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Press Release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Batavia Police Department will be stepping up patrols and participating in a coordinated effort with the STOP-DWI program to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI efforts start July 10 and will continue thru July 11. New York State Police, County Sheriffs, and municipal law enforcement agencies will be out in force during this across-the-board effort. 

Incidents of drugged driving are on the rise. Even though some marijuana laws have changed. It is still illegal and unsafe to drive while impaired by marijuana and other drugs. Drugs impair your ability to drive safely and make it just as dangerous as driving drunk. “Have a Plan” to get a safe ride because impaired driving is completely preventable – all it takes is a little planning. Visit www.stopdwi.org for more information.

Sheri Sumeriski was preparing for her nuptials Saturday and had seen something that she thought would make a perfect pre-wedding activity.

“We just had to do it. We drove by it at the high school graduation,” she said during a stop at The Harvester Friday evening.

She was referring to the Batavia Pedal Party bike, which she ended up booking for a fun night out before the big day.

A novel business that has taken off in larger cities, including Buffalo, Rochester, Toronto and beyond, and is becoming popular for pub crawls, has been introduced locally by entrepreneur Kyler Preston of Batavia.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in finance from University at Buffalo, Preston’s professional goals are clear, if not easy.

“I just like to figure out the best way to invest in the local economy and invest in myself,” he said earlier Friday before the launch of his first official group bike tour. “I think it takes a while to get a group together and then book an event. People are booking up into August and September. I kind of felt bad for Batavia, I felt there was a need for a nightlife we lost that with COVID. I want to promote business in Batavia and bring life back to the bars.”

The 22-year-old wants to do that responsibly, he said, by being the "DD" -- designated driver for a group of adults that wants to go out for a couple of hours and have some fun on city streets.

A two-hour tour allows you to bring your own cooler with two canned drinks per rider and food if you like, and a playlist of music is waiting to entertain your group while a licensed driver escorts you to two establishments of your choosing within the designated city limits.

Riders may pedal the vehicle, though it is also fully motorized, Preston said, and there is a bench on board for those not wishing to get that physical during the trip.

About an hour into the trip, Sumeriski’s group made a stop at The Harvester on the city’s southeast side. Bar owner Melissa Kibler was pleased to see them stroll in for a refreshment and hop off a large pedal bike to boot.

“It's great.  I'm very excited. Like, I'm excited to get the crowd in. I think that's a new innovative thing that we could use,” Kibler said, adding that she wasn’t sure where the big group came from at first. “I was like, where did they come from? And I thought they were just bikers biking around. And then I came out, and I saw it. And I was like, wow, okay, that's a new thing. I might want to do that at some point. I think that's kind of interesting. You know, there's a lot of bars downtown. But if you're gonna do something like this, I mean … let's take a little ride.

“That's what I was so excited about, is that they decided to come in here because we're usually the one that gets passed because we're out this way. Versus, like, everybody goes to TF’s and all the ones over there because they can just walk there and do that,” she said. “So that's awesome about the biking thing because they can come down here.”

That’s exactly what Preston is hoping for. He has gauged rides to as far out as Batavia Downs and made a trip over to Dwyer Stadium so that folks could catch a Muckdogs game if they wanted to include that in a package. He said that he wants to help bring people — literally — to Batavia businesses, one group at a time.

Although he is booking into September, there are other dates available from now through the fall, and he said that cooler temps could make for a great event, especially if riders want to give those pedals a full workout. He can even envision a moving Bills tailgate party.

“There’s so much that could be done,” he said.

As with anything, there has been a challenge or two, he said, such as the online flak he has taken from folks concerned that the pedal party is unsafe. Preston feels confident, however, that this bike — built in the United States and not in China as are many others, he said — passes muster for safety regulations. It has a wider wheelbase, has turning signals, and being built in Texas means it’s “better built” and is “100 percent safe,” he said.

“People didn’t realize all the safety precautions I had taken,” he said. “People didn’t want open containers on the road. “We chose to stick with two alcoholic drinks per person to make sure people are being safe. As long as people on the bike are being respectful and keep the music at a tolerable level, they can choose the playlist and volume.”

The bike transports a group to two places of their choosing, where it waits for them to go inside for a while to have a drink and eat, and then go onto the next stop, and then everyone is returned to the starting point on East Main Street. 

There’s the other element of safety, and that’s a licensed driver, just as with a chauffeured limousine. Preston wasn’t able to make Friday’s gig, so he gave Steve Ognibene a call.

Ognibene has driven a limo and a school bus; he’s driven for parties and other entertainment events and had the experience Preston, and his family was looking for. After all, this was a 15-person, open-air pedal bike with a whole new set of rules and regulations, Ognibene said.

“So with this, it's different because, basically, you're riding a bicycle. And I asked a lot of questions, a lot of safety questions. And they said, Well, everyone has to wear their seatbelt. And riding the limo, you're totally contained. In this is where, you know, you're on this little tiny seat. And you want to have yourself strapped in at all times," Ognibene said. "Pedaling is kind of optional, where you can pedal or you don't have to pedal. But as far as the comparison, it's kind of totally different. And I'm trying to be more aware because this is the first time I've ever driven something like this being on the road, and you're open, that no one doesn't, you know, try to unbuckle or anything like that, or act crazy or try to stand up. 

"So, you know, safety is actually the first and foremost concern. We went over a lot of safety rules before we even left," he said.  "And so everyone has to sign a waiver before we go, and that's pretty much it. Just call ahead, book a date."

What did Sumeriski and her wedding party think? They were having so much fun, they said, they booked another hour to prolong the evening.

For more information, go to Batavia Pedal Party    

A drum and bugle corp exhibition at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday night provided enthusiasts for the genre to see a variety of ensembles to perform, said Shannon Mellander, a music teacher and one of the organizers.

Russ and Jo Ann Nephew hosted their second classic car and tractor show at their home, 323 State St., Batavia on Sunday afternoon.

About 55 people attended the event, which featured a memorial tribute to car enthusiasts Jeanne Freeman, who lived in Byron, and David Smith, who resided in Pavilion. 

Numerous door prizes were awarded to attendees, who also were treated to lunch.

Photos by Howard Owens except where noted. 

When Brett Young began work on his latest album, “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days,” he faced a whole new challenge as a songwriter. He had strived to be authentic in his writing, delving into subject matter that allowed him to draw from his personal experiences.

But that approach wasn’t going to work on the “Weekends” album, especially if he was trying to write about where his life is now.

Married to his long-time girlfriend, which he literally says is the love of his life, and a father of two little girls, Young knew his happy life wouldn’t make for a compelling album.

“It would have been really tempting to just write basically a lullabies record, love songs about my wife and songs about my children,” Young said in a late-April phone interview. “So the challenge was that you can’t write just about what you’re going through in your life right now. That’s going to be boring.”

Fortunately for Young, he was working with some co-writers who have been around the block and knew how to put an authentic personal touch on a lyric and honestly convey a variety of emotions over the course of an album.

“It’s hard when you’re in the happiest place in your life, and you’ve got to still write a sad song, and we did,” Young said. “We did that, but we did it through a lot of conversations. I’d get in with a songwriter or a couple of songwriters, and I’d be like, ‘Tell me about your worst heartbreak. Explain that to me.’ We started having to go down that path, and that was a new stage of songwriting for me. Don’t just do what you’re feeling right now; here’s a topic, go back to a place where you did feel this way and write it. And we did that. I think it stretched me in a really good way as a songwriter.”

This new approach to songwriting is very evident on “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days,” and Young has essentially crafted an album that touches on the long and winding road he has traveled with his wife, Taylor.

Young, though, didn’t want to tell a linear story about his history with Taylor. Instead, the songs on “Weekends” feel like snapshots from various moments of their journey, which included three breakups before they decided they truly should be together.

“For us, our story wasn’t linear anyway,” Young said. “I met Taylor, this Thanksgiving, it will be 16 years ago. So we have a long, storied history.”

The album culminates with the song “This,” which describes how the life Young and Taylor have now has made the heartaches and good times from their dating years completely worth it.

“That one really fell out quick,” Young said of “This.” “It got me talking about my family (with Taylor), and it immediately made me realize it doesn’t matter, three breakups, 20 breakups, whatever, it was all part of our journey to get here, to this.”

Like his history with Taylor, Young’s musical life has been a journey that had its share of frustrations before things fell into place for the 42-year-old singer/songwriter.

He began by playing covers of other peoples’ songs, first at restaurants and other venues around his Orange County, California, home base and later in the big city of Los Angeles, while he independently released a pair of EPs and three albums, hoping to get a record deal.

But Young’s career remained stuck in neutral until he realized his songs actually were well suited to country music, and he moved to Nashville. There, Young quickly made contacts and, within nine months, signed with Big Machine Records.

In short order, he was in a studio making his self-titled debut album with noted producer Dann Huff. The album’s advance single, “Sleep Without You,” reached No. 2 on “Billboard” magazine’s Country Airplay chart. Then another single, “In Case You Didn’t Know,” topped the Country Airplay chart and went top 20 on “Billboard’s” all genre Hot 100 chart. The hits have kept coming since, with his second album, “Ticket To L.A.,” adding “Here Tonight” and “Catch” and “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days” adding “Lady” to his list of chart-topping singles.

For a while, Young worried that he might have to leave even some of his popular ballads out of his concerts to keep his shows from getting too sleepy for audiences. But as his current shows demonstrate, he’s found that his fans aren’t worried about the pace of his concerts.

“What we’ve found out is that people aren’t thinking about that at my shows. They bought a Brett Young ticket. They know the music,” Young said. “They came to hear the music that they know. So every time we try to kind of inauthentically ramp it up for the sake of ramping it up, they’ve felt like they missed out on a song or two they wanted to hear. So it’s been less about the setlist and more about paying attention to my fan base and what they’re actually coming to the show for.”

Brett Young performs at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

It's been a couple of weeks since I've drawn your attention to this, but The Batavian continues to publish more local news than any other source, and we more frequently beat the competition than we get beat on local stories.

By local, we mean Genesee County, which is all we cover.

We cover more events. We publish more local photos. Our calendar has more local events -- more events publicized in one place than you can even find on social media (send your calendar items to be included to news@thebatavian.com).  This week, for the first time, we published a listing of local music at local venues, which makes us the only local publication to offer such a calendar.  We publish more press releases, which also helps you stay better informed about what's going on in the local community (send press releases to news@thebatavian.com). I didn't include much sports in the list below, including the Muckdogs, because we don't have a sports staff, but we have beat the competition on sports stories, and we seem to have more coverage of the Muckdogs these days.  

All of this adds up to The Batavian being a complete and comprehensive local news outlet like none other around here.

A report by Northwestern University says that local newspapers are dying at a rate of two per week. The future of local news is digital, which is why you should support online local news.

We work hard to bring you the news, sometimes too hard (I put in more than 100 hours this past week), which is why we started Early Access Pass.  Local news isn't going to survive without reader support. It simply isn't sustainable without readers helping pay for it.

Please join Early Access Pass today.

Here's a list of stories from the past week that The Batavian beat the competition on, and often the coverage is still only available on The Batavian.

• The unremarkable but still valuable sports career of a Batavia boy (Part 2), by David Reilly
• Music and open containers go hand-in-hand at Ramble, by Joanne Beck
• Muckdogs fans show artistic flair during drawing contest Monday, by Joanne Beck
• 'Mayhem' coming to Batavia ice arena July 16, by Joanne Beck
• Dog that attacked people in South Main Street residence surrendered, euthanized, by Howard Owens
• From board member, volunteer and doula, Staebell takes on interim ED role at Crossroads, by Joanne Beck
• UPS workers in Batavia demonstrate their willingness to strike in brief picket, by Howard Owens
• Water shortage means no spray parks in 90-degree heat, Joanne Beck
• Champions crowned for 2023 season in Batavia Youth Baseball, by Howard Owens
• Local chef smokin' in Corfu with BBQ restaurant and catering service, by Jazmyne Boozer
• Photos: Spray Park open in Batavia, by Howard Owens
• Le Roy claims district Little League title, moves on to regionals, by Howard Owens
• Photos: Craig Morgan and Drake White at Batavia Downs, photos by Nick Serrata
• Photos: Jackson Square concert series opens with Skycats, by Howard Owens
• Photos: Eli Fish Carnival in Jackson Square, by Howard Owens
• First-place Muckdogs stay hot behind dominating pitching of Ryan Kinney, by Howard Owens
• Photos: Alexander Firemen's Tractor Pull, photos by Nick Serrata

Many of these stories were available only to members of Early Access Pass during the first four hours of publication. Click here to join Early Access Pass. 

A porch fire is reported at 7959 North Road, Le Roy.

That's between Conlon Road and Lake Street. 

Le Roy Fire, along with Bergen and City of Batavia, dispatched.

Eli Fish Brewing is hosting its second annual carnival in Jackson Square today (Saturday).

The carnival runs until 10 p.m.

Photos by Howard Owens.

The Friday evening concert series in Jackson Square, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, kicked off the 2023 season with the Skycats.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Country music recording artist Craig Morgan, with hits such as "That's What I Love About Sunday," "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "Little Bit of Life," and "International Harvester," brought his tour into Batavia on Friday with a stop at Batavia Downs.

Opening for Morgan was Drake White as part of the summer's Rockin' the Downs concert series.

This Friday, the show will get a little more rockus with Skid Row taking the stage.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

A gas pipe is reportedly broken in the woods across the street from 2319 Richley Road in Darien.

The location is between Ridge Road and Simons Road.

Darien Fire dispatched.

The temporary shutoff of water to Batavia's spray park in Austin Park Friday, with temperatures approaching 90, is over, and a steady stream of kids was hitting the park throughout Saturday morning and into the afternoon.

Mikayla Brown and James Malone went to the park on Saturday to cool off with no idea the park had just been through a temporary water shutoff.

Malone said the spray park is important on hot days.

"When it gets to be 90 degrees some days, with the humidity, yeah, yeah, it would be kind of sad (without water)," he said.

When told the water was temporarily shut off because of a water shortage, both Malone and Brown said they could understand why it would be shut off. 

Le Roy's spray park had also been turned off, and there has been no word on whether it was up and running again for the weekend.

Previously: Water shortage means no spray parks in 90-degree heat

Le Roy Central School District families ended their week with some good news for student athletes Friday through a letter sent home by the Athletic Department, Superintendent Merritt Holly says.

The district has formed a new partnership with Genesee Valley BOCES to offer a certified strength and conditioning staff “that will be creating a strength and conditioning program for all our students in grades 7-12,” the letter from Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mathew Davis stated.

It continued:

The program is specifically designed to build athletes into the strongest and fastest version of themselves. This targeted performance program concentrates on a scientifically specialized type of training that will increase an athlete's strength, speed, explosiveness, quickness, acceleration, and vertical jump. Training will be provided for both off-season and in-season sessions along with being implemented into sport specific practice times throughout the year.

The strength and conditioning staff will also be partnering with our long-time Certified Athletic Trainer, Amanda Sheflin. This newly established partnership will certainly bring a competitive advantage to our student athletes’ ability to gain strength, recover faster, minimize sport related injuries and improve overall health and wellness.

This summer programming will start on Monday, July 10th and run through Friday, August 25th. All training sessions will take place at the Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School fitness center. Our coaching staff encourages all Modified, JV, and Varsity athletes to take advantage of this excellent FREE opportunity to enhance their overall strength, fitness, and performance this summer!

The schedule will run from to 8 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with Fridays being open.

Davis was not available for further comment Friday. 

Anyone with questions may contact the Athletic Office at 585-768-8131.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum's History Heroes Summer Program is back for 2023 from Tuesday, July 25 through Saturday, July 29. The program is for children ages 7-12. 

This year's theme is "I Survived the Civil War" and features lessons about various groups and their lives during the Civil War. This includes not only soldiers but also women and children and even President Abraham Lincoln. Each day runs from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. and includes crafts, games, music, presenters, historic food, and more. 

The price is $40 per day or $30 for museum members. Please contact the museum to sign up or for more information. Registration forms and information can also be found at the museum website, www.hollandlandoffice.com.

Press Release:

On Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., resurfacing operations will occur on the following listed roads:

• Dorman Road – Creek Road to Alexander Townline Road
• East Road – Creek Road to Putnam Road
• Shepard Road – Putnam Road to Batavia/Bethany Townline Road
• State Street Road – City line to Saile Drive

Traffic should expect delays and short-term closures while resurfacing operations occur. All through traffic should seek alternative routes. 

Residents on the listed roads will be permitted access to their property but may experience delays. Work is weather dependent. If postponed for weather, work will resume the next work day.

If there are any questions concerning this work, please, contact The Town of Batavia Highway Department at (585) 343-1729, Extension 218. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Press Release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce The BEST Center will be offering new technical programs this fall. With the changing needs of the workforce and the increased need for individuals trained in technical skills, the BEST Center will offer a variety of programs including Introduction to Electric, Refrigeration, HVAC, Heating, Plumbing, Computer Numerical Control, and Cybersecurity courses.

Introduction to Electric will be one of the first courses to be offered. It is scheduled for Saturdays from September 16-November 18, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. "The course times and hours were selected to allow working professionals to take the class outside of their regular working hours," said Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development. "These new technical programs will benefit many employees and companies in the GLOW region. Reports are generated monthly demonstrating the unfilled positions in our region due to the lack of skilled employees. We hope to close this gap with these new offerings."

In addition, through the SUNY HealthCARES Grant, training for GCC Health Care Studies students and BEST Center clients will be offered in a virtual reality format. Students will be able to use ocular headsets loaded with industry-recognized curriculum to explore healthcare career options, practice techniques, learn new skills and prepare for industry-recognized certifications. In addition, students will be connected with local healthcare organizations for career pathway preparation.

New programming requires new staff to provide service to our companies and students. Kathy Wood is the Regional Coordinator for the SUNY HealthCARES Grant. A resident of Le Roy, Kathy has over 20 years of combined experience in program coordination and healthcare workforce development. Christa Palmer, also new to the team, is the Coordinator of Technical Programs for the BEST Center. Christa is a resident of Batavia and joins GCC with over 25 years of experience in education.

"Technology gives our companies important business tools, which leads to gains in productivity and profitability. These new courses for high-demand careers will provide the training needed for our companies to be successful," said Dr. Craig Lamb, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at GCC.

The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees, as well as businesses large and small, with seminars, workshops, and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.

For more information contact Vice President, Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Press Release:

HCR Home Care has earned Home Health Heart Failure certification from the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all.

The certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating home health agencies against the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based standards for heart failure patients, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement.

“Obtaining American Heart Association certification for our heart failure program is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Adrianne Mann, RN, BSN, MSHA, chief nursing officer and administrator of HCR’s Certified Home Health Agency. “Our staff provides quality care to our patients, and it is great to be recognized for all of their hard work and dedication.”

“I am proud to be part of such an amazing interdisciplinary team of home care experts,” said Chris Chimenti, senior director of clinical innovation, HCR Home Care. “We have been working with the AHA for more than a year to achieve this valued designation. This partnership will ensure the highest standards of care are offered to our patients living with heart failure.”

“This certification affirms the lifesaving mission and goal of the American Heart Association to help every person everywhere have the opportunity for a longer, healthier life,” said Kyle G. Lavergne, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, American Heart Association volunteer and founding member of the certification standards writing committee and director of clinical programs of the LHC Group. “We’re pleased to have HCR Home Care join the national network of American Heart Association Home Health Heart Failure certified agencies.”

The certification signifies confidence that:

• An agency’s heart failure program is based on standards aligned with the American Heart Association science.
• The agency is recognized by the American Heart Association, based on professional evaluation criteria designed by heart failure and home care experts.
• Care is coordinated from pre-admission through working with the home health agency to discharge.

Raymond L. Leach, III, 22, a former Batavia football star who has been called among the greatest high school running backs in New York State history, has been charged with rape and sexual abuse.

The Sheriff's Office announced his arrest on Friday. 

Leach is charged with rape in the first degree, a Class B felony, criminal sexual act in the first degree, a Class B felony, and sexual abuse in the first degree, a Class D felony.

All charges are related to an accusation that Leach had sexual contact with a person incapable of giving consent. 

According to a Sheriff's Office investigation, Leach allegedly subjected another person to sexual contact, including sexual intercourse as well as oral or anal sexual intercourse while the person was incapable of consent due to physical helplessness.

The Sheriff's Office states that the alleged crime occurred in the Town of Batavia in August.

Leach was arrested Wednesday by Batavia PD on a sealed grand jury indictment and turned over to the Sheriff's Office, and arraigned in County Court that day.  He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled back in court for further proceedings on July 18.

In 2018, Leach set the Section V single-season scoring record with 310 points. That was fifth all-time in the state. He set the Section V single-season rushing record at 3,012 yards, which was sixth all-time in the state. He scored 50 points against Cheektowaga on Nov. 10, 2018, a Section V record. He is first in Section V in career rushing yards at 6,203. He also leads Section V with 111 career touchdowns. 

Leach carried Batavia to a state title game in 2018, which the Blue Devils lost to Glen Falls and their star QB Joseph Girard.

Before the start of the 2018 season, Leach and former football and basketball teammate, Antwan Odom, were involved in a dispute, and Odom was accused of stabbing Leach. 

Odom was charged with assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

The young basketball star was represented by flamboyant Buffalo attorney Frank Housh.

In a jury trial, Odom was found not guilty.

Earlier this year, Housh was suspended by the Bar Association for misconduct in handling the civil matters of other clients.

In May 2022, Odom was charged with an alleged burglary in Covington. His trial on that charge was stopped after Housh was suspended.

Following Housh's removal from the case, new counsel was appointed for Odom and Odom and his co-defendants entered guilty pleas. 

According to Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O'Geen, Odom entered a guilty plea to four counts of burglary in the second degree, a Class D violent felony.  He was sentenced on May 18 to five years in prison and five years on parole on each charge, with each term running concurrently. He was ordered to pay restitution of $10,411.87.

In the same case, Christopher McClinic entered guilty pleas to the four counts of burglary in the third degree. He was sentenced in accordance with his plea agreement:  one to three years in prison on each charge to run concurrently.  He was also ordered to pay the same restitution. McClinic entered his plea on July 29, 2022, and he was sentenced per the plea deal on June 15, 2023.

Jacob William Patterson, 27, of Killian Road, Pembroke, is charged with destroying physical evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. Deputy Jeremiah Gechell and Deputy Alexander Hadsall conducted a traffic stop on Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, at 1:41 a.m. on June 21. During the traffic stop, deputies identified Patterson as a backseat passenger. The deputies were aware of warrants for the arrest of Patterson. While attempting to take Patterson into custody, Patterson allegedly resisted arrest and fought with the deputies. Once he was taken into custody, a further investigation with the assistance of Deputy James Stack and K-9 Razor, a controlled substance was allegedly recovered from the vehicle. Patterson had allegedly tried to destroy the controlled substance just prior to his arrest. Patterson was held pending arraignment.

Jacob W. Patterson, 27, of Killian Road, Pembroke, was arrested on a warrant out of City Court. The warrant stems from an incident on April 24 where Patterson was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, obstructing governmental administration 2nd and four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. During that incident, Patterson allegedly ran from and fought with officers as they attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket. On May 10, a warrant was issued after Patterson failed to appear in court. Patterson was located on a traffic stop and arrested on the warrant on June 21. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrest was handled by Officer Richard Messmer.

Gerald Lawrence Smith, 37, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (degree not specified), moving from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.  Smith was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident at 10:18 p.m. on June 25 on Byron Road, Stafford. According to an investigation by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush and Deputy Nicholas Charmoun, Smith's vehicle went off the roadway and into a wooded area. Following the accident, Smith was allegedly found in possession of cocaine, scales, and baggies for packaging. Smith was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Nekia Drio Newton, 47, of Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, signal less than 100 feet, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd. Newton was stopped by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 11:49 p.m. on June 28 on West Main Street in the City of Batavia. During the stop, Newton allegedly admitted to possession of a controlled substance.  Newton was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Nicholas C. Kingdollar, 27, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from charges of criminal mischief 4th and harassment 2nd. Kingdollar is accused of being involved in a disturbance on April 15 at an undisclosed location in Batavia, where he allegedly damaged property and pushed another person. Officers were unable to locate him, and a warrant was issued. On June 22, Kingdollar was located and arrested. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance pending his next court appearance.

Jaqulyn A. Dueppengiesser, 39, of Perry, was arrested on June 22 on a pair of warrants out of City Court. The first warrant stems from an investigation on April 20 where Dueppengiesser was initially arrested for petit larceny, after allegedly stealing merchandise from a local business. She was issued an appearance ticket and was to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date. Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to appear, and an arrest warrant was issued. She was arrested on the warrant on May 24 and arraigned in City Court, where she was released on her own recognizance. She allegedly failed to appear again, and a bench warrant was issued on June 15. On June 22, Dueppengiesser was arrested on that warrant and arraigned in City Court. The second warrant initially stems from a traffic stop on Feb. 19, where Dueppengiesser was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. She was arraigned and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. On May 1, a bench warrant was issued after Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program. She was arrested on that warrant on May 24 and released on her own recognizance. Another bench warrant was issued on June 15 after she allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arrested on that warrant on June 22. Dueppengiesser was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrests were handled by Officer Andrew Mruczek.

Andrew D. Beedham, 37, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. The arrest is the result of an investigation into a disturbance where Beedham allegedly hit another person. During his arrest, Beedham was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic. He was charged with an additional count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Beedham was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Jennifer J. Hogan, 32, of Rochester, is charged with two counts of bail jumping 3rd and one count of bail jumping 2nd. Hogan was arrested on June 27. She was already in custody at the Genesee County Jail after a previous arrest on June 15 on three bench warrants. The bail-jumping charges stem from those three cases. She was arraigned in City Court and remanded to jail.

Breanna E. Brummond, 32, was arrested on two bench warrants. Brummond was arrested on June 27 on warrants out of City Court. The warrants stem from two separate incidents on Feb. 3 where Brummond was charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass 3rd. Brummond was issued appearance tickets in both cases and released. She allegedly failed to appear, and two warrants were issued on Feb. 14. Brummond was arrested on both warrants on April 5. She was arraigned and released. April 20, warrants were issued again after she allegedly failed to appear. Brummond was arrested on those warrants on June 27 and arraigned. She was remanded to the custody of the Genesee County Jail and is due back in court at a later date. The arrest was handled by Officer Kevin Defelice. Brummond was also arrested by the Sheriff's Office and charged with bail jumping 2nd. She is accused of failure to appear in City Court.

Shameek T. Taylor, 36, of Bergen, is charged with criminal obstruction of Breathing. Taylor was arrested on June 27, after an investigation into a disturbance on West Main Street. Taylor allegedly placed his hand around the neck of another person and applied pressure, causing their breathing to be obstructed. Taylor was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear back in court at a later date. 

Bill A. Thomas, 63, of Batavia, is charged with open container. Thomas was allegedly found to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container on June 21 in a local park. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. 

Billy Joe Budziszewski, 31, of Varysburg, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued in City Court. The warrant is the result of an incident on Jan. 1 where Budziszewski allegedly refused to leave a local business. He was charged with trespassing and allegedly fought with officers when they attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. Budziszewski allegedly failed to appear, and a warrant was issued on Jan. 24. He was arrested on the warrant on June 24. 

Dustin T. Forkell, 32, of Ogden, was arrested on two bench warrants. Forkell was taken into custody on June 24. The warrants stem from an incident that led to a charge of criminal possession of stolen property 4th after he was allegedly found in possession of a stolen vehicle. He was additionally charged with false impersonation and petit larceny after he allegedly stole merchandise from a local business and lied to officers about his identity. Forkell was arraigned and ordered to return to court at a later date. 

Brittanee J. Hooten, 34, of Batavia, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued by City Court.  Hooten was arrested on June 22. Hooten was originally charged with petit larceny on Sept. 17 after allegedly stealing merchandise from a local business. Hooten was released on an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued on Oct. 20 after Hooten allegedly failed to appear in court. Following her June 22 arrest, Hooten was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $100 cash bail and $200 surety bond. 

Kenyetta D. Culver, 47, of Batavia, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant on June 23. Culver turned herself into Batavia PD on a warrant issued by City Court. The warrant is the result of a traffic stop on Feb. 12 where Culver was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket for operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. The warrant was issued on June 14 after Culver allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court, where she pled guilty and was assessed a fine. 

William Avant Lewis, 37, of Riley Street, Buffalo, is charged with bail jumping (degree not specified). Lewis is accused of failure to appear in Batavia Town Court. He was held pending arraignment. 

Dontaya Nell Kyles, 31, of Jessamine Street, Macon, Ga., is charged with bail jumping 2nd. Kyles is accused of failure to appear in Town of Batavia Court on a grand larceny 3rd charge and then failing to appear on her reappearance date. She was arrested and ordered held on $10,000 bail.

Amber Lynne Westenberger, 32, of Loomis Road, Farmington, is charged with bail jumping 2nd. Westenberger was held pending arraignment.

Cain Alexander Catino, 51, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Cantino is accused of stealing a wallet while at Batavia Downs on June 25 at 10:30 p.m. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Lester Shakayla Ebony Deas, 25, of Affinity Lane, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Deas is accused of stealing from an undisclosed location (the Sheriff's Office withheld the information) on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia at 6:27 p.m. on June 27. Deas was issued an appearance ticket. UPDATE: The Batavian submitted a FOIL request for the name of the store. It is Old Navy.

Pablo Viera, 44, no known address, is charged with criminal mischief 4th and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Viera is accused of using a wooden tire knocker to strike the side of a Kenworth semi-truck multiple times, causing dents in the side door at 7:35 p.m. on June 25. Viera was released on an appearance ticket.

Joseph Gerard Eyer, 75, of Cowen Road, Piffard, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Eyer is accused of stealing a purse that contained a mobile phone and multiple credit cards at 5:15 p.m. on June 23 while at Target. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Mark Louis Frongetta, 53, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Frongetta is accused of threatening another person with a weapon making the person fear for his life at a location on Park Road at 8:44 p.m., July 1. Frongetta was held pending arraignment. 

Francis Jermey Fuest, 44, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and speeding. Fuest was stopped at 12:14 a.m. on May 25 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mason Schultz. Fuest was arraigned on the charges on July 1 and released on an appearance ticket.

Maurice Richard McCoy, 70, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. McCoy was stopped by Deputy Zachary Hoy in the parking lot of Walmart at 8:38 p.m. on July 2. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Andrew Scott Hartman, 40, of Route 78, Java Center, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 greater, and inadequate headlamps. Hartman was stopped at 12:13 a.m. on July 2 on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Ryan Mullen. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Austin F. Buzard, 25, no known address, is charged with assault 2nd and aggravated criminal contempt. Buzard was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 8:30 p.m. on July 3 in the Town of Stafford. He was held in custody. No further details released.

Andrew R. Bastiano, 36, of Batavia, is charged with felony DWI. Bastiano was stopped at 12:39 a.m. on July 3 in the Town of Elba by State police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Paula A. Kingdollar, 54, of Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. Kingdollar is accused of stealing in the Town of Batavia at 1:33 p.m. on June 2. She was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket. No further details released. 

A 17-year-old was arrested by State Police and charged with petit larceny in connection with a theft reported at 5:17 p.m. on July 2 in the Town of Darien. The youth was released on an appearance ticket.

Rudy Lebron Cartagena, 33, of Niagara Falls, is charged with felony DWI. Cartagena was stopped at 5:25 a.m. on June 30 in the Town of Alabama by State Police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Summertime's warmer temps usually bring on road pavings, driveway sealings and roof replacements, and the city's fire department is also receiving some much-needed construction during the season, Chief Joshua Graham says.

The department's Evans Street station apron is being replaced as part of a larger renovation project that has been planned for many years and will update the station with new equipment, bathrooms and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant amenities. 

The concrete is original to the building's construction, which was done in 1977, Graham said. 

"The construction that took place back then was not designed for the weight of today’s fire apparatus. Due to that fact, the concrete is cracking up and falling apart," he said to The Batavian Thursday. "The apron itself consists of tearing the only concrete out and pouring new slabs. We then have to wait until it has hardened enough to support the weight of our trucks."

That's only the beginning, he said, as the apron sets the stage for a larger indoor renovation project.

"We are renovating parts of the interior of the fire station as well. Again, the facility is original to 1977 and, as such, has only one bathroom and open showers for the firefighters," he said. "We also have a non-ADA compliant bathroom up front, which would be public use. When the project is complete, we will have three separate bathrooms with separate showers, including one ADA-compliant. We are adding a wall to separate the living space (kitchen, bunk rooms) from the rest of the station."

There will also be a new sprinkler system, updated fire alarm system, new generator and some minor cosmetic repairs, he said. 

"All of these fixes are much needed, and I’m thankful to the city for seeing that they are completed," he said.

Earlier this year, City Council approved a recommendation from management to reallocate $635,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for upgrades at the City Fire and Bureau of Maintenance department facilities. 

These two capital projects were first eyed in 2017 and were then put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic.

“We finally got a project engineered and out to bid. It came back much higher,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski had said during that January council meeting.

She recommended taking funds previously allocated for the Cohocton Water and Austin Park playground projects and reroute them to the fire station and Bureau of Maintenance projects, and council agreed.

Graham sent out a press release on Thursday to notify the public of the apron construction to take place over the next several months and a request for visitors to use the rear door of the station during that time.

"We do not have a doorbell on the back door, so if no one is there to greet you, please call the fire station phone at 585-345-6375," he said.

In the coming weeks, as the construction crews work to replace the apron, fire department staff will be responding from the rear of the station. Please do not park anywhere near the rear bay doors, as the fire apparatus will need room to pull out and respond to calls, Graham said.

Additionally, the retired flag drop box has been temporarily moved to the rear of the station as well. It is still accessible to the public.

"I appreciate your understanding as we complete these much-needed renovations," he said.