Skip to main content

news

Truck tangled in wires on Lewiston Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A truck is reportedly tangled in wires in front of the Alabama Fire Hall on Lewiston Road, Alabama.

It's unknown if the wires are power lines.

The driver is reportedly still in the truck.

School district mourns passing of high school student

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia City Schools community is mourning the loss of Lorne Brudz, a student at Batavia High School, who passed away this morning.

The death was announced today on the school district's homepage and Superintendent Chris Dailey sent a letter to parents.

"Our entire school community is mourning the loss of this wonderful young man," Dailey wrote in the letter.

Dailey informed parents that counselors, teachers and support staff are available to assist students, teachers, and parents. He suggested parents talk with their children about the death as it affects people in different ways.

The school district was not informed of the cause of death.

No increase in spending in 2018 expected for County Highway

By Howard B. Owens

The financial outlook for the multifaceted County Highway Department looks pretty much unchanged for 2018, Superintendent Tim Hens told members of the County Legislature on Monday.

Hens presented a department review during the Public Service Committee meeting.

"We're proposing a fairly flat budget and general fund contribution to County Highway," Hens said. "It is actually exactly the same as it was in 2017."

After two winters of mild weather, the county hasn't used much salt recently and with low oil prices the past few years, the cost of asphalt has remained low. Even with hurricane Harvey that hit Houston, causing a bump in fuel prices, Hens expects costs to return to their pre-Harvey level before long.

"I don't expect oil and gas to really fluctuate too much," Hens said.

A pressure point however is the county's bridges and culverts. 

The county has 100 bridges eligible for federal aid. The typical lifespan of a bridge is 50 to 75 years.

"About half of our Federal bridges are what are considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete," Hens said.

Ideal, the county should replace two bridges with the help of federal aid every year. For the past decade, the average has been one bridge every two years.

"It's a pretty big deal for us to not get federal aid," Hens said.

As for culverts -- which Hens defined as anything with a span of five to 20 feet -- there are 278 in the county. 

Over the past two years, nine of the 30 most in need of replacement have been replaced.

A contract has been awarded to two concrete companies for castings for culvert pipes, so there are 10 under construction now.

For roads, Hens said aid will assist in the reconstruction of Pratt Road and Searles Road next summer.

County Highway and several local town highway departments are working together under a shared-services agreement this week on South Main Street Road, Town of Batavia.

Hens also said when roads are getting repaved, or overlayed, the surface is milled as well as the shoulder and the millings are then ground up so they can be recycled for bedding on the shoulder and expanded shoulders. The roads are being widened by four feet on the shoulders.

"We're winding up with 30-foot roads, which is safer for drivers, is safer for kids on bikes, and people walking. It's a pretty big improvement. It's going to take a long time to get through all the roads, but it will be a big benefit to the county when we're all done."

The project started three years ago.

As for parks, Shannon Morley has been doing a great job as the environmental educator at the interpretative center on the County Park & Forest in East Bethany, Hens said.

Reservations have held steady for use of pavilions at the parks, though crews had quite a bit of work after the March windstorm repairing damaged pavilions, as well as cleaning up trails in the County Park.

With funding being cut off for the Americorps program, the county won't benefit from those helpers at the County Park this year, Hens said, but efforts are underway to work with another program, the state's Student Conservation Program. That's more expensive but the folks with ACORN have raised money to help cover the cost.

It may also be possible to get volunteers from SUNY Brockport.

Hens said the first year of the new ice rink at DeWitt Recreation Area went well, but he thinks for the kids to get the most out of it, it needs to stay open later. When kids get out of school at three or four, and it gets dark at 5:30 p.m., there isn't much time for them to skate. Hens said he is looking into providing some lighting so they can skate longer into the evening.

The biggest news out at the County Airport is a plan to resurface the runway in 2019.

The current runway is 40 years old, Hens said.

The airport continues to be a moneymaker for the county, even with less travel, meaning lower full sales, because of weather this past year.

Typically, the airport has generated $100,000 to $200,000 a year in surplus revenue, but Hens is projecting $65,000 to $75,000 this year.

In the past few years, there have been several improvements to the airport, including a new terminal and new hangars. Since Hens has been highway superintendent, there has been a $27 million investment, most of it federal funds, in the airport.

The investment is paying off, Hens said.

" Our hangars are full and we are way ahead of forecast for what the FAA thinks we should have in terms of based aircraft," Hens said. "In fact, we've got another 8-bay T-hangar waiting in the wings to go up and then another one beyond that, so hoping we can base more aircraft here."

Cuomo to make announcement at City Hall on Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Local officials are being invited to Batavia City Hall at 1:30 p.m. Thursday where Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to make an announcement.

What Cuomo will announce is not revealed in the invitation, but the City of Batavia did submit an application to Cuomo's office for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative contest, which carries a $10 million award for one municipality in each of the state's economic development regions.

While winners have been announced in other regions, the winner of the contest in the Finger Lakes region has not yet been announced.

Local officials cannot discuss the reason for Cuomo's visit.

Law and Order: Man arrested on drug charges after complaint of driver slumped over wheel

By Howard B. Owens

Robert E. Wright, 35, no permanent address, is charged with resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, criminal possession of a narcotic/drug with intent to sell, criminal possession of a narcotic/drug, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without insurance, aggravated unlicensed operation and two counts of unsafe tires.  Wright was arrested following a complaint at 8:46 a.m. Saturday in the area of 563 E. Main St., Batavia, of a man slumped over the steering wheel of a car. At the scene, Wright led officers on a brief foot pursuit. He was also wanted by the Department of Corrections. Wright was ordered held without bail.

Tonya M. Cragg, 38, of Church Street, Tioga, Pa., is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Cragg was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance at 8:46 a.m. Saturday in the area of 563 E. Main St., Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Carla Faye Ewell, 59, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate headlamps. Ewell was stopped at 12:40 a.m. Sept. 9 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Earl R. Benson, 51, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving on the wrong side of the median. Benson was stopped at 9:56 p.m. Sept. 8 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Madison Alyssa Scheurlein, 19, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Scheurlein allegedly stole two items from Kohl's valued at $72.

Tall man wearing Adidas flip-flops and tan summer clothes reportedly flees Rite Aid with cologne

By Billie Owens

A larceny of cologne just occurred at the Rite Aid on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The suspect fled the store and left in a vehicle, unknown type or description, but possibly black in color. Unknown direction of travel.

The suspect is described as a white male, 6' tall, wearing tan shorts and top and "Adidas flip-flops." Store personnel say they have the theft on video. Law enforcement is responding. 

Grand Jury: Man indicted on two felonies for allegedly possessing assault weapon and large capacity ammo feeding device in Bryon

By Billie Owens

Charles S. Ganoung IV is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on March 25 in the 6300 block of Transit Road in the Town of Byron that Ganoung possessed an assault weapon. According to the indictment, it was a DPMS Panther Arms semiautomatic .223-caliber rifle, equipped with a telescoping stock, pistol grip, detachable high-capacity magazine, loaded with 28 live rounds, flash suppressor/muzzle break and a bayonet mount. In count two, he is accused of the same crime for also allegedly possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The indictment says it was a large capacity .223-caliber magazine loaded with 28 live .223-caliber rounds.

Tawny L. Collazo is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 25 in the Town of Pembroke that Collazo drove a 2013 Dodge on Route 5 while in an intoxicated condition and while a child 15 years of age or less was a passenger. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. In is alleged in count two that she had a BAC of .08 or more at the time with passenger age 15 or under. In count three, Collazzo is indicted for the crime of aggravated DWI as a Class E felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated while a second child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count four, she is again accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time with a second passenger age 15 or younger.

Michael J. Wojdyla is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on June 3 in the Town of Darien that Wjodyla drove a 2009 Chevrolet on Main Park Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Mark Your Calendar: HomeCare & Hospice to hold its first October Fest fundraiser at Batavia Downs Oct. 21

By Billie Owens

From information provided by HomeCare & Hospice: 

Help HomeCare & Hospice Foundation Inc. raise funds for area patients and families by participating in its inaugural October Fest on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The event, sponsored by Overhead Door of Batavia, National Fuel, and Stan’s Harley-Davidson, will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs. It is located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

The October Fest will include 25+ vendors for beer, wine, and food tasting, live harness racing, a cash bar, DJ, 50/50 drawing, and more than $2,000 worth of basket raffle prizes! With the purchase of a $25 pre-sale ticket or $30 at the door, you will receive $10 of free play, food, wine and beer sampling vouchers, and a sandwich or bratwurst.

You must be 21 years of age or older to register for and be admitted to the event. Please bring a valid ID the day of the event.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the HomeCare & Hospice in Batavia, located at 29 Liberty St., or the Warsaw office at 450 N. Main St. You can also purchase tickets at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce (8276 Park Road, Batavia), Big Pauly’s Pizza (314 Ellicott St., Batavia), or online at HomeCare-Hospice.org/October-Fest.

Special discounted tickets for designated drivers are available for $15. Discounts are also available at the Batavia Downs Hotel for the night of the event. If you are interested, please call the Batavia Downs Hotel at (585) 815-7000 and mention HomeCare & Hospice.

HomeCare & Hospice is also seeking volunteers to help during the event. If you would like to find out more about volunteering or to pre-register for the October Fest, please call Nick O’Keefe at (800) 719-7129 or email him at nokeefe@homecare-hospice.org.

About HomeCare & Hospice

HomeCare & Hospice is a nonprofit organization serving a large population in Western New York. Our focus is on providing patient care as a person enters the later stages to end stage of life, and on alleviating the stress this can cause their families. We do this through providing care within the home and keeping hospital stays to a minimum. We operate on two levels – Providing licensed homecare services as well as hospice services.

To reach HomeCare & Hospice's administrative office in Olean, call (716) 372-5735.

Former BHS student vowing hunger strike at U of R until professor accused of sexual harassment is fired

By Howard B. Owens

A former Batavia High School student is in her third day of a hunger strike to protest the way the University of Rochester has handled sexual harassment complaints against a professor in UR's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Lindsay Wrobel says she won't eat until Dr. Florian Jaeger is removed from the faculty.

Wrobel is not claiming that she was sexually harassed.

Jaeger is at the center of an EEOC complaint filed against the university

"Until Professor Jaeger is removed from the university, there’s going to be no trust among the student body," Wrobel said. 

Wrobel graduated from BHS in 2013 and was a Top 10 member of the class.

The sexual harassment allegations have roiled the campus for more than a year but became national news after a long story in Mother Jones. There's also been coverage in The New York Times and Nature.

The university conducted an investigation into the allegations and found no evidence that Jaeger violated its policy. After complaints that the investigation failed to consider all of the evidence or interview all witnesses, the findings were appealed and a dean in another department at UR investigated the appeal and upheld the findings of the original investigation. 

At least one faculty member has resigned in response to UR's handling of the case and others have alleged retaliation for their part in the accusations. The university also investigated these complaints and found no evidence of retaliation.

After seeing Wrobel not looking well, an anonymous person called 9-1-1 on her behalf, but Wrobel reportedly declined medical treatment.

Wrobel said her hunger strike is painful and scary but she intends to persist.

"I fully intend to do this until I’m hospitalized. I think what’s of primary importance is the students on this campus feeling safe. And as of right now, they don’t, and they won’t until Professor Jaeger is removed," Wrobel said. 

Our news partner 13WHAM has been following the story:

Key Bank robber can expect to stay in state prison until at least 2025

By Howard B. Owens

The man who robbed the Key Bank branch in Batavia at the end of last year and got away with $10,275 isn't expected to get out of prison before 2025.

Joel Zsebehazy, 33, an Iraq War veteran from Niagara Falls, was sentenced to three to six years in prison by Judge Charles Zambito in County Court this morning.

Attorney Lisa Kroemer, from the Public Defender's Office, requested a two-to-four-year prison term for her client after noting that Zsebehazy was on parole at the time of the robbery, so he now owes the state prison time before he can start serving a sentence on the Key Bank robbery. 

"Given that fact, he's going to be serving a lot of time anyway," Kroemer said.

Zsebehazy apologized for his actions.

"I realize there is no excuse to justify what I did," Zsebehazy said. "I know what I did was wrong. I knew when I went into the situation it was wrong. I know it negatively impacted more people than just myself."

He then apologized to the teller and the court for his crime.

After the robbery, Zsebehazy fled the state. He was eventually located in Lousiana and brought back to Batavia on the bank robbery charge. During his travels, Zsebehazy said, he started attending AA meetings and going to church and felt like he was getting his life back on track.

"I've been making progress in my life," Zsebehazy said. "I know that in no way excuses myself and I stand here ready to make amends in any way I can."

Zambito said he wasn't moved by either the fact that Zsebehazy will spend an even longer time in prison because he was on parole at the time of the robbery or that he was getting his life together. The fact is, Zambito said, he robbed a bank and had to be chased down in order to be brought to justice.

"To say that this has been an opportunity to start a new life by robbing a bank is something I find incredible," Zambito said.

Zambito said Zsebehazy had already received a substantial break on potential prison time when he was offered a plea deal that capped his sentence at three to six years.  To cut it any further wouldn't fit the crime, he said.

Zsebehazy was ordered to start making payments toward restitution while he's incarcerated. Kroemer tried to convince Zambito to delay restitution payments until Zsebehazy is out of prison because Zsebehazy will receive such a minimal allowance for toiletries, writing paper, and other personal items while in prison that any restitution payment would make it difficult for him to obtain necessities. 

She suggested that lack of money for these items is why some prisoners turn to "less than legal activity" in prison.

District Attorney Lawerence Friedman said Zsebehazy should start paying restitution immediately and that prison officials have a formula to take only a portion of a prisoner's money for restitution payments so they still can buy necessities from the prison store.

Zambito agreed.

Photo: file photo

Accident with injuries reported at Knowlesville and Lewiston roads, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Knowlesville and Lewiston roads, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The roadway is partially blocked.

A first responder on scene says there are two patients, one with lower leg injuries. "Some extrication will be needed." Mercy Flight is called.

UPDATE 7:20 a.m.: The trapped patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:46 a.m.: Two patients taken to ECMC.

UPDATE 7:56 a.m.: Alabama engine is back in quarters.

UPDATE 8:03 a.m.: Trooper Frank C. Velletta said a red Chevy was headed eastbound on Lewiston Road, while a gold Toyota was westbound. For reasons unknown, the red vehicle crossed over into the westbound lane and struck the gold vehicle. The driver of the red car suffered leg injuries and was airlifted to ECMC; the driver of the gold car was transported there by ground ambulance. Neither driver suffered serious injuries and both were conscious and alert when transported. The collision is being investigated.

Motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries on Route 77, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

Two vehicles left the scene, and two didn't leave the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 9548 Alleghany Road, Darien.

A chief on scene reports minor injuries. 

Darien fire responded.

Deputies were advised of the vehicles that fled the scene.

Photos: Kiwanis Classic Car Show in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

The Kiwanis Club of Corfu/Pembroke/Darien sponsored its annual Classic Car Show at the Pembroke Town Park today.

There was also a basket raffle benefiting Crossroads House.

Photos by Lenora Kohorst.

Free child safety seat check to be offered at City Fire Headquarters Saturday, Sept. 23

By Billie Owens

A free check of child safety seats will be available at the City of Batavia's Fire Headquarters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The location is 18 Evans St.

Nationally certified technicians will be on hand to answer questions, check product recalls and assist people with making sure their child safety seat is correctly installed.

For questions, please call the Fire Headquarters at 345-6375.

Accident reported on North Street Road in Le Roy, car off road in stream bed

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in Le Roy in the area of 491 North Street Road. It is off the road, possibly "east of the bridge in the stream bed." Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and Caledonia fire is called for mutual aid.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: Le Roy command on scene requests all units responding to proceed in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.: Command orders the roadway shut down and lights turned on to illuminate the scene.

Landmark Society of Genesee County to hold annual Preservation Awards & Dinner Oct. 7, must RSVP by Sept. 30

By Billie Owens

The public is invited to attend the Lanmark Society of Genesee County's annual Preservation Awards & Dinner on Oct. 7 at Batavia First United Methodist Church.

Dinner begins at 6, with the awards ceremony to follow. The church is located at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

RSVP by Sept. 30 to (585) 757-2714 or mullinsjc@gmail.com.

Cost is $15 for a chicken dinner. If you prefer a vegetarian meal, please request this when making your reservation.

The 50-year-old society supports the many people who enhance the quality of our county by the preservation and improvement of their homes, churches and businesses.

The awardees for 2017 have not yet been announced.

The Landmark Society of Genesee County
P.O. Box 342
Batavia, NY 14021-0342

Public argument ensues in Walmart parking lot after dog owner leaves two dogs in Volvo

By Billie Owens

A complaint came in a few minutes ago of two dogs locked inside a red Volvo in the Walmart parking lot. An officer was called to respond; and susbsequently it was reported that a verbal argument was underway between shoppers and the dog's owner, who returned to the Volvo.

(The National Weather Service in Buffalo says it's 83 degrees outside, with 48-percent humidity.)

Photo: Fishing the Tonawanda

By Howard B. Owens

Craig Gillard sent in this picture of a couple of men fishing the Tonawanda Creek in Batavia this morning.

Batavia Photography Clubs enters its 31st Year

By James Burns

(Photo credit Nicole Boyce)

With photography being more popular than ever, the Batavia Photography Club is about to start its 31st year. 

In those 31 years, the club has seen the change from film to digital and the definition of what a photographer is change dramatically. Today anyone with a cell phone can be considered a photographer. Cell phone photo art (picture below).

If you have a desire to create images, learn how to make better images, or just want to meet with others who like to do the same. You should make a point of getting to a Batavia Photo Club meeting. Anyone can attend up to two meetings a year, to attend more or enter the contests you need to be a member.

(Photo credit Sue Meier)

Our first meeting is a walking tour through DeWitt Recreation Area at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18. We are going to take a walking tour around the grounds. Please come on out and join us. Bring a smartphone or a camera or just come for the walk. We are meeting at the playground. Our walk guide Scott Neumann took the photo below at the park.

Most meetings are held at the Richmond Memorial Library.

For more information please join us on Facebook or on our website:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/312745832128502/

https://batavia.visualpursuits.com

2017 - 2018 Batavia Photography Calendar

  • Sept. 18th -- Walk DeWitt Park and cell phone photography
  • Oct. 2 -- Table Top Photography
  • 16 -- Member critique -- Each member submits three or four images.(Digital OR/& prints)
  • 30 -- Extra Monday — Star Shoot
  • Nov. 6 -- Race car speaker
  • 20 -- Shoot & talk about exposure compensation, HDR exposure &  Photo
  • Presentation
  • Dec. 4 -- Member photo retouch show and tell (with image limit and time limit)
  • 18 -- Christmas dinner somewhere & walk around shoot
  • Jan. 15 -- Focus stacking (hands on?) & Develop Black and White
  • 29 -- Extra Monday — Possible fun day/field trip or studio day
  • Feb. 5 - Member critique - Each member submits three or four images (Digital OR/& prints)
  • 19 - Studio night at Sue’s
  • Mar. 5 - Hands on different Lenses uses and examples
  • 19 -- End of Year Competition
  • 31 -- Saturday Morning -- set up Richmond Library Exhibit
  • April 2 -- Gallary Show Reception Open House at Richmond Library
  • 16 -- Scavenger Hunt
  • May 7 -- End of Year Dinner -- Robert Williams Banquet Dinner

(Photo credit above Marcy Morgan)

(Photo creedit above Barbara Paserk)

(Photo credit above Christy Hibsch)

(Photo credit Jim Burns)

Authentically Local