "My brother (a deputy sheriff) said a typist job was open at the Sheriff's Office and he said, 'You should apply.' "

So she did. She was actually the first person interviewed for a job by the new sheriff, Doug Call.

"He kind of laughed because he said 'you've got an FBI background already so we don't have to do a background check,' " she recalled.

Eddy was hired as a typist in 1981 and soon promoted to clerk typist. 

Through the '80s, Eddy was very involved in her community, including the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department; so in 1990, making the move to dispatch seemed like a good fit for her.

"I've always enjoyed the fire service and what they do and that's where my heart was and I decided that's where I needed to be," Eddy said.

It's been a very rewarding job, she said.

"The main thing that I like about dispatch is that every day I come here into the office, I know I'm going to help someone," Eddy said. "You know it's not always the tragedies, the horrible things of having a baby not breathing on the other end, or a person screaming that their child isn't breathing, or their loved one isn't breathing.

"Those are the things I'm going to choose to kind of block out of my memory. It's the simple things, just knowing that I'm helping someone, even if it's finding a phone number or an address or whatever. It's just knowing that every day I walk in here I'm helping someone in the community that needs help."

Eddy also thinks she's leaving the 9-1-1 Center in capable hands.

"There's a younger group coming up through the ranks and they're doing a great job," Eddy sadi. "They're trained very well. The Sheriff makes sure that they are trained. They're doing a very good job."

She's retiring after 36 years and her husband retired two years ago as a State Police dispatcher. They're looking forward to time for family and travel and returning to some of the community involvement she's had to set aside for a few years. 

"Since I took my promotion as a senior dispatcher, I've been working the three-to-seven shift so I've lost track of some things that I really enjoy with my community," Eddy said. "I've been involved in the Alexander Fire Department and I'm also with the Boy Scouts. I got involved with the Boy Scouts because my son is an Eagle and I am lucky enough to be able to continue with that and be the liaison with the Fire Department, which sponsors the scouts."

And then there is the chance to get back involved with music.

"I did play an instrument when I was in high school and I haven't touched it since," Eddy said. "I thought about that maybe some singing or some music, some things that I haven't done in quite a long time and I might actually have time for now."

She is going to miss working at the Sheriff's Office though. It's like family, she said.

"After all, sometimes you spend more time here than with your own family," Eddy said. "I just love the people I work with and I'm going to miss them. But I might become the coffee guy now, you know. I can be the girl who calls up and says, 'You've been here 12 hours -- you need a cup of coffee?' "

Jenny Kalancer and Gary Harding draw tickets for the chance raffle at a fundraiser in Pavilion today to benefit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Besides the chance auction, there was a 50/50 drawing, vendors, and a BBQ.

Kalancer said suicide prevention is an issue near and dear to her family's heart because her brother took his own life in 2000.

"We want people to know that it’s OK to not be OK," Kalancer said. "We want them to know there are resources for people, people just to talk to and get them help."

Press release:

In the last few days since the events of August 11 and 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia, we have found ourselves horrified by the hate and fear that was on full display by the white supremacists of those events. It was surreal to see people motivated by hate of others and a sense of superiority be armed and organized in public in the 21st century in a country that strives to provide liberty and justice for all and not just for certain groups.

We found ourselves as Christian pastors wondering how to respond to such hate and violence in the way of Jesus. It is easy to succumb to feelings of hate and to our desire to eliminate those who threaten to harm others. But the way of Jesus calls us to nonviolent resistance that holds the possibility for transformation for all.

So we invite you to join us in condemning any ideology or religious claims that promote racism and hate. Any person who says that there is one race that is better than another is in direct defiance of God’s will for diversity and harmony. We also invite you to join us in recommitting ourselves to working for justice and peace in our community in ways that do not turn us into the evils we are trying to resist.

We have to be intentional in our efforts to never fall into the trap of using violence and hate as means to resist them. We will be holding a prayer vigil for peace and justice on Thursday, August 24 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA at 301 North Street in Batavia.

We are grateful that the YWCA will be hosting this event as part of their commitment to eliminate racism. We hope that you will join us to unite our hearts to dedicate our lives once more to the ways of love.

A bicyclist was seriously injured this morning in an accident on Route 5 in Le Roy after the cyclist allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

The cyclist was struck by a vehicle at 8:17 a.m.

Darwin G. Matthews, 73, of Le Roy, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Le Roy Ambulance with serious physical injuries. 

The driver of the vehicle, a 2003 PT Cruiser, Megan L. Furr, was treated at the scene and released.

The accident is being investigated by Sgt. Jason Saile, Investigator Chad Minuto, Deputy Andrew Hale, Deputy Lonnie Nati, Le Roy PD Officer Emily McNamara. 

Le Roy Fire Department also responded.

An early-morning, one-vehicle accident on Route 19 in Bergen caused a utility poll to fall and damage a 2000 Harley-Davidson and a pickup truck parked at a residence.

There were no injuries reported.

Kenneth Richardson, age not provided, of Warboys Road, Byron, was southbound in a 2008 Chevy sedan when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle. It rotated clockwise, traveling off the west shoulder of the road, striking a mile marker sign, then continuing south and hitting a National Grid utility pole. The pole broke, causing damage to the motorcycle and a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado.

The accident report indicates Richardson may have been traveling at an unsafe speed.

The accident, which occurred at 3:11 a.m., was investigated by Deputy Travis Demuth.

It was Foxprowl Night at the Batavia Muckdogs game at Dwyer Stadium last night. Foxprowl co-Owner Bill Hume threw out the first pitch.

Above, Wade Webster as Deadpool and Brenden Gillard as Starlord.

Joy Hume with ET and Alexa Myers, director of marketing for Dolce Panepinto, which also had a booth set up at the game.

Genesee Cancer Assistance held its annual gofl and bocce ball tournament at Batavia Country Club yesterday. This year, in memory of Joe Gerace, one of the agency's founders and a tireless supporter and volunteer.

There were 97 golfers and 18 bocce ball players, plus 30 volunteers, on hand for the festivities.

The event raised more than $15,000 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Photos and information submitted by Kayla Underwood.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee hosted its fourth annual Children's Carnival in Austin Park today, with local agencies providing crafts, games and activities for local families.

Press release:

Today, Aug. 18, Batavia City Council Libertarian Candidates Lisa Whitehead, Mark Potwora and James Rosenbeck submitted ballot petitions totaling 378 signatures. That is more than double the requirement set by the Board of Elections. A total of 378 Batavians say "Change the Direction in This Election."

Thank You to those who signed, without your support this would not have been possible. Lisa, Mark and Jim will continue to visit with Batavians to hear your concerns and work with you to shape a financially responsible direction for the City of Batavia. Please learn more at www.facebook.com/Liberty4Batavia.

A fire with flames showing is reported at 3 McKinley Ave., Batavia.

The fire is reportedly in the bathroom.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: Fourth Platoon requested to headquarters.

UPDATE 9:34 a.m.: Command reports "the situation is under control; beginning overhaul."

UPDATE 10:30 a.m.: City fire's response time was under two minutes and Chief Steve Napolitano said the city crew's fast, aggressive action saved the house. “The guys put a good knock on the fire and confined it to the room of origin," he said. A grandfather and two grandchildren were home at the time the fire was discovered. They safely evacuated before fire crews arrived. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

UPDATE: Photos by Frank Capuano.

About 50 kids took part in the 2017 Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Summer Basketball Camp this week at John Kennedy School. The young players came to the camp from throughout the county.

Photo submitted by James Fazio.

Press release: 

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend the Labor Day holiday and the end of summer celebrating with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Aug. 18th and will end on Sept. 4th. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.

According to new data released by NHTSA, the nation lost 35,092 people in traffic crashes in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities with a 7.2-percent increase in deaths from 2014. The data showed a 3.2-percent increase in drunk driving fatalities, resulting in 10,265 deaths in 2015, compared to 9,943, in 2014. The vast majority of drivers involved in these crashes were behind the wheel of a passenger car or SUV.

The STOP-DWI Labor Day Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from our STOP-DWI Foundation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol- and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

A residence at 404 S. Jackson St., Batavia, that was destroyed in a fire March 8 is finally coming down.

A demolition crew started its work this afternoon.

One worker said there have been people coming by today and applauding their work.

The bank that took possession of the property is paying for the demolition.

UPDATE: Photo by Steve Ognibene: