batavia
Volunteers who help veterans honored at luncheon
Submitted information and photos from VA WNY Healthcare System:
A luncheon was held today at the Quality Inn in Batavia for VA Voluntary Service volunteers to recognize their many hours of volunteer service to veterans at VA WNY Heatlhcare System.
Irvin Bratz, in photo above, is pictured with Danielle Bergman, interim associate director for VA WNYHS. Bartz was specifically recognized for his 7,500 hours of volunteer service.
Below, members of the Brockport Elks Lodge provided a donation to VA Voluntary Service in the amount of $1,500.
Below, the luncheon was well attended.
Below, VA Chaplain Brian Stuttler with VA volunteers.
CountryMax on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia now open
Submitted photos and press release:
CountryMax announces the opening of its new Batavia store located at 4160 Veterans Memorial Drive. The new Batavia location is the 17th store operated by the local, Western New York family-owned business.
The 23,000-square-foot store showcases multiple custom-built, wood-themed interior elements reflecting local history, as well as climate-controlled small pet rooms, a wild bird center, and over 2,000 square feet of premium, healthy foods for dogs, cats, and pets of all shapes and sizes.
In addition to the massive selection of healthy pet options, the new location features a large selection of barn and stable feed and supplies, as well as expansive lawn and garden offerings for all seasons.
Additional features include “Scrub House” self-serve dog wash, a “Ship” Fish Room, special events room, and a custom-built wood lodge filled with homesteading products; beer, wine, cider, and cheese making kits; housewares; gifts and novelty items.
CountryMax is celebrating 35 years in 2019. It has grown by being known as the neighborhood store that can compete with competition both big and small, with prices and selection consumers have come to demand, as well as a customer service experience that goes above and beyond traditional expectations of today’s retail stores, such as their full carry-out service for purchases big and small.
"I think anyone who shopped with us in the past knows we have a huge, unique selection of products that fits the Batavia area," said Brad Payne, director of Sales, “and they are going to be thrilled to see the amount of time, effort, and work that has gone into creating the new CountryMax store experience.”
Grand Opening Celebration
A Grand Opening Celebration is being planned for the weekend of May 18 and 19. Vendors will be on hand, along with experienced CountryMax team members to provide valuable product information, free samples, and demonstrations to benefit customers. FREE CountryMax Tote Bags full of “goodies” will be handed out to the first 250 people both Saturday and Sunday.
Bring the whole family and enjoy face painting, bounce house, games, prizes, food and fun!
Pets are welcome, too! Details will be available at www.countrymax.com.
Batavia new store hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rochester man accused of stabbing person outside in downtown parking lot
Kelly J. Rhim, 40, of Colvin Avenue in Rochester, is charged with attempted assault, 1st, and assault, 2nd, for an attack he is accused of perpetrating at 1:05 a.m., Saturday outside of T.F. Brown's in Batavia.
Rhim is accused of stabbing the victim in a parking lot outside the establishment.
He turned himself in following an investigation by Batavia PD.
The victim of the alleged stabbing was transported to an area hospital, treated and released.
The investigation was led by Det. Thad Mart, and Batavia PD said no further information about the incident would be released.
Rhim was jailed on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.
County's draft Hazard Mitigation Plan is focus of May 28 meeting
Public Notice
Genesee County is completing the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
The HMP documents the County’s vulnerability to hazards and its strategy to reduce that vulnerability. The draft of the updated HMP is now complete and available for review at www.geneseecountyhmp.com under the "Draft Documents for Review" page.
A meeting to discuss the draft HMP will be held on Tuesday, May 28 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia.
Additional information about the HMP and the planning process is available at www.geneseecountyhmp.com. Contact Tim Yaeger, coordinator, Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services, for more information at 585-344-0078.
Batavia man admits in Federal Court to accessing child pornography on public library computer
A 55-year-old Batavia man who was arrested in January 2017 after staff at the Richmond Memorial Library observed him viewing what appeared to be child pornography on library computer entered a guilty plea yesterday in Federal Court to a count of access with intent to view child pornography.
Robert Roy Richmond faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced Aug. 27 by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
An FBI investigator was contacted by local law enforcement after a library employee who was working in the DVD section saw a man at a computer looking at a pornographic picture of a child in fishnet stockings.
As soon as the man left, the employee shut down the computer and put an out-of-order sign on it in order to preserve any potential evidence until police arrived.
A subsequent forensic examination revealed that there were seven images on the computer which met the definition of child pornography.
Richmond was identified as the suspected computer user because he had to input his library card number to access the system. He was also identified as a suspect by the employee through a photo lineup.
Upstate completes purchase of former Alpina plant
Press release:
Upstate Niagara Cooperative announced today that they have completed their acquisition of a yogurt plant located at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia.
The Western New York-based dairy cooperative had signed a purchase agreement on Feb. 28th to buy the facility from Climb Your Mountain Inc. in a transaction facilitated by Harry Davis & Company.
“We’re very excited to have finalized our purchase of this manufacturing plant in Batavia,” said Larry Webster, CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. “As a dairy cooperative owned by farm families throughout the region, this acquisition is located central to our member milk supply.
"This production-ready facility is only a few years old and represents an investment by our member-owners towards continued and long-term growth for our cooperative. We look forward to adding manufacturing jobs within the Genesee County community while offering additional products and manufacturing capabilities to our customers.”
Exact plans regarding when the plant will reopen and what products will be manufactured at the facility have yet to be announced.
The Upstate Niagara Cooperative is continuing to work with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) on this project. In the last decade, dairy products manufacturing companies have invested more than $500 million into facilities in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and Genesee County has more than 1,500 acres of shovel-ready sites to accommodate additional growth in the dairy, food and beverage industry.
“The Genesee County Economic Development Center is pleased that the Upstate Niagara Cooperative is strengthening their investment into producing excellent products and great careers at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC.
“With our tradition of agriculture and strong farm families, as well as our infrastructure assets, shovel-ready sites, and workforce talent, Genesee County is truly a dairy, food and beverage powerhouse.”
The Upstate Niagara Cooperative and its members were recognized earlier this year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce as their 2019 Agricultural Organization of the Year.
Batavia native helping students with reading and more in the Peace Corps in Jamaica
Liz Richards, a Batavia native, has been serving with the Peace Corps in Jamaica, where she is involved with a project called Camp GLOW – Girls Leading Our World. Pictured above are the young girls she worked with during the four-day camp this year. Richards will co-direct the fourth annual camp in Jamaica in August.
Joining the Peace Corps is something Liz Richards had always thought about.
A 2009 graduate of Batavia High School and a 2012 graduate of Brockport State College, Richards earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing at the New School in 2014.
She didn’t decide to follow her dream of joining the Peace Corps until she was working for a tech company in Manhattan, she said.
“While there, I was responsible for corporate responsibility and service initiatives and realized how important volunteerism was to me, and that I wanted to build a career out of community development,” Richards said. “Peace Corps was the best way to do that, and the experience so far has really been incredible.”
Richards is a Peace Corps volunteer in the education sector in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica. Her main project is literacy tutoring for struggling readers in grades one through six.
“But being a volunteer means so much more than that,” Richards said. “We learn about each others’ cultures, seasons and holidays, both inside and outside the classroom.
"So far, students have loved seeing pictures of Western New York snowstorms, learning about Thanksgiving and celebrating both countries’ Independence Days, where we talked about our shared history as former British colonies.”
Right now, Richards is working on two big projects, one that will bring a wide range of opportunities to her school and one that will benefit teenage girls all across the island, both of which she said are incredible passion projects.
Over the last year, Richards has been working with teachers to address some major needs at their school, including getting parents more involved in school life, giving girls safe and gender-equitable access to sports, and improving the overall quality of physical education classes, which right now are sparse due to lack of access to proper equipment, she said.
The result was a partnership with a Peace Corps Small Grants Program called “Girls Netting Success.” This project will address all of the needs above, and more, by helping them start a netball team for girls in grades five and six, Richards said.
It will also give students the opportunity to socialize with each other and regional schools through Jamaica’s national primary school netball league. In addition, Richards said it will help teachers guide the girls toward healthier lives; give parents an outlet to participate through extracurricular activities; and will be truly gender equitable by giving boys a safe place to play netball and football, too, and will allow teachers to give more comprehensive physical education classes.
Another project Richards is really excited about is Camp GLOW, which stands for Girls Leading Our World. The first Camp GLOW was hosted by Peace Corps volunteers in 1995 in Romania, and in August, Richards will co-direct the fourth annual Camp GLOW in Jamaica.
Purpose of this four-day camp, Richards said, is to empower campers with lessons about self-care and confidence, healthy living, healthy relationships and goal setting. Campers will then take these skills back to their communities and continue to empower themselves and others.
“We are excited to be partnering with a Jamaican organization called 'Young Women of Purpose', which specializes in career training for young women ages 13 to 25,” Richards said. “The most exciting part of this camp is watching campers see themselves in the women who facilitate workshops and learn from us the qualities that strong women have in common across borders.”
Richards said it is exciting to show the community that means the most to her – her Batavia community – some of the things happening in the Jamaican communities, which have opened their hearts and stories to her, and in some way have become her “home away from home.”
“Anyone is welcome to contribute, and even a dollar can make a big difference,” Richards said. “Jamaicans have a saying ‘wan, wan koko, full basket,’ that means ‘we fill our baskets one coconut at a time.’ But even sharing stories like these is a contribution.
"The most important thing Peace Corps has taught me is that we are one global community and we build friendships by sharing our stories.”
Anyone wishing to support Richards efforts in Jamaica can log on to Camp GLOW Jamaica 2019 Peace Corpshere and make a donation.
Submitted photos courtesy of Liz Richards.
Batavia women's senior hockey team wins area's Scottsville tournament
Submitted photo and write-up by Head Coach Craig Jackson:
The Batavia “Babes on Blades” women’s senior hockey team finished off another strong season this year by competing in and winning the area's annual Scottsville Women’s Senior Hockey Tournament during the last weekend of March for the second year in a row.
In the first game, the Batavia team defeated the always tough Buffalo “Stampede” by a 6 to 1 score.
The second game of the tournament was against the Brockport “Ladies on Ice.” Batavia started fast and were up 3 to 0 at the end of the first period. Brockport tightened up with the teams trading goals. Batavia won the game be a 6 to 2 score.
In the third game of the tournament, Batavia played against the host team Scottsville “Chicks with Sticks.” This game was more of a defensive game between the two teams with Batavia ending up with a 3 to 0 win.
The championship game finished with a rematch against the host Scottsville team again. Batavia scored the first goal about halfway through the first period and never looked back as they ended up with the win by a 8 to 0 score. Strong defensive play and goal tending during all the games was key to the tournament win.
Debris burning a lawn on Pearl Street Road, Batavia
A large amount of debris is reportedly burning on the lawn at 3816 Pearl Street Road, Batavia. The fire was called in by a neighbor. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.
The location is between Treadeasy Avenue and Donahue Road.
A statewide burn ban has been in effect since March 16 and it ends May 14.
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City chicken 'running at large' at East Main and North Spruce
City police are asked to respond to East Main Street in the area of North Spruce Street for a chicken reportedly running at large.
UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: "Any direction of travel on the bird?" asks an officer. The response: "In the parking lot of a doctor's office on North Spruce, heading toward East Main."
BHS grad places second in her age group in Florida's 7 Mile Bridge Run
Some of this information is from Ken Dispenza, who also provided the photo.
Batavia resident and Batavia High School graduate Marissa Dispenza, who is 21 (above, right), ran the 38th annual 7 Mile Bridge Run in Marathon, Fla., on April 6 and placed second in her age group (19-24).
A total of 1,500 runners compete in male and female divisions by age groups. Dispenza, wearing bib #430, placed 172 overall with a gun time of 59.16; net time of 58:51.84 and a pace of 8:40.
The 7 Mile Bridge Run is the only known run that is completely surrounded by water from start to finish. The scenery surrrounding the runners is breathtaking. It began as a dedication run in 1982, celebrating the opening of the then new 7 Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. It is officially marked at 6.8 miles.
About the City of Marathon, Fla.
It's is set on 13 islands, known for their beaches and barrier reef. Its elevation is three feet above sea level and it's home to nearly 9,000 people. Loggerhead turtles nest at Coco Plum Beach and Sombrero Beach. Curry Hammock State Park has a sandy shoreline and mangrove creek. The Dolphin Research Center offers interactive demos in a shallow lagoon. Near the City Marina, Crane Point features a tropical forest, bird-rescue center and natural history museum.
Car's crash into house on Route 98 under investigation
Sheriff's deputies are investigating an accident on Route 98 yesterday that may have begun as a rolling domestic argument and sent both the driver and his passenger to the hospital after the 2014 Chevy Cruze they were in struck a vacant house at 7889 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.
Possible charges are pending.
Injured were Rodney J. Harmon Jr., of Elba, and Josette M. Harmon, also from Elba.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Harmon was driving the Cruze southbound on Route 98 at 3:16 p.m. when the car suddenly crossed the center line, crossed over the northbound lane, over the shoulder and into the yard of the vacant house before slamming into the structure.
The structure is owned by Offhaus Farms.
The Cruze sustained heavy front-end damage.
Rodney Harmon was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS. Josette Harmon was taken first to UMMC by Mercy EMS and later transferred to Strong due to the nature of her injuries.
A conclusion on the cause of the crash is considered undetermined pending further investigation.
The investigation is being conducted by Sgt. Andrew Hale, Sgt. James Diehl, Deputy Travis DeMuth, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, and Deputy James Stack. Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Emergency Management, and Dan's Tire and Auto Service.
Reader Submitted Photos.
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Former GC Jail correctional officer accused of stealing inmate's meds
From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:
On April 15, former Genesee County Correctional Officer Justin M. Gugel was arrested on two charges: petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Both are Class A misdemeanors.
It is alleged that on Jan. 19 while employed at the GC Jail, Gugel stole a controlled substance from medication which had been prescribed and alloted for an inmate.
An investigation was opened after pills were reported missing following a routine medication count in the jail.
Gugel was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on May 7. The case was investigated by GC Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Loftus.
City earns 'Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting'
Press release:
The City of Batavia is proud to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association of United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Batavia has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Award for the second year in a row.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment. It reflects the commitment of the City Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of financial reporting.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, whichincludes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.
It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Washington, D.C.
You may access the final submitted CAFR on the City of Batavia’s website by going to www.batavianewyork.com under Bureau of Finance then service provided.
