"A large disturbance of 20 to 30 people" is reported on Maple Street in the city. Batavia PD units are responding along with Sheriff's deputies.
UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Those involved scattered immediately and were gone by the time officers arrived, which was quickly. Officers are clearing the scene or have done so.
It takes good data to make good decisions and a lot of times when planners are considering housing projects, the developers with the proposals are the ones who have all the data.
A new housing needs assessment for Genesee County will help solve that problem, said Felipe Oltramari, the county's planning director.
"(Developers) are not going to come into a market where they know there is no need," Oltramari said. "They did their own study, but it's a private study that is focused on their segment of the market."
As part of the needs assessment process, the county hosted an open house at the Senior Center on Bank Street last night, which gave the residents who attended an opportunity to provide feedback on what they see as local housing issues, whether it's too much stock in one place, or of one type, or not enough of something.
Oltramari said the comprehensive study will also use interviews with various stakeholders in the community, whether they be veterans' groups, groups that serve seniors, the disabled and business groups. Officials and consultants will also try to identify the housing needs of Millennials. The goal is to get a broad picture of what is needed, which will help guide planning decisions and maybe uncover undetected needs.
"When a study like this happens, you will be able to put that information out there for some developers who may not be looking at this area," Oltramari said
The study is expected to be completed by December.
Oftentimes developers look at census, sales data and current housing patterns to identify a need in a community -- that same data will be gathered for the county's assessment -- and then try to fit a project into that community. But in a small community such as Genesee County, there are potentially niche needs that private developers won't uncover on their own. The county's housing needs study could identify a potential need and make that information available to developers who might decide trying to fill that need could be profitable.
"We want to make sure we’re looking at all segments of the market," Oltramari said. "One thing we heard, especially when Muller Quaker came, there was no housing for executives and lot of them ended up living outside of the county. When STAMP comes, we want to make sure the same thing doesn't happen."
The county's own study will also be used to confirm, or not, what private developers say is a local need. For example, when DePaul Properties was still pursuing a $25 million project on East Main Street in the City, CEO Mark Fuller said DePaul had identified needs in the city for more housing for disabled people, seniors with diminished mobility and veterans. Asked where those people are now, Fuller said they are most likely living with parents or in substandard housing.
That could be an example of a market need that isn't readily apparent to most observers, but solid data could help identify.
(The project was stymied by a City Council decision not to change the zoning of the property from industrial to commercial.)
"They (developers, such as DePaul) know that and they might do their own research and come to that conclusion, but we haven’t seen that research," Oltramari said. "I’m sure there is probably that need, because they have a business model and they have to make sure the project is going to work, so there is some evidence, you have to trust that. But it’s nice to really have the tool to show 'yes, there is that need and this is something we should support as a community.' "
A brush fire is reported in the area of 19 Ross St., Batavia, near the Richmond Memorial Library.
City fire is responding.
Robert R. Richmond, 53, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16, and possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16. Richmond was arrested following an investigation and he is accused of using a publicly accessible computer to view child pornography. The incident occured at 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 20 at an unspecified location in Batavia. Richmond was issued an appearance ticket for City Court at 1 p.m. next Tuesday, May 23. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill. (According to Batavia PD, no mug shot is available of the defendant.)
Charles Gregory Monacelli, 43, of West Bacon Road, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. On May 13 at 10:30 a.m., while attending Bontrager's Auction on Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia, he allegedly removed a tailgate from a pickup truck that was parked on the side of the road and drove off with it. He was arrested on May 14 and is due in Town of Batavia Court on June 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.
Roy Derwood Hooten, 56, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten was jailed on May 16 at 3:40 p.m. for an unspecified reason and when he entered the jail he had a walking cane, according to the Sheriff's report. Allegedly later than evening, the cane was found to contain 10 cigarettes. Today, he was charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten is due in City Court on May 30 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.
Matthew Brian Starowitz, 28, of Whitney Mill Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a muffler exhaust violation. Starowitz was stopped at 11:42 p.m. on May 12 on Byron-Holley Road, Stafford, following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. The defendant allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana on his person at the time. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Stafford Court on June 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Howard Wilson.
Bryan Charles Greek, 31, of Electric Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 1:40 a.m. on May 13, the defendant was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Stafford. He allegedly possessed a "rolled cigar" containing marijuana. Greek was issued an appearance ticket for June 16 in Town of Stafford Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.
A fuel spill is reported at Jackson and Cherry streets in the city. City firefighters are on scene. A first responder says about eight gallons of fuel is on the ground and fuel has spilled into a nearby storm drain. Didn't catch how or why the spill occurred.
UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: A flatbed tow truck towing a car came around a corner and the plastic gas tank of the towed vehicle came off and spilled about eight gallons of fuel. Two of those gallons was captured in a container, most of the rest was soaked up with absorbent material. Less than a gallon went down the storm drain. Jackson was briefly closed but is now reopened. CORRECTION: The car was on the road. The tow truck was only there to pick up the disabled vehicle. The SUV, a Jeep, was not being towed.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the second round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, DRI, on Tuesday, investing $100 million into 10 additional downtown neighborhoods across the state.
Batavia’s Economic Development coordinator Julie Pacette said the City of Batavia will be applying for the grant again this year.
“I think this year we will have a stronger application,” Pacette said. “We have had one year to think about it. We have been through the process and have a better understanding of the competition.”
According to a press release from Cuomo’s office, in the first year of the DRI, $100 million was awarded to 10 communities, one in each region of New York State, to identify and implement projects to restore their downtown.
“This new Downtown Revitalization completion will build upon the demonstrated success of round one, allowing even more communities across the state to reach their full potential,” Cuomo said in the press release.
“With this funding, we can provide 10 more forward-thinking communities the opportunity to transform their downtowns into vibrant economic hubs for people to live, work and raise a family.”
Pacette said there is a team meeting within the next week to finalize a plan for the application, but that residents of Batavia should look out for opportunities to offer ideas.
Last year, Pacette organized an event for residents to write and draw on the sidewalks in chalk to show how they would spend the $10 million if Batavia was chosen. Pacette said she will be looking at how to get residents involved this year.
Applications for the second round must be submitted by 4 p.m. on June 14.
One downtown community will be selected by each of the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils. Each council will choose from applications for downtowns that are “ripe for revitalization and have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity.”
Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said 123 communities applied for the DRI designation last year.
“We look forward to working with the 10 additional communities nominated by the Regional Councils this year to identify strategic investments for their downtowns that will help attract new and growing small businesses, improve the visitor’s experience and attract more residents to downtown,” Rosado said in a press release.
Clinton and Barbara Worthington held an open house party at their new home built by the Building Trades Program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Batavia Campus on Thursday.
Around 70 students worked on the custom 2,200-square-foot home starting in September, learning technical skills in carpentry and cabinet making, residential wiring, plumbing, and heating.
Clinton said the project went very well and they are very pleased with the home.
Each year, students in the program build a house, getting hands-on experience in residential framing, door and window hanging, electrical wiring, heating systems, plumbing, siding, roofing, drywall installation, and trim on the interior and exterior. Students are also taught blueprint reading, and material codes and specifications.
Building Trades Program instructor Richard Monroe said the students are taught a set of transferable skills through the program.
“In our country, there is a huge skills gap,” Monroe said. “There are not enough trades people to fill the needs.”
Monroe said after students leave the program, some choose to step into postsecondary education. Others can directly go to work making around $75,000 a year.
In the spring of 2016, the Worthingtons decided to build a house at 4828 Ellicott Street Road in Batavia. They began meeting with the Building Trades Program weekly to create a calendar and develop plans for the house.
The Worthingtons designed the open floor plan for the house. Barbara said she likes to entertain, which inspired the plan.
One advantage to having the students building the house is the cost savings, Clinton said.
“We don’t have to pay the students for the labor, which was a huge advantage,” Clinton said. “The only disadvantage was the time frame.”
Clinton said the longer time frame gave them more time to shop.
“You can’t just go to the store and shop for all the stuff in one day,” he said.
Clinton said there were some limits to what they could do. He said if they wanted metal roofs or tile work they would have to subcontract.
“We like living in Batavia,” Clinton said. “[The students] needed a house to build and we needed a house to receive, so it worked out well.”
A two-car accident with two possible injuries, one of them minor, is reported at 1116 Route 98, Alexander. It is blocking traffic. Alexander fire and medics are responding.
The East Bethany Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary on June 3 and 4, inviting past and present church members, and the community to join the festivities.
In 1817, 11 members were a part of the congregational church society, but later voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government in 1829. Robert Carlsen, a 55-year member, said there are 68 members now.
“We’re a small group but we have some of the most wonderful people you’ll want to meet,” Carlsen said. “We have been very lucky to have the younger ones, between the ages of 25 and 40, join our church.”
Carlsen said they have been preparing for the 200th anniversary for a few years by painting the outside of the church and touching up the inside.
Rev. Michael Stuart is the current part-time pastor and the spiritual care manager of HomeCare & Hospice, of Western New York.
According to a book of history compiled by Mary Jane Heywood, there have been 50 ministers of the congregation since 1817.
Carlsen said the biggest change he has seen for the church has been membership.
“We don’t have a men’s group or a ladies' group anymore,” Carlsen said. “There’s no choir anymore, only on special occasions. We are fortunate to have the younger ones in our church, but they’re busy.”
Carlsen said his wife was a Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years.
“I can remember when we had a Sunday School of 20,” Carlsen said, “now we have four.”
Carlsen said he hopes to have 80 members in the next 10 years.
“It’s a small amount, but at least it would be a step in the right direction,” Carlsen said. “I feel if we can keep doing what we’re doing and maintain the 68 members and add more to get up to 80, that would be wonderful.”
On June 3, there will be a meet and greet at 3 p.m. followed by a service of celebration at 4:30. A catered dinner will be held after the service and a memory hour will be held at 6:30.
On June 4, past and present East Bethany Presbyterian Church pastors will lead a workshop service at 10:30 a.m.
“People are leaving and moving away,” Carlsen said. “I’m hoping this celebration will bring them back.”
The church is located at 5735 Ellicott Street Road in East Bethany.
Genesee Community College is ready to welcome students to campus under the state's new free-tuition plan for SUNY schools, known as the Excelsior Scholarship, said College President Jim Sunser, but implementing the program won't be without a few snags.
First, Sunser said, not all the guidelines and rules have been released yet, so school counselors have less information than is ideal for advising students. Second, the program could have a small impact on cash flow for the college.
The way the program works is, students must successfully complete two semesters of 15 credits each. The state will pay the first semester, but no payments will be released to school for both semesters until the student has successfully completed a full 30 credits.
"From a cash-flow perspective, we would have to wait until the student finishes before we’d see the dollars, so there is an eight-month lag," Sunser said.
Based on the current school population and demographics, GCC expects about 100 students to enroll in the program, and since most would be expected to successfully complete 30 credits, the negative cash flow impact is expected to be something the college can absorb.
Of course, one of the goals of the Excelsior program is to encourage more students to enroll in college, and the college is ready to embrace a higher enrollment if that's the outcome, Sunser said.
"We would very much like to see as many students as possible take advantage of it and take advantage getting an education here in New York, for sure," Sunser said.
The Excelsior program is a "last dollar in" scholarship, meaning if a student has other grants or scholarships, those would be used first to pay for tuition and Excelsior would make up the difference.
Because of the 30-credit requirement, Excelsior may not be the best option for some students who might otherwise qualify, so school counselors will work with students to help them find the best fit.
"When they come in, we’re going to individually advise them through Student Success Center and we’re going to let them know if this is the best possible avenue for them to pursue or even if campus-based scholarships might make more sense," Sunser said. "We’ll work with them one-on-one to make sure they get to where they need to be."
Sunser spoke about the scholarship program after providing the County's Ways and Means Committee with a budget update Wednesday afternoon.
The college trustees have not yet approved the budget, but it's expected that it will call for an increase in spending from $40,537,000 to $40,923,000, which Sunser noted is less than a 1-percent increase in spending.
"On our budget, we are already cost conscious and make sure we are as responsible as we can be," Sunser said.
The county, as the sponsoring county, is required to make a sponsorship contribution to GCC's budget.
Currently, the county's contribution is about 6 percent of GCC's budget. Sunser said that's the second-lowest sponsoring county's contribution in the state.
In recent years, the amount of the county's contribution has been going up by $50,000 per year. Last year, there was some sentiment on the part of legislators that they didn't get enough time to provide input or deliberate its contribution, so there was no $50,000 increase and Sunser agreed to open up communications with legislators earlier in the process. He said he provided an update in the fall and then yesterday's appearance was made in advance of the final budget being approved.
This year, the college is asking for a $100,000 increase in county share, covering the $50,000 not provided last year and $50,000 for this year.
Sunser said the trustees are looking to approve the budget next week. The committee took no action yesterday on the request.
Today it was announced that Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has been assigned to be the Special Prosecutor in the case of two Orleans County Sheriff's deputies charged with crimes related to working for a private company while clocked in for law enforcement duties.
State Police Troop A in Batavia announced the arrest today of Orleans County Sheriff's Sgt. Dean Covis, of Albion, and Deputy Thomas Marano, of Brockport. Each is charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first degree falsifying business records.
An investigation conducted by the New York State Police Major Crimes unit allegedly revealed that between November 2013 and January 2015, Sgt. Covis and Deputy Marano received payments from a private company they worked security for, after filing false time sheets, when in fact they were simultaneously working at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Covis and Marano were arraigned before Niagara County Court Judge Sara Sheldon in the Orleans County Court then released on their own recognizance.
In an interview with WBTA, Friedman said when asked how the case came to light "People apparently heard this was going on and reported it...I do not know for certain when the allegations were first made, but it has only been in the last few months that the State Police got involved and conducted their investigation."
Friedman said it's not illegal to work a second job when you are not working for the Sheriff's Office; but being paid for working in law enforcement while actually doing security detail for a private company is.
The company the defendants allegedly worked 12-hour security shifts for is Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, which operates Waterport Dam in the Town of Carlton in Orleans County.
The DA said additional charges are possible.
"I'm thinking, specifically, the grand larceny charge would be one count, encompassing the entire relevant period of time," Friedman said. "Falsifyinging business records -- only one count was filed, but it could be multiple counts, one for each of the records that is alleged to have been falsfied."
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that his 10th annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C,. will take place Sept. 21 – 24. More than 100 veterans and their family members participated in the 2016 trip, which included stories of valiant service members and valuable time spent together reflecting on the courage and dedication exhibited by our nation’s veterans.
Hawley is a longtime supporter of veterans and has served on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006.
Only veterans who have never been on the trip before may sign up now. After Aug. 1, veterans who have been on the trip before and those living outside of the 139th Assembly District may apply. The approximate cost of the trip is $350, which includes meals, transportation and admission to the memorials.
“I look forward to this trip each year as a way to give back to those who have served our country and remember those who have perished in combat,” Hawley said. “I came up with this idea after a similar trip I took with my father, a World War II veteran.
"Through the experiences of my father and my own service in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, I have gained a tremendous understanding and respect for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for these reasons that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and have solidified it as one of the staples of my service to our community.”
Attractions Hawley plans to visit this year on the trip include:
If you or a veteran you know want more information about this year’s Patriot Trip X, please call 585-589-5780 or email carneyj@nyassembly.gov. To view photos from previous years, use the following link: http://vetsdctrip2008.shutterfly.com/.
Hundreds of volunteers spread out throughout the area today to perform a variety of tasks for charities and other civic groups as part of United Way's Day of Caring.
Among the projects, members of the Rotary Club built a new tool shed for the community garden behind the Youth Center off State Street. The garden's organizers had applied for a grant to buy the building materials and the club went a step further, sending over a volunteer construction crew as well.
Other volunteers at the garden helped replace about a third of the raised beds with new, deeper beds, which will make it easier for gardeners to grow carrots and other root vegetables.
There were dozens of projects countywide.
Along with the efforts at the community garden are pictures of the annual Lions Club bicycle repair at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, with the bikes going to clients of Arc of Genesee Orleans, and a project by the Batavia Improvement Association to chalk the sidewalks of Main Street with positive art and messages.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement to recognize National Police Week and to highlight his intention to vote in favor of six legislative items throughout the week in support of U.S. law enforcement.
The legislative items will include the Thin Blue Line Act (H.R. 115), the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act (H.R. 1892), the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act (H.R. 1428), the Probation Officer Protection Act (H.R. 1039), the Rapid DNA Act of 2017 (H.R. 510), and the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (H.R. 1616).
“National Police Week is an opportunity for our country to come together to honor our men and women in blue for the service they provide to our communities,” Congressman Collins said. “On behalf of the towns, cities, and villages throughout New York’s 27th Congressional District, I want to thank our law enforcement officers for consistently putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared May 15th as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. This week, the United States will honor our courageous law enforcement officers during National Police Week. Every year since 1982, members of the U.S. law enforcement community, their families and friends have gathered on Peace Officer’s Memorial Day in Washington, D.C., to mourn the fallen and remember their heroic acts.
“Our first responders are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to uphold law and order within the communities they serve, but too often their heroic acts are repaid with undue criticism,” Congressman Collins said. “They deserve the full support of the federal government. I am confident the six pieces of legislation that will be voted on this week will provide U.S. law enforcement with the federal resources and support they need to continue keeping us safe.”
Thin Blue Line Act (H.R. 115)
- Makes killing, or attempting to kill, a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder, an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.
Honoring Hometown Heroes Act (H.R. 1892)
- Authorizes the governor of a state to proclaim the American flag be flown at half-staff to honor a first responder who died in the line of duty.
American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017 (H.R. 1428)
- Authorizes COPS grantees to prioritize funds to hire veterans as law enforcement officers.
Probation Officer Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 1039)
- Authorizes probation officers to arrest a person if there is probable cause to believe the person forcibly assaulted or obstructed a probation officer while they were conducting official duties.
Rapid DNA Act of 2017 (H.R. 510)
- Establishes a system for integration of Rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement to combat violent crime and reduce the current DNA analysis backlog.
Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017 (H.R. 1616)
- Authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute to disseminate homeland security information related to the investigation and prevention of cyber and electronic crime and related threats, and educate, train, and equip state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges.
Rights of injured workers threatened workers’ compensation and the rights of injured workers has become a hot topic in today’s news. Recently, an Alabama judge has found portions of their state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to be unconstitutional. The judge ruled that the monetary cap for injured workers violates the due process of the law.
Similarly, here in New York State new workers’ compensation laws have been passed that threaten the rights of injured workers. These laws will not only decrease benefits, but also make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.
Our workers’ compensation team at Dolce Panepinto is always fighting for injured workers’ rights and are here to help. We will continue to keep you updated as changes continue to the workers’ compensation system. If you have any questions about your rights or if you or a family member has been hurt on the job, please do not hesitate to call us at 585-815-9003. Click here for more information.
Work crews were at Batavia Downs this morning resurfacing the parking lot.
Two injuries are reported in a car vs. motorcycle accident on Route 33 at Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford.
Stafford Fire and two Mercy EMS ambulances are dispatched.
UPDATE(S)(By Billie) 1:12 p.m.: Traffic control requested by Stafford command to Route 33 and Prole Road.
UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 is called to the scene and a landing zone is being established.
UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 has landed. The passenger and driver of the motorcycle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of a Kia Soul appears to be uninjured. According to a witness at the scene, the Kia stopped at the intersection, started to move, stopped again, then pulled directly in front of the motorcycle, which T-boned the car. The witness said "I couldn't believe it." The motorcycle left a long skid mark on the roadway prior to the crash.
UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Traffic control was moved to Route 33 and Seven Springs Road. The damaged motorcycle is stuck in the roadway and won't roll so a tow truck has been called to remove it.
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