Stories from

Darel D. Tingue, 29, of Main Street, Arcade, is charged with: trespass; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. Tingue was arrested on Sept. 10 after allegedly causing a disturbance at UMMC. He was asked to leave and not return, but he allegedly did return and was arrested at 10:01 a.m. for trespass. He was found at the time to allegedly possess a controlled substance and cocaine. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Darryle Streeter.

David Allen Bogue, 52, of Maple Street Road, Basom, is charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to keep right. Bogue was arrested at 2:58 p.m. Sept. 10 on Lewiston Road in Batavia after the investigation of a one-car accident. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 24 in Batavia Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Jason R. Anderson, 38, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree -- with a previous conviction. Anderson was arrested following a Probation residence check at 12:09 p.m. Sept. 7 at his apartment on South Main Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court Sept. 10. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens.

Nicole Lee Woodruff, 39, of South Academy Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. At 5:54 p.m. on Sept. 11, Woodruff was arrested for allegedly stealing property from Sally Beauty Supply in the Towne Center at Batavia on Veterans Memorial Drive. She was released on an appearance ticket for Sept. 26 in Batavia Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Keriann Barbaritz, 40, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. At 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 10, Batavia police were requested for a shoplifting incident at a business on West Main Street in the city. Barbaritz was arrested, processed at the scene and released on an appearance ticket. She is due in Batavia City Court on Sept. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Rae Charlene Cook, 30, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested as a result of an arrest warrant issued by Batavia City Court for this alleged incident which occurred at 3:57 p.m. Aug. 26 on East Main Street in Batavia. She was arraigned in city court on Sept. 11 and jailed in lieu of $250. She was due back in court this morning (Sept. 12). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Photo and information from reader Nora O'Neill.

We all smiled this morning at St. Joe's. Note the "earring" in the photo.

Each autumn Mrs. Case's kindergarten class "raises" monarchs from small caterpillars to chrysalises to butterflies.

One caterpillar escaped the habitat and overnight chose the plush llama's ear to nestle into chrysalis!

Student Ben was delighted to be the one to discover it this morning.

Press release:

In support of the Genesee County STOP-DWI program, the STOP-DWI Board invites all sixth- through 12^th-grade students to submit a poster design that reflects the dangers of drinking and driving.

Designs should focus on the affects drinking and driving have on an individual, their family and the community.

The theme for the 2019 poster contest is, "Drinking and Driving is a gamble that you just can’t win.”

 Guidelines:

• Contestants must be enrolled as a  sixth- through 12^th-grader in a Genesee County School;
• Poster should be no larger than 9’’ x 12” and must include the theme of: "Drinking and Driving is a gamble that you just can’t win”;
• Please submit your artwork in landscape (horizontal) orientation;
• Each submission should be the original student’s work. Submissions should be mailed or dropped off to the address below;
• Each entry must include the artist’s full name, address, phone number, grade, age and school on the back of the poster (no personal information should be on the illustration).

Designs can be in any medium, including computer-generated. However, we strongly recommend that students create strong, simple and colorful designs that will deliver the most visual impact for their message.

Grand Prize Winner -- gift card, T-shirt with their artwork on it and their artwork on a billboard in Genesee County. They will also be honored at the STOP DWI luncheon banquet in November.

First-  through third-place winners from each category (sixth - eighth grade; ninth - 12th grade; and graphic art) will receive a gift card, commendation and T-shirt with the overall winner’s design. They will also be recognized at the STOP-DWI luncheon banquet in November.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received in person or by mail by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

Send submissions to:

Genesee County Youth Bureau

ATTN: STOP DWI Poster Contest

2 Bank St.

Batavia, NY 14020

Press release:

It is an ancient Greek word and an ancient practice, but as an occupation today it is experiencing significant growth. Doula, pronounced dool, is an ancient Greek term that translates today as a professional person, usually but not always a woman, who provides physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences.

The BEST Center (Business and Employee Skills Training) at Genesee Community College is offering a three-day Birth Doula Certification Training course in October 2019 for the first time ever. 

The new course teaches how a doula works in concert with a midwife, doctor or obstetrician to personalize both the childbirth experience and education that helps prepare for a positive childbirth.

A birth doula provides guidance before, during and after a birth offering appropriate comfort measures, support to the father / husband / partner and other family members, and bridges any potential gaps between the medical team and the emotional aspects of child birth.

The doula endeavors to identify and honor the mother's desires while maintaining a comforting, respectful environment throughout the birthing process.

Today, there are more than 10,000 doulas practicing in the United States. Recent studies have indicated that the presence of a doula in the birthing process results in decreasing the risk of a Cesarean birth, low birth weights of the baby, less complications as well as an increase in breastfeeding.

Additionally, a bill was recently passed by New York State Senate to require professional certification of doulas and it is expected to be reviewed and signed by Governor Cuomo this fall.

Erie and Kings counties have also expanded a pilot program to cover doula services under Medicaid in a multifaceted effort to help maternal mortality and racial disparities in providing access to prenatal and perinatal care.

"The course identifies a growing opportunity in the healthcare industry of helping bridge the continuously growing demands placed upon medical professionals and the interests and concerns of patients and their families," Alexandria Misiti, program coordinator at The BEST Center.

"In just three days with eight hours of instruction each day, participants can step into a dynamic new heathcare career option."

The cost for the course is $499 per student and the sessions are scheduled at Genesee Community College's Batavia campus in the Conable Technology Building in room T119 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.on Friday through Sunday, Oct. 25, 26, 27.

Online registration is available here and the deadline for registration is Oct. 11.

The main concepts covered in the course include:

1. Significance and long term impact of the birth experience;

2. Suggestions for emotional and psychological support;

3. Non-pharmacological comfort and pain management techniques;

4. Communication skills;

5. Doula ethics and standards;

6. Business aspects of a doula practice;

7. Doula Certification.

Instructors for the course are: Julia Sittig, MSW, AdvCD/BDT (DONA), LCCE who has been an Advanced DONA Certified Birth Doula since 2004 as well as a Lamaze International Certified Childbirth Educator; and Christy Muscasto, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE who has the same credentials and has been practicing for more than a decade. 

Additional course details are available here. Advance registration is necessary and limited seats are available.

For further information contact The BEST Center by calling 585-345-6868 or emailing bestcenter@genesee.edu for more information.

A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“On a day just like today 18 years ago, our nation came under attack. Nearly 3,000 citizens, firefighters and police officers, began their mornings just like any other. On that day they tragically lost their lives.

“No one could imagine the events that transpired that September morning, and for a moment our freedom was compromised.

“An attack intended to break our spirits and devastate our nation, in our darkest hour faced with pure evil, Americans responded with bravery and courage. An effort to tear us apart only brought us closer together.

“Today we hold the ones we love a little tighter, we remember those we lost and we honor those who gave everything to protect our freedom. 

“The memory of September 11, 2001 will remain in our hearts forever, but the strength and resiliency that defines this country will always prevail in the face of darkness.

“We will never forget.”

A notice from the (U.S. Census) 2020 Complete Count Committee about a possible scam:

At our last meeting there was a discussion about a number of individuals receiving postcards for the 2020 Census, with some saying it seemed to be a pre-census survey.

Susan Perry from our regional Census office states there is NOT A POSTCARD relating to the 2020 Census currently being mailed.

Additionally, It also seems to be unrelated to the American Community Survey (ACS), which occurs each year, as those recipients would be receiving a lengthy form, not a postcard.

However, LOCAL CANVASSING IS CURRENTLY OCCURRING to confirm addresses but those are done in person, and individuals conducting the survey should have appropriate identification.

Perry is not aware of the canvassers leaving any postcards when residents are not at home. Perry said she believes they instead return in person at a later period to conduct those surveys.

The initial correspondence for the 2020 Census will be a LETTER that will be mailed out in March. This letter will have the website and phone number which you may use to fill out the form, as well as a secure 12 digit code to verify your identity.

When asked what the letter and subsequent postcards will look like, the Census Office is not sure if they have a public image of it to be released beforehand as that may actually encourage more fraudulent materials being sent out.  

If you or your representative receives one of these POSTCARDS, send it to:

Derik A. Kane, Senior Planner, CNUa

Genesee County Department of Planning
3837 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY 14020-9404

Information provided by Patrick Fisher, event organizer for Us TOO Rochester:

The Center for Urology in Batavia, a practice of seven urologists in the city, is one of this year's major sponsors of the fifth annual Prostate Cancer Walk and Health Fair on Sunday, Sept. 15 inside The Mall at Greece Ridge.

Us TOO Rochester hosts the event, which is its primary fundraiser and proceeds benefit local patient programs. It is the regional affiliate chapter of Us TOO International, a nonprofit 501c3 organization providing patient support, education and advocacy for those affected by prostate cancer in Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region.

Registration for Sunday's Walk and Health Fair is $30 at the door and includes an event T-shirt while supplies last. All are welcome.

Online registration is only $20 and the last day to register online is Sept. 12. Click here to register online.

On-site registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the final lap begins at 10 a.m.

Children age 13 and under are admitted free.

This is a family fun event that includes: prize drawings worth hundreds of dollars; DJ Blaze as Master of Ceremony; a collection of classic cars displayed by Street Machines of Rochester; entertainment by mascots for Rochester Red Wings (Spikes) and Amerks (Moose); face painting by Freckles; a performance by Oasis Senior Tappers; free Dunkin’ Donuts (The Luis Ribeiro Group); free Gloria Jean’s Coffee (Rumit Patel, Mgr.); and cookies by Kiss Me Cookie in Webster.

See the '10-foot-tall Enlarged Prostate'

Among the sights will be the region's largest “enlarged prostate” -- a 10-foot-tall educational tool that informs you about how prostate cancer develops and spreads when left untreated.

In addition to educational exhibits, UR Medicine Labs and Urology will conduct free PSA screening on site for qualified men who have no medical insurance.

Ample parking is available at the mall near door #8. For full details about the walk and fundraiser, visit here.

The Mall at Greece Ridge is located at 271 Greece Ridge Center Drive in Greece.

The annual Prostate Cancer Walk and Health Fair is held in September because it is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The disease is the most common non-skin cancer in American men, and the leading cause of cancer death in men second only to lung cancer.

The National Cancer Institute reports that 29,430 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer annually. More than 16,000 men in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region are diagnosed with the disease that left untreated may affect other organs or lead to bone cancer and death.

According to the NYS Department of Health, every year another 42 men from Batavia and Genesee County will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

African-American men are at even greater risk and from an earlier age than their caucasian counterpart. However, not only men suffer. This cancer has the potential to affect spouses, significant others and relationships in meaningful ways, too.

No Early Warning Signs

While medical research has advanced how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated, there are no early warning signs. The same BRCA2 gene that contributes to breast cancer in women, may also contribute to prostate cancer in men. Men who have a sister or mother known to have BRCA2 may benefit by being screened for prostate cancer.

Yet, the best outcomes begin with an early diagnosis. This makes it very important that men routinely talk with their provider about being screened for prostate cancer especially as they age.

Batavia's Dr. Anees Fazili, one of the urologists with the local Center for Urology, says he was honored to have helped bring a new exciting procedure to Western New York for the treatment of prostate cancer called High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). It reduces some of the usual risks of treatment associated with this disease.

"At Rochester Regional Health we also just purchased the 'FocalOne' HIFU device, which is truly revolutionary and allows for same day focal therapy of prostate cancer, and we are one of only a handful of centers in the entire country offering this amazing treatment option," Fazili wrote in an email to The Batavian.

He operates out of both United Memorial Medical Center and Medina Memorial Hospital, and is working on starting an Us TOO chapter for Genesee County.

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but the process for men to learn what they need to know in order to make informed decisions is a daunting task that typically requires many sleepless nights and weeks spent conducting research or getting second and third medical opinions.

Us TOO is a good resource for help and information.

Their monthly meetings provide a safe environment where men and their care givers may share about their experience or learn from others regarding current options.

Submitted photo and press release:

Nick Russo is incredibly excited to be running for City Council in Ward 3 and represent the great City of Batavia that he calls home.

Russo, a graduate of Albion High School, went to Genesee Community College and spent a great deal of time in Batavia and fell in love with the city and knew it was where he wanted to settle down. 

Russo has spent his entire career working in the entertainment industry, including being a DJ and working with theater companies all over Western New York. For the last couple of years he has served on the Youth Board and loved helping to create new opportunities to better serve the children who will be the future of our community.

Sammy DiSalvo (inset photo left) is running in Ward 5, has been involved with local politics for the past three years and currently serves as the president of the Genesee County Young Democrats and as a voting member on the Genesee County Democratic Executive Committee. 

After graduating from Batavia High School, he obtained a master’s degree in Education from SUNY Oswego and currently works at GCC helping local area low-income, first-generation college students discover their life’s passion and then apply for college.

DiSalvo also co-owns a pop-up business in Batavia called Decks, Dice, and Meeples where he brings family-friendly game nights to various coffee shops, libraries, and bars. He is intertwined with Batavia’s citizens and the larger city, and wants to see it be the best.

Both candidates look forward meeting voters from all over the City of Batavia on the campaign trail in the coming months. 

On Monday, Sept. 16, temporary road closures will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. These road closures are for the roadway resurfacing of the following streets. (The duration of each closure will be approximately four hours before traffic can ride on the treatment):

• Florence Avenue -- between Cedar Street and Howard Street. Carolwood Drive – between Garden Drive and end of road.
• Belvedere Lane – Naramore Drive to Naramore Drive. Woodcrest Drive – Between house #2 and #15.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, a temporary road closure shall occur on:

• Union Street – between Richmond Avenue and Oak Street. This impacts residents that live on Union Square limiting access.

Also on Tuesday, any work not completed on listed streets from Monday will be completed. Working hours will be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Resident’s will be notified by the company doing the work -- Suit Kote -- of the actual work schedule via fliers delivered door to door on the impacted streets a day in advance.

Residents of impacted areas are asked not to park on these streets while the work is ongoing and to park on adjacent side streets if possible.

This work is weather dependent and if delayed due to wet conditions the work will resume the next business day.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance and ask to speak to the Superintendent at 585-345-6400, opt. 1, if you have any questions.