The Batavia Police Department has scheduled a press conference for 5:30 p.m. to announce an arrest in the investigation into an infant death.
No further details have been released.
The Batavian will provide updates as soon as information is available.
UPDATE: The time of the press conference has been changed to 6:30 p.m.
Officials in Elba -- the town, the village and the fire department -- think they've come up with a plan that would save taxpayer money and help all three agencies address some pressing needs, but at a meeting Thursday night at Elba Central School's auditorium, there was a good deal of negative feedback.
A frequent refrain, "this is just to benefit the fire department."
Officials are proposing a plan that would move town offices to the building currently occupied by village government offices and the fire department, creating a shared facility for both the village and town.
The current town hall would be converted into a new fire hall.
The town and village courts would continue with their plans to move to the new facility being built in Oakfield.
The total cost of the project, an estimated $900,000.
An alternative scenario is to leave the town and village governments in their current buildings, renovate those and build a brand-new fire hall. That plan would cost at least $2 million.
"The key point here is something needs to be done with the buildings for the town, the village and the fire department," said Village Mayor Scott Schular after the meeting. "We are trying to address those problems at a reasonable cost instead of getting buried in trying to do one thing at a time and then another and then another so we can keep the tax rate at a reasonable rate."
Jason Foote, an engineer with architectural firm Clark Patterson Lee, went through a slideshow presentation that laid out the needs, the plan and the alternatives.
The biggest deficiencies with the current building arrangement concern the fire hall. It was built at a time when fire trucks were smaller and more compact. Today's engines, which often must be built to meet state guidelines, are taller and longer. The current doorways on the truck bays are too small for a modern, unmodified truck. The bays are not deep enough for these trucks.
As a result, if Elba wants to buy a new truck, it has to be custom built at a cost of close to $200,000 or more per truck.
Also, when the Elba crews are out on a call, mutual aid companies are reluctant to fill in at Elba's hall, especially in winter, because their trucks won't fit in the bays.
The current hall also doesn't meet OSHA safety requirements, isn't compliant with ADA accessibilities rules, lacks adequate storage and has only a small meeting and training room.
The village hall lacks office space, a meeting room and a place for record storage. The bathrooms are not ADA compliant and lack storage for DPW equipment.
The town hall also has ADA issues and only offers access through the town clerk's office.
All of the buildings need basic repair and maintenance.
The plan officials would like to see the public support is not exactly perfect, they admit, but at least it addresses all of the issues in a cost-effective manner.
"Maybe (the proposal) doen't give everybody what they want, but it meets the needs for all three entities for next 30 years at a pretty cost-effective rate," said Town Supervisor A.J. Wormuth.
Building a new fire hall would require financing with a total estimated expense for principal and interest of $2.6 million and would take 30 years to pay off.
The cost of the consolidated plan broken down into its two main components:
The net cost to the village, $24,620 per year, with a projected increase of the tax rate by 99 cents per thousand of assessed value. A new fire hall would cost village residents at least $3.50 in additional taxes per thousand of assessed value.
The net cost for the town would be $24,308 per year, which would require a property tax rate increase of 23 cents per thousand, or an additional $23 a year on a $100,000 home.
Foote said the consolidation plan translates into costs that are two or three times lower than doing each project separately.
There was a lot of questioning of the plan primarily from two sectors, a couple of town highway employees and a homeowner with property adjacent to the town hall.
None quite came out and said they opposed the plan, but the tone was negative with an oft-repeated, "this sounds like a done deal."
One resident suggested officials should instead do something to build a senior housing complex in Elba. There were concerns raised about seniors on fixed incomes paying for anything, that young people aren't moving to Elba, and really, what officials should be doing is attracting a new big business to town.
One man said, "I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, but I'm concerned about what it's going to cost me."
There appeared to be objections among town highway employees because they would be displaced. While they would get a new cold storage building (where equipment is stored -- "cold storage" because the building is unheated in winter and not cooled in summer), it might be smaller than what they have now.
Foote wasn't surprised by the objections to the proposal.
"We've kind of heard rumors that there was maybe going to be a small contingent who are generally against it, but I think the overall idea was, 'we're looking to try and accomplish these tasks, renovate the village hall, the town hall and the fire department and be sensitive to taxpayer money,' " Foote said, adding, "Some don't want to spend any money and obviously that's a possibility. That can happen, but, again, that's not going to address any of the deficiencies at any of the buildings."
Both Schular and Wormuth both said the town and village boards will need to consider the feedback so far and look at their options, whether to proceed with the plan, devise an alternative plan or drop the idea. Nothing is cast in stone, they said.
Though Wormuth acknowledged that what he heard at Thursday's meeting doesn't necessarily reflect the views of the wider Elba public, especially once the idea is fully explained.
"When you talk with people out in the public one-on-one and explain it to them and give them the numbers, a lot of them say it makes a lot of sense because we're trying to be very cognizant in this project of our tax rates," Wormuth said.
Schular said he came away from the meeting feeling like there were a lot of mixed feelings expressed.
"There are a few people who understand and a few who don't understand," Schular said. "I guess we need to do a better job of trying to help those people who don't understand understand."
Schular said he realizes the proposal is a big step away from how business has always been done.
"I realize that the town has always been the town and the village has been the village and the fire department, the fire department, and it's been that way for years," Schular said. "Now the town and the village and the fire department are all talking and we're trying to come to a conclusion that will benefit everybody."
For a long time, I wanted to take a picture of this barn, but for years, there was a yellow delivery truck parked in front of it that kind of didn't fit the ambiance. This summer, it was gone and the setting today seemed pretty nice.
A driver may have suffered a seizure before plowing into a house at routes 63 and 19. Injuries are reported in the motor-vehicle accident. Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: The house's gas meter has been shut off. RG&E has been notified.
UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: Command requests a crew from Le Roy Fire Department to stand by in their own quarters.
UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: This could have been a major accident, instead no one -- including the driver -- was seriously hurt, according to a firefighter at the scene. After getting gas at Pavilion Farms gas station, a man in a white pickup truck had a seizure and his truck shot full-throttle out of the gas station, across Route 19, and was headed straight toward Paparoni's pizza parlor, which was crowded with lunchtime customers. There were students milling around in the parking lot, too. But the truck struck a Hanson Aggregates truck in its path and that impact careened the white pickup into the house next to the pizza parlor. A woman was home at the time and the truck missed her by only a couple of feet, said the firefighter. RG&E is on scene.
UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Pavilion Fire Chief Chad Freeman at the scene said they received a call about 12:45 of a vehicle into a house and arrived to find a pickup truck partially inside the house. They believed the driver had a medical issue. He was northbound on Route 19 and came through the intersection of Route 63 and "ended up in the house." He drove through a busy parking lot. "It could have been a lot worse. Everybody got away with minor injuries." Asked if the Hanson truck diverted the pickup from striking the pizzeria and the packed parking lot, the chief said they are not "100-percent sure" if he would have continued down 19 a ways or not.
There was at least one car break-in in the Maple Street area of Batavia overnight, and among the items stolen was this backpack owned by Gunner Rapone.
Rapone was a standout in football and track and field with Batavia High School and starts college at SUNY Brockport this fall, where he'll compete in track and field.
This backpack has high sentimental value to Rapone. He received it for qualifying for the National High School Track Championship. The bag says "#ThatGuy" just above the zipper.
Rapone can be reached at guy.rapone@gmail.com.
The state will provide Genesee County with another $3 million to help improve its year-old $11 million emergency radio communications system, built and provisioned by RF Harris, of Rochester.
The grant will be used to fund a seventh microwave tower for the county, most likely somewhere in Le Roy, which reportedly has had some of the biggest communications black holes since the new radio system was put online.
The grant will also be used to complete interoperability connections with Monroe and Orleans counties, said County Manager Jay Gsell.
Interoperability is one of the primary goals of the Department of Homeland Security in pushing local jurisdictions to go to all-digital, Phase II, systems. With all local jurisdictions on the same radio systems, it's expected that agencies will be able to more efficiently and effectively communicate with each other in mutual aid emergencies.
It's also hoped that the upgrade will provide better local communications in a system that has been plagued by emergency responder complaints since its inception, though tweaks and incremental improvements over the past year seems to have resulted in fewer complaints.
The bulk of the $11 million spent on the system so far came from state, federal and communication industry grants, with a municipal bond covering nearly half of the expense.
"This is part of helping us complete the process of putting the best radio system out there for all of our emergency radio system users, whether it's police departments, fire departments, state patrol, highway departments, anybody who is on our radio system," Gsell said. "We're trying to make sure that almost anywhere they go in the county, they're going to have very good, strong consistent communications with our 800-MHz radios."
The $3 million is part of $50 million being awarded to local jurisdictions for emergency communications. Both Monroe and Livingston counties are receiving $3.5 million. Erie County is getting $1.2 million. There was no grant money announced for Wyoming County.
Our news partner WBTA AM/FM conducted the interview with Jay Gsell.
A driver who said she fell asleep, leading to an accident Thursday afternoon on Assemblyman R. Steven Hawley Drive, Batavia, was cited for crossing the center line in a no-passing zone by Deputy Joseph Graff, who investigated the collision.
A. R. Jeering, 55, address redacted from report, was among three people injured in the three-car crash. She was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS with a complaint of pain.
She was driving a 2011 Chevrolet sedan.
Also injured were Kaeleigh S. Disalvo, 21, no address provided, driving a 2008 Buick sedan, and Eric J. Merritt, 26, address redacted, driving a 2008 Ford sedan. Both were transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS with complaints of pain.
Merritt's passenger, 29-year-old Gregory A. Merritt, was not transported to a hospital.
Jeering was driving up the hill on Hawley Drive, westbound, when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck the vehicle driven by Disalvo and then the one driven by Merritt.
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A two-car accident with injuries and possible entrapment is reported at R. Stephen Hawley Drive and 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: Stafford Fire Police requested to the scene for traffic control. They are going to shut down R. Stephen Hawley Drive at Batavia Stafford Townline Road.
UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: A responder on scene reports a patient who is trapped will probably not need to be extricated. Their efforts to free the victim seem to be working.
UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: This was a three-car collision. There are four patients and all are being transported to UMMC via ground ambulances. A female driver of a sedan told responders she fell asleep at the wheel while she was traveling uphill, then she swerved and hit two oncoming cars.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized the Legislature for focusing its efforts on aid to New York City and disregarding the needs of Upstate New York.
Throughout his time in the Assembly, Hawley has been an outspoken proponent of “Two New Yorks” legislation, which would allow for a ballot referendum on the question, “Do you support the division of New York into two separate states?”
“The longer I serve the people of Western New York, the more apparent the growing divide between Upstate and Downstate becomes,” Hawley said. “Things like unfunded mandates and property taxes do not matter to many New York City residents, and they reflect those views through their votes and the bills they introduce and sponsor.
"I have introduced legislation, A.4167, with Sen. Joseph Robach (R,C,I-Rochester) to give New Yorkers a choice. It is well past time for the Legislature to put this measure up for a vote.”
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today invited his constituents to attend his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C. Hawley, a veteran and son of a veteran, is hosting this trip for the eighth year as an opportunity to honor veterans and their family members and give them an opportunity to share stories and experience our country’s most famous war memorials. After this year’s trip, which will take place Sept. 17 - 20, more than 1,000 veterans and their family members will have participated in Hawley’s events.
“This is one of my favorite events each year,” Hawley said. “As a veteran and son of a veteran, I continually push for recognition and honoring of our country’s heroes and their family members. This is an opportunity for veterans of all backgrounds to reminisce and share experiences while visiting some of our country’s greatest monuments. I have also invited Congressman Chris Gibson to join us, as he earned the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army. His presence will make the experience even more special.”
Space is limited and sign up is first come, first served with priority given to the oldest veterans and first-time attendees. Immediate family members may accompany veterans. The approximate cost of the trip is $350, which includes a three-night stay, meals and admittance to memorials and historical sites.
For more information about this year's Patriot Trip VIII, please call 585-589-5780, 585-813-1608 or email carneyj@assembly.state.ny.us. View photos from previous years at http://vetsdctrip2008.shutterfly.com/
Press release:
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Rochester chapter, is conducting a free Family-to-Family course in Batavia every Tuesday evening from Sept. 15th to Dec. 8th. (There is no class on Tuesday, Oct. 20th.)
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a 12-week course for families and caregivers of adults living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Each class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Genesee ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.
It is taught by family members who have lived similar experiences. NAMI Family-to-Family provides insight, information, resources, and empowerment for families who have a loved one living with mental illness.
You do not need to be a Member of NAMI to take Family-to-Family, however we encourage you to become a NAMI Member and receive full membership benefits, including quarterly newsletters, mailings, and important updates from NAMI Rochester, NAMI NYS and NAMI National. The Annual Membership is $35, made payable to NAMI Rochester. For those with limited income a $3 credit card payment option is available online: http://namiroc.org/get-involved/membership/.
Beth Winslow-D'Amico
Program Assistant
NAMI Rochester
320 N. Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14607
Telephone: 585-423-1593
Fax: 585-423-0572
beth.winslow-damico@namirochester.org
http://namiroc.org/
The 14th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility.
Cost is $30 per person. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.
Tickets are available at the Athletic Director's Office at Batavia High School. For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.
This event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.
The following individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame:
The Batavia Blue Devils varsity football team hosted the Batavia Bulldawgs youth football program at Van Detta Stadium on Wednesday night.
(Photos submitted by John Reigle.)
The second annual Taste of Independence to benefit Independent Living of the Genesee Region will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at St. Joseph's School. The address is 2 Summit St. Cost is $25 per ticket or $40 per couple.
There will be a 50/50 auction and raffle items. Only a limited number of tickets are available so get yours now.
To RSVP and/or sponsor, call Donna Becker at 815-8501, ext. 411, or e-mail her at dbecker@wnyil.org
Funds raised will be used to help people with disabilities in emergency situations with employment or moving forward with life goals when there is no other financial resource available.
This kitten was found by staff on school grounds at Alexander Elementary School. It appears to have had recent surgery because of the purple dye on its fur. If it's your cat, contact the school.
UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: The owner has been located.
Members of Genesee County's rope rescue team trained at Indian Falls -- the site of many such real-life rescues over the years -- with a new rope system, called a Vortex.
The $25,000 system (including LED lighting) features a more sophisticated, and more effective and efficient, pulley system, making it easier to keep the ropes clear of obstructions and requiring less exertion of force to raise a patient lifter, making it easier for a medic to accompany the patient up the side of the cliff.
Top photo: Christina Marinaccio and Jamie Call, the first team to descend and ascend with the new system. Marinaccio and Call are both city firefighters and volunteers (with Le Roy and Stafford, respectively).
To find out how you can do interesting things like this, help save lives and serve your community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.
Amanda Rose Hagedorn, 25, of West Hazeltine Avenue, Kenmore, is charged with criminal contempt, obstructing governmental administration and attempted assault, 3rd. Hagedorn allegedly bit a deputy during her arraignment on a previous arrest and then again while being removed from the courtroom and placed in a patrol car.
Roseann Cooper, 46, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, harassment, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2n,d and failure to stop at stop sign. Cooper is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General. She allegedly shoved a store employee when confronted about the suspected shoplifting. Cooper left the location and a customer called 9-1-1. Cooper was located allegedly driving on Walnut Street.
Melinda T. Andrews, 42, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Andrews was allegedly involved in a domestic incident on Holland Avenue at 1:05 a.m., Sunday.
Scott Edward Yocina, 58, of Phelps Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, and unlawful growing of marijuana. Yocina was charged related to the alleged discovery of a marijuana growing operation at 4:15 p.m., May 4.
Joseph Carl Jeffords, 24, of Ross Street, Batavia, is accused of a violation of probation. Jeffords was turned over to Batavia PD by authorities in Wayne County, where he was in custody on charges in their jurisdiction. He was jailed locally on $5,000 bail.
Lonnie J. Ford III, 44, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with open container. Ford is accused of possessing an open container of alcohol while in the pavilion at Austin Park.
Jeffery James Cervone, 47, no known address, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Cervone allegedly damaged and threw items around in a room at UMMC.
Stephen J. Konieczny, 37, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Konieczny allegedly threw a bottle of water at a vehicle causing damage.
Thomas Swineford, 61, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Swinford is accused of urinating on a tree in Austin Park. He was reported by a passerby.
Alex J. Ianita, 21, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful imprisonment, third-degree assault, petit larceny and second-degree robbery. Ianita was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 11:25 a.m., Aug. 16.
Timothy A. Banks, 24, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Banks allegedly failed to appear on an open container charge. He was jailed on $100 bail or $200 bond.
Ellicott M. Hickman Jr., 24, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass in a city park (between dusk and sunrise). Hickman was allegedly in Williams Park at 5:08 a.m., Aug. 20.
A house fire is reported at 31 East Ave. in the Village of Attica. Alexander Fire Department is called to provide mutual aid to Attica in fighting the blaze, along with Bethany for rehab. The location is between Prospect Street and Putnam Place.
UPDATE 5:08 a.m.: Fire out. Checking for extensions. Bethany can go back in service.
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