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D.J. Snyder, a maintenance mechanic with Genesee County, shared these pictures he took from the cupola of the Old Courthouse in Batavia. He was up there with coworker Randy Boyce to replace fuses in the star hanging on the west side of the cupola.

A new state law that goes into effect today is another tool for communities in their efforts to crack down on the number of bank-foreclosed (“zombie”) homes in New York, according to Batavia’s city manager.

“While the local law that we passed deals with development of these types of homes, this state law is more about monitoring (the banks that have interest in abandoned properties),” Jason Molino said this morning. “It’s a good tool, but it will take time for things to filter out to see the impact.”

The Foreclosure Relief Act is a new law that requires banks or mortgage lenders to maintain properties that have become vacant during the foreclosure period, and also requires that periodic inspections be made. Failure to comply with the law could result in fines up to $500 per day.

The law also includes a toll-free hotline for people to report zombie properties and a statewide registry to track them.

“Once rules are put in place by the state agencies involved, we will have a better understanding of the accountability piece,” Molino said. “The goal is to prevent foreclosures from happening and also as a tracking and enforcement tool to prevent lenders from letting the properties go under water.”

The push to get the law passed in Albany was led by South Buffalo Assemblyman Michael Kearns, who promoted a “shame the banks” campaign.

Prior to this law, it was up to cities and counties to fight the banks that created the zombie homes, usually through fines against the property owners for building code violations. But since banks aren’t taking legal control of the houses, they have been able to avoid paying additional fines or fees.

Under the Foreclosure Relief Act, the state Department of Financial Services – which issues the banks’ state licenses – also has enforcement authority.

To report zombie properties, contact New York's Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736.   

About a year and a half ago, City Council passed a local law that provides incentives to owners of highly distressed properties willing to spend the time and money to renovate their homes.

Council acted on a gap financing plan devised by Molino (with assistance from the New York Conference of Mayors) that offers exemptions for up to 25 years on the increase in the property’s assessed value after redevelopment.

A pedestrian has reportedly been struck by a car and there is a reported injury at West Main Street and North Lyon Street, in the City of Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:31 a.m.: Minor, if any, injury. Patient transported to UMMC for evaluation. Adult male. No damage to vehicle. 

The Batavia High School Choir is singing Christmas carols all over Batavia, mostly at businesses that made a donation to help cover the $50,000 it will cost for them to travel and participate in a competition in Washington, D.C.

We happened to catch up with them while they were at Valle Jewelers.

After completing mental health evaluations, two doctors have found that Kyle G. Johson, who killed a neighbor and then set his own house afire on Selden Road in Le Roy on Dec. 1, 2015, is a present danger to himself or others because of a psychological disease or disorder.

Based on the medical reports, Interim Judge Micheal Pietruszka this morning confirmed the finding and ruled that Johnson has a dangerous disturbance of his behavior, thinking, feeling or judgment.

In August, Johnson was confined to the mental hospital in Rochester and ordered to undergo care, counseling and rehabilitation. This morning, Pietruszka confirmed the sentence and ordered him held until he is found to no longer be a danger or mentally disturbed, if indeed he is ever deemed mentally healthy again.

The morning of Dec. 1, 2015, Johnson walked to a neighbor's house, entered through an unlocked door and went into the bedroom of Norman Ball and shot him in the head while he slept.

Johnson then returned to his residence and set it on fire. 

When firefighters and a police officer arrived at the fire, Johnson tried to shoot them.

After a several-hour stand-off that involved emergency response teams from Genesee and Monroe counties as well as law enforcement officers from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD and Monroe County, Johnson was taken into custody without any further violence.

For prior coverage about Kyle Johnson, click here.

Baloo (bah-loo) is missing.

This 2-year-old black lab is not fixed, had no tags at the time he went missing, and had on a camo collar.

He ran from his home in Stafford on Sunday morning and hasn't been seen since.

UPDATE Noon: Baloo has been located and is safe.

Kevin G. Viehdeffer, 56, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing a police officer. Viehdeffer allegedly brandished a knife toward a police officer during an investigation into an incident involving Viehdeffer at 11:23 p.m., Friday. He was ordered held without bail.

Victor D. Guy, 30, Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, obstructing governmental administration, DWAI drugs, failure to yield right of way on left turn and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Guy was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 12:59 a.m. Saturday on Liberty Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay. Guy was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and heroin. He was turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant.

James Robert Pursel, 51, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Pursel allegedly struck another person with a framing nailer during a verbal argument. The incident was reported at 2:04 p.m., Thursday, at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, the location of Peebles Department Store. Pursel was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on his own recognizance.

Rosemary Waters, 30, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Waters allegedly stole four packages of eyeliner from a West Main Street business.

Melissa J. Stratheam, 32, of Dellinger Avenue, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Stratheam posted $300 cash police bail and was released.

Joey A. Evans, 26, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession of marijuana. Evans was arrested following an investigation into a reported disturbance on Ellicott Street at 1:58 p.m., Wednesday. Evans was held on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Gregory F. Frieday, 32, of Osterhout Avenue, Batavia, is accused of criminal mischief, 3rd. Frieday was ordered held without bail.

Danny D. Williams, 28, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Williams was arrested following an investigation into a report of a stolen vehicle on Washington Avenue at 11 p.m., March 18. He was jailed on $7,500 bail.

Holden W. Byer, 25, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Byer was arrested by Warsaw PD and turned over to Batavia PD on two bench warrants for alleged failure to comply with terms of his release under supervision of Genesee Justice. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Andrei P. Sliker, 25, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sliker was charged when allegedly found in possession of a needle during an investigation into an unrelated incident at 9:15 p.m., Dec. 13.

James Marion Spangler, 40, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, assault, 3rd, criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Spangler was allegedly involved in a physical domestic at 11:55 p.m., Dec. 15, at a location on Pringle Avenue, Batavia.

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Imagination Station in Le Roy on Friday.

Photos submitted by Kelly Kronbeck.

Press release:

Miss Zambito’s first-grade class at St. Joe’s Catholic School spent the first few weeks of December raising their own money for a very special cause. These first-graders generously collected $160 of their chore, birthday and tooth-fairy money to purchase gifts for the girls and boys at Golisano Children’s Hospital.  

A wire is reported down and on fire in the area of Chaddock Road and Silver Road, Bethany.

Power is reportedly out in the area.

Bethany fire responding.

UPDATE 7:26 p.m.: Bethany assignment back in service. National Grid has not reported on a power outage in the area, so we have no further information in that regard.

A fire alarm has been triggered at the Pembroke Service Center on the Thruway, with a street address of 1835 Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, and a second call from the alarm company indicates the building is being evacuated.

The reason for the evacuation is not known.

East Pembroke fire responding.

Four people are reportedly involved in a single-car, minor injury accident on Route 33 near Old State Road.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 11:37 p.m.: Responding units advised to use caution. Roads are very icy and hazardous. 

It's only been a few months since it became legal to hold mixed martial arts events in New York, and one of the first such events in the state drew a sellout crowd in Batavia tonight at the Quality Inn and Suites.

Le Roy resident Richard Mitchell, owner of Ground Force Fights and himself a former professional MMA fighter, was the event's promoter.

First three photos, Mark Murry vs. John Gearhart. Murray won at 1:30 in the first round due to strikes.

In the dual main events, Morgan Cavanaugh vs, Eddie Ortiz Junior. Ortiz won at 1:55 in round 1.  Tom Shelby beat Nick Phelps at 1:55 in round 1.

Previously: Local promoter bringing one of the state's first MMA events to Batavia

Two photos above, Sean Keough vs. Yuri Panferov. Panferov won at 1:15 in round 1 after a verbal tapout by Keough. 

A vehicle reportedly crashed and flipped over, landing in front of 209 Richmond Ave. in the city. People are trapped inside. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 9:54 p.m.: Everyone's out," says a first responder at the scene.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: The sole occupant, a male driver, complained of chest pain after the accident and was transported to UMMC for evaluation. The vehicle was eastbound on Richmond when the driver lost control for unknown reasons and the vehicle struck a tree and flipped over. The accident is under investigation.

The Evens beat the Odds 98-92 today in the annual Batavia High School boys basketball alumni game. 

Batavia's head coach, Buddy Brasky, said the oldest player on the floor today was from the Class of 1998 and there were players who graduated as recently as last year participating.

Brasky said it's just a good time for the players and coaches and fans. Afterward, they all go out for beer and pizza.  

The game was played at John Kennedy School.

The after-game photo at the bottom was posted by Brasky on Twitter.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Le Roy held an open house today. 

Photographers were invited to take pictures for a photo contest being sponsored by the church in anticipation of its 200th anniversary as a congregation in 2017.

The church building itself was constructed in 1869.

At last week's Shop with a Cop event at Walmart, two local families who were invited were unable to participate. Today, deputies from the Sheriff's Office went to Walmart to shop with those families and then help them wrap Christmas presents after the shopping was done.

Above, Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Deputy Cassidy Longhani, one of the newest members of the department.

Above, Deputy James Diehl.

UPDATE: Store manager Diane Waters shared this end-of-the-shopping-day photo,

The New York State Ballet performs "The Nutcracker" in the auditorium of Batavia High School today and tomorrow at 2 p.m.

The online ticket site says ticket sales have ended for today's performance, but I'm not sure if there will be tickets at the door.

There are definitely tickets available for tomorrow's performance.

The company was rehearsing when I went to the school last night for Batavia's basketball game.

Antwan Odom had 17 points and TeeSean Ayala scored 13, including three three-pointers, to help the Batavia Blue Devils beat Honeoye Falls-Lima 55- 39 in Batavia's home opener.

Batavia is now 2-1 on the season.

Mason McFollins added eight points.

A car hit a semi-truck in the area of 554 Ellicott St., Batavia, and the saddle tank is now leaking fuel. 

City fire dispatched. 

Mercy EMS sent as a precaution.