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Tim McArdle, a popular principal at Le Roy Jr./Sr. high, well-known for his active participation and promotion of the Oatkan Knights on social media, has resigned his post in order to return to his home district, Caledonia-Mumford.

He will become the middle/high school assistant principal.

He said it was a difficult decision.

"This opportunity allows me to work in my home district and be all in with my family which is something that is very important to me," McArdle said.

He added, "Being the Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School Principal since July of 2013 has been an opportunity of a lifetime. I would like to thank our incredible district-wide staff, students, families, alumni, and our community for partnering with me over the years to create something really special here in Oatkan Knight Country."

Superintendent Merritt Holly informed district parents this evening and shared the timeline for replacing McArdle:

• In the process of securing an interim principal with the potential start date of February 14, 2022. 
• Job posting from February 1 to February 28, 2022. 
• Committee and final interviews in mid-March 2022.
• Anticipated Board appointment on March 22, 2022.
• Anticipated start date April 25, 2022

"I want to wish Mr. McArdle all the best in his new position at Caledonia-Mumford!" Holly said in the email. "Over the past 8.5 years, Mr. McArdle’s leadership has positively impacted our students and teachers both inside and outside of the classroom.  We can't thank him enough for all the extra hours and time he has spent supporting each of our Knights!"

In an email to The Batavian, Holly said McArdle was an asset to the district.

"Mr. McArdle has been a tireless advocate for all his students," Holly said. "He has transformed our elective offerings, cultivated the creation of new clubs and activities, and promoted our students' work/accomplishments for others outside of Le Roy CSD to enjoy and see.  I wish him all the best as his new opportunity allows him to work in his home district and be all in with his family!"  

McArdle's last day at the school has yet to be determined.

Before becoming principal in Le Roy, McArdle was an assistant principal at Batavia Middle School, from 2010 to 2013.  He has a B.S. from St. Bonaventure University in health and physical education, a CAS in education leadership from SUNY Brockport, and a master's in education from St. Bonaventure.

McArdle has become an accomplished photographer during his time in Le Roy and often feeds the school's social media accounts with sports photos and events at the school, as well as providing photos to local media, such as The Batavian.

Photo courtesy Tim McArdle.

The Blue Devils hung tough with Livonia through 32 minutes of basketball on Wednesday evening but came up a bit short in a 52-49 loss.

Batavia is now 3-8 on the season and Livonia is 5-7.

Carter McFollins scored 22 points for Batavia.

Also in boys basketball on Wednesday: 

• Elba beat Kendall, 62-51
• Pembroke lost to Wheatland-Chili, 51-48
• Oakfield beat Lyndonville, 79-50

In girls basketball, Pavilion beat Le Roy 54-37.

Joey Robert Tatro, 27, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with criminal contempt and bail jumping 3rd. Tatro was arrested on warrants out of City Court by Deputy Andrew Mullen and Sgt. Andrew Hale. He was jailed on $1,000 bail, $2,000 bond, or $3,000 partially secured bond.

Jonathan Lee Holland, 38, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd. Holland was stopped at 1:55 p.m., Jan. 19, on Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Press release: 

The Batavia Police Department has partnered with Crime Stoppers Buffalo which is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of Devon Wright. Wright is wanted for violating his release terms on a recent plea pertaining to the charges of PL 110.00 & 265.03-3 - Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, PL 120.00-1 - Assault 3rd, PL 110.00 & 120.10-1 - Attempted Assault 1st, and PL 130.50-4 - Criminal Sexual Act 4th. Wright is also wanted for PL 145.14 - Criminal Tampering 3rd, and PL 240.26 - Harassment 2nd (2 counts) stemming from an incident that occurred on 11/27/2021 at a residence on Central Avenue.

Citizens are urged to come forward with information on where to locate Wright. If you have information leading to the arrest or indictment of Wright please contact Crime Stoppers WNY at 716-867-6161 or submit a tip by downloading the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App "Buffalo Tips" from the apple or android store.

For previous coverage of Devon Wright, click here.

A Volvo SUV was struck by a pickup truck with a front plow attached at about 5:30 as it turned onto Bank Street Road at Assemblyman R Stephen Hawley Drive in Batavia.

The truck driver allowed the driver of the Volvo to sit in his truck while awaiting emergency responders.  She was uninjured, he said. 

There is a stop sign on Hawley drive and Bank Street Road has no stop sign at that intersection.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responded.

The Lady Trojans, entering the game at 6-6, did more than upset the 8-2 Lady Irish on Tuesday. Alexander dominated.

At no point in the four quarters of basketball played in Alexander did Notre Dame seriously threaten the Alexander lead.

The final score helps tell that story: 49-35.

For Alexander, Alyssa Kramer scored 19 points. Emma Kramer scored seven and Melanee Pohl scored six.

For Notre Dame, Lyndsay Weidman scored 14 and Emma Sisson scored 12.

Also in girls basketball on Tuesday:

• Elba beat Kendall 54-42. Dakota Brinkman scored 18 points, Laci Sewar, 12, Kennedy Augello, 10, and Halie Deville, eight. For Kendall, Elizabeth Snyder scored 17.
• Attica beat Byron-Bergen 54-53.

In boys basketball, Le Roy beat Pavilion 57-32

A power outage affecting 1,548 National Grid customers is reported in the central part of the City of Batavia.

It was first reported at 11:43 p.m.

National Grid expects to restore power by 1:45 a.m.

The outage is approximately from Tops on the west side, along West Main to Ellicott Street at Swan Street, north nearly East Avenue, cutting diagonally toward the State School for the Blind to nearly the Thruway.  It takes in both sides of Oak Street from Main to the Thruway.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: There are now fewer than 700 customers without power.  Power appears to have been restored to customers south of Main Street.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is repairing a water main break at the intersection of Liberty Street and Ellicott Street.  Expect the water to be shut off on Ellicott Street, from Liberty Street to Jackson Street.  There is the potential that the water may need to be shut off on Liberty Street, from Ellicott Street heading north to Main Street.

The length of time the water will be off is unknown.

Traffic will not be able to pass through the Ellicott Street intersection coming off of Liberty Street in both directions while the repairs are being made.

As always, when the water is restored it may be discolored.  Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

The public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: Photo by Howard Owens. The problem is a busted valve.  Crews were just about to get started at about 10:15 p.m.

Press release:

Due to the volume of snow that fell in the last 24 hours, approximately two feet, the cleanup process will take time to complete for City staff and for residents alike.  While this was not the worst snow event that the community has seen, it was certainly significant. 

“I would like to take the time to remind residents and business owners that we will continue to make our best efforts to clear the City streets and remove snow from City owned parking lots.  These are the primary target areas that our Public Works staff focuses on, and then sidewalk clearing as time allows,” said Rachael J. Tabelski, City Manager, City of Batavia.

“In terms of students who walk to school, there are many sidewalks that have been cleaned and snow removed, however, there still remains some sidewalks that are not passable.   This presents a hazard that could force students to have to walk in the street. I ask that parents and guardians take this under advisement if they have children that walk, and we urge drivers to be more alert and understand the difficult conditions in the City at this time,” said Jason Smith, Superintendent, Batavia City School District.

”If pedestrians are forced to walk in the streets due to sidewalks being unpassable, pedestrians should walk facing traffic and wear bright colored and reflective clothing. Pedestrians should also be sure to cross at intersections using crosswalks whenever they are visible.” said Shawn Heubusch, Police Chief, City of Batavia, “Drivers should always be more cautious after snow events and keep an eye out for pedestrians in the streets.”

Snow operations by the City of Batavia have run continuously from 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 16th until 8 AM Tuesday, January 25th with the primary objective of fighting the snow to allow for safe vehicular traffic.  Now that the snow event is over, snow removal will begin. 

“For the most part, the snowfall was uniformed within the City. The City ran a full plow run, 14 pieces of equipment and personal, for over 36 hours during the snow event.  The long duration events are the most taxing on staff and equipment,” said Ray Tourt, Superintendent Bureau of Maintenance.

The city has fielded a few complaints regarding clearing sidewalks in the last 24 hours.  The Batavia Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 159-8 explains that property owners have the responsibility to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, however as staffing allows, the City will remove snow from sidewalks.  The cleanup process will take time for City staff and for residents alike. 

Photo: By Howard Owens. A city plow clearing the parking lot on at Center Street and School Street yesterday morning.

A garbage truck and semi-truck have reportedly collided on Route 63 just south of the Town of Batavia.

Minor injuries are reported.

There may be a fire in the back of the cab of one of the vehicles.

There is apparently some garbage in the roadway.

Initially, traffic was blocked in both directions.  One way traffic for cars may be able to pass soon.

Bethany Fire Police on the scene for traffic control. Stafford Fire Police requested to shut down traffic at Ellicott Street Road and Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: The truck is now fully involved.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: An engine from Stafford requested to the scene.

Press release:

The Richmond Memorial Library will be closed today (Tuesday, January 18) while the building custodian and facilities personnel try to restore heat to the building, which stopped functioning overnight for unknown reasons.

Rebecca Lynn Martin, 27, of Brick Schoolhouse Road, Hamlin, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless in the endangerment, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and reckless driving. Martin is accused of being a driver involved in a motor vehicle accident at 7:02 p.m., Jan. 14, on Lake Street Road, Le Roy, and leaving the scene of the accident.  Martin allegedly failed to stop for a stop sign causing her vehicle to strike another vehicle.  Martin's vehicle was located in the Le Roy Park and Ride and while deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, her vehicle allegedly struck a Village of Le Roy patrol car.  Martin was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets.

Rebecca L. Harrington, 28, of Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving left of pavement markings, speeding, and failure to stop at stop sign.  Harrington was stopped at 10:07 p.m., Jan. 6, by a Batavia police officer. She was issued tickets and released.

James R. Cooper, 39, of Batavia, is charged with unreasonable noise, a  violation of the Batavia Municipal Code. Cooper is accused of playing rock music at a loud volume for an extended period of time at a location on Buell Street on Jan. 11. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jolene Y. Stevens, 33, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Stevens is accused of using a piece of wood to hit another person in the back during an incident reported at 8 a.m., Jan. 22, on East Main Street, Batavia. Stevens was arraigned in City Court and released.

Lyndsay T. Young, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Young is accused of violating an order of protection at 3:57 p.m., Dec. 30. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Sean D. Roczen, 38, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Roczen turned himself on an arrest warrant in relation to an incident reported at 9:26 p.m., Jan. 7, on Kingsbury Avenue. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Jeffrey P. Schneider, 51, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Schneider was arrested following a three-vehicle property-damage accident at 7:09 p.m., Dec. 27, on East Main Street, Batavia. Schneider was processed Batavia PD headquarters and released on tickets.

Montell L. Cunningham, 28, of Lockport, is charged with criminal contempt. Cunningham is accused of violating an order of protection at 11:55 p.m., Jan. 9, in the parking lot on Alva Place. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 41, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records 1st. Henning is accused of falsifying business records at Pawn King, on Veterans Memorial Drive, at 12:11, Dec. 22. The case was investigated by Investigator Erik Andre and Deputy James Stack. Henning was issued an appearance ticket.

Nicholas Scott Warriner, 24, DWI, refusal to take a breath test, speed not reasonable and prudent, and following too close. Warriner is accused of driving too fast for conditions and too close to a marketed Sheriff's patrol vehicle at 12:15 a.m., Jan. 16, on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. When the deputy slowed his vehicle while a lead vehicle was turning, Warriner's vehicle allegedly hit the rear of the patrol vehicle. Warriner allegedly failed a field sobriety test.  He was issued an appearance ticket. The investigating officer was Deputy Jacob Gauthier.

Brianna Nicole Greene, 34, of Parkridge Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with grand larceny 4th.  Greene is accused of stealing more than $1,000 in clothing from Dick's Sporting Goods at 1:51 p.m., Jan. 8.  Greene was issued an appearance ticket.

Qumane James Santiago, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Santiago is accused of striking another inmate at the Genesee County Jail at 7:21 a.m., Jan. 7. 

Rachel A. Keene, 26, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI. Keene was stopped by a trooper out of SP Clarence on south Newstead Road, Newstead, on Jan. 8. She was allegedly driving with a BAC of .10. She was released on an appearance ticket.

A 42-year-old Batavia man is in custody following an investigation into a fire at Washington Towers on Sunday.

Matthew T. Zakrzewski is charged with attempted arson 2nd, burglary 2nd, criminal trespass 3rd, petit larceny.

Zakrzewski is accused of setting a chair on fire in the communal area of the retirement residence at Jefferson and Washington in the city. 

The police identified Zakrzewski as a suspect during the beginning of the investigation when police received a report of a bicycle being stolen on Bank Street.  

Zakrzewski was located and identified as the suspect in the bicycle theft. During his arrest, police found he also matched the description of the arson suspect.

He is also a suspect in reports of broken windows on vehicles in the area. 

A current parolee, Zakrzewski was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $50,000 bail, $75,000 bond, or $150,000 partially secured bond.

Assisting Batavia PD in the investigation was City Fire, Emergency Dispatchers, NYS Parole, and citizens. 

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have information in reference to the cases should contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey, Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350 or the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.

A Chevy Trailblazer is 20 feet of the roadway in a ditch in the area of 2300 of Lewiston Road, Alabama.

The caller reported a woman in the vehicle is in labor.

Mercy EMS is dispatched.

While much of Batavia was busy this morning digging out from more than a foot of snow that fell overnight, Grayson, 3, and Deliah, 5, found it was a good time to play outside their home on Hart Street.

Jackson Street

Morton Avenue

Center Street

Center Street parking lot

Summit Street

City Hall

State Street

State Street

For the first big snowfall of the season, Batavia resident Jason Smith shared with us this morning a photo of a cardinal in his backyard.

Due to weather conditions, the following closures and cancellations have been announced for today:

• Casella Waste Systems: Regularly scheduled trash and recycling pickups for today have been canceled.  Pickups for the remainder of the week have been pushed back one day.
• Mazurkiewicz Family Chiropractic is closed.
• Jerome Center Lab and X-ray in Batavia is closed today
• Village Physical Therapy & Fitness (all locations) will be closed today. Staff will be in touch with any clients who had appointments to reschedule. 
• Foxprowl is closed.

Send cancellations and closures to news@thebatavian.com.

A canvas structure used to store lawnmowers and ATV is reportedly on fire at 113 Bank St., Batavia.

City Fire responded and reported the response will be set with the initial response.

UPDATE 11:29 p.m.: Fire is out.  Ladder 15 is responding to a fire alarm at another location. Engine 11 remains on scene at Bank Street.

A house fire is reported at 142 Hutchins St., Batavia.

City Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: The fire may be in the basement.  Residents are evacuated. 

UPDATE 5:25 p.m: The fire was related to a washer and dryer in the basement; it is now out, and the home is being ventilated.

It's cold tonight -- a wind chill advisory is in effect -- and snow, up to 19 inches possible, is expected starting tomorrow night, according to the National Weather Service.

The wind chill could make temperatures outside feel 15 degrees below zero.

As for the possible snowstorm, a warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Sunday until 7 p.m., Monday, with from 12 to 19 inches of snow accumulating possible. Wind gusts could be up to 40 mph on Monday.

The weather service advises travel could be difficult to impossible.

The dangers of the wind child include possible hypothermia unless precautions are taken.