news

A burglary in progress was reported at 4 Mix Place in the city and police have a manhunt perimeter set up and the canine unit on scene. Law enforcement has switched to a secure communications channel.

UPDATE 11:20 a.m.: Police have searched and cleared the house but no burglar(s) found. Whether a burglary actually took place has not yet been determined.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: Batavia PD has put out a statement about the situation this morning. The police say following a report of a burglary in progress by a resident on location, police observed suspicious circumstances outside the residence. A K-9 and State Police were requested to the scene for assistance. A search was conducted, and though the residence was in disarray, no subjects were located inside the residence. There is an active investigation and anybody with information are asked to contact Officer James DeFreze by calling (558) 345-6350 or the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

A two-car accident with minor injuries, possibly wrist pain, is reported at West Main and North Lyon streets. It is blocking traffic. City fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

The Batavia High School Girls Basketball Team just won the Sectional V Class A2 game against Pittsford Mendon. Final score: 53 to 42.

More T/K, including photos.

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: The team bus will be arriving in town shortly. Starting from the Aldi's parking lot, the team will receive a police and fire escort down Main Street.

An attached garage is on fire at 3933 Pearl Street Road. Flames are showing. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. The location is between Donohue Road and Treadeasy Avenue.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: Command reports the fire is under control. It amounts to "superficial damage to an overhead door."

UPDATE 7:38 p.m.: Fire is out. Command reports it started because a cooking grill was located too close to the garage door.

The premier GLOW Wedding Expo is this Sunday, Feb. 28, from noon to 3 p.m. at Batavia Downs Gaming, located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia. 

More than 200 brides are already registered to attend this debut expo featuring 33 vendors representing all aspects of The Big Day, including dresses, jewelry, venues, bridal showers, photography, beauty, engagement parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, limos, catering, invitations, rehearsal dinners, and more.

Meet with the experts inside the new Batavia Downs Paddock Room Event Center. These will include Stella's Bridal Boutique, of Le Roy, which is providing the day's fashion show at 1:30 p.m. featuring attire from the boutique, and Bloomz Florist, of Attica. T-JAM ENTERTAINMENT is in charge of the music. Also, representatives from the now-under-construction Batavia Downs Hotel will be on site to promote guest rooms that are expected to be available late this summer.

Participating vendors also include:

• Valle Jewelers (Batavia)
• The Mane Attraction Salon & Spa (Batavia)
• Mancuso Limousine
• Jay Terkel Photography (Corfu)
• The Spa at Artemis (Batavia)
• Deb's Bakery (Batavia)
• Huron Creek Acres (Alexander)

Visit glowweddingexpo.com to register.

For information call the Down's Marketing Department Group Sales Manager Mary Bucceri at (585) 343-3750, ext. 468.

Following an investigation into the sale of heroin in the Town of Bergen, 27-year-old Ryan M. Bobzin, of West Bergen Road, was arrested, according to a press release today from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation was conducted by the county's Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET and Le Roy Village PD.

Bobzin is charged with: criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, also a Class B felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, a Class A misdemeanor.

On Feb. 24, Bobzin was arrested by a uniformed deputy at the Genesee County Jail where he was incarcerated for a separate charge. It is alleged that he sold a quantity of a controlled substance, heroin, to an agent of the drug task force in the Town of Bergen. Bobzin was arraigned in Town of Bergen Court and jailed on $25,000 bail.

The District Attorney's Office and uniformed members of the Sheriff's Office assisted the task force with the investigation.

Press release:

Brian Eller, COO of 1366 Technologies, the Massachusetts-based solar company and first tenant of the Town of Alabama's STAMP (Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park), will be the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) on Friday, March 4, at Batavia Downs.

Registration and networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the event will conclude at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Other speakers include: 

·         New York State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer;

·         New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley;

·         Genesee County Legislature Chairman Raymond Cianfini;

·         Tom Kucharski, president and CEO, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise; 

·         Paul Battaglia, GCEDC Board chairman; and,

·         Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC

“We are excited to welcome Brian Eller of 1366 Technologies to speak at our annual meeting as the company invests its capital and resources right here in Genesee County, which is expected to create approximately 1,000 new jobs,” said Steve Hyde, GCEDC president and CEO.

“We look forward to celebrating the future economic impact of 1366 Technologies in our region, as well as recognizing our many public and private sector partners who have made played a critical role in helping us grow our local economy within the past year.”  

The GCEDC will unveil its 2015 report and announce the recipient of the annual Economic Development Partner of the Year Award.

Tickets cannot be purchased at the door, and seating is limited. For more information or to register please contact Rachael Tabelski at 585-343-4866or at rtabelski@gcedc.com.

The Le Roy Zoning Board of Appeals ruling in favor of Frost Ridge Campground, may have been one of its last as a joint town/village body.

The Town Board is moving forward with plans to consider creating an independent town ZBA.

The board voted unanimously on Thursday to schedule a public hearing for 7 p.m. March 10 on proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2016. The law would establish a three-member town ZBA.

This is the second time the board has scheduled a hearing on the proposed law.

Last November, the board voted to withdraw from the 2004 intermunicipal agreement that created the joint town/village ZBA. A public hearing on a law to create a separate town ZBA was scheduled for Dec. 10, 2015.

That decision came before the ZBA could comply with Supreme Court Judge Robert Noonan’s order for it to rule on the legality of camping, concerts and related activities at Frost Ridge Campground. Interim Supreme Court Judge Mark Grisanti subsequently ordered the town to cancel its public hearing, and for the existing ZBA to conduct a hearing on Frost Ridge by Dec. 18, 2015.

The ZBA met Grisanti’s deadline by a day, and officially ruled in favor of Frost Ridge on Feb. 17.

Press release:

In a recent Buffalo Business First magazine, Elba Central Middle and High Schools' combined ranking placed in the top spot among all 17 schools in the Eastern Tier (Orleans, Genesee & Wyoming counties).

Factors used in determining each school's ranking are percentage of graduates who received Regents diplomas, Regents scores in 10 subjects and scores on statewide English and math tests -- all over the last four years.

Elba Central was also the only school of the 22 schools in the Genesee Valley to have a 100-percent passing rate on the Geometry Regents and the U.S. History Regents.

“Because we’re small, it’s difficult for any student to get lost in the shuffle," explained Elba Schools Superintendent Keith Palmer. “And even though we’re a public school, our staff treat our students as if we’re providing a private education, focusing on individual needs with individual interventions and taking the time to work with students who need it."

Submitted photo.

Press release:

The Genesee County Master Gardeners will be offering their popular educational programs again this spring. A variety of gardening topics will be presented and taught by Master Gardeners.

All programs are from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension building, 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person per class unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.

For more information call 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or visit our Web site at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening.

March 30 – “Using Color in the Garden” -- We will discuss aspects of color theory and its application in the garden, all lavishly illustrated with photos. Blooms and beyond -- berries, bark, variegated foliage, and garden ornaments all combine for a more powerful visual impact. And Yes! You can grow these flower combinations here since the presentation features local gardens. Registration deadline is March 24.

April 7 – “Better Garden Photography” -- Have you ever visited and photographed a gorgeous garden, but were later disappointed with your photos? In this presentation we will cover many subjects including the impact of light, and elements of composition such as balance, contrast, perspective, and color. Useful techniques are taught such as the rule of thirds, framing, and the effect of lines. All topics are illustrated with photos of garden scenes. Practical tips will improve your photos in (and out!) of the garden. Registration deadline is April 1.

April 13 – “Urban Forestry and Tree Care” -- Healthy trees are an asset as they provide cooling shade, habitat for birds and can increase the value of your property. Department of Environmental Conservation forester Garrett Koplun will instruct us on how managing trees in an urban environment differs from a traditional forest environment. We’ll discuss a number of problems common to trees in an urban setting. We will also cover ways to improve and prevent tree health issues. Registration deadline is April 8. This program is FREE.

April 20 – “Invasive Plants & Other Species in the Landscape” -- What are invasive species? Where are they located? Are they growing in my garden? What can I do? Why should I care? Find out the answers to these questions and learn how gardeners can be part of the solution. We’ll also discuss some of the alternative plants you can grow instead of the ornamental invasive plants that may be lurking in your garden. Registration deadline is April 15.

April 27 – “What’s Wrong with My Plant?” -- A gardener's introduction to plant disease identification and treatment. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of the four major categories of plant diseases and their specific treatment strategies via a review of those most commonly brought into our Helpline. Registration deadline is April 22.

A car has struck a bridge by the Blue Dog Saloon, 2630 Attica Road. Possible ankle injury reported. Alexander Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: A responder on scene reports the roadway is extremely slippery.

Batavia High School's Production Club will present a musical product of Mary Poppins next week with Nick Piedmon playing Bert and Andrea Gilebarto as Mary Poppins.

Photos are from yesterday's rehearsal. 

Caryn Burk Wood is the director and Dan Grillo the musical director.

The cast includes Ross Chua as Mr. Banks, Chelsea Jensen as Mrs. Banks, Eryn Dunn as Jane Banks and Colin Dunn as Michael Banks.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m., March 4 and March 5, and 2 p.m., March 6.

Representatives of Z&M Ag and Turf presented a donation of tools to the conservation program at BOCES yesterday as part of a two-day seminar by Z&M and John Deere on some of the latest farming technology.

The first day was focused on dealers from throughout New York and yesterday the farms and shop techs came in to learn about technology advances from John Deere and the new precision GPS planting system.

John Duyssen is one of the conservation instructors -- concentrating on diesel and hydraulics repair and maintenance -- and he said the job of being a farmer is getting a lot more sophisticated as technology becomes more embedded in the process of planting and harvesting. The conservation program provides that instruction along with instruction on soil and water conversation.

Top photo: Carson Decarlo, left, Tom Klaeper, Tarra Shuknecht, John Tyx, Keith Conwa, Branden Cerefin, John Duyssen, and Ed Swain.

Bradley John Broadbent, 36, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with false personation, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic needles. Broadbent was arrested following a traffic stop at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Press release:

The City in conjunction with National Grid will be removing trees between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Mondays thru Fridays for the time period of February 29 through March 31.

This work involves the removal of 18 trees that have become unbalanced due to years of required trimming for utilities, thus becoming a liability and unsightly.

The area of work is Oak Street between the NYS Thruway Exit 48/ Park Road to NYS Rt 5/ West Main Street. Work shall begin north of Richmond Avenue and proceed south.

This work will require lane shifts, lane reductions and temporary stoppages. All efforts will be made to minimize impacts to traffic but there will be delays so please plan accordingly and avoid the area if possible. Work will occur as weather and other work assignments permit.

Future work plans will be the replanting of more appropriate underwire street trees and replacement rate of 2:1. This work is anticipated in the Fall of this year.

Press release:

Today, Democrat Diana Kastenbaum announced her candidacy for New York’s 27th Congressional District.  \Kastenbaum is the CEO of Pinnacle Manufacturing Company, Inc., in Batavia, N.Y.

“As a small business owner from Batavia, I am well aware of the realities that face middle-class families. Using my years of experience as a businesswoman, I will bring new ideas and solutions to the problems we face in Western NY,” said Kastenbaum. “We need a member of Congress who will fight for Western NY on the issues that matter most; good paying jobs, ending income inequality, making college more affordable, and providing access to affordable healthcare. Where Congress has failed us, I will lead.”

Kastenbaum’s family has owned and operated Pinnacle, a zinc and aluminum dye casting manufacturing company, since 1972. She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Kastenbaum is heavily involved in many community organizations in Western NY.

Diana is married to actor and comedian Hiram Kasten. Their daughter, Millicent, is a senior Government major at Cornell University.

New York’s 27th Congressional District includes all of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston counties and parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and Ontario counties.

Le Roy High School is presenting "The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy" on March 3, 4 and 5.

Director Jacqueline McLean said:

The story is inspired as a continuation of the Addams Family from the original comic strip and TV series. In the show, Wednesday Addams has gone off to college and fallen in love with a "normal" boy. When the "normal" family comes to meet the Addams, things get out of hand. This show is full of wonderful, dark comedy and will feature all of the characters that you remember in addition to some new ones. We hope you will join us at one of three performances and get ready to be "Pulled in a New Direction!" with this quirky story.

Books are by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on characters created by Charles Addams.

All show times are at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at leroycsd.org, in the HS main office or at the door. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door.