Four people are facing weapons and drug charges following the execution of a search warrant by members of the Local Drug Task Force on Oct. 28 at 14 South Spruce St., Batavia.
The arrests were the result of a months-long investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Taken into custody were:
Haley Larnder
Michael Torres
Michael J. Torres, 40, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, a Class C felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.
Haley M. Larnder, 24, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, a Class C felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class A misdemeanor.
Dawn M. Morford, 60, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.
Jason Freeman
Dawn Morford
Jason H. Freeman, 42, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.
The Sheriff's Office did not provide details on the weapons nor narcotics allegedly recovered at the scene.
All four defendants were held pending arraignment.
The task force was assisted by the Batavia Emergency Response Team, uniformed officers, Batavia PD, and the District Attorney's Office.
The City of Batavia Water Department will need to temporarily turn off water in the Jackson Street area on Tuesday, November 7th, for the duration of the day to replace a valve. The following streets will be without water:
Chestnut Street, Kibbe Avenue, Elmwood Avenue, South Jackson Street, from Jackson Street to Liberty Street, and Jackson Street, from Central Avenue to South Jackson Street.
Surrounding streets may be affected as well.
As always, when the water is restored, it may be discolored. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.
We apologize for any inconvenience, and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.
Terrance L. Falk, 25, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Falk is accused of threatening two people with a knife during an altercation on Washington Avenue at an undisclosed time on Oct. 24. He was arraigned and ordered back to court at a later date.
Victor M. V. Diaz, 22, of Canisteo, is charged with gang assault 2nd. Dias is accused of causing serious physical injury to another person during an altercation on Law Street on May 30, 2022. Dias was arrested on Oct. 19 and arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.
Victor Diaz
Jennifer K. Freeman, 39, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. Freeman is accused of striking another person in the head with a blunt object on Oct. 17 at an undisclosed time and location, causing injury. Freeman was arraigned and released.
Keith M. Lewandowski, 32, of Albion, is charged with robbery 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, menacing 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Lewandowski is accused of being involved in a disturbance on Oct. 14 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location where Lewandowski allegedly struck another person, threatened that person with a knife, and stole the victim's mobile phone. Lewandowski was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.
Jennifer Freeman
Keith Lewandowski
Christopher H Monfort, 51, of Webster, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 17. Monfort was initially charged on Feb. 18 with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd, and switched license plates. He was released on appearance tickets and is accused of failure to appear in court. Monfort was arraigned and held on nominal bail.
Amber L. Turner, 30, of Batavia, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 16. Turner was initially charged with making graffiti on July 28 after allegedly spray painting the sidewalk on South Main Street. The warrant was issued after Turner allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court and released.
Malik I Ayala, 32, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ayala is accused of stealing merchandise from Kwik Fill on Jackson Street on Sept .19. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Sarah E. Hill, of Corning, is charged with harassment 2nd. Hill is accused of striking another person at a location on West Main Street, Batavia, on Oct. 3. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Benjamin G. Evans, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 13. Evans was initially arrested on July 9 and charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing a package from the front porch of a residence. The warrant was issued on Oct. 11 after he allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released.
Michael A Sweet, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th, identity theft 3rd, and petit larceny. Sweet is accused of possessing a stolen debit card and using it to purchase items from a local store. He was arrested on Oct. 22 and issued an appearance ticket.
Shante C. Johnson, 26, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. Johnson is accused of entering a residence on Thorpe Street, Batavia, and damaging property inside on Sept. 26. Johnson was arrested on Oct. 16 and arraigned and released pending further court proceedings.
Corey A. Brown, 37, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 15 on two arrest warrants. Each warrant charges Brown with sex offender failure to notify change of address and Level 3 sex offender failure to verify address. He was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.
Joseph M Tornabene, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Tornabene is accused of making unwanted physical contact with a person covered by a protective order. Tornabene was arrested on Oct. 19 and arraigned and ordered to reappear in court at a later date.
Gage A. Dieterle, 22, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Dieterle is accused of damaging property that belonged to another person during an altercation on Lincoln Avenue. He was arrested on Oct. 24 and arraigned in City Court, and ordered to reappear at a later date.
James E. Murray, 24, undisclosed residence, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Murrary is accused of having contact with a person covered by a protective order. He was arrested on Oct. 23, arraigned in City Court and jailed.
Hailee N. Callicutt, 33, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 23 on a warrant issued by City Court. Callicutt was initially arrested on Jan. 1, 2022, and charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest and several vehicle and traffic violations. She was issued appearance tickets and released. Callicutt allegedly failed to appear in court, and a warrant was issued on Sept. 20, 2022. Callicutt was arrested on that warrant on Aug. 29. She was released and was scheduled to appear in court at a later date. She allegedly failed to appear again, and another warrant was issued on Oct. 16. Callicutt was located on a traffic stop in Batavia and arrested. She was arraigned is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Peter L. Jackson, 57, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Jackson is accused of violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Ted E. Kingsley, 51, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kingsley is accused of stealing merchandise from Family Dollar on East Main Street, Batavia on Oct. 21. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeslene Daniell Beach, 35, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with grand larceny 4th and five counts of petit larceny. Beach is accused of stealing five checks from one person and then cashing those checks via mobile deposit. The total of the five checks cashed exceeded $1,000.
Paul Everett Cooper, 47, of Swamp Road, Bergen, is charged with 12 counts of falsifying business records 1st. Cooper is accused of making multiple false entries in his Federal Firearms License Acquisition and Disposition Log Book in an alleged attempt to conceal the crime of criminal possession of a weapon by another person. Cooper was issued an appearance ticket.
Larry Francis Dillon, 62, of Covington Street, Perry, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right. Dillon was arrested by Deputy Mason Schultz following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 9:21 p.m. on Oct. 12 on Big Tree Road, Pavilion. Dillon was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.
Todd James Strong, 52, of Rochester (no street provided), is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and parking on the highway. Strong was reportedly located at 3:22 a.m. on Oct. 19 asleep in his vehicle at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell. Strong allegedly has two prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years. He was held pending arraignment.
Raven Madison Spikes, 21, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, and Jaliyah Shontel McClinic, 20, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, are both charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. Spike and McClinic are accused of stealing items from Target in Batavia at 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 while accompanied by two children. Both were issued appearance tickets.
Ronald James Murray, Jr., 29, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Deputies were dispatched to a location on Bethany Center Road, Bethany, at 4:03 p.m. on Oct. 22 to investigate a report of a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Deputies allegedly found Murray in possession of a white rock-like substance in his lab, which was later identified as crack cocaine. He was arrested and taken to the Genesee County Jail for processing before being released on an appearance ticket.
Tyler Joseph Burns, 19, no residence provided, is charged with criminal mischief (no degree of the charges listed). At 4 a.m. on Oct. 22, Deputies were dispatched to the parking lot of Batavia Downs for a report of a man going through cars. At the scene, deputies spoke with Burns. It's unclear if this happened before or after the interview, but Burns reportedly fell asleep in a bathroom at Batavia Downs, and when awoken by security, he reportedly became irate and destroyed the baby changing station. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Jonathan Michael Falk, 25, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with conspiracy 6th. Also charged was Trace G. Brewer, 23, of Montclaire Avenue, Batavia, who is also charged with petit larceny. Falk and Brewer are accused of stealing from Kohl's Department Store at 4:32 p.m. on Oct. 16. They allegedly stole a $40 pair of children's Nike shoes and fled the store. Once located, the pair was taken into custody and transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released on an appearance ticket.
Jeremey Gene English, 21, of Ellis Drive, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right, and driving with an obstructed view. English was reportedly involved in a head-on collision at 12:07 a.m. on Oct. 29 on Route 33 in Pembroke. English was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Casey Thomas Vaughn, 34, of Prestige Xing, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Vaughn is accused of violating a complete stay-away order at 8:21 p.m. on Oct. 26 by allowing the protected party into his residence. He was helped pending arraignment.
Marando Lena Button, 30, of Batavia (no street address provided), is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and insufficient signal. Button was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 28 on Lewiston Road and Park Road, Batavia. Button was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Miguel Esquivel Alvarez, Jr., 28, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlicensed driver, and inadequate lights. Alvarez was stopped at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued tickets and released.
Ronald Walter Sibs, 58, of Stonebriar Lane, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Sibs is accused of being inside Batavia Downs at 6:27 a.m., Oct. 28, after being previously barred from the property. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Trevvohn Sherreff Parker, 32, of West Avenue, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Parker is accused of stealing fuel from the TP Deli on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation at 1:34 p.m. on Oct. 7. He was arrested on Nov. 5 and issued an appearance ticket.
Jason J. Meyer, 46, of Elba is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Meyer was stopped by State Police in the Town of Oakfield at 6:26 p.m. on Nov. 3. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Robert O. Taft, 49, of Alexander, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Taft was arrested in connection with an incident reported 7:35 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the Town of Alexander. Taft was released on his own recognizance.
Heather N. Holbrook, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. During an arrest on an unrelated warrant on Oct. 24, Holbrook was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. She was arraigned and ordered held.
Jeffrey D. Bald, 41, of Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd and petit larceny. Bald is accused of entering a residence on East Main Street, Batavia, and stole property. Bald was arraigned in City Court and jailed.
Robert D. Griffin, 45, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st and assault 2nd. Griffin is accused of sending multiple harassing text messages and leaving voicemails to a protected party. While in custody, Griffin allegedly kicked a door, which hit and injured an officer. Griffin was arraigned and ordered held without bail.
Martin J. Rodgers, 39, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, and Wayne D. Potter, 40, of Batavia, is charged with attempted assault 3rd. Both men were arrested on Oct. 27 following an investigation into a fight on Oct. 14 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. Both men were issued appearance tickets.
Timothy J. Stump, 51, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Stump is accused of damaging property inside a residence on Highland Park on Oct. 28. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Haley M. Larnder, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 29 on a warrant issued by City Court. Larnder was initially arrested on March 19 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. She was issued an appearance ticket and was to appear in court at a later date. She allegedly failed to appear, and a warrant was issued on April 11. She was arrested on the warrant on April 21. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance. Larnder again allegedly failed to appear in court, and another warrant was issued on June 22. She was arrested on that warrant on Aug. 2. She was arraigned and released. She again allegedly failed to appear in court, and a third warrant was issued on Aug. 21. She was located and arrested on Oct. 29. She was arraigned and was released on her own recognizance.
Lawrence J. Sharpstene, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 28 on a warrant issued by City Court. Sharpstene was initially charged on Aug. 28 on charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd and expired inspection following a traffic stop on East Avenue. Sharpstene was issued traffic tickets. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Sharpstene was arraigned in City Court and released.
James J. Richardson, 45, of Sweden, is charged with harassment 2nd. Richardson allegedly struck another person in the face while at T.F. Brown's on Oct. 27. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H members who were selected to receive an award for their excellent work during the 2022–2023 4-H Club Year.
Project Area Awards are a form of recognition for 4-H members who have excelled in a certain project area. 4-H members must be nominated in order to receive this award.
Award criteria include the 4-H member’s accomplishments in the project area, the length of time the 4-H member has worked in the project area, and the 4-H member’s leadership.
The Genesee County 4-H Program is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18. New 4-H youth members, adult volunteers, and clubs are always welcome to join. For information about how to join the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040 ext. 101. Enrollment information is also available on our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu
Submitted photo of Josh, Jordan, Aries, Morgan Leaton, dance coordinator, and Angie.
Press Release:
Pumpkins and gourds were grouped on the tables; spiders, bats, and witches decorated the room and the lights were dimmed to set the mood. Just about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, volunteers and many Byron Ladies Auxiliary members dressed in costume prepared to welcome the 50-plus costumed dancers into the hall.
The dancers were all shapes and sizes and they took pride in their colorful costumes. There were princesses, pirates, firemen, surgeons, prisoners, witches and ghouls. The Halloween dance for Genesee County Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the new season was off to a great start!
Old friends greeted and hugged while new friends met up on the dance floor. DJ Uncle Joe played assorted country, rock, and pop tunes. He even showed some music videos, while volunteers served up refreshments of pizza, cookies, and cider.
About an hour into the event Pat Iamon, past dance coordinator, turned up the lights, grabbed the mic, and quieted the crowd. She called the dancers into a large circle and led the group in the ‘Chicken Dance.’ Staff and volunteers joined in. The DJ followed that with the ‘Hokie Pokie’.
Iamon then invited all those with October birthdays to come to the center. About nine happy folks came forward and the room joined together singing them the birthday song. The last thing on the agenda was to introduce Morgan Leaton, the new dance coordinator, to the room. The crowd cheered and applauded Leaton as she took the mic.
Leaton thanked everyone for coming to the Halloween Dance, she welcomed them back to Byron, and announced that the next dance would be on Thursday, Nov. 16. She encouraged everyone to wear their cowboy hat and boots because the November dance theme is Country & Western.
The tunes played on and on while the dancers moved to the music. Some danced as couples, some in groups and some alone. When the crowd heard the intro to the YMCA, two of Byron’s firemen who had donned their firefighter suits earlier entered the dance floor. The dancers happily gathered around them and everyone enthusiastically danced the YMCA!
Too soon the night came to an end and the dancers followed their staff out of the building promising to return. There were shouts of Happy Halloween as they left. The dances are open to anyone with developmental disabilities aged 13 and up residing in Genesee County. If you would like more information or wish to volunteer, please contact Morgan Leaton at 585-815-3157 or morganrleaton@gmail.com.
Submitted photo of Nicole and Shelbi as “Barbies in pink.”
On Thursday, Nov. 9 the Batavia High School faculty, administration, and students are planning to celebrate and honor our Veterans in Genesee County.
We would like to invite our Genesee County Veterans to attend our ceremony to honor and thank you for your service to our country.
All veterans are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. at Batavia High School. The ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the Batavia High School Auditorium. There will be performances from our High School Band, orchestra, and Chorus, a student representative speaker, and a keynote speaker.
After the ceremony, we will be offering a reception for our veterans in the High School Library.
If you are interested in attending the Veteran’s Day Ceremony, RSVP the following information:
Name (Full Military Title)
Years of service
Military Branch
Please email or mail by Nov. 1.
Mail:
Collin Murtaug Batavia High School 260 State Street Batavia, NY 14020
Email: CMurtaugh@bataviacsd.org or JHaggett@bataviacsd.org.
If you have a picture of you in uniform, please send it in with a reservation. We will return the picture on Nov. 9 at the end of the ceremony. We hope you can join us!
The Genesee County Master Gardeners are excited to announce that we will be collecting NEW, unwrapped BOOKS for youth, ages infant to 18 years old. The books will be donated to the local Salvation Army for their annual Christmas gift giving campaign.
Books enhance a child’s ability to read and to communicate effectively. The gift of a new book delivers a message of hope and instills self-confidence in children.
You can drop books off at the Genesee County Cooperative Extension office (420 East Main St., Batavia), Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a collection bin set up near the reception area window. Donations of new books can be made through Dec. 4.
The Genesee County Master Gardeners thank you in advance for your support.
Please contact Jan at 585-343-3040 x132 if you have questions.
“CCE of Genesee County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.”
AmeriCorps Seniors, a program dedicated to connecting people aged 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities, is thrilled to invite residents of all ages to the upcoming Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 14. This event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Genesee County Office For The Aging, located at 2 Bank St., Batavia.
The AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Fair promises to be an enlightening and engaging event, open to all members of the community who wish to explore the world of volunteering and community service. Courtney Iburi, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Director, will be available to help guide and connect people to volunteer opportunities. She is committed to finding the perfect volunteer opportunity to match your interests, skills, and passions.
What to Expect
Diverse Volunteer Opportunities: AmeriCorps Seniors partners with numerous local organizations to provide a wide array of volunteer opportunities. This event is your chance to learn about these opportunities and how you can get involved.
Perfect Match for You: Finding the right volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and skills is crucial. At the Volunteer Fair, you will discover how AmeriCorps Seniors can help you find the perfect volunteer match that not only fulfills your desire to give back but also utilizes your talents effectively.
Support and Recognition: AmeriCorps Seniors offers valuable support to volunteers, including supplemental liability insurance while volunteering and various training opportunities. We also make it a point to celebrate our volunteers at an annual recognition event, acknowledging their contributions to the community.
AmeriCorps Seniors is committed to providing meaningful ways for individuals to purposefully serve their community, creating a positive impact on the lives of others.
The first 50 attendees will receive a special gift package containing an insulated tote, notebook, and pen. A drawing for exciting prizes will also be held for every attendee who visits each attending table. For more information about the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Fair or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 585-343-1611.
It's been 15 years since Steve Hyde first conceived of a massive, high-tech industrial park in Genesee County, and in 2023 Hyde is still focused on turning WNY STAMP into a fully realized mega site in the Town of Alabama even as the project faces its biggest legal challenges yet.
Hyde, the CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, and Jim Krencik, the agency's marketing director, spoke with The Batavian on Friday primarily to discuss a new $56 million round of funding from New York State.
The infusion of cash, Hyde shared in his unbowed enthusiasm for all things STAMP, will help take STAMP -- with two projects already being developed -- to the next level, making it more attractive to a new wave of site selectors.
"It helps get Edwards what they need to get up and running and hiring their first 300 or so employees and building their first quarter million square foot factory," Hyde said. "The future is really that 310-acre campus (see map above) that's pretty much the largest available parcel in the state, and (the funding) fully makes it plug-and-play ready. That's really where I think the benefit is. That's where the interest is.
“You know, I couldn't have envisioned 15 years ago when this was a twinkle in my eye, and the board was helping me shape the thoughts and the strategy around it -- I just couldn't have imagined that 15 years later, we've got big sites like these out there. (We've got them) because of the chip sector, because of the Federal IRA (Inflation Reduction Act), because of the big focus right now -- all these big electric vehicle plants, battery plants, chip fabs, supply chain support for the chip fabs, solar projects,” he said. “There are less than two dozen mega sites at the same level of development as STAMP in the entire country. We're seeing deal flow right now like never before. And the more you can build the capacity, the infrastructure and really have it ready to support a company's timeline, it makes us far more competitive."
At the same time, GCEDC received notice from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to temporarily halt the construction of a sewer line through the Iroquois Wildlife Preserve.
Hyde believes GCEDC will get past these challenges and be able to carry on with the agency's original plans, but if not, plans are being developed for alternative solutions, he said.
As for the lawsuit, Hyde said, "I'm really confident in the strength of our arguments."
The northern route for the sewer line, he said, is the most environmentally sound option, which is why the route was recommended by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
"If you look at the reality of what we're dealing with, in that case, that particular situation, it is DEC permitted," Hyde said. "They spent three years reviewing the plans. The DEC directed us to put the flow there because it was the best place for the care of that water body versus where we were looking as an option in Genesee County. It would have been more environmentally challenging than to do it in Genesee, and that was the reason they selected that area. There was careful study by the authority that has the responsibility for maintaining and protecting our environment. And they issued the permit. And that permit is far more stringent than what the Medina Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently operating under because they're grandfathered.
"So when I look at the challenges that are before us and presented, it's procedural things, and with procedural things, there are always ways to find solutions. So I am not at all concerned about proceeding, because it's a long pathway to do all this stuff anyway. And at the end of it, by proceeding, we're going to enjoy greater economic vibrancy here in this region."
Fish and Wildlife has not completely killed off the sewer line project with its stop-work order. GCEDC must come up with a plan to better contain and remediate potential environmental hazards during construction following two leaks in late summer and early fall of material used to help create boreholes for the pipeline.
He (Masse) said that during the construction of the wastewater pipeline, a channel is drilled through the subsurface and then filled with what is essentially mud to hold the line's shape while the pipe is slid into place.
"It's basically water and clay," Masse said. "The soil is so soft that it actually ended up going out through the soil. We've done the appropriate cleanups, we had an approved frac-out plan with the DEC ahead of time as part of our permitting. We are making improvements to it, and all of that cleanup and review is subject to the DEC review."
Asked to clarify what happened, Masse said, "In some cases in the refuge, the ground is so porous that when they put the mud in, it leaks out through the sides. It came up to the surface. And that's what they call a frac-out. But it is nothing more than mud. So we had vac trucks on site and cleaned it up. We have subject to DEC inspection on that and in accordance with our frac-out plan."
Calling the substance "mud" is technically accurate, but it is also an incomplete explanation.
There was a small spill in August, followed by a 100-gallon spill on Sept. 7.
Both spills contained "Wyoming sodium bentonite clay slurry," according to Fish and Wildlife.
Sodium bentonite is a naturally occurring substance, but it isn't naturally occurring in the water of a wetland.
It is a water-absorbent mineral clay. You might find it in your kitty's cat sand. It is also used as a cleansing agent in wastewater treatment, a clumping agent in metal casting, a sealant in water ponds, and, yes, as a mud additive (generally considered environmentally friendly in such uses) in drilling.
The biggest concern of Fish and Wildlife was apparently the lack of a swift response to contain and clean up the second spill and the lack of proper notification to regulators on the day of the spill.
Fish and Wildlife stated in its notice letter, "This discharge was not contained on the project site and ultimately spread over an area of approximately 200 feet by 120 feet."
It states that appropriate measures were not taken to implement, install and maintain measures necessary to prevent discharge of pollutants from the site.
"When department staff were at the site on Sept. 8, despite that the frac-out had occurred over 24 hours earlier, the fracking muds and fluids had not been removed from the impacted freshwater wetland and adjacent area, and no representatives of the permittee were present," states the notice.
Fish and Wildlife takes the spill and the response seriously enough that it notes GCEDC faces potential fines pending further investigation.
Before pipeline construction can resume, GCEDC must develop a plan to reduce the chances of future spills and for a better remediation effort if there is an accident.
About a week ago, in an email interview with Krencik, he stated:
Drilling for the force main installation has been halted for the construction season to avoid any conflict with snow removal services. In addition, at the request of regulatory agencies, additional geotechnical investigations have been performed to further define the soil conditions to assist our construction teams. GCEDC and the STAMP Sewer Works Corporation (SSWC) are working closely with NYSDEC and other regulatory authorities to resolve any concerns and ensure cleanup of the release of any drilling fluids from these two frac out events before resuming construction of the force main installation during permitted construction windows next season.
The $56 million awarded to STAMP by Gov. Kathy Hochul's office is the second considerable investment in STAMP by the state. In 2014, STAMP received $33 million for infrastructure and to jump-start project development.
"It's all about capacity," Hyde said. "That $33 million, especially in this era of inflation, got used for a lot of things. That money was used to build the initial infrastructure, but it was also invested in finishing up the design and permitting of the site, which of course, takes time and money. It built the baseline roadways, built some stormwater ponds, got us going on the force main ... it was really a lot of the engineering, design, the planning and permitting, baseline infrastructure. This (the new award) expands those capacities and adds some critical pieces."
Krencik added, "We've always been trying to stay ahead of where the market is. That (the $33 million) really got our foot in the door and enabled the first projects that you're looking at being implemented as phase one projects."
There is a 310-acre plot in STAMP that Hyde said is the largest such parcel available in the state, and the new round of funding will help make it more interesting to site selectors.
There is demand for the sites still available in STAMP, Krencik said.
"When you look across our sales funnel, that's what we're seeing," Krencik said. "The demand is roughly fitting in with us, and infrastructure, it takes time. That's why you do all the due diligence, all the permitting, getting all the permits for the DEC, the town of Shelby, all these pieces getting it done. It really gets ahead of these things. And with the substation being built, a lot of this stuff is being built. The state support is a pretty clear signal of what they're feeling."
The electrical substation, both Krencik and Hyde said, is a critical component of making STAMP more attractive to site selectors and more competitive with other industrial parks.
"Electrical infrastructure, that has been one of the longest lead time items we've faced, and it is coming in right now," Krencik said. "That's one of the biggest things giving companies confidence (in STAMP)."
Hyde said the substation will provide 600 megawatts of power, which is enough to power 600,000 homes and to energize high-tech companies at the scale they need.
And all of these numbers add up to more numbers, numbers in the form of good-paying jobs that won't require college degrees, Hyde noted.
"The beauty is, these jobs are kind of that next-level jobs for the community,' Hyde said. "I mean, our average income in our manufacturing jobs is in the low 60s right now, which is really good. It's good earnings for families, especially if you put a couple of those together, right? You have a good family-sustaining income. These jobs (at Plug Power and Edwards) are around 30 percent higher than that, so we're north of $80,000 on average between all the jobs being planned. That's kind of the goal, right? STAMP is about trying to elevate our economic vibrancy for our residents and our kids. The gratifying thing is that with the first two companies that have committed here, we're already seeing what the earnings and the wealth generation will be for our community."
Plug Power, one of the two new developments in STAMP, under construction. Photo via Genesee County Economic Development Center.
The father-son duo of Kevin Gray Sr. and Kevin Gray Jr. led the way this week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action.
Gray Sr. spun a 290 middle game en route to a 715 series while teammate Gray Jr. finished with 268 and 263 for a 745 series on lanes 3-4 in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
The 290 is second high in the league this year (behind Gray Jr.'s 297) and the 745 also is number two on the leaderboard (behind Harris Busmire's 752).
In the Every Other Saturday League at Rose Garden, Colleen Pimm recorded a 227 game and 650 series to lead all bowlers.
In other action:
-- Curtis Foss of Medina posted 268--748 to top the list in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
-- Three bowlers topped the 700 mark in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia -- Brian Green 749, Scott Culp 719 and Brian Cline 714.
-- James Townsend took top honors in the Brighton Securities Tuesday Triples League at Mancuso's with a 259 game and 735 series, while Haley Luce posted a 254 game and 619 series in the Wednesday Nite Ladies League at Mancuso's.
-- Hayden Allis stayed hot in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes with a 279 game and 763 series. Scott Gibson and Jason Mahnke rolled 727 and 725, respectively.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
You are invited to attend a waffle breakfast on Saturday, November 11 th from 7AM to 10AM at Bontrager Auction Center in Batavia, NY! Come and enjoy all-you-can-eat waffles, sausage, coffee and all the fixin’s! Admission is $10. Non-perishable food donations for those in need are also being accepted at this event.
All funds raised at the breakfast support the Christian Missions & Relief Sale, a benefit auction planned for August 10 th, 2024. This sale is seeking to support efforts to further God’s Kingdom through two organizations: Christian Aid Ministries and the East African Initiative. Christian Aid Ministries is a organization working to provide relief and the Gospel to those in areas of crisis and need around the world. East African Initiative is an effort of Christians in Western NY to train and minister to church leaders in growing East African Churches.
Tickets are also being sold pre-sale. For tickets or more information on this event, contact Zak Jantzi, (585) 409-7408.
Claudia Hoyser, left, and Batavia resident Valeria Antonetty, her server for the appearance at Mr. Wine and Liquor, display her Drunken Bean Whiskey. Photo by Howard Owens.
Country music recording artist Claudia Hoyser, based in Rochester, visited Mr. Wine and Liquor in Batavia on Saturday to promote her Drunken Bean Whiskey, a coffee-flavored whiskey.
It's not Hoyser's first visit to Genesee County. She's headlined at Jam at the Ridge (a now-defunct music venue) in Le Roy, recorded portions of a music video in Genesee County (see below), and has previously visited Mr. Wine and Liquor.
Earlier this year, her music video for Small Town Motels topped Country Music Television's 12-Pack Country Countdown for nine straight weeks. Since her last visit to Batavia, she's played shows from California to New York.
Batavia's youth basketball camp, this year run by JV Coach Dave Pero, opened on Saturday.
Pero said 20 kids signed up for the camp, and 20 more showed up on the first morning, for a total of 40 boys and girls participating.
The camp is free and lasts six weeks, with a week off for Thanksgiving.
There are three sessions at John Kennedy Primary School each Saturday:
Grades 1-2, 9 to 10 a.m.
Grades 3-4, 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Grades 5-6, 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The players work on the fundamentals of the game -- dribbling, passing, shooting.
"The emphasis is on the kids having fun," Pero said. "The goal is to introduce the game of basketball to young kids and help the older kids get prepared for their travel seasons."
For the second season in a row, the Pembroke Dragons are the Section 8-Man Football champions.
On Friday, the Dragons beat Bolivar-Richburg 70-30.
Pembroke topped 500 yards in total offense, with the line of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams giving running room to Tyson Totten, who gained 394 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Fullback Caleb Felski had 97 yards rushing and a touchdown to go over 1000 yards rushing on the season. Felski also had an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown
Defensively the Dragons were led by Nose Tackle Jayden Mast with 16 tackles. Tyson Totten had 14 tackles, while Caleb Felski chipped in 10 tackles. Octavius Martin, Hayden Williams, Sean Pustulka, Madden Perry, Jeremy Gabbey and Jayden Bridge each added five or more tackles. Pustulka had two interceptions and was 6 for 6 on extra points.
In the Far West Regional on Friday, Pembroke will face Section VI champs, Frewsburg Bears.
Le Roy beat East Rochester/Gananda 37-6 to win the Section V Class C semifinal at Hartwood Park on Friday.
With Attica/Alexander's win, 42-0, over Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry, it sets up a championship game between the #1 seed Le Roy against the #2 seed Attica/Alexander on Saturday at 5 p.m. and SUNY Brockport.
For Le Roy, Tony Piazza rushed for 122 yards and a TD on 23 carries, and Drew Strollo rushed for 112 yards and a TD on 22 carries.
On defense, Peter Clark had three tackles, a sack, and three pass breakups. Luke Lathan also had a sack, and Connor Hegeman had five tackles.
Attica/Alexander's lone loss on the season came against Le Roy on Sept. 29, 44-27.
Jack Farner with the header to score Byron-Bergen's first goal. Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
The Byron-Bergen Bees are Far West Regional champions after beating Section VI's Wilson 2-1 in Boys Soccer on Friday in West Seneca.
The Bees advance to the Final Four of the state championship tournament in Class C. Their first game is at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Goshen High School (about 4 1/2 hours from Batavia). They will play either Fabius or Seton Catholic in the semifinal. Seton Catholic is the #1 ranked Class C team in the state.
On Friday, Jack Farner scored the first goal with an assist from Colin Martin.
Colin Rea, who missed nearly all of the regular season with an injury, scored the second goal with 16 minutes left in the game. It was his first goal of the season.
The Bees enter the state tournament with an 18-2-1 record.
Zailen Griffen inched the ball over the goalline for one of his three touchdowns while senior lineman Alex Merica begins the celebration. Photo by Howard Owens.
Heartbreaking is the best way to describe the Batavia Blue Devil's 26-20 loss to the Honeoye Falls/Lima Cougars in the Class B football semifinal on Friday night.
The boys' varsity squad was by no means guaranteed the win when the defense made a costly mistake late in the fourth quarter.
But the mistake gave the Cougars' offense new life after the defense had snuffed an apparent scoring drive in the red zone.
First-year head coach Alex Veltz took responsibility for the mental error, saying he hadn't properly prepared his team for a rare circumstance in a high school football game: a blocked field goal attempt.
The defense, apparently unaware that, unlike a point-after attempt, the ball is still live when the kick is blocked, didn't immediately scramble to obtain possession of the ball, and HFL lingered a couple of seconds, too. When a Batavia player did pick up the ball, he tossed it away, making it a fumble, and at least one HFL player had the situational awareness to pounce on it, giving the Cougars a new set of downs and another chance to score. That TD became the difference in an otherwise evenly-matched game.
The Blue Devils got the ball back with less than 1:30 left on the clock and couldn't mount a quick-strike drive.
"You don't see many high school field goals," Veltz said in an on-field interview with The Batavian after the game. "It's just not a situation you encounter very much. It was something we didn't prep for, so my message to the team was I took ownership of it because it was a situation we didn't prepare for, a blocked field goal, reacting to a live ball, knowing that is different and the guys weren't ready for it."
It was a big game for junior running back Zailen Griffen, who scored all three of Batavia's TDs on 20 carries for 160 yards.
Cole Grazioplene had three receptions for 25 yards, and one carry for 37 yards.
On defense, Maggio Buchholz had 13.5 tackles; Lakoda Mruczek, 8.5 tackles; and Carter Mullen, one interception.
Veltz took over a young team, and while he will lose three of his senior captains to graduation, he expects good things from the Blue Devils in 2024.
For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.
Bronx Bucholz with a pass attempt under pressure in the second half. Photo by Howard Owens
HFL QB Matthew Meacham under pressure in the second half. Photo by Howard Owens
Cole Grazioplene during the first half with one of his three receptions. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin eludes his final obstacle on his way to a more than 50-yard TD run. It was a clear and open field after he broke the tackle attempt. Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin Photo by Howard Owens
Bronx Buchholz on a QB keeper behind lineman Karvel Martino, who as a sophomore is 6' 2", 350 pounds. Photo by Howard Owens
The field goal attempt would be blocked and prove to be the decisive moment in the game. Photo by Howard Owens
