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Stove fire reported on Vine Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A stove fire is reported at 239 Vine St., Batavia.

The residents were told to evacuate.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 9:43 a.m.: Fire is out. House will be ventilated.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: City assignment is back in service.


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Law and Order: Batavia man jailed on criminal charges, alleged drug court violation

By Howard B. Owens

Timothy L. Taylor, 38, of 219 N. Spruce St., #124, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing and reckless endangerment, 2nd. Taylor was picked up by the State Police at a location on West Main Street Road on an unrelated matter Saturday and turned over to the Batavia PD on a warrant for the listed charges. Taylor is also accused of violating the terms of Drug Treatment Court. Taylor was jailed on $5,000 bail for the alleged criminal offenses and $100,000 for the alleged violation of drug court terms. He is schedule to reappear in city court on Dec. 26.

Scott N. Cameron, 30, of 25 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Cameron is accused of hitting a family member who is under age 17.

Benjamin L. Brade, 30, of 12 Denio St., Batavia, is  charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Brade is accused of violating an order of protection by being under the influence of alcohol while with the protected party.

Carl I. Sherman, 33, of 68 Dix St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Sherman was picked up by Rochester PD and turned over to Batavia PD on a warrant related to the listed charges. Sherman posted $500 bail.

Emily V. Salvatore, 30, of Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Salvatore was stopped by State Police at 11:27 p.m., Friday, on Route 31, Albion.

John Lee Smith, 38, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, avoiding intersection, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely. Smith was stopped at 9:49 p.m., Saturday, on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Frank Bordonaro. Smith was allegedly observed avoiding the intersection at River Street and Main Street and not maintaining his lane.

Jeffrey J. Cervone, 44, of Skye Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny. Cervone was taken into custody by the State Police out of Clarence and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a bench warrant.

Gary Howard Waters, 35, of East Avenue, Gasport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18, speed not reasonable and prudent, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to keep right. Waters was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile and Deputy Eric Seppala into a motor vehicle accident at 3:03 a.m., Saturday, on Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

Robert A. Barnhart Jr., of Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office. Barnhart is accused of owing several thousands of dollars in restitution from a prior case.

Photos: Christmas lights in Bergen and Elba

By Howard B. Owens

This evening I drove through Bergen and Elba taking pictures of houses with Christmas lights.

Above 12 Munger St., Bergen

5927 Byron Elba Road, Byron

7474 Oak Orchard Road, Elba

There's a link in the slide show to purchase prints of these photos.

PHOTOS: DJ Macy Paradise, Ya Boy and Buffalo Bills players at City Slickers

By Timothy Walton

City Slickers was the place to be Friday night as DJ Macy Paradise, national recording artist Ya Boy (YB the Rockstar) and Bills players Stevie Johnson, Kelvin Sheppard and Aaron Williams made an appearance and put on a show.

The event was organized by local entrepreneur and promoter Tim Walton and was sponsored by DirecTV/ IR Systems, PantSaggin.com,TheBatavian, and Next Level Fitness. 

Above: Dj Macy Paradise with Buffalo hip-hop artist GiG5.

Above: National recording artist Ya Boy performs "Stevie Johnson (Bills Anthem)."

Above: Stevie Johnson poses for a photo with Bills fan James Stading.

Photos by Micheline V. 

Hit-and-run accident reported on Lewiston Road, vehicle northbound

By Howard B. Owens

A hit-and-run accident is reported in the area of Galloway and Lewiston roads.

Law enforcement is looking for a gold Chevy Silverado 1500. The truck is heading north into Oakfield.

The victim vehicle sustained only minor damage.

Photos: Christmas lights in Le Roy and Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Every year I promise myself (and there's always a couple of requests) that this year I'm going outside of Batavia to shoot Christmas light pictures.  Tonight, I made it to Le Roy and then swung down to Pavilion.

If your house is in the gallery and you would like to purchase a print, click the "visit gallery" link in the slide show (I hear the metallic prints look really great).

State Police looking for driver who struck pedestrian outside Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

State Police are asking the public assistance to help locate the driver and car involved in a hit-and-run car vs. pedestrian accident Friday night in front of Batavia Downs Casino.

The car is described as a red four-door sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Malibu.

The car may have front grill, hood and windshield damage.

The victim was hit by the car, according to Sgt. Ron Lobur, rolled up onto the hood, hit the windshield and then rolled off the front the car and was nearly struck a second time.

"The victim is very, very fortunate to come away with only minor injuries," Lobur said.

Information about the victim is not being released yet, Lobur said, pending following up on leads that have come in, or may come in, as a result of the request for more information.

Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation are asked to call the State Police at 343-2200.

Person struck by vehicle in front of Batavia Downs, minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A pedestrian has minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Park Road in front of the Batavia Downs Casino. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:41 p.m.: The suspect vehicle left the scene. It's a red Malibu, last seen heading south on Park Road. It's possibly in the Tops Market parking lot or an adjacent parking lot. The kind of damage it may have sustained is not known, nor is the gender of the driver. Deputies are scouring the area.

UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: The town fire assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: A 42-year-old female is being transported to UMMC with unspecified injuries. She is back-boarded and collared. Meanwhile, the driver of a red Chevy Impala parked in the Auto Zone store's parking lot is being questioned by deputies, although it's unknown if this car is the one involved in the Batavia Downs incident.

Batavia PD investigating burglaries on Pearl, Madison and South Main

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating three reported residential burglaries which occurred during the day to early evening hours on Thursday, Dec. 20.

The burglaries occurred on Pearl Street, Madison Avenue and on South Main Street.

Entry to the residences was gained through unsecured doors.

Taken from the residences was a laptop computer, a Kindle tablet, a telephone, an XBOX game system, jewelry, cash and medication.

Anyone having observed or observing any suspicious activity or having information is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at 345-6350, or to access the Batavia Police Confidential Tip Line at 345-6370.

Winter weather driving reminder from the State Police

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In preparation for the first real snowfall for this season, the State Police encourage motorists to exercise due care over the next few days. There is expected to be significant snowfall through Saturday that will impact parts of Western New York.

The State Police will be out across the region checking all major routes of travel to ensure that motorists are as safe as possible. The State Police need your assistance to make this possible. Motorists traveling in areas impacted by the snow are asked to consider traveling only if necessary. Take into consideration snow accumulation on the roads, the current snowfall rate, the wind and visibility. Use your best judgment to determine if driving is prudent.

Keep the following tips in mind:
- Get the latest weather forecast before leaving – www.weather.gov , monitor radio or TV stations or contact your nearest State Police station.
- Keep a full tank of gas.
- Make sure your fluid levels are sufficient (windshield washer fluid, anti-freeze).
-
Spare tire is sufficient and you have the jack and wheel wrench.
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Use headlights at all times to increase your visibility to others. Remember, if your windshield wipers are in use due to weather then your headlights must be on.
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Drive prudently. If the conditions are adverse you should decrease your speed accordingly.
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Brake early and correctly.
- Be careful, snow and cold temperatures can create icy conditions. Pay particular attention on bridges and overpasses.
- Do NOT use cruise control. This decreases your reaction time to apply braking.
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Look out for events farther down the road. Creating more time to react can make a difference.
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Be aware of snow plows, maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles. Give them room to work.
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If you do not absolutely have to go out on the roads, then don’t.

Memorial set up for Newtown victims at Peace Garden

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

As a nation, grieves the Batavia Peace Garden provides a place of solace where Batavia citizens can visit to lament their feelings of sadness for the fallen angels of Newtown, Conn., a community very similar in size to that of Batavia.

Barb Toal, project manager for the Batavia Peace Garden, commented that “with so many people in our community touched by this terrible sadness it just seemed like the right thing for us to do. When events like this happen you just feel so helpless and you need a place to go to express those feelings”.

Over the next few days, Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden will be hanging pink ribbons through the trees at the Peace Garden in honor of the 20 slain children and six teachers who perished last Friday.

Residents and visitors are invited to drop by the Peace Garden. The temporary memorial will be on display in the glass covered kiosk at the Peace Garden in Paolo Busti Park adjacent to the Holland Land Office for the next several weeks.

Law and Order: Man accused of pushing family member during argument

By Howard B. Owens

Mikel Anthony Anderson, 21, of Eagle Street, Medina, is charged with harassment 2nd. Anderson is accused of pushing a family member several times during a dispute. Anderson was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Alicia Maria Stankwick, 21, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement. The alleged false report was filed at 5:18 a.m., Oct. 21. Stankwick was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tanya Lee Thyret, 34, of Clinton Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly issuing bad checks in June. She faces two counts.

 

Driver injured in accident on Perry Road overnight

By Howard B. Owens

Charges are pending against a 24-year-old driver involved in an overnight accident on Perry Road, Pavilion, who was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The medical condition of Ronald J. Tombari III, of Court Road, Pavilion, wasn't immediately available this morning during his transfer from the emergency room to another floor.

The accident report indicates he suffered a broken or dislocated hip or upper leg and was in shock and the time of the flight to Strong.

His passenger, Richard M. Sepor, 21, of Transit Road, Stafford, suffered minor injuries and was taken by ground ambulance to Strong.

Sepor is the registered owner of the 2002 GMC pickup Tombari was reportedly driving.

The truck was reportedly southbound on Perry Road near York Road at 12:12 a.m. when it traveled off the east shoulder and hit a tree. The truck spun off the tree and came to a stop.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro and Deputy John Weis. Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS assisted at the scene.

Mercy Flight responds to two calls in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Mercy Flight was called on two separate incidents in Genesee County after midnight, Friday.

At about 12:15 a.m., a pickup truck reportedly hit a tree on Perry Road just north of York Road. There were two male occupants. One victim was able to get out of the vehicle, but the second victim required a Mercy Flight transport with a possible head injury.

Pavilion fire responded to the Perry Road accident.

At about 12:30 a.m., dispatchers received a report of a woman fallen on Pearl Street. Oakfield fire was dispatched and a short time later, requested Mercy Flight to the scene. A landing zone was set up at the school.

Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia responded to the Pavilion accident. Mercy Flight 7 out of Buffalo responded to Oakfield.

Photos: Christmas lights in Batavia, Dec. 20

By Howard B. Owens

Tonight, I took another drive around Batavia taking pictures of homes with Christmas light displays. Again, I tried to concentrate on homes that possibly I hadn't photographed before, though I believe their are a few duplicates. While I haven't been down every street in the city this year, I have, at this point, been through all the neighborhoods. Sorry if you have a great light display this year and I didn't get to it. To purchase prints of these photos click the "visit gallery" link in the slide show.

Sponsored Post: Congratulations IR Systems!

By Lisa Ace

For the BEST HD programming available and the ability to RECORD 5 PROGRAMS AT ONCE -- stop by IR Systems - 309 West Main Street, Batavia, NY and become a new "CLIENT" with Direct TV. Call today - 1-800-319-2129. Visit us online: http://wnydtv.com/

Top Items on Batavia's List

Part-Time Children's Library Clerk Haxton Memorial Public Library is seeking a Part-Time Children's Clerk 19 Hours a week $15.00/hr. Interested applicants please go to www.co.genesee.ny.us for an application or come to the library at 3 North Pearl Street, Oakfield. Any questions, please call at (585) 948-9900
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