The Batavia Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a 16-year-old girl.
Erica Gibbs was last seen on June 15 in Batavia.
She was last seen wearing a black sweatpants and a hoodie. Erica is about 5'03" and 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350 or the NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3543.
A child fell from a first-floor roof at 104 Jackson St., Batavia, on Wednesday. THe child was not hurt. The dwelling is the yellow structure on the left. The window the child used to access the first-level roof is on the north side and not pictured. Photo by Howard Owens.
A two-year-old child was uninjured after apparently crawling through a second-floor window onto a first-floor roof and then falling to the ground at 104 Jackson St., Batavia.
According to a witness, the child stood up quickly after the fall and started walking.
The window and roof section were on the north side of the dwelling.
Batavia PD, City Fire, and Mercy EMS all responded to the call at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Sgt. Dan Coffey, Batavia PD, said officers are still investigating the incident and didn't have further information available. If warranted, there will be a press release later about the incident.
UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: The investigation reveals the incident is an "unfortunate accident," Coffey said.
Today, June 21, the City of Batavia Water Department will be shutting down the water main on Center Street for water main repairs. The shutoff will be approximately from East Main Street (Route 5) to School Street.
The length of time the water will be off is unknown.
As always, when the water is restored it may be discolored. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear. We apologize for any inconvenience and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.
The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 716 students to the President's List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Spring 2023 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Suzanne Smith.
To achieve the honor of being on the President's List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The students included:
Lydia Geiger of Batavia, whose major is Musical Studies.
Erin Parnapy of Byron, whose major is Theatre.
Paola Perez Matos of Oakfield, whose major is Psychology.
Megan Privatera of Le Roy, whose major is Music Education.
Join Wilmot Cancer Institute at our Survivors Night to celebrate cancer survivorship on Saturday, June 24, at 6:35 p.m. (game time) at Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St., Batavia.
The event will feature the Batavia Muckdogs playing against Elmira Pioneers, fireworks and a ceremony honoring cancer survivors.
Survivors receive 1 free game ticket (each additional ticket $10).
Call the Muckdogs Box Office to purchase at 585-524-2260. Must be purchased prior to game day.
*Cancer survivors are invited to arrive by 6 p.m. to join in the on-field celebration.
Jim Fazio at Dwyer Stadium on Monday evening. Photo by Howard Owens.
Health issues and a desire to see his son play more baseball in his final season with the Batavia Blue Devils have led Jim Fazio to step down as head coach of the Batavia High School softball team.
"The team means the world to me," Fazio told The Batavian at Dwyer Stadium during the Batavia Muckdogs game on Monday evening. "Ever since I started coaching, it was a dream to win a sectional title. To finally get it this year, it's just something that, you know, you just dream about."
Fazio has been coaching since 2000 and became varsity softball coach in 2018.
Under the circumstances, coaching in 2024 isn't possible, he said. He's been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and is on two waiting lists for a kidney transplant.
"That's the main reason why I'm stepping down," Fazio said. "I think I should be able to coach tennis, but things right now are up in the air."
His son is also entering his senior year, and in the spring, Fazio wants to take the time to see more of his son's baseball games.
"I miss a lot of his games because their schedule almost mimics ours," Fazio said.
Jim and Nikki Fazio enjoying the moment after Batavia won a Girls Softball Section V title on May 27. Photo by Howard Owens.
During Monday's baseball game at Dwyer Stadium, two fans had wallets stolen from their cars after the windows of the cars were smashed open.
Credit cards from the stolen wallets were later used at local businesses. This has led Batavia police investigators to identify a person of interest in the case.
The public is being asked to help identify the person.
The crime may be linked to similar thefts under investigation by the Sheriff's Office.
To assist in identifying the subject in the photos, contact Officer Austin Davis at 585-345-6350, the Batavia Police Department's confidential tip line at (585)345-6370.
Catcher Zach Kasperowicz carries the Muckdog's mascot Dewey on his shoulders to greet members of the home team as they walk to the dugout before Monday's game while batboy Kegan Fisher snaps a photo.. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Batavia Muckdogs battled back on Monday from a three-run first-inning deficit to beat Newark at Dwyer Stadium 6-5 behind the 3-3, four RBI performance of catcher Adam Agresti.
Garrett Beaver worked a scoreless eight to pick up the win, and Trey Bacon retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, fanning Pilots to pick up his fifth save.
Starter Tyler Henshaw surrendered four runs over three innings, giving up six hits and two walks. He struck out three.
Ryan Kinney pitched four innings, walked one and collected seven strikeouts.
At 8-5, the Muckdogs are in third place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League's Western Division, a half-game behind Niagara and Elmira.
Reported attendance: 1,432
The next home game is June 22 against Jamestown.
Photos by Howard Owens. For more and to purchase prints, click here.
Newark's Frankie DiMartino was caught in a run-down involving third baseman Giuseppe Arcuri for the third out of the first inning. Photo by Howard Owens.
Left fielder Rashad Robinson Photo by Howard Owens.
Giuseppe Arcuri squares to bunt before taking the pitch. Photo by Howard Owens.
Members of the KMS Dance Team. Photo by Howard Owens.
Starter Tyler Henshaw Photo by Howard Owens.
James Aselta Photo by Howard Owens
Giuseppe Arcuri with a base hit in the third.base hit Photo by Howard Owens.
Henry Daniels with a groundout in the fourth. Photo by Howard Owens.
Giuseppe Arcuri scores the Giuseppe Arcuri run in the fifth after a base loaded double Adam Agresti doubled to drive in three runs and give the Muckdogs the lead, 5-4. Photo by Howard Owens
Before the bottom of the fifth, children 12-and-under attending the game run around the infield. Photo by Howard Owens.
Genesee county health has scheduled its anti-rabies clinics.
There is no charge for the vaccine, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal at all times. Limit 4 pets per car. Anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:
Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia):
Thursday, August 10th, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact the health department at 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us
Batavia Concert Band opening 2021 File photo by Howard Owens.
Press release:
The Batavia Concert Band will be returning for its 99th season of public concerts in Batavia’s Centennial Park (the rain venue is the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College).
Concerts will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 9. Light refreshments will be available for purchase, including freshly popped popcorn–an audience favorite!
The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire has something for everyone: marches, Big Band and swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in between.
The Band consists of 45-55 brass, woodwind, and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, and others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure -- all love to play!
Returning for his tenth season as conductor is John Bailey, Instrumental Music teacher at Pembroke Central School District and the organization is under the leadership of General Manager Jason Smith, along with a talented group of officers and a dedicated Board, led by Board President Dan Fischer The July 12 concert will be conducted by Batavia native and resident Joshua Pacino, current band director at Batavia’s Notre Dame High School. The Albion High School band director, Mike Thaine, will conduct the July 26th concert.
Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during World War II and in 2020 during COVID.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!
Concerts are also currently supported and funded in part by Platinum Sponsors Genesee Community College, Brighton Securities, Farm Credit East, and WBTA, as well as local businesses, program advertisers, service organizations, and individual patrons. Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Band should contact a band member at any concert.
The Batavia Concert Band is also excited to announce the return of radio station WBTA (AM 1490 / FM 100.1) as the Official Media Sponsor for our 2023 summer concert series! Be on the lookout for appearances by band members on WBTA’s “Main & Center” program, where we will go into some depth about the band’s makeup and its history. Also, be listening for weekly radio ads promoting the musical selections for the upcoming concerts and announcing our weekly sponsors.
For information, please visit our Facebook page and www.bataviaconcertband.net to learn more about the Band and our sponsors, and “we will see you in the park!”
Area students have earned Part-Time Honors at SUNY Canton during the spring 2023 semester.
"Your commitment to balancing multiple responsibilities while pursuing your education is truly admirable," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "By earning Part-Time Honors, you have demonstrated exceptional determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence. You have shown that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible. Keep up the remarkable work, and may your academic journey continue to inspire others."
The college created this award to recognize students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in 6 to 11 credit hours of coursework. It stands alongside the college's Dean's and President's lists as one of the top awards for academic success during a single semester. A complete list of all honor students runs on www.canton.edu.
The Part-Time Honors list includes:
Dawn Hunter, a SUNY Canton Legal Studies major from Batavia.
Tonya D. Dioguardi, a SUNY Canton Health Care Management major from Le Roy.
Next to the headstone marker of Adeline “Addy” Barbara in the Historic Batavia Cemetery Monday morning, Annette Daniels Taylor sings while accompanied by Ted Caning on steel drum, both part of the GLOW Creatives through GO ART!, with Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Photo by Howard Owens.
Performing artist Annette Daniels Taylor had planned to review the life that Adeline “Addy” Barbara most likely endured for her 46 years in captivity as a slave in Batavia, but that wasn’t the focus of Monday morning's Juneteenth memorial service, so she turned to a poem titled “Dreaming.”
The piece journeyed back into memories of tall trees, running barefoot, glistening cocoa-brown skin under the hot sun, smiling teeth, beautiful souls, and dancing with one another.
“We danced to drums of waterfalls, drums of hoofbeats, drums of heartbeats, drums of rain storms, drums of drought, drums of baby's breath, drums of aching souls, drums of flying feet, drums of running legs,” Taylor said at the Historic Batavia Cemetery. “Drums without shame, drums without whips, drums without cuffs, drums without ropes, drums without branding irons, I still hear them beating, but only in my dreams, dreams of freedom.”
Addy’s last name was Barbara, though she belonged to the Rev. Lucius Smith, an Episcopal priest who owned her as a member of his family. She was a slave from the tender age of four until she died in 1857 at age 50. The memorial service was to honor and dignify her life for those 46 years in between.
The Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough performed a memorial service and dramatic reading, proclaiming Addy “free at last.” Way down yonder, in the graveyard walk, I’m gonna meet with my God, and we’re gonna have a talk, she said. “I’m free at last, I’m free at last.”
“Thank God almighty, I’m free at last. And in the words of Harriet Tubman, I’d rather be dead and in the grave than be a slave,” McCullough boldly said in Addy’s spirit. “I’m free at last.”
“Her marker reads Addy for 46 years, the faithful colored servant of the Reverend Lucius Smith and family, died Jan. 28, 1857 … This means that Addy began her burden for the Smith family at the age of four; this is Lucius Smith's marker, very symbolic, as you can see, even in death — even in death — her slave master overlooks her,” McCullough said. “The word servant and this X on her marker, connotes the idea that Addy had a choice. The word servant is an exchange of a kind or pleasant word that is being substituted for an explicit or offensive word. In this context, the use of the word servant camouflages the truth that Addy was indeed a slave. She was the slave of the Episcopal priest, Reverend Lucius Smith. And she was burdened with the lifelong responsibility of sacrificing her own humanity for the benefit of another person.
“The word servant downplays the psychological burden of surrendering one's humanity. So today, as a community, we gather, acknowledging the truth of Addy’s condition. Addy was not a servant, she was a slave,” McCullough said. “We join hands and hearts today to remove the veneer and allow the truth to take its rightful place. Addy was a slave.”
Batavia’s St. James Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches had established plots in the cemetery since 1823, which is why Lucius Smith and his family were buried there. The Rev. Deacon Diana Leiker spoke on behalf of St. James to assure folks that the Episcopal Church is righting those wrongs of the past.
“The church as a whole is working very, very hard with our black brothers and sisters to learn more, to be open to what we did, to help people to heal. We are recognizing all of the despicable, tragic things that were done on behalf of the church or with the church being complicit in letting things happen,” Leiker said. “So we just want you to know that this is wonderful. We had no idea that Lucius Smith owned someone. So we're really thankful that this was being brought to light. And we just want you to know we are doing a lot of hard work nationally.”
Rev. Roula Alkhouri, of Batavia First Presbyterian Church, was one of the organizers of the special Juneteenth event. It came about from McCullough’s pain that bubbled up after learning about Addy. It raised questions of how to move on yet not ignore an important piece of the past.
“What do we do with this pain? What do we do with this history? And so we've been talking and praying and thinking, and so that's kind of like, okay, Juneteenth is coming up, can we celebrate her humanity? Can we look at the story and reclaim it in a different way? And so that's what brought it together for us,” Alkhouri said. “And then we talked, we connected with (Batavia Cemetery Association President) Sharon Burkel, and said, Can we do this? And she said, Absolutely.
“I feel like always, whenever we bring up the hard parts of our lives or our history, it brings healing. You know, it's like, people don't want to talk about the painful stuff. But if you don't, you'd never heal," Alkhouri said. "And if you don't honor the lives of people who suffered, then it gets repeated in different forms. But it does, always, I mean, you see it in families the same way, not just the nation. So we're hoping to be part of that healing for the nation.”
A monetary gift will be used to add another inscription on Addy’s headstone. This will help to tell “a different side of the story and reclaim her humanity and her being created in the image of God,” Alkhouri said.
Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Photo by Howard Owens.
Rev. William Wilkinson Photo by Howard Owens.
In the foreground, the gravestone of Episcopal priest Rev. Lucius Smith, which towers over the grave marker of his former slave, Adeline “Addy” Barbara. Photo by Howard Owens.
Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church Photo by Howard Owens.
Sheila Holley. Photo by Howard Owens.
Diana Leiker and Diane Cox, deacons at St. James Episcopal Church. Photo by Howard Owens.
Mike Stuart. Photo by Howard Owens.
After the ceremony, Linda Conway studies the headstone of Adeline “Addy” Barbara. Photo by Howard Owens.
After sweeping the Auburn Doubledays in a double header at home on Friday, the Batavia Muckdogs split a twin bill at Falcon Field in Auburn on Saturday.
The Muckdogs took the first game 3-1, and lost the second game 3-0.
Batavia is now 7-4 on the season.
Jack Keeler went six innings giving up on earned run to pick up the win, his first W of the season.
Trey Bacon pitched a scoreless seventh for his fourth save.
Anthony Calabro hit a triple, his one hit of the game, scored a run and picked up an RBI.
In the second game, Preston Prince, from Hilton, lasted four innings, giving up three runs, two earned, and only two hits, but yielded four walks. He struck out three. He was tagged with his first loss in three appearances.
The Muckdogs are back home on Monday to play Newark. Game time is 6:35 p.m.
Members of the Genesee County Militia were outside the Holland Land Office Museum on Saturday as part of the New York Pathways Through History program. From left, Mike Gates, Brian Seward, John Wingate, Joe Bucolo, and John Della Penna. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Genesee County Spartans outlasted the Ithaca Warriors, 16-12, in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action Saturday night at Genesee Community College.
After Ithaca scored on an interception in the game's opening minutes, the Spartans took the lead for good with 24 seconds left in the first quarter on a five-yard run by fullback Brandon Bethel and the point-after kick by Marc Montana.
The home team made it 13-6 midway through the second quarter on a 70-yard burst up the middle by Jed Reese, who burst through the line and ran untouched to the end zone.
Montana's 28-yard field goal gave the Spartans a 16-6 lead early in the third quarter. Ithaca scored on a touchdown pass with 1:09 left in the game.
The game was marked by more than a dozen turnovers and at least that many penalties, including several personal fouls (and a couple of ejections) for unsportsmanlike conduct.
For the Spartans, Cody Wenner, Amir Cleveland, Tre Woods, Keith Neureuter and Max Rapone had interceptions, with Rapone's play ending a last-ditch effort by Ithaca in the closing seconds. Defensive end Gunner Rapone had another outstanding game for Genesee.
The Spartans, 2-1, are home again next Saturday for a 7 p.m. clash against the Broome County Stallions.
A steady stream of vehicles pulled through the parking lot of the DSS office on West Main Street Road, Batavia, for the annual electronics recycling event on Saturday hosted by Sunnking and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The event makes it easier for people to drop of large electronic items, including TVs, as well as large amounts of electronics, all for free, with staff on hand to empty the vehicles.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley directing traffic. He said one of his first jobs when he was younger was as a flagman., when he was younger,
