If you drove past Oliver's this afternoon, you might have spotted a couple of Umpa Lumpas dancing around out front. By the time I got there, there was only one Umpa Lumpa left on shfit, but several Oliver's employees dressed up for Halloween. Above are Carey Hewitt as a dark angel, Jessica Henry as a bunny, Anna Liles as an Umpa Lumpa and Debbie Palmer as Lucy from her memorable shift in a chocolate factory.
Danielle Marie Stevens, 37, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unregistered vehicle. Stevens is accused of stealing a cookware set valued at $139.96 from Walmart. She is also accused of driving to Walmart while her license is suspended. Stevens was jailed on $1,000 bail.
Leonard Charles Millard, 56, of Highland Park, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Millard was arraigned in City Court and released on his promise to pay an installment of $100 by Friday and another $100 before his scheduled Dec. 5 court appearance.
Mary A. Brairton, 24, unknown residence, is charged with felony DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation. Brairton was arrested by State Police at 4:37 p.m. Monday on North Street, Batavia, in connection with an alleged incident reported at 2:44 p.m. Monday in the Town of Pavilion. No further details released.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently highlighted the newest problem with Governor Cuomo’s overreaching gun control law as another reason to repeal the measure. The State Police have confirmed that they will not begin tracking ammunition background checks and purchasing history on Jan. 15 as planned, due to their inability to compile a proper recording system by that time. Hawley pointed to the hang up as further proof that the bill was irresponsibly rushed into law.
“The SAFE Act was forced through so hastily that its authors didn’t even properly consider its impact on the very law enforcement agencies charged with upholding it,” Hawley said. “It is disturbing to think that this would be handled with such little care that a deadline for enforcement would be imposed that our own state police couldn’t be reasonably expected to meet.
"Between all of the amendments, corrections and corresponding protests from law-abiding gun owners, it could not be more clear that the SAFE Act must be repealed. As a co-sponsor of legislation to do just that, I will continue to fight for our constitutional rights and responsible measures to truly strengthen the safety of our communities.”
Every year about this time of year it seems, Kyle Kendall hauls in a giant fish. Here he is with a 35-inch, 11-pound pike caught at a location in Genesee County.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department is joining nearly 6,000 fire departments nationwide in promoting the annual Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries campaign on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Fire Prevention Officer Lieutenant Jeff Whitcombe encourages all residents to adopt the simple, life-saving habit of changing smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks back from daylight savings time to standard time.
“It’s an easy, inexpensive and proven way to protect your family and your home,” Lt. Whitcombe said.
Since 1987, the International Association of Fire Chiefs has joined forces with Energizer batteries to spread the message that non-working smoke alarms are responsible for needless death and injuries. Now 25 years later, thanks to the change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries campaign, home fire deaths continue to decline.
Recent surveys conducted for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Consumer Products Safety Commission found that 96 percent of all homes have at least one smoke alarm, but only 75 percent have at least one working smoke alarm. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Smoke alarm failures usually result from missing or dead batteries or disconnected wires. The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping. A working smoke alarm can provide the critical extra seconds needed to get people out safely.
According to the NFPA, the maximum life cycle of a smoke alarm is 10 years from the date of manufacture, not the date of installation. Beginning in 2002, all smoke detectors must have a manufacture date marked on the outside of the smoke alarm. If your smoke alarm does not have a manufacture date, then it is older than 10 years and must be replaced. The City of Batavia Fire Department recommends purchasing smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries. All smoke alarms should be tested monthly.
The City of Batavia Fire Department has a free smoke alarm and battery installation program. According to Lt. Whitcombe “We have installed hundreds of smoke alarms and batteries over the past 20 years and will continue to do so until everyone who needs them has them.”
For information about the free smoke alarm and battery installation program, City of Batavia residents should contact the City of Batavia Fire Department at (585) 345-6375.
Expect strong winds in Genesee County tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast is for winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph, so the weather service has issued a strong wind warning for 11 p.m. through 5 p.m., Friday.
The NWS warns that winds of this magnitude may bring down trees and power lines resulting in scattered power outages. The winds may also make travel difficult for high profile vehicles.
We asked the nine candidates for the three Batavia City Council at-large seats a series of seven questions -- all candidates were asked the same questions. Below are links to each candidate's Q&A.
I've driven past this pond on Transit Road, a bit south of Chapel Road, and never noticed this pond on the Byron side ... until today, with the smooth, still water reflecting the golden trees all around.
The pond had several geese decoys floating about.
A group of local officials met with staff members of the NYS Department of Transportation in Bethany today and learned the state is dropping plans to turn Suicide Corners -- the intersection of Route 20 and East Road -- in Bethany into a roundabout.
Tom and Debbie Douglas would have lost their home -- a former hotel more than 200 years old -- if the state had gone forward with building a roundabout.
Tom Douglas called The Batavian after the meeting, ecstatic to learn he and his wife won't lose their home, which they've put so much time and effort into restoring.
"I'm really amazed," Douglas said.
He said the DOT will release a formal announcement today.
The new plan is apparently to increase signage and lighting at the intersection.
Legislator Esther Leadley said she spearheaded bringing today's meeting together to lobby one last time against the roundabout, but gave a lot of credit for bringing things together to Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock.
"Mary Pat's got a lot of clout," Leadley said.
Both Douglas and Leadley expressed a sense of surprise that the state actually listened to the concerns of Bethany residents.
"I have represented the folks in Bethany and all those who drive along Route 20 and I'm pleased that it's worked out this way," Leadley said. "I have problems with people who, or who at least I think, don't hear. They call a hearing and it's just kind of whistling Dixie. Very clear, though they conveyed at the hearing that they were not listening to us, in fact they did listen. I'm delighted. I'm happy for Bethany."
UPDATE: Press release from the DOT:
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced it will enhance signage as part of safety improvements at Route 20 and East Road in Bethany, Genesee County.
In response to public comments, agency officials have decided not to construct a roundabout there. They met with community leaders today to discuss the decision and next steps.
NYSDOT originally proposed a roundabout to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents at this intersection. After receiving comments from local residents and community leaders, NYSDOT is developing a new plan that will include enhancing approach signs that warn drivers of the stop signs on East Road.
“This project is a great example of how public involvement works,” NYSDOT Regional Director Bob Traver said. “We informed the community about this intersection and our recommended improvements. In response, the public commented and drove our decision to change our plan.”
NYSDOT presented the safety needs and a recommended solution to the community at a public hearing on Sept. 12 at the Bethany Town Hall. Information was also available online at www.dot.ny.gov/20eastroad
NYSDOT will continue to emphasize the importance of motorists to follow the rules of the road when approaching all intersections. Motorists should not drive distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
UPDATE: Assemblyman Steve Hawley called and said that he and Sen. Ranzenhofer also lobbied the DOT to change its position on the roundabout.
"We didn't think that it was A, something that was going to work, and B, the cost of the project was onerous and expensive, and C, the taking of a house that old was objectionable, and D, the board and town residents had been quite clear about their concerns," Hawley said.
Hawley said his office became involved in the issue in the fall of 2012, when it was clear that redistricting was going to put Bethany in his district.
"There were many people working on this. DOT has listened and has done the right thing," Hawley said.
Eight-year-old Amelia McCulley was also a first-place winner in the City Fire Department's fire safety poster contest and this morning it was her turn to ride in Engine 11 to school.
All of her classmates at St. Joe's turned out to see her arrive at school after she was driven around the city a bit in the truck.
Chief Jim Maxwell, Colin, 9, Matthew, 3, Amelia, their mother Amanda. and firefighter Mike Dorgan.
Bullies like the passive response. It means they're getting to you. They like the angry or frustrated response. It means they're in control and you're not.
What children need to learn is the confident response. The response that communicates, you're not getting to me, but if you don't stop, I'll take control.
For bullies, that response is no fun.
And teaching children how to respond to bullies with confidence is the goal of a new anti-bullying program instituted by the Pavilion Central School District.
The Bully Boot Camp -- seven lessons that parents complete with their children -- was developed by Timothy Shoemaker primarily as an online course parents purchase from his Web site, timothyshoemaker.com.
One of the social workers at Pavilion, Chuck Kron, saw Shoemaker speak at Genesee Community College for a youth camp last spring and decided to check out his Web site.
"I thought he was a very effective speaker for the kids," Kron said. "You could year a pin drop. So I went to his Web site and checked out his tools and resources and I found them concrete, totally unique, boots on the ground, roll up your sleeves kind of stuff."
After some discussion, Shoemaker developed a plan to make the boot camp available to entire school districts. Kron liked the idea because it would allow school districts -- particularly Pavilion -- to provide the program to parents and students at no cost to the parents.
Pavilion did a trial run with the program last spring and is implementing it this year, making Pavilion the first district to offer the boot camp on a districtwide basis.
The program has already proven its effectiveness, Kron said. There was a student and parent who went through the boot camp in 10 days last spring. A few days after completing the program, the child showed up in Kron's office.
Kron admits that his first thought was along the lines of "oh, no, here we go again," but actually the student was quite proud of himself.
"He used a certain specific exercise to confront a bully in the lunch room and he felt good about it, and a lot more confident," Kron said. "He's been significantly less picked on, but when it happens he feels equipped and confident. He's no longer going home crying. He no longer wants to not come to school any more. Instead, he feels like he's got a little tool box to reach into."
Last night's introduction to the boot camp was attended by maybe a dozen or so Pavilion parents along with six or seven administrators from school districts in the area. Kron and the other administrators in Pavilion walked the group through what most of the seven-day course covers (ideally, a parent goes through the course in seven consecutive days with a child, with each session taking about 30 minutes).
Robin, a parent who attended said she's exicted to get started with her child, who had been a bit picked on last year and it's starting again this year.
"I learned (tonight) that I can give my son really great skills he can use as he is growing up
and can use in the future," Robin said. "It will help him in school and throughout his life. It's really important for my child because he's extremely passive. I'm hoping I can change that and get him to be more confident in himself."
One of the lessons, in fact, covers teaching a child how to act confident even if you don't feel confident. Body language, facial expressions and tone of voice can all be used to convey confidence even when you're trembling inside.
"What this does is build up the victims' capacity to take the target off their heads," Kron said.
Implementation of the program doesn't mean the school district is letting bullies off the hook. The traditional methods of dealing with bullies -- punishments and consequences -- still exist and the district councelors will still try to bring about mediation and restorative justice, but the program is unique in providing students ways to neutralize bullies and helps give the parents the means to help their children.
"Often parents, when kids come home and say somebody is bothering them or somebody is bullying or harassing them, parents feel very powerless," Kron said. "They say, 'I wish I could just go into that school and tell that bully off myself.' Well, this gives parents something to do and channel that energy in a positive way that benefits their kids."
Top photo: Mike Brown collects examples of bullying from parents at Tuesday evening's introductory session. Bottom photo: Katie Newby tosses a wad of paper at Chuck Kron in a demonstration of the kind of practice a parent and child might do together on how to effectively respond to a bully.
Press release:
By making small adjustments to costume and decoration choices on Halloween, danger and risk to public safety is easily decreased.
“It is important for people to take basic precautions to make sure they have nothing other than a fun-filled Halloween,” says Greg Ireland, president of the Batavia Firefighters of IAFF Local 896.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the United States sees an overall increase in fires on Halloween caused by open flames, and the arson fire rate is 10 percent higher than on any other day with 15,500 fires and $92 million in property loss per year.
To ensure a safe and happy Halloween, the City of Batavia firefighters offer the following tips:
The City of Batavia Firefighters from IAFF Local 896 wishes you a happy and safe Halloween.
Saturday was National Make a Difference Day and 32 JV and varsity athletes at Oakfield-Alabama Central School along with six teachers participated in a community clean-up day in Oakfield. Participants raked leaves, picked up branches and cleaned up the village.
An apparently unattended brush fire in the area of Route 5 and Fargo Road, Stafford, is reportedly moving toward a house.
Stafford Fire Department is dispatched.
Passing through Stafford today, I spotted this horse in a field near a bright red barn. Another beautiful day in Genesee County.
Nick Alexander Hawkins, 29, of Randall Road, Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Hawkins is accused spraying pepper spay at the driver and front seat passenger of a vehicle while on Black Street Road, Pavilion.
Daniel J. Wolfe, 39, of 6 Wood St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wolfe is accused of stealing $152 in merchandise from Save-A-Lot. Wolfe was jailed on $1,000 bail.
Kimberli A. Knickerbocker, 47, of 218 Liberty St.,Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Knickerbocker is accused of stealing money from a wallet at Save-A-Lot.
Press release:
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month members of “Just Shake It” Zumba, with Joyce Zaremski, are sporting their pink buffs in class. Because so many of our friends and family members have been afflicted or affected by cancer the “Just Shake It” girls are showing their support by becoming Pink Zumba Warriors for the month of October.
Just Shake It Zumba is located on Apollo Drive directly behind the Batavia Daily News. Classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 and Saturday mornings from 8:30-9:30. Come and try a class for free…you’ll be hooked! The Latin-inspired Zumba Dance is a great way to burn calories and workout to fun music while making new friends in the process. For more information call Joyce at 585-944-1111.
Press release:
Now into the third year of implementation, the City of Batavia’s Strategic Plan has been able to show the City’s accomplishments in providing residents with more efficient services at the most cost-effective means. In a 45-minute presentation, City staff highlighted several initiatives and projects the City has taken on over the past three years demonstrating improved levels of service and tax dollars saved for City residents.
Several of the highlights discussed were:
Lastly, the City has achieved 98-percent participation from City employees and dependents in the City’s wellness plan, contributing to healthier workforce focused on healthy living choices, prevention, and early detection and treatment. Since 2011, EBS-RMSCO, the City’s healthcare administrator, has estimated that the City, employees and dependents have avoided more than $1 million of possible healthcare claims due to early detection and treatment.
“The City has made great strides in so many areas since I began this public service eight years ago,” said Tim Buckley, City Council president. “We have had successful surpluses the past couple years and we have a strategic plan that it appears we are right on track with. I'm very proud of our staff and council on this success.”
Second Ward Councilperson Patti Pacino added, “It is rewarding that the City's Strategic Plan has already met such success in the relatively short time it has been in progress. Long hours of analyzing citizens' surveys, prioritizing what could be done feasibly and financially, and helping set in motion the actual work to accomplish those goals brought together members of our City Staff, our City Council, and most importantly, the Citizens of Batavia.”
The intent of the City’s Strategic and Business Plan is to allocate available resources to best meet the needs of our residents, while balancing the environmental factors that may affect us in the future. There are seven identified strategic priorities that include, Financial Health, Government Efficiency, Economic Development and Job Creation, Neighborhood Revitalization, Environmental Sustainability, Public Safety and Healthy and Involved Community Members. The mission of the City of Batavia is to create and sustain a vibrant, affordable, safe community where people choose to live and work and where, through a supportive environment, businesses continuously flourish.
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