A one-car rollover accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 385.5. The driver hit a guard rail, is out of the vehicle, and experiencing trouble breathing. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
City police are responding to the parking lot across from Bourbon & Burger Co. in Downtown Batavia, where a dog is said to be locked inside a dark green truck. It's 83 degrees outside this evening.
A possible minor head injury is reported following a two-car collision in the area of 427 Ellicott St. The location is between Clifton and Harvester avenues. City police are on scene and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 4:59 p.m.: Howard at the scene says this appears to be a rear-ender. The driver of the first vehicle is being taken to UMMC with a complaint of head pain. The car that apparently struck that vehicle from behind is a sign-off. Both vehicles sustained minor damage.
Batavia PD is looking for help in identifying the woman in this picture. She is suspected of stealing from West Main Wine & Spirits.
Police believe she was with a small child (she is seen carrying him in another photo) and two other females, both African-American, one dressed in all black and the other in a black top and torn, faded blue jeans and carrying a red purse.
If you have information to share, contact Officer Christopher Lindsay, Batavia PD, (585) 345-6350.
The VA Hospital in Batavia held a luncheon at the Clarion Hotel this afternoon to honor its dozens and dozens of volunteers, some whom have been giving their time to serve veterans for decades.
Emerson Campbell (center, above) has logged more than 17,500 volunteer hours. Paul Judkins, 15,000 hours and John Scott, 12,500.
Below, the Brockport Elks delivered a $1,000 donation.
From Rep. Chris Collins:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after the Obama Administration finalized its Clean Water Act "Waters of the United States" Rule.
“The Obama Administration's ruling today is a continuation of their regulatory assault on our nation's farmers," Congressman Collins said. "The EPA’s overreach is causing real harm for local farmers and stalling business development. When I visit with local farmers, the heavy burdens under the Clean Water Act come up each and every time. When the bureaucrats at the EPA decide to call a divot in the ground that fills with rain a ‘navigable waterway’ under the CWA, we know our federal government has run amuck. I will continue to do all I can to fight this burdensome and business crushing ruling."
Last May, Congressman Collins led a bipartisan letter, signed by a majority of Congress, to the EPA Administrator asking for the Waters of the United States Rule to be withdrawn. Full text of the letter can be read here. This Congress, Congressman Collins co-sponsored H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015, which would require the Administration to withdraw its Waters of the United States Rule. H.R. 1732 passed the House of Representatives earlier this month.
From Dean Norton, Elba farmer and president of the NYS Farm Bureau:
“Today the Environmental Protection Agency released the final rule on the definition of “Waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act. New York Farm Bureau members have been strongly opposed to the changes proposed by the EPA because of the potential regulatory overreach that will allow for federal control over land that is typically dry. Clean water has always been a priority and necessity for farmers, but we are concerned that the rule will strip property owners of long-held land rights.
New York Farm Bureau has serious concerns that the EPA has failed to take into consideration the thousands of comments from farmers, business owners, and property owners, who feel this rule would add unnecessary burdens on their land. EPA would have accomplished much more working with farmers than just brushing their legitimate concerns aside. We will be carefully reviewing the final rule, but based on comments from EPA, we remain concerned that the agency did not listen to our nation’s farmers or made significant changes to the rule,” NYSFB President Norton said.
Genesee County's unemployment rate dropped in April to 5.1 percent, according to Labor Department statistics released today.
That's down from 5.5 percent a year ago.
The last time April unemployment was lower was in 2007, when the local rate was 4.4 percent, though the rate has been lower in the past 12 months, when it was 4.8 in October.
The Department of Labor says that there are 28,400 residents of Genesee County with jobs, up 100 from the prior year. There are 1,500 people counted as unemployed, down 100 from a year ago.
The jobs data comes out a week after Scott Gage, director of the local job bureau said that his department currently lists 400 job openings and the number of employment seekers coming into his office is dwindling.
The unemployment rate in Wyoming County dropped from 6.6 percent to 5.8 percent, in Orleans from 7. 7 to 6.4, and in Livingston, from 5.6 to 5.2.
New York's rate is 5.5 and the national rate is 5.5.
Batavia City School District will host a Data Cafe on June 2, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the High School’s library. At this cafe, Diane Reed, Ph.D., our Outside Educational Expert (OEE), will share information from the Data Triangle Survey, completed by our community last fall, and then will facilitate conversation regarding the information. Light refreshments also will be provided.
As a certified OEE, Reed is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for working with Focus Schools and Focus Districts as they measure their effectiveness based on six tenets which have been proven to be key factors in school effectiveness: District Leadership and Capacity; School Leader Practices and Decisions; Curriculum Development and Support; Teacher Practices and Decisions; Student Social and Emotional Developmental Health; and Family and Community Engagement.
Reed worked with our District to facilitate the Data Triangle Survey -- the three-pronged survey approved by the State which uses the six tenets as a guide in gathering input from staff, students and families. That input was used in the evaluation of District and school effectiveness and then was used in creating strategic plans for improving effectiveness. Reed continues her assistance in preparing the District for its reviews by the NYSED.
In addition to her work as a consultant at the international, national, state and local levels, Reed is the director and an associate professor in the master's degree program in Educational Leadership at St. John Fisher College. She co-authored a book titled "Resilient Leadership for Turbulent Times," and has written chapters that have been included in several others. She has also received numerous awards for her leadership in education. During her 15 years as a superintendent in New York State, her district was named in the top 1.5 percent of the school in the nation by Newsweek magazine and in the top 3 percent of school in Upstate New York by BusinessWeek.
All are encouraged to attend this informative evening.
Kirk A. Thomas Jr., is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, first-degree escape, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and public lewdness. Thomas is accused of possessing heroin with the intent to sell on March 17 in the City o Batavia. On that date, having been arrested, he allegedly escaped from custody. On that date, he allegedly possessed a hypodermic instrument. He allegedly possessed glassine envelopes with the intent to distribute drugs. He is accused of exposing himself and masturbating in public with the intent of being observed.
Ronald M. Markek is indicted on counts of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and is accused of having a prior DWI conviction on Oct. 11, 2011, in the Town of Pembroke. Markek is accused of driving drunk Nov. 28, 2014, on Route 63, Town of Batavia.
Cody Matthews Bedard, 21, of Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, DWI drugs, DWI with a child less than 16, endangering the welfare of a child and back seat passage age 4-6 without appropriate safety restraint. Police responded to the area of 240 Richmond Ave. at 7:27 p.m. Friday after a report of a driver "not acting right." Bedard was arrested by officers Darryle Streeter and Jamie Givens.
Michael B. Neth, 37, of Summitt Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Neth allegedly made contact with a person he was barred from contacting by court order while at a store in City Centre at 6:25 p.m., Saturday.
Lois Omar Perez Lopez, 34, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at stop sign and failure to signal. Perez Lopez was stopped at 2:22 a.m. Sunday on Trumbull Parkway by Deputy Chad Richards.
Joey Robert Tatro II, of Main Street, Attica, is charged with trespass and criminal mischief, 4th. Tatro was arrested on warrants related to the charges. He was jailed on $250 bail or $500 bond.
Ryan Michael Byrnes, 28, of Maple Street, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and driving while using a mobile phone. Byrnes was stopped at 9:35 p.m. Monday on Main Street, Byron, by Sgt. Gregory Walker.
Press release:
On Wednesday, May 27, the Bureau of Maintenance facility will have a power shut-down that will that will disable telephone and computer communications for the day. Anyone needing to contact the Bureau of Maintenance is asked to contact the Department of Public Works Administration at telephone number (585) 345-6325.
Smoke coming from a residence is reported at 6970 W. Bergen Road. Bergen fire is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy, and Mercy medics are called in, too. The location is said to be across from the Byron-Bergen track field.
UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: The call came in from a person across the street who said smoke could be seen coming "from the top of the residence." It is not yet known if the house is occupied.
UPDATE 7 p.m.: A fire truck from Churchville is also en route. Fire Police are requested to shut down traffic at Byron-Bergen Central School and Dublin Road.
UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: Bergen command has released Le Roy and Churchville, which are both now returning to service.
Press release:
“As a public official, I have sworn to protect the citizens of my district and taxpayers of New York State by honoring my office and embracing integrity, openness and transparency in my role as an elected leader. It is repugnant to have taxpayers fund the pensions and retirement benefits for public officials convicted of corruption and other felonies related to their official duties. It is morally and professionally irresponsible to ask the residents, whom we have betrayed and stolen from, to line the pockets of public officials who have used their power and social status for personal gain. We are public servants and our focus should be on improving the public’s faith in government and serving our constituents to the best of our abilities.
“The Assembly Minority Conference has led the charge on stripping corrupt public officials of their state pension and retirement benefits. I sponsor bipartisan legislation, A.4643-A, that would accomplish these goals. We were told by the Assembly Majority and Gov. Cuomo that a pension forfeiture bill would be voted upon during budget night this year. To the surprise of many, no such bill reached the Assembly floor for a vote for unknown reasons and we are still waiting on this initiative to pass. With only 12 session days left, and overwhelming support from across the aisle and the governor’s office, I cannot imagine why this bill has not reached the legislature for a vote. This common-sense measure is way past due and cannot wait until next January for action. I will continue to push this measure to do what is right for the people of New York State.”
Press release:
The Town of Batavia Republican Committee is looking for nominations for the 2015 Community Service Award that is presented annually to a person who has contributed to the betterment of the Town of Batavia. They will be looking for a person who has excelled in the community, is involved in area activities and is deserving of recognition.
Over the years the Town of Batavia has been influenced by the efforts of so many people in government, business, fire department and volunteers. We would like to thank and recognize one of them each year and we need your help.
We ask that you send your nomination by e-mail to Teressa.morasco@yahoo.com or mail it to Secretary, Kathy Jasinski, 2982 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY 14020 by the deadline -- Monday, June 1.
Please submit the name of your nominee briefly stating why you believe your nominee should be recognized and what they have done for the community.
The 2014 Award Winner, Mary Pat Hancock, will assist the committee in selecting the 2015 award recipient. This award will be presented at the Town of Batavia Republican Picnic at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12thth at the Town of Batavia/Kiwanis Park.
Other past winners include Robert and Richard Call, James Woodruff, Rubie Levins, Gertrude Penepent and Sharon White.
Press release:
The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) would like to thank the Sun Catcher Garden Club for assisting this year in planting the flowers in the planters that are placed along Main Street and Ellicott Street. Volunteers from the Sun Catchers were Connie Moon, Barb DeFazio, Vicki Frieday and Jane LaWall.
With the financial assistance of the Batavia Rotary Club, the planters have wave petunias, coleus, and a central canna flower that will bring dramatic height and color to the overall design. The arrangement was historically chosen to highlight the City's Centennial celebration. The flowers were purchased locally through Pudgie's Lawn & Garden Center.
The BID is a nonprofit organization that works toward the revitalization of the downtown and is funded through the downtown property owners. The 14 large street planters in downtown were purchased by the BID as part of its downtown beautification program.
For more information contact the BID at 585-344-0900 or visit its Web site at www.downtownbataviany.com.
Shane P. Buyck, 26, of North Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with burglary, 2nd. At 6:21 p.m. Monday, deputies and troopers were dispatched to a residence on North Bergen Road after the homeowner returned home to find an intruder in his house. The intruder fled on foot, leaving a car in the driveway. The registration reportedly came back to Shane P. Buyck, a resident of North Bergen Road. Buyck was located in a wooded area near the house by Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 "Destro" while lying in thick brush. Buyck was identified as the alleged intruder. He was jailed without bail.
Tonya M. Doell, 45, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with open container in public. Doell was allegedly in possession of an open container at 577 East Main St., Batavia, (Family Dollar). Doell reportedly refused to identify herself to police because of her probation status.
Matthew P. Parker, 25, of Eagle Street, Medina, is charged with trespass. Parker was arrested following an investigation into reports of vehicles being broken into in the City of Batavia on Sunday Morning. He was located in the parking lot of UMMC at 4:30 a.m. and jailed without bail.
Matthew C. Payne, 33, of Chestnut Street, Batavia, is charged with illegal disposal of items. Payne is accused of illegally dumping trash into a trash container owned by the Batavia Housing Authority at 193 S. Main St., Batavia.
Susan R. Fabretti, 52, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Fabretti is accused of shoplifting at Tops Market.
A 17-year-old, name and residence withheld by Batavia PD, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth is accused of striking a female several times after a verbal argument escalated.
Angela Irene, 45, of South Gravel Road, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to stop at at stop sign. Irene was stopped at 1:41 a.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Alabama, by Deputy Joseph Corona.
Alan James White, 18, of South Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, driving while ability impaired by alcohol and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Deputy Chad Cummings along with Mercy EMS were dispatched at 7:51 a.m. Sunday to Dublin Road, Bergen, for a report of an unresponsive male behind the wheel of a stopped car on the road. White was treated and released at the scene by medics. He was allegedly found in possession of a switchblade knife.
Sandra Lynn Fry, 43, of Sunset Park, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Fry allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection.
Jason Scott Stanley, 22, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with DWI on an ATV, unlawful operation of an ATV on private property, unregistered ATV and driving an ATV without insurance. Stanley was arrested following an investigation into an ATV accident on Hutton Road, Oakfield, at 6 p.m. on Monday.
Mark David Heidenreich, 25, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Heidenreich allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection by placing phone calls to the protected person.
Samantha Rose Docteur, 24, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 2nd. Docteur was arrested following a traffic stop on South Main Street, Oakfield, at 11:55 a.m. Saturday by Deputy Michael Lute. She was allegedly in possession of marijuana, a grinder and smoking paraphernalia.
Andrew Michael Boyce, 20, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana and no seatbelt. Boyce was stopped at 4:18 p.m. Friday on Judge Road, Alabama, by Deputy Chris Parker, for allegedly driving without wearing a seatbelt.
A 17-year-old resident of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree harassment and criminal mischief, 4th. The youth allegedly threatened another person and damaged property of that person. He was jailed on $250 bail.
Matthew Brian Starowitz, 26, of Whitney Mill Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Starowitz was charged at 2:22 a.m. May 19 on Bank Street Road, by Deputy Chris Erion.
Nicholas Anthony Lord, 19, of North Division Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal mischief. Lord allegedly damaged another person's property during a dispute.
Matthew J. Pasternak, 25, of Amherst, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Pasternak was stopped by a trooper on Route 77, Corfu, for allegedly speeding. He was allegedly found in possession of five grams of marijuana after the trooper said he detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The search also allegedly led to the discovery of a multicolored smoking pipe with marijuana residue.
Press release:
The Elba Central School District’s Board of Education (BOE) has named three finalists for the district’s next Superintendent.
Tony Zambito, president of the Elba Central School District’s BOE, said he is pleased with the high-quality candidate pool and is enthused about the potential the three finalists have to offer.
“Choosing the best superintendent for our district is the board’s main priority,” Zambito said. “The field of candidates was diverse, which made narrowing the field to three very difficult. We are confident that one of these candidates will be the best candidate for our school district and community.”
The three finalists are Karrie Schiavone, Sheila Eigenbrod, Ph.D., and Keith Palmer.
The community is invited to attend a meet-and-greet with each of the candidates from 5:30 to 6 p.m. this afternoon, and tomorrow Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28 in the School Library/Media Center at the Elba Central School District. Schiavone will visit today; Palmer on Wednesday; and Eigenbrod on Thursday.
The anticipated start date for the new superintendent is July 1.
Kevin MacDonald, district superintendent of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, who is acting as search consultant, said the Board has developed and implemented a process that will help determine the best candidate.
“This is a rigorous search process,” MacDonald said. “Finalists will visit the Elba Central School District to meet with staff and the community and go though another round of interviews. The process concludes with the Board meeting to make a final decision.”
Karrie Schiavone is currently the Principal of Holley Elementary School, a position she has held since 2012. From 2002 until 2012, she served as the director of Instruction and Special Programs for Holley Central Schools (HCS). Prior to that, she served as elementary principal of the Warren P. Towne School in Medina. From 1995 until 1999, Schiavone served as an intermediate teacher and in many supervisory roles at HCS including elementary Science coordinator and district Social Studies curriculum writer. Schiavone began her career in education in 1994 as a teacher for the Bethel Head Start in Buffalo. Throughout her career she has served in many leadership capacities. She currently oversees a number of committees at HCS including the district’s Technology; Safety and Health/Wellness committees as well as the APPR Committee. She has a broad scope of fiscal management at HCS, including developing and managing budgets and grants for a multitude of district programs and services. She holds a bachelor of science from SUNY Buffalo, and a master’s degree in Education from the College at Brockport. Schiavone earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from The College at Brockport and also holds a New York State School Administrator Certificate.
Sheila Eigenbrod, Ph.D., is the principal of Pavilion Central Middle/Secondary School where she has served as principal since 1996. Eigenbrod began at the Pavilion Central School (PCS) District in 1993 as the Middle School principal and director of Special and Preschool Special Education. From 1990 until 1993 she served as the school psychologist and chairperson for Special Education at the Friendship Central School District. She also served for three years as a school psychologist at the Stanley Falk School, a private school in Buffalo for students who have special learning, social, and emotional needs. Eigenbrod began her career at the New York State School for the Blind as an occupational therapist. She earned a bachelor of science and a master’s degree from SUNY Buffalo. She also holds certifications as both New York State School District Administrator and Teacher/School Psychologist. Eigenbrod earned her doctorate degree in Educational Psychology in 1996 from SUNY Buffalo. Her list of endeavors is varied and includes many accomplishments. Under her leadership, the PCS District earned regional top rankings for graduation rates and advanced Regents Diplomas. She supported fiscal management of zero-based budgeting for grades 6-12 and Eigenbrod led the development of district positions that addressed accountability and instruction.
Keith Palmer is the principal of Pembroke High School, a position he has held for 12 years. From 1991-2003, he served as the assistant principal of Kendall High School in Kendall. Palmer began his career in 1987 as a Math and Computer Science teacher at North Warren Central School in the Adirondacks. He also taught at the Washington Correctional Facility located in Comstock for two summers in both 1988 and 1990. Palmer holds a bachelor of arts from Houghton College, and a master’s degree from SUNY Plattburgh. He holds three New York State (NYS) certifications, a NYS School District Administrator, a NYS School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate and a NYS School Business Administrator Certificate. Palmer’s career encompasses a variety of leadership accomplishments including developing Professional Learning Communities to build school/family communication and maintaining effective relations with union leadership. His instructional leadership includes constructing guaranteed and viable curriculum for all coursework through the school.
Here's a picture that came in over the weekend that we didn't get to: Members of St. Joe's Key Club placed flags on the graves of VFW members buried at St. Joseph and Grandview cemeteries.
Press release:
Those in need of emergency assistance at Genesee Community College now have a simpler way to call for help. Dial (585) 345-6500 and you'll be directly connected to Campus Safety who can then respond immediately. The new number eliminates the need to dial the main GCC switchboard and be transferred to the 6500 extension.
"We wanted to make it easier for people to find us," said Stephen Wise, director of Campus Safety. "We also wanted to make the 6500 number synonymous with campus safety."
Internal users calling from a GCC phone can still dial the 6500 extension to reach Campus Safety in an emergency. The extension 6240 is also still available for non-emergencies. Those outside the College wishing to reach Campus Safety in a non-emergency may call (585) 343-0055, ext. 6240.
Campus Safety recently acquired a new vehicle making it an opportune time for the change. The new emergency number (345-6500) is featured on reflective decals on each vehicle.
"We want to be readily visible so people know where they can go for help," Wise said.
The decals feature the updated Campus Safety logo as well as the new 345-6500 phone number. Previously, the campus security vehicles bore an image of Genesee Community College's old logo and current College seal that features the landmark Holland Land Office Museum.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
