Alfred B. Ranzenbach III was arrested Nov. 11 in Bergen by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and charged with felony grand larceny, 3rd. No further information was released.

Macy Fay Paladino, 34, of Clay St., Le Roy, was arrested Nov. 11 at 2:22 p.m. and charged with petit larceny and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, following a shoplifting incident at Target. Paladino allegedly stole merchandise from Target and during her apprehension, she was allegedly found with narcotic paraphernalia in her possession. She was put in jail in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 bond. She is to reappear in Town of Batavia Court on Nov. 30. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department is looking for the communities help in locating a level 3 sex offender who has failed to change his address and appear at the police department for his 90 day verification. Marlek Holmes is a male black about 5’7”, 160 pounds with a shaved head.  If he is seen out, you are asked to call 9-1-1. If anyone has additional information on where he may be located you are asked to call the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370. If the media is looking for any further information please contact me at 585-345-6353.

Now you can design your own Batavia-made boots.

p.w. minor announced today the launch of their new product line and brand, the Abram Boot Company.

The new boots are the same p.w. minor quality, and made right here in Batavia, but you, the customer, design your own boots at abrambootcompany.com.

You can also visit p.w.'s local outlet store at Main and Jackson to try on boots and sit at an in-store computer to design your custom boots.

Customers can choose leather, sole, eyelets, speed hooks, toe type and laces to fashion the look they find most appealing.

Local customers are invited to use the promo code "Batavia Made" when ordering their boots online for $200 off the purchase price.

The new line is named after Abram Vorhees Minor, the younger brother of Peter Wycoff Minor. The brothers founded p.w. minor in Batavia 149 years ago.

More than a year ago, Pete Zeliff and Andrew Young purchased the company, which was about to be shut down, and saved it, investing substantially to expand production, modernize the plant and bring jobs back to Batava that had been transferred to China.

Top photo: Lisa Paul-Khan.

Full press release after the jump:

The fate of a proposed West Main Street Dunkin’ Donuts is back in the hands of city planners.

The Genesee County Planning Board took “no action” Thursday night, on dramatically revised plans for the project.

The county board voted 3 to 2 on a requested subdivision, special use permit, sign permits and area variances for a new drive-thru restaurant at West Main and River streets.

The city Planning & Development Committee can now vote to approve — or deny — the project by a simple majority vote.

“We’re happy with that,” said Kip Finley, project development manager for Indus Hospitality, told the county board.

Thursday was the fourth time Indus Hospitality has appeared before county planners since June 2014. The county took no action then and once again the following September, before recommending city disapproval this past August.

The city committee voted the project down in September 2014.

On Thursday, Finley told county planners he hoped “the fourth time’s the charm.”

“This time we’re back here because, I think, the city officials took pity on us because we weren’t quite getting it,” he said.

Indus Hospitality revised its plans — particularly for the design of the building — based on input from the city panel, Finley said.

Dunkin’ Donuts would be located on land between Five Star Bank and Barrett’s Batavia Marine. It would be owned by Mike Mikolajczyk, who also owns the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise at East Main Street and Ellicott Avenue.

The revised site plan now calls for a bigger building — enlarged from 1,700 square feet to 2,170 square feet — that is much closer to West Main Street. The entrance has been relocated to the west of the restaurant.

Those changes allow for a longer drive-thru queue off West Main, that would accommodate 12 vehicles instead of seven. A second “bypass lane” immediately adjacent to the west, would allow separate access to restaurant parking and the bank ATM.

That should alleviate concerns about backed-up drive-thru traffic blocking West Main Street during rush hour, Finley said.

Unchanged, is a proposed parking lot exit to the east of Dunkin’ Donuts. Parking and the drive-thru could also be accessed via River Street from existing driveways on either side Five Star Bank.

The restaurant was also redesigned, based on preferences shown by the city Planning & Development Committee, Finley said. It would have a gabled roof, and patio seating facing West Main.

“The architecture is now not at all prototype for Dunkin’,” Finley said. “It’s more fitting in with the residential character of the other buildings (in the neighborhood).”

The addition of landscaping, is intended to block the view of the parking lot from homes on Redfield Parkway.

County Planning Department staff recommended approval of Dunkin’ Donuts requests, with one modification: that a free-standing pylon sign facing West Main Street be replaced with an externally lit monument-style sign.

Finley said a raised sign is necessary for visibility, but said his firm is willing to consider a smaller, or even externally lit pylon sign.

The sign would be illuminated only during hours of operation, which would be from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Planning Board members Robert Bennet, Laraine Caton and Lucine Kauffman voted to approve. Ginny Adams and Tom Schubmehl voted against.

With only five of nine Planning Board members present, a recommendation for approval would have required five votes. A vote to disapprove, would have required a majority-plus-one vote for the city board to overturn the decision.

The city Planning & Development Committee’s Nov. 17 agenda includes a public hearing and possible vote on the Dunkin’ Donuts application.

Neighbors who spoke at Thursday’s meeting, said they have not changed their views on the project.

“I’ve been in favor of the project since the very beginning,” said Nelson Baker, of Redfield Parkway. “I can see the cars in the parking lot at Five Star Bank and they don’t bother me at all.”

But another Redfield Parkway resident, Donald Fryling, insisted the parcel is too small for Dunkin’ Donuts, and another drive-thru is too much for the community.

“I’m concerned about adding traffic to an area that’s already extremely congested and dangerous,” Fryling said. “Does a community our size really need a fourth doughnut shop (and) an 11th drive-thru?

“The community doesn’t want it there,” he said.

Nann Zorn, who lives on River Street, said the new site plan doesn’t change her concerns about traffic.

“Regardless of how beautiful the plans are for the building, none of the aesthetic changes will improve its location,” Zorn said. 

“Nobody’s addressing the overall issue,” she continued. “And the overall issue is the fact that this is the wrong place for this business.”

Press release:

Town and village officials from Le Roy and Bergen, along with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), today announced the submission of a community revitalization plan for consideration as part of the second round of America’s Best Communities (ABC) $10 million prize competition.

Le Roy and Bergen are one of 50 communities that have submitted plans intended to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities across the United States. As a quarter-finalist, the Le Roy and Bergen team was awarded $50,000 in June 2015 to develop a plan aimed at accelerating the revival of the local economies and quality of life in both towns and villages.

With the assistance of Saratoga-based firm Camoin Associates, Le Roy and Bergen developed a plan which includes a proposed budget and long-term vision for economic revitalization, highlighting objectives to expand the commercial and industrial base in both towns and villages while sustaining the continued vitality of the agricultural community.

If awarded funding, the plan budgets for the use of funds to: determine gas pipeline capacity infrastructure at the Le Roy Food & Technology Park and Apple Tree Acres Corporate Park in Bergen; conduct a survey of current broadband capabilities for residents and businesses in both municipalities; and identify opportunities to enhance workforce development initiatives. The plan also recognizes the importance of using incentives and existing programs to enhance residential and commercial mixed-use developments in the downtown areas in both villages.

Only 15 communities will be selected for the competition’s semi-finalist round to win $100,000, in which each semi-finalist will make a presentation to a panel of judges about why its community should receive funds to advance its revitalization plan. In addition, three grand prize winners will be selected to win top prizes of $3 million, $2 million and $1 million.

"Through the ABC challenge process, our communities have rediscovered optimism, volunteer spirit and community assets that are highly valued,” said Shelley Stein, Genesee County legislator. “We demonstrate being America's ‘Best Community’ daily in our rural community pride and livability corridors, and have this unique opportunity to improve our shared livelihood by adding basic gas mains and broadband to support our local businesses.”

Anna Marie Barclay, Village of Bergen mayor, said, "The ‘America’s Best Communities’ competition has given the towns and villages of Le Roy and Bergen the opportunity to do what we are committed to: dedicate our time and passion to value and honor our history; enhance the quality of life and sense of place to all who live and work with us; encourage our young people to join us with their families and businesses in our rural environment; support our agricultural resources; and create and maintain economic development in a way that builds on the quality and hometown essence of small town America."

"It has been a great experience working with the ABC team and Bergen and Genesee County officials on this project,” said Stephen Barbeau, Town of Le Roy supervisor. "Community support has been overwhelming and our town board remains very optimistic that we will be able to establish our commercial park, injecting some new, clean commercial growth to our tax base while not detracting from our residential neighborhoods and rural character."

The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC), an affiliate of GCEDC, is the entity which administered the grant dollars and oversaw the selection of the consultants used in the development of the revitalization plan.

“The submission of the community revitalization plan serves as a monumental step in moving on to the next stage of this prestigious nationwide competition,” said Thomas Felton, GGLDC chairman. “Every official and community leader involved in this process has played a critical role in making sure this plan comprehensively reflects the business and economic development needs of the Bergen and Le Roy communities.”

Byron-Bergen put themselves in a position to advance in the state tournament Thursday night, up 24-17 in the fifth set, but let the lead slip away, dropping the game 27-25 to Honeoye. The first four sets were 25-19 Byron-Bergen, 17-25 Honeoye, 25-14 Byron-Bergen and 14-25 Honeoye.

The match, played in Le Roy, was a consolidation round for the Class D1 and Class D2 champions in Section V.

Genesee County's other Section V champion, for Class C, was Le Roy, and the Oatkan Knights lost its state qualifier last night at Pioneer in Arcade to Eden, 25-15, 25-11 and 25-15.

Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia):

“Gov. Cuomo’s decision to increase the state employee minimum wage to $15 per hour is misguided and wrong for New York. The minimum wage was never meant to be a living wage and by raising it over 50 percent we are essentially killing the motivation of state employees to work hard, take advantage of their opportunities and find better paying employment.

"In a state where our budget is already stretched thin and we have trouble providing funding for deteriorating upstate infrastructure and paying down the Gap Elimination Adjustment education cuts, we simply can’t afford this added expenditure. Our residents already pay the highest taxes in the nation and asking them to absorb more of a burden is wrong.

“It is autocratic and disconcerting to the democratic process for Gov. Cuomo to sidestep the Legislature and unilaterally pass this minimum wage increase. Just as the case with the increase for fast-food workers, all laws should go through an appropriate legislative process that includes vetting and discussion. Any other way is irresponsible governing.

"What we need is a more fertile business environment that provides better paying opportunities for state workers, not dependence on the state for higher wages.”

Going back to Joseph Ellicott, you would be hard pressed to find anybody has had more of a local impact over a sustained period of time than Catherine Roth.

And she's leaving us.

At age 95, Roth is moving from The Manor House in Batavia to an assisted-living facility near Albany, where she will be closer to her son and grandchildren.

"She really, physically worked hard with the organizations she was involved in," said Lucine Kauffman, a former Town of Elba supervisor and currently president of the  Landmark Society of Genesee County, which Roth helped found. "Some people just want to throw money around, but she actually got her hands dirty. She worked hard and she was passionate. She was definitely one of my mentors and one of the first friends I made when I moved here."

We will need to write out a long list with numerous bullet points to list out all Roth did in her some 70 years of living in Genesee County, but let's do it anyway:

• Founding member of the Landmark Society in 1964;
• Spearheaded publication of "The Architectural Heritage of Genesee County";
• Started a swimming class for children in what is now known as Genesee ARC;
• She spent decades as a Girl Scout troop leader;
• Served on the Batavia City Council in the 1970s and served on the Master Plan Steering Committee;
• Member of the UMMC Hospital League, and baked and donated hundreds of pies to be sold in the snack shop at the hospital, where she also volunteered her time;
• A trustee with the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia, which she helped get listed on the National Register of Historic Places and took a leadership role in getting the tower restored;
• Planted flowers and weeded in numerous public places, including Dwyer Stadium and the Batavia Cemetery;
• Served on the YMCA Board of Directors;
• Served on the Holland Land Purchase Historical Society Board of Directors;
• Founding member of the Sun Catchers Garden Club;
• Board of Directors, Stafford Historical Society;
• Board member of the Batavia Cemetery Association, where she established the James T. Roth Memorial Arboretum, in memory of her son who was killed by an elderly driver in a car accident;
• Helped get the Batavia Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
• Recipient of numerous local awards;
• With her sisters, a member of the oldest living triplets in the United States;
• Lobbied for years, after her son was killed, to change NYS law on allowing elderly people to retain driver's licenses and gave hers up when she felt she was too old to drive.

Roth was honored -- one of several such gatherings planned around the county before she departs for Albany on Nov. 17 -- yesterday in the Stafford Town Court by the Stafford Historical Society.

She said she was embarrassed by the attention. She never volunteered for anything to get attention, she said. She volunteered because she could.

"I'm embarrassed to say, but I didn't have to work," Roth said. "My husband (Dr. Lawrence Roth) was an obstetrician-gynecologist and I just never had to work, which is very different from what women have to do now."

Roth was born and raised in Long Island and she and her sisters graduated from William Smith College, which they attended on a scholarship. Each of the young ladies met their future husbands while in college, and all three young men were graduates of Hobart College.

Dr. Roth was a decendent of a family, the Tyler family, that settled in Stafford in 1810. The Tyler's roots in the colonies go back to the early 17th Century (one branch of the Tylers, not the branch that came to Le Roy) produced Ernest Hemingway.

When Dr. Roth returned to Batavia to begin his medical career, he brought his bride with him and she got involved early in the life of the community.

She adopted it as her own and cherished the things that made it unique, which made her a staunch opponent of urban renewal, a turn of events in the city's history that she's still bitter about.

"They really ruined Batavia, as far as I'm concerned," she said yesterday.

Her activism in fighting urban renewal paved the way for the creation of the Landmark Society and launched her local political career, prompting her to run for City Council.

"I was the biggest vote-getter," she said.

Her time on council is among her proudest achievements, as well as teaching developmentally disabled children how to swim, saving the Batavia Cemetery and building the arboretum in honor of her departed son.

Laurie Oltramari, currently director of the Batavia Improvement District, and a former president of the Landmark Society, said at yesterday's gathering that Roth gave her confidence to be a leader, even if that meant ruffling feathers along the way.

"Sometimes I was dubbed 'Little Catherine' because I don't like to take no for an answer and I'm not afraid to burn bridges and lose friendships when it means doing the right thing," Oltramari said. "That's really a hard thing to do, but when you have somebody like Catherine saying it's 'OK, you'll be OK,' it really is a life lesson."

Roth's example -- she's thought of by many as somebody who demonstrated equal rights for women long before equal rights for women really became a movement -- has inspired many women, including Rev. Roula Alkhouri, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia.

"I always felt affirmed because you always told me the truth," Rev. Alkhouri told Roth during Wednesday's gathering. "You would share your opinion, but it was never in the spirit of you don't know what you're doing because you're young. It was in the sense that I felt affirmed as a woman being in ministry and welcomed."

"I felt really affirmed," she added, "and I realized that when I met her sisters. They came up one time and they said 'You know what, we haven't heard anything bad about you.' "

Kauffman said she always found Roth kind and kindhearted, and a lot of people did, but she was also always strong willed and had deeply held beliefs. That sometimes rubbed some men the wrong way.

"A lot of men thought she was a loudmouthed broad and a pushy broad and I've always wondered, as a woman myself, if she was a man, would they say 'He's pushy,' or 'He's a loudmouth'? No, they would just say 'He's a leader and he had a vision.' "

Roth said there was no grand vision to her service. She just did it.

"I didn't want to be bored with life," she said.

Press release:

On Saturday, Nov. 14th, Crossroads House will be having its Annual Fall Basket Raffle. We call it “Race to the Finish” because it is our last public fundraiser of 2015.

In keeping with Batavia’s harness racing history, one of the featured items will be a large vintage Horse and Sulky figurine. The raffle will also include porcelain dolls, wine and liquor baskets, Christmas baskets, handmade afghans and much more. Over 100 baskets will be featured. In addition there will be side raffles for a $100 Money Tree, Fresh Meat Trays, Shop Around Town gift cards, and a handmade quilt.

A $5 entry gets you your first sheet of raffle tickets, complimentary desserts and McCullagh coffee products furnished by Ralph Marsocci. Lunch will be available for purchase including hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and Gail's famous stuffed pepper soup.

The raffle takes place at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia. It runs from 12 to 4 p.m. with baskets being drawn at 3 p.m. Winners need not be present to win so you can stop by, get your tickets in, have some lunch then visit some or all of the other great area events in Batavia. Check the events calendar and make an entire day of shopping, eating, and entertainment without ever leaving Downtown!

Crossroads House would like to thank the community for all their support this year. As an organization that relies 100 percent on the support of the area we serve, we are blessed to be able to continue to offer our services free of charge. We are a Gift to the Community, made possible by the Community.

Marisol Leon, left, who owns El Rincon Colombiano with her husband, Guillermo, is pictured at the Batavia restaurant with waitresses Melinda Amaro, center, and Elena Vega.

Marisol Leon grew up in Colombia, and is happy to share its flavors with Batavia diners.

She and her husband Guillermo opened El Rincon Colombiano Restaurant on Nov. 1 in Valu Plaza.

It’s a second Batavia restaurant for the Leons, who opened their Mexican restaurant, Rancho Viejo, four years ago on Ellicott Street.

Marisol Leon promises “a new experience” for local diners who are not familiar with the South American nation’s food.

“They can try different flavors and learn a little more about another country,” she said.

Marisol and Guillermo — who is from Mexico — originally opened the Valu Plaza location earlier this year as El Burrito Loco. 

The switch from “El Burrito” to “El Rincon,” proves necessity is the mother of invention. After a good start, Marisol said, they had trouble finding a talented Mexican cook.

The solution? “Try Colombian,” Marisol said.

And hire Alberto Rincon, who brings both his name and talents as chef to El Rincon.

Rincon, like Marisol Leon, is a native of Bucaramanga, a city in Colombia’s northeast. He has moved to Batavia with his wife, Anamilde, who is responsible for El Rincon’s homemade baked goods. 

The menu will seem familiar to anyone who enjoys Mexican food. But Mexican and Colombian cooking developed from different regions and traditions — like cousins who have a family resemblance, but very different personalities.

While far from being bland, Colombian food is not as spicy as Mexican, Marisol explained. You also won’t find tortillas or much salsa, and beans are not as prominently featured.

“A lot of steak and seafood,” is how Marisol describes El Rincon’s menu.

Colombian cuisine also features a lot of soups. (“Every day for lunch,” Marisol said.) In addition to a soup of the day, El Rincon serves cazuela de langosta (lobster) and cazuela de mariscos (seafood), creamy soups served with rice, salad and fried plantain slices.

Bandeja paisa, is one of Colombia’s most popular — and most generous — dishes. It includes rice, red beans and ground beef “cooked Colombian style,” along with egg, chorizo (pork sausage), avocado, plantain, arepa (flatbread) and chicharon (fried pork).

“It’s a lot of food,” Marisol said.

El Rincon has a children’s menu, and an “American” menu that includes cheeseburgers and roast beef sandwiches. Take-out is also available.

Marisol said they hope to have a liquor license in place within a month or so, after which the restaurant will serve aguardiente, a sugar cane liqueur; Ron Caldas, a Colombian rum; and Club Colombia beer.

The “flavors” of Colombia, extend also to El Rincon’s ambiance. That includes both the decor and the wait staff, which is outfitted in yellow Colombia National Soccer Team jerseys.

One wall has been painted white, and decorated with bright green and orange shutters and doors. It’s a reflection of the stucco walls and tile roofs of the “Pueblito Paisa,” a popular tourist attraction in Medellin, Colombia.

Marisol said it’s an opportunity to take a trip, without having to travel.

“People don’t need to go to Columbia,” she said. “They can find it here.”

El Rincon Colombiano is located at 4125 W. Main St. (Valu Plaza), Batavia. Winter hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.

During summer, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Fridays.

El Rincon is closed Saturdays. For information call (585) 201-7602.

Batavia's El Rincon Colombiano Restaurant features Colombian decor, including a hammock and espadrilles -- a kind of slipper. The restaurant opened Nov. 1 in Valu Plaza.

Press release:

Come to the 13^th annual Worldwide Christmas Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 300 E. Main St., Batavia. Admission is free.

Join the hundreds of people in the community who have attended our fairs over the past 12 years and see why supporting fair trade businesses and local and regional not-for-profit organizations has such a positive influence in our community and the world!

Our fair is unique in that all of our vendors have one thing in common -- they help other people in need here in Batavia, in Western NY and around the world through their sales.

We have three types of vendors at our fair:

1. Local and regional not-for-profit organizations raising money for their programs or projects.

• The Artisans at North Street (www.ywcagenesee.org ), located at the YWCA in Batavia, will have hand crafted items from more than 30 local artisans. Your purchases support both the artisans and the work of the YWCA.
• Deborah Wilson Pottery will be available and supports Project Life in Waterport (www.projectlife-wli.org ). Project Life brings orphans, ages 9-12, from war-torn countries and areas such Chechnya, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Southeast Asia to Western New York for three months during the summer to provide peace, support, rest and recuperation for the children, to improve their physical and mental health, and to give them the opportunity to just be kids.
• Healthy Sisters Soup and Bean Works (www.healthysisters.org ) from Catholic Family Services in Rochester. This organization provides women in Rochester the opportunity to learn about running a business and enables them to obtain the experience needed to be successful in the work force. Their product is everything you need to make a pot of bean soup – the beans and spices, all neatly packaged with the recipe attached. They also have dip mixes for sale.
• Guatemala Missions – Members of the First Presbyterian Church will have handmade items for sale that support The Garden’s Edge (www.gardensedge.org), an organization that works to revitalize local culture and economy in Guatemala through projects in sustainable agriculture and environmental education.
• NEW!  Coffee Connection (http://ourcoffeeconnection.org/) is a Rochester-based company that provides employment training and job creation for women in recovery from addiction and sells fair trade, organic coffee to retail and wholesale customers. In partnership with Project Empower, they provide comprehensive, continuous support for women on their journey toward sustainable recovery. 

      2. Home businesses. We have representatives from Kitcheneez and Avon. These women donate all proceeds from sales made at the fair to a local charity of their choice.

      3. Vendors who promote and follow fair trade practices.

What are Fair Trade Practices?

Let’s look at one of our vendors to illustrate the concepts of fair trade: One World Projects (www.oneworldprojects.com ) is a fair trade company located on Harvester Avenue in Batavia. One World Projects was started in 1992 by Phil Smith. The mission of the company is to provide people in developing countries with the opportunity for economic sustainability and self-determination.

• They do this by building open and respectful relationships with the people they work with around the world;
• One World Projects purchases high-quality products that have positive social impacts and environmental benefits;
• They pay artisans fair wages for their work allowing them to provide for their basic needs such as: food, shelter, clothing, education, and health-care for their families;
• They provide financial and technical support to artisans by working with the artisans, suggesting product designs, improving artistic and technical skills, educating group leaders about the demands of the market;
• The support a safe and healthy work environment;
• They ensure the rights of children by not supporting exploitive child labor;
• They cultivate environmentally sustainable practices;
• And they reinvest in artisan groups and communities through economic programs and/or donations.

This is what it means to practice fair trade. One World Projects works with more than 80 artisan groups in more than 20 countries throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia. They sell hundreds of products and each item tells the story of the people who make them.

Other vendors who practice fair trade:

One World Goods (www.owgoods.org) from Rochester will have items from all over the world – jewelry, scarfs, handbags, mittens, toys, Christmas ornaments, decorative items, candles, and much more.

• Equal Exchange Coffee (www.equalexchange.coop) is a co-op from Massachusetts that sells coffee, tea and chocolate from around the globe.  
• Dounya Kele, which means One World in the language of Burkina Faso in Africa – will have jewelry made of recycled glass by women in Ghana and Burkina Faso.
• In the Basket will have hand woven grass baskets in beautiful vibrant colors available. The baskets are woven by women in Swaziland and other countries in Africa. They are imported by a former Peace Corps Volunteer who continues to work to help alleviate poverty in Africa and improve the quality of life in the community she served.

Our fair provides the opportunity to purchase quality gifts and support all of these worthwhile causes.

This is not a fund-raising event for the church. We do not charge admission and we do not charge our vendors to participate.

Enjoy a delicious lunch of soups and sandwiches provided by our Presbyterian Women’s group and purchase wonderful baked goods provided by our youth and congregation. Again, all proceeds from food purchases are donated to charity.

Get your Christmas shopping started early and purchase gifts that make a difference!

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum's 14th Annual Wonderland of Trees is just over one week away!

The Opening Gala will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20th. General admission is $25 per person or $20 for Museum members.

There will be live Christmas music, a 50/50 raffle, silent aucition, basket raffle, catering by D&R Depot, and nearly 40 Christmas trees and displays thanks to the generosity of you, our community. Tickets can be purchased in advance in our Gift Shop or the night of the Gala.

It is not too late to participate in the Wonderland of Trees as a sponsor! If you or your business are interested in decorating a tree or donating items for our basket raffle, please call the Museum at 585-343-4727.

Each year the Wonderland of Trees is viewed by hundreds of visitors at the Holland Land Office Museum and all proceeds from the event help fund the educational and historical programs and exhibits at the museum.

We look forward to seeing you on for our Opening Gala! If you are unable to attend, the Wonderland of Trees will be on display at the Holland Land Office Museum until Saturday, Jan. 2nd. Stay tuned for more Christmas events at the Holland Land Office!

Ryan K. Darch, 23, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault. He was arrested after turning himself in on an arrest warrant issued by Batavia City Court. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is to appear in City Court on Nov. 24. The case was handled by Officer Jason Davis.

Matthew S. Shaffer, 25, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree harassment -- physical contact, and criminal mischief -- intent to damage property. On Nov. 5 at 11:30 p.m., Shaffer was arrested after he allegedly broke a vehicle window while a child was sitting inside the vehicle, following a domestic incident. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. The case was investigated by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Kevin R. Larsen, 38, of Hall Street, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. On Nov. 5, on East Main Street, the defendant was arrested after it was reported by residents on Swan Street that he was yelling obscenities and disrupting the neighborhood. The defendant then stood in the roadway in front of 400 E. Main St. allegedly obstructing vehicular traffic, then physically struggled with a police officer while being placed under arrest. The case was investigated by Officer Darryle Streeter, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Daniel J. Wolfe, 41, of 209 Liberty St. upper, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. On Nov. 5 at 6:18 p.m., Wolfe was involved in a disturbance on Hutchins Street wherein he allegedly struck another person in the face. He was subsequently arrested. The case was investigated by Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Morgan S. Fallon, 18, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. On Nov. 8 at 7:25 p.m., Fallon was arrested after allegedly threatening another person during a verbal altercation in the 300 block of Ellicott Street. Fallon was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to be in City Court on Dec. 1. The case was investigated by Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

A 16-year-old female resident of Batavia is charged with second-degree harassment. On Nov. 8 at 6:25 p.m., the youth was arrested after she allegedly threatened another person during a verbal altercation in the 300 block of Ellicott Street. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on Dec. 1. The case was investigated by Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Brenda Y. Coloncruz, 42, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, and driving on or across a sidewalk. On Nov. 6, Coloncruz was arrested on Swan Street during the course of an investigation into an unknown type of disturbance. She was put in jail in lieu of $1,500 bail. The case was investigated by Officer Jason Davis, assisted by Officer Daniel Coffey.

Adam D. Smart, 32, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on Nov. 6 after he was found at a residence in violation of a complete stay away order of protection. He was jailed without bail. The case was investigated by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Jamie M. Ficarella, 39, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Nov. 6 at 10:36 a.m., Batavia police responded to the Kwik Fill on Jackson Street for the report of a customer stealing items. After reviewing the convenience store's surveillance system and further investigation, Ficarella was arrested for allegedly stealing two Cheez-It snack bags. Ficarella was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on Nov. 17. The case was investigated by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

The police investigation into a reported assault two weeks ago that left one man with serious injuries has been stymied by a lack of cooperation from one of the victims and the failure of potential witnesses to come forward, said Det. Todd Crossett.

The Batavian reported on the assault Oct. 28, which reportedly involved a group of people attacking a young man returning from 7-Eleven to a Halloween party on Swan Street with pizzas and a friend who went out apparently looking for the attackers. That second man was hospitalized after he was attacked by a group of people.

The victim who was seriously hurt has cooperated with investigators, but the first reported victim, who was the person who contacted The Batavian about the case, has declined all interview requests with police and police have found it repeatedly difficult to get in touch with him.

Several people posted comments online indicating they know who the attackers are, but police attempts to contact those potential witnesses have been unsuccessful and none has voluntarily contacted police.

Crossett is asking that those potential witnesses please come forward and answer questions.

"I'd like to talk to you and find out how you might know who these people might be," Crossett said.

Crossett's direct line is (585) 345-6353.

The information contained in the original story on The Batavian about the attack is consistent with what the police have been able to learn so far, but without further cooperation from victims and witnesses, it will be difficult to successfully close the case, Crossett said.

Veterans were a baffled by this setup when they arrived at the Upton Monument this morning. They aren't sure if this was meant as some sort of message or it's just somebody's litter. The boxes were all empty.

Submitted photo.

Press release from Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments:

Have you and your loved ones been vaccinated against pertussis, more commonly known as, whooping cough? If so, are you still up-to-date or need a booster? If you’re unsure or need a booster it’s time to call your primary care provider.

Whooping cough is a serious and very contagious respiratory disease that can cause long, severe coughing spells and the characteristic “whooping” sound that follows when a person gasps for air. (Click whooping cough sound to hear for yourself or visit http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/materials/everyone.html). It can present like a common cold at first, but after one or two weeks a person is overcome with coughing spells so violent it likely interferes with eating, drinking and even breathing.

The bacterium is found in the mouth, nose and throat and is spread from person to person by direct contact with mucus or droplets from the infected individual(s). These episodes may occur for one to two months and are more frequent at night.

Currently, Public Health nurses in Genesee and Wyoming counties are investigating confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough).

Preventing this highly contagious disease is everyone’s responsibility and the best protection is getting vaccinated! Whooping cough can take a toll on anyone, but it can be deadly for babies as they are especially fragile and are unable to receive the first dose of the vaccine until 2 months old. Severe complications from having whooping cough are more common among infants and young children and may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, syncope (temporary loss of consciousness), dehydration, seizures, encephalopathy (a disorder of the brain), apneic episodes (brief stop in breathing) and death. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms seek medical attention.

There are two versions of the vaccine depending on age:

• DTap vaccine is given to children 2 months - 6 years old and protects against not only whooping cough but Tetanus and Diphtheria too.  Children should get 5 doses of the DTap vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, between 15 - 18 months, between 4 - 6 years. 
• Tdap vaccine is a booster shot that helps protect pre-teens and adults from the same diseases. The first, one-dose, Tdap booster should be given between 11 - 12 years old and every 10 years after that for greatest immunity. During pregnancy, women should get the Tdap vaccine as the antibodies will be passed to the baby, providing protection until they are old enough to receive their first DTap vaccine, and the mother will be protected against spreading whooping cough to her newborn.

According to the Immunization Action Coalition (www.immunize.org), after receiving the properly spaced primary series of DTap or Tdap, approximately 95 percent of people will have protective levels against Diphtheria and 100 percent will have protective levels against tetanus in their blood. Protection levels against pertussis (whooping cough) have an estimated range of 80 – 85 percent.

“Although DTap and Tdap are the best way to protect against whooping cough and potential complications the level of protection decreases over time just the same as Diphtheria and Tetanus ,” said Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

“It is also important to use germ prevention practices, too. Regular hand washing with soap is the best but hand sanitizer is a good option when on-the-go. Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or in the inside of your elbow, not sharing personal items, as well as disinfecting shared surfaces are good habits also.”

The single most effective control measure to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases is to maintain the highest possible level of immunization in the community. Babies, teens, adults, and pregnant women need to be vaccinated according to the CDC Recommended Immunization Schedules. Local Health departments and most pharmacies can also assist in providing vaccines although qualifications vary, please call for details.

For more information on DTap/Tdap or Health Department services contact:

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit the Web site at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html. Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter at GeneseeCoHealthDept.
• Orleans County Health Department at: 589-3278 or check out the Web site at:  www.orleansny.com/publichealth. Visit Facebook and Twitter: the user name for both is OrleansCoHealth.
• Wyoming County Health Department at: 786-8890 or visit the Web site at www.wyomingco.net/health/main.html.

Press release:

Why in the world is there a business sitting next to two private homes in the City? Why do the City’s code enforcement officers allow one property owner to build onto a structure and yet deny another? If these are the kind of questions you find yourself asking as you drive through the City of Batavia, you may be the perfect person to fill an opening on the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

The ZBA needs City residents who are curious about and interested in zoning regulations as it relates to buildings and structures.

The ZBA is responsible for hearing and determining appeals of refusals of building permits or certificates of occupancy when the denial is based on zoning requirements. The ZBA has the authority to change the application of the zoning regulations relating to buildings and structures and helps to address practical difficulties and unnecessary hardships to ensure proper zoning in the City.

The board meets once a month and requires a time commitment of approximately 12 hours per year of its volunteers. Residents interested in applying can obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or can visit our website at www.batavianewyork.com and download a Committee/Board Volunteer Application under Documents.

Applications are due to the City Clerk’s Office by Nov. 30.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (585) 345-6305 or:

Office of the City Manager

One Batavia City Centre

Batavia, New York 14020

Phone:   (585) 345-6330

Fax:     (585) 343-8182

E-mail:   jmolino@batavianewyork.com