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Teen hurt in Oakfield when ATV overturns

By Howard B. Owens

A 16-year-old Batavia boy suffered hurt his arm and shoulder and was transported to UMMC yesterday following an ATV accident on Maple Road in Oakfield.

Arnold M. Cody, of 2879 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, was reportedly traveling too fast when his ATV hit a puddle of water, causing the ATV to overturn.

No other vehicles were involved in the 4:30 p.m. accident.

Police Beat: Oakfield man accused of attacking girlfriend

By Howard B. Owens

Jeffrey Michael Johnson, 21, of 26 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield, is charged with harassment. Johnson is accused of slamming his girlfriend to the ground and repeatedly punching her. The alleged incident occurred Sunday at 4 p.m. Johnson was released on his own recognizance with an order of protection for the woman.

Brandon M. Riordan, 23, of Rochester, was charged for unlawful possession of marijuana. Riordan was arrested by State Police while in Batavia at 12:35 a.m. today.

County receiving first doses of 'swine flu' vaccine this week

By Howard B. Owens

People looking for extra protection against the H1N1 strain of flu -- commonly, though incorrectly, called "swine flu" -- will soon have the opportunity to be vaccinated, Randy Carney told WBTA this morning.

The first doses are expected to arrive in Genesee County later this week, the interim county health chief said.

The vaccine will be distributed through healthcare providers, but people without their own doctor will be able to receive the vaccine from the county health department.

But the supply is limited. The county will receive only about 100 to 200 doses this week, with more on the way. Federal officials assure citizens that there will be plenty of vaccine to go around.

Audio: Randy Garney talks about the vaccine (mp3).

No hot leads in Pavilion bank robbery investigation, Sheriff says

By Howard B. Owens

There are leads, but no hot leads in the search for the man who robbed the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion yesterday.

The man fled the scene, apparently, by heading behind the bank, toward St. Mary's Street and the train tracks and heading off into the woods in that general direction.

That, at least, is what the Sheriff's Office believed yesterday, and where deputies and state troopers concentrated their search efforts for about four hours.

The biggest clue that might lead to arrest, Sheriff Gary Maha said, is the blue and black racing jacket with "Husqvarna" lettered down the left sleeve.

The robber is described as a white male, 25 to 35 years old. He presented a demand note at the branch at 11:32 a.m. yesterday and reportedly did not display a weapon.

Audio: Gary Maha speaks with WBTA. (mp3)

UPDATE: We just received the example photo used at the top of this post from the Sheriff's Office.  This is what investigators believe is an example of the jacket the robber was wearing.

NOTE: The jacket isn't in Husqvarna's current catalog nor have I been able to find that particular jacket on sale any place online so far.  So it is pretty unique.

Today's Deals: Great Kutz, Jackson St., Carlson's Studio, Adam Miller, Enchanted Florist

By Howard B. Owens

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Family photos are more than just photographs. When you need photos for that special occasion, Carlson's is a great choice in Genesee County. We have a $100 gift card for $50 ($2 PayPal service fee).

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest full-service salon, offering affordable haircuts for men and women on a walk-in basis. Today, we have two gift certificates for women's haircuts, a $15.95 value for $7.50 (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Report of man with gun at Aldi's turns out to be apparently false

By Howard B. Owens

All of the police sirens screaming through town were heading to Aldi's after a person reportedly called the Dispatch Center to report a black male had brandished a gun before entering the store.

A Sheriff's Deputy was already in the parking lot, so he was first on scene. He contacted a man inside the store who fit the description of the subject. He had no gun on his belt, only a cell phone.

Police are on scene now sorting out what's going on.  The original caller is apparently no longer in the parking lot.

GCEDC approves two projects for tax breaks

By Howard B. Owens

Sanzo and Sons, a beverage distributor with locations in Olean, Salamanca and Batavia has been approved for $30,000 in tax exemptions by Genesee County Economic Development Center as part of its plans to expand locally.

The company plans to spend more than $250,000, which it will borrow, to add new space to its facility at 11 Apollo Drive for offices and storage. It also plans to put on a new roof and upgrade equipment, including forklifts and delivery trucks.

The space at the facility will be expanded by 1,222 square feet and company officials say the improvements will help make it more efficient.

Vanderhoof Electric Supply is a new company that is purchasing the assets of Falcone Electric. It will be located at 385 W. Main St., Batavia.

Falcone Electric began in 1955 and has been a very stable wholesale electric supply business. The new owner is looking to keep the same trade name and staff.

Vanderhoof plans to invest $50k in computer warehouse management system in a few months and  a $50k upgrade building facade next spring.

The company has been approved for $16,000 in tax incentives.  It is also looking to borrow $100,000 from GCEDC's revolving loan fund. The company's total capital investment will total $400,000.

Allamerican Improv up in time in Batavia Feature

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:
 
Batavia, NY --- Ron Viola, Dave Venniro and Jim Graham’s Allamerican Improv parlayed a perfect trip into his first ever Open Handicap win on Saturday night (Oct.3) at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
In rein to Ray Fisher, Jr., the talented 3-year-old Artiscape colt sat in behind the front running Arm And A Leg (Kevin Cummings) the entire trip, angled out at the top of the stretch and got up in the final few strides to notch his third win of the season in 1:55.1. Scotts Royce Rolls (Jimmy Whisman), a victim of stalled cover for the second week in a row, wound up third.
 
Allamerican Improv, a stakes winning freshman, raised his 2009 earnings to more than $35,000. He’s earned more than $160,000 lifetime. Jim Graham is the conditioner.
 
Racing Fans are reminded that next Saturday night figures to be one of biggest nights of the season with the $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, the $10,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot and the retirement ceremony of popular local pacer Rockysbreezybuddy.
 
The Summer/Fall meet continues through December 5 with racing every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Family returns home to find Halloween lights stolen

By Howard B. Owens

We received this e-mail from Jeff Lonnen today about somebody stealing his family's Halloween lights:

I am a resident at 3 porter ave in Batavia and me and my wife were out of  town this weekend.  While we were out someone stole our orange Halloween lights off our porch.  Now i know they don't cost much, but its just the point.  You try and make your house look nice for the holidays and people rip you off.  I don't feel its worth contacting the police over $5 worth of lights. But if someone knows anything about it, i would like to know.  And if you are the one that did it just return the lights.

Truck on fire in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A truck fire has been reported at Route 19 and Townline Road in Bergen, across from the car dealership.

First responder reports, "One fully involved vehicle."

Open letter to council members and candidates from Councilman Bill Cox

By Howard B. Owens

Editor's Note: The following is an open letter that Councilman Bill Cox sent The Batavian this morning. We likely would have published it then, long before he approached us about the paid post we have on the site now, but the bank robbery took up most of our day.  We make the point to note, we would have published this without the paid sponsorship.

Council members,

Tomorrow evening October 6th at 7 PM the Board of Education will be holding an informational meeting in the high school on State Street about their plans to convert the North Street Extn. property they own into athletic fields.

Well over 100 neighbors, school taxpayers, and voters in this area (East Avenue,  Naramore,  Woodcrest, Hillside Drive,, Garden Drive, Carolwood, Harrold Square, Belvedere, North Street, Elm Street, Clinton Street, and other streets have signed petitions strongly opposing this  school development. These petitions will be presented to the school board tomorrow evening.

They are concerned this development will change their peaceful and quiet neighborhood forever. In particular they are concerned with the fact that school enrollment is going down not up which does not justify more fields, it justifies fewer. The fact that their taxes will be going up to provide funding to maintain this area after it is developed; they are concerned that their school taxes will be used to support adult sports events the school board needs to justify the maintenance costs, that have nothing to do with school activities.

They are concerned with loud noise from fans and participants that occurs at all sporting events; their property being walked on invading their privacy, that property values go down not up  when these kinds of facilities are created, refuge will be deposited in yards, on streets, and blow on other properties. Parking and  traffic will clog streets, and a whole lot more.

I ask for you to come to this meeting and show your support for the city residents who this is being forced upon. A large number of the people who signed petitions stated this one topic alone will decide who they vote for on council and the legislature. Some asked me to contact you to ask you to come to this meeting and speak out on their behalf. They want to know where our council people and legislator candidates stand on this development which is vital to the quality of life in their neighborhood.

Bill Cox
Councilman - First Ward

Tonight's Deals: Center Street, Pudgies, Enchanted Florist, Delavan's and more

By Howard B. Owens

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Ribs, brisket, steak, prime rib -- Center Street is a meat lover's paradise. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Belladessa's Pizzeria/Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Here's a deal -- half off on a Family Meal Deal from Belladessa's, which is a large 1 topping pizza, 24 wings and 2-liter bottle of soda. It's a $25 value for $12.50.

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Fall colors are here, and with Pudgie's you an cozy-fy your home with a range of decoration ideas. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Present Tense Books and Gifts, 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, NY: Whether your taste runs to local authors, the finest in fiction or nonfiction or you're looking for a unique and special gift, this charming store in a cozy Victorian house on the edge of downtown is a great place to stop and shop. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Manhunt in Pavilion for bank robber winding down

By Howard B. Owens

The manhunt for a bank robber in Pavilion is going into "investigative mode," said Sheriff Gary Maha minutes ago.

The uniformed personal are being pulled from the field. DEC officers from Avon are on the trails through the woods where he was last seen. They will back track to the Five Star branch to see if the robber shed his hat and jacket after leaving the bank.

"When our deputy saw somebody he wasn't wearing this hat or jacket, so either it wasn't him or he dumped his clothing," said Maha.

Investigators are talking to Pavilion business owners and residents, sharing the bank photo of the suspect and following up on leads from the scene, Maha said.

Audio: Statement by Sheriff Maha (mp3).

Police pursue bank robbery suspect in Pavilion area

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion School is being locked down as police pursue a bank robbery suspect in the area.

The man is described as a white male heading toward Wyoming on foot.

Police on scene are requesting Livingston County send a K-9 unit and the State Police helicopter is being requested.

UPDATE: The suspect has been seen running on the railroad tracks, heading north out of the Village of Pavilion, near the end of St. Mary's Street. He is further described as being between 20 and 35 years old, 5'10" and about 170 lbs., wearing a bright green and white hat, sunglasses, a jacket with stripes down the sleeves and a logo of Husqvarna (on either hat or jacket).

A state police helicopter is on scene. The canine unit is readying to release the police dog. There's a lot of trails through the woods where the suspect is now. They have set up a command post at the village library and now are calling for a parameter set up at Hanson Park near the creek.

UPDATE: They've spotted fresh four-wheel drive tracks in the area, unknown as to whether that indicates an accomplice -- or is relevent to the case.

UPDATE: They've spotted a bag of money "in a Target like bag." The bank robbed was the Five-Star Bank, located 6948 Cato Street in Pavilion.

UPDATE (12:30 p.m.): Units are checking parked cars in the vicinity to determine whether any are involved in this incident. They've spotted a path off the railroad tracks heading west.

UPDATE (12:34 p.m.): Officers are scouring the ATV trails and the canine is working the trails, too. The library is offering police to come in and use Google Maps if need be. Law enforcement ATVs are en route.

UPDATE (12:47 p.m.): They've let the dog off leash to work the trail.

UPDATE (1:05 p.m.): The police are switching the command post from the library to the town hall.

No water, so Le Roy High School students being sent home

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy Junior-Senior High School is apparently cut off from any water supply, so the students, grades 7 through 12, were sent home at 10 a.m..

Monroe County Water Authority said there is no emergency break. Rather, a private company is doing a service repair and some difficulty arose requiring the water to being turned off to the school.

"They ran into problems and the water had to be shut off," a spokeswoman for the authority said.

There was also some emergency dig on North Street this morning, according to a Sheriff's Office dispatcher, but that appears unrelated to this issue.

Police Beat: Correctional officer accused of drawing disability while running side business

By Howard B. Owens

James S. Gibbs, 39, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, insurance fraud and offering false instruments for filing and a violation of the worker's compensation law. Gibbs is accused of collecting full disability related to an on-duty injury while drawing income from plowing driveways and sealing parking lots in Batavia. Gibbs was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Kathleen M. McBride, 44, of 115 State St., lower, is charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon. McBride is accused of cutting her husband's face during a domestic dispute. Her husband was not seriously injured in the alleged attack. After he was cut, her husband allegedly pushed her onto the bed and held her there, not allowing her to get up. McBride was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Jean Marie Lorenz, 49, of 7907 Allegheny Road, Corfu, is charged with two counts of assault. Lorenze allegedly attacked and cut two people with a knife Saturday night. Lorenz was reportedly drunk at the time. She was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Karen Ann Garcia, 45, of 13535 Miller Road, Albion, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Gardia allegedly allowed her daughter to shoplift at Kmart. Garcia also reportedly lied about her daughter's name and age.

Jamie Luis Santiago, of 5057 Hundredmark Road, Elba, is charged with assault. Santiago was taken into custody for an alleged incident July 12. Santiago allegedly punched his wife in the face causing injury on that date.

Sath P. Dhanda, 29, of 219 Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and assault. Dhanda allegedly instigated a fight. At the time of his arrest, Dhanda allegedly made verbal threats to a police officer. Dhanda was arrested at 7:48 p.m. on Friday.

Dylan A.J. Dembrow, 18, of 14 Pearl St., Akron, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Dembrow is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at a location on Akron Road in Pembroke on Saturday night.

James M. Wisniewski, 19, of Attica, was charged by State Police with harassment. The charge stems from a Sept. 19 incident in the Village of Alexander. No further retails are available at this time.

Thomas J. Preedom, 21, of Wyoming, is charged by State Police with rape in the second degree and acting in a manor to injure a child. According to the State Police blotter entry, Preedom is accused of raping an underage girl. The alleged incident took place in the City of Batavia on Sept. 25. He was subsequently charged with bail jumping, criminal mischief, escape and harassment. Cash bail was set at $50,000.

Ronald G. Albertson, 51, of Albion, is charged with DWI. Albertson was stopped by State Police in Elba on at 10:03 p.m. Saturday.

Batavia 6-year-old dies over the weekend

By Howard B. Owens

A student of Jackson Elementary School died on Saturday.

No details of the death of 6-year-old Marcus Peters have been released yet, but his passing was confirmed by WBTA with the Sheriff's Office this morning.

Superintendent Margaret Puzio said Marcus was in school and apparently healthy on Friday.

Grief counselors will be at the school this morning.

UPDATE: Additional details have been released.

Marcus, who lived with his mother in Batavia, was spending the weekend with his father in Le Roy. He appeared healthy just minutes before he was found unresponsive by his 8-year-old sister. Moments before, he asked his father if he could go outside to play. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Foul play is not suspected and there was no evidence of trauma.

UPDATE: We received the following e-mail from Kristen Wahl.

Hello my name s Kristen Wahl and Iam the step-mom to Marcus's sister Madison! He was a very sweet quite boy! He will be missed very much by alot of people!  His mom is Cynthia Peters and she is very broken up about this whole thing!  Marcus was her first born!!! I am writing this to say that the family will  need all the support possible to get through this horrible tragic thing!  Marcus is leaving behind 2 sisters and 1 brother and his mom and dad and  everyone who loves him! If you would like to support or send condolences the address is 139 Swan Street in Batavia, NY.She needs all of our support!  Thank You!

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