Juan M. Mendez is indicted for the crime of first-degree rape, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 4 at or around Genesee Community Colllege in the Town or Batavia that Mendez engaged in sexual intercourse with another person who was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. In count two, Mendez is indicted for third-degree rape, a Class E felony, for engaging in sexual intercourse that day with another person without such person's consent -- by reason of some other factor than incapacity to consent. In count three, Mendez is indicted for the crime of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged in count three that while at or around GCC Sept. 4 he subjected a person to sexual contact when the other person was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. In count four, Mendez is indicted for the crime of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class B misdemeanor. In count four, he is accused of subjecting a person to sexual contact at or around GCC that day without the person's consent.

Rachelle N. Laney is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 10 in the Town of Le Roy that Laney knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- fentanyl -- with intent to sell it. In count two, she is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged that on that day Laney knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug - fentanyl -- with an aggregate weight of one-eighth of an ounce or more. In counts three and four, Laney is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that on that day in Le Roy, she knowingly and unlawfully possessed controlled substances -- methadone and hydrocodone, respectively. In counts five, six and seven Laney is accused of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in counts five, six and seven that the defendant knowingly possessed glassine envelopes, vials, capsule or other material suitable for the packaging of individual quantities of any narcotic drugs or stimulants. In count seven specifically, this drug was Mannitol.

Eric J. Reyes Jr. is indicted for the crime of stolen property in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 28 in the Town of Le Roy that Reyes knowingly possessed stolen property that had a value of more than $3,000. In count two, Reyes is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, a misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that on Sept. 28 in Le Roy Reyes drove a 2020 Dodge on Interstate 90 while his privilege to drive was suspended by the NYS DMV Commissioner.

Press release:

St. Joe’s Regional School recently experienced a successful Mini Mammoth Sale at their new location in the school’s Annex building across from the school. The new location has five rooms loaded with items of all types, from furniture to a shop of collectibles and vintage articles.

The sale has expanded to include Fridays, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon for the months of April and May, and sales throughout the year.

Donations of jewelry, furniture, household items and collectibles are greatly appreciated and can either be dropped off on the Annex porch or picked up by calling Randa Williams at (585) 356-5333.

A huge thank you to all who have supported our school through donations or purchases since we are no longer connected to a parish.  Also, thank you to Carmen Campbell from the PennySaver as our promotional partner, Rick and Tom Mancuso for our storage facilities, and Dave at Tim Hortons for keeping our volunteers in Timbits and coffee.  Also, Anibal Soler, city schools superintendent, and his executive secretary Brittany Witkop for advertising support.

John Bowen, Randa Williams, and Norm Argulsky and the school could not be successful without the support of the community.    

Photos by Howard Owens. Top photo, sale cochairs Randa Williams and John Bowen.

Public Notice

The annual meeting of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, of Alexander, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 11^th at 10276 Gillate Road, Alexander.

All cemetery plot owners and family members as well as any interested community members are welcome to attend.

Andre Roberts, 28, of School Street, Batavia, is charged with theft of services. He was arrested at 8:13 p.m. April 13 after he patronized a bar in the City of Batavia, then allegedly left without paying his tab. Roberts was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court April 20.

Johnny Earl Anthony, 30, of Knapp Road, Akron, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- first offense; operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more -- first offense; moving from lane unsafely; and unlicensed operator. Anthony was arrested at 8:53 p.m. April 17 on West Main Street Road in Batavia after being involved in a collision. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on May 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Kyle Tower.

Sundae Jade Whitney Grambeck, 27, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- first offense, and DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more. At 3:15 a.m. April 19, Grambeck was arrested on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany following a motor-vehicle accident. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Bethany Town Road on May 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Caleb Richard Swendsen, 26, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. Following a report of a domestic incident at 6:36 p.m. April 13 on Maple Avenue in Oakfield, Swendsen was arrested. He was arraigned on the charge virtually in Oakfield Town Court, then released on an appearance ticket. He is due back in court June11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Kyle Krzemien.

Lisa Fox, 49, of East Avenue, Batavia, was arrested after a traffic stop on East Avenue at 12:08 p.m. April 14 during which she was identified as the operator, and there was a bench warrant for her arrest out of Batavia City Court. Following her arraignment in city court, she was released under supervision. Fox is due to return to court May 25.

A trial date has been set for a Batavia man accused in 2018 of arson and attempted murder following a structure fire at 35 Maple St.

Plush Dozier appeared in court for a short hearing where Genesee County Court Judge Charles Zambito scheduled the trial to start on June 7.

Zambito noted the court system will likely still be under COVID-19 protocols in June and said the jury will need to be socially distanced and the trial will require the use of two courtrooms. He scheduled a meeting for July 3 with the attorneys to go over trial arrangements and protocols.

Dozier was originally being held without bail and being housed in Attica after alleged disturbances at the Genesee County Jail (which led to additional criminal charges) but after bail reform at the start of 2020, Dozier was given the opportunity at cash bail of $100,000 or $100,000 bond.

He is currently out of custody.

A brush fire is reported on Buffalo Road in Bergen.

Bergen fire responding.

A chief requests Department of Environmental Conservation to the scene.

There is a burn ban in place through May 14. (Click here for more information.).

City fire crews were with Ladder 15 out behind the Batavia Ice Rink on Evans Street this morning giving it a good scrub before re-greasing it to help the equipment operate more smoothly. The task is part of the ladder truck's regular maintenance.

JoAnne Meiser submitted this photo of last night's sunset in Indian Falls.

Press release:

In their continued effort to make an impact in the community, the Batavia Muckdogs have teamed up with the Challenger Division Baseball League to host a game at Dwyer Stadium on Saturday, June 19th at 1 p.m.

Challenger Baseball is a community program sponsored by the YMCA and Arc of Genesee Orleans that provides children in the area with disabilities the opportunity to play organized baseball. With the generous support of volunteers trained in disability awareness and sensitivity, these athletes who range from ages 5-21 can have the unique opportunity to play the sports they love.

Players, coaches, and other Muckdog personnel will be on the field assisting the game that will be free to season ticket holders and other fans in attendance. Later in the afternoon, the Jamestown Tarp Skunks will come into town to play the Muckdogs, with the start time of the PGCBL show-down still to be determined.

The rest of the Challenger Divison Baseball League games will be played at nearby MacArthur Park and hosted by Batavia Youth Baseball. They are very excited to have such a special event held at Dwyer Stadium and hope to see the community out to support them.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.87, up 1 cent from last week. One year ago, the price was $1.82. The New York State average is $2.89 – no change from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.23.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.85 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.82 (no change since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.86 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.87 (no change since last week)
• Rome -- $2.94 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.85 (no change since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.95 (no change since last week)

The national average gas price is now $2.87 – up $1.05 from last year when most of the country was on lockdown. Current demand has tapered since Easter vacations are complete. Demand will likely increase as more communities open and students head back to in-person learning. Gasoline stocks recovered with an increase last week keeping gas prices flat. Typically gas prices reach their highest level of the year as Memorial Day approaches.

From GasBuddy:

"Gas prices have remained largely stable in the last week across much of the country with the exception of the West Coast, where prices in some areas continue to advance, mainly in California as summer gasoline and healthy demand have boosted prices, but for everyone else, we're far removed from the fast pace of increases we saw earlier this year," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Gasoline demand has given up ground for the second straight week, likely due to some areas seeing a rise in coronavirus cases, and as spring break plans conclude. The next trend in gas prices isn't evident just yet, we may see additional slight sideways moves in the weeks ahead, until either demand starts to increase notably again, or we see the opposite."

A three-vehicle accident with at least two people injured is reported in Bergen at Route 19 and Peachey Road. It is blocking the northbound traffic lane and fluids are leaking. One person complains of chest pain and another has an unspecified injury. Bergen Fire Department is responding along with two Mercy ambulances.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: The second ambulance is cancelled. One person possibly will be transported to a hospital; two others are sign-offs. Route 19 will be shut down at Creamery and Sackett Roads and traffic control is needed.

UPDATE 8:32 a.m.: Two flatbed tows are requested to the scene.

Press release from the Genesee Region USBC:

Left-hander Brian Cline of Middleport and righty Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, two of the Genesee Region USBC's most accomplished tournament bowlers, added to their long list of league honor scores this week with 800 series at Medina Lanes and Livingston Lanes in Geneseo, respectively.

Cline rolled 278-278-277--833 in the Wednesday Community League for the association's second best series this season (behind Rich Wagner's 899, of course). On Feb. 10, Cline posted 266-267-279--812 in the same league.

Culp registered 279-268-279--826 in the Ontario-Livingston League for the GRUSBC's third highest series this season.

Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:

-- Ron Lawrence rolled a 300 game en route to a 672 series and Wagner rolled a 290 game to cap a 734 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso Bowling Center. Lawrence has been hot of late as he recorded an 810 series last month in the GRUSBC Association Tournament.

-- Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls rolled 299 in a 740 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Emergency responders have been dispatched to the eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 393.

A male reportedly suffered minor injuries after the female driver crashed the car. She has exited the vehicle and is in "the weeds" and on her phone and armed with a Taser, according to dispatchers. 

Law enforcement has arrived on the scene.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched. Mercy EMS also dispatched.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: The female says the male has the Taser. It is in the glovebox, she said.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Town assignment back in service.

A woman in the 100-200 block of Pearl Street in the city reports a possible larceny -- her lawn ornaments are missing. Police are responding.

Photo of business partners Brandon Buckel, left, and Gary VanValkenburg.

Gary VanValkenburg’s family has been in business in Batavia since 1960, during which time they have made numerous changes to adapt to economic conditions and times.

Now, however, VanValkenburg says it’s time to retire.

The business his father started as Central TV in 1960 is now known as Rest & Revive Float Center, which the 70-year-old VanValkenburg runs with a business partner, Brandon Buckel.

Several factors have contributed to VanValkenburg’s decision to put the business up for sale at this time.

'Plans of Retirement on Horizon'

First is the coronavirus pandemic, which forced them to shut down for 85 days, and secondly is the fact VanValkenburg’s wife is seriously ill and he is her primary  caregiver.

“I just can’t do both any more,” he said. “It is with mixed emotions we have decided to put our family property and business on the market, with plans of retirement on the horizon.” 

Back in 1960, Gary’s parents, Russell and Rose VanValkenburg, opened a television sales/service business in the basement of Mancuso Furniture on Main Street in Batavia.

In 1963, they tore down the front porch of their house and built a store in the front to sell televisions and stereos. In the early 1970s, Twin Fair opened up down the road from their house and were selling the same products for the prices VanValkenburgs paid at wholesale.

Once a Haven for Waterbeds

“My parents knew they had to go in a different direction,” Van Valkenburg said. “At that time, they were sleeping on a waterbed and it was their idea to open a waterbed store.”

That resulted in opening The Waterbed Store in 1974 at 596 E. Main St., where they sold all types of waterbeds. 

Gary grew up in his parents business, delivering mattresses with his father from the time he was 10. Gary became a plumber in Batavia, until giving it up to join his parents when they purchased a Waterbed World franchise out of Rochester in 1978, enabling them to sell all types of waterbeds, including name-brand furniture and accessories.

A year later, they opened a second Waterbed World franchise in Summit Park Mall in Niagara Falls. They had 45 complete flotation bedroom suites on display there.

The decision was made in 1986 to terminate the Waterbed World franchise and change the name to Waterbed Professionals.

In 1995 they began offering all types of sleeping surfaces, including name-brand mattresses, memory foam, latex, and adjustable air beds, along with waterbeds.

In 1996 they changed the store name to The Bed Room, as they were offering more than just waterbeds.

“We were the first retail outlet in Genesee County to offer Tempur-Pedic products,” VanValkenburg said.

By 2015, the mattress industry had begun to veer in a different direction, and it wasn’t positive, he said.

Looking for a 'Different Niche'

“We had to look for a new and different niche,” VanValkenburg said. “In 2016 I was having some health issues and my doctor suggested floating. I had no idea what he was talking about. I found a float center in Rochester and made an appointment. After my first floating experience, I felt great. I had no pain and no stress. I came back and told my partner that I think I had found our new niche.”

VanValkenburg and Buckel began to investigate the flotation industry and monitored the progress for a full year. It was on the upswing, as float centers were popping up all over the country and in Europe, VanValkenburg said.

In 2018, they closed The Bed Room and began construction of their new Float Center.

They opened for business in May 2019, and had been in business less than a year when COVID-19 shuttered the enterprise. Business is slowly returning, and they are booked into May, VanValkenburg noted.

“Over the last six decades our family has had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and make long lasting friendships,” VanValkenburg said. 

His father died 10 years ago and his mother a year ago.

Until a buyer comes along, VanValkenburg said they will be open for business as usual. In spite of the changes made to comply with restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, business is good, he said.

Previously: Video: Ribbon cutting, Rest & Revive Float Center, Batavia, NY

Photo by Howard Owens.

A recipe created by three students in Genesee Valley BOCES’ culinary class has been selected as one of 10 finalists in the NASA HUNCH Culinary Challenge.

Isaiah Merrell, a senior from Byron-Bergen Central School; and Alexa Wolcott and Sara Logsdon, juniors from Pavilion Central School, participated in the national competition to create a meal for the astronauts in space.

According to information from Maggie Fitzgibbon, in Public Relations at BOCES, the students’ recipe hit a home run with the judges.

This is the fourth year Genesee Valley BOCES culinary students have participated in the competition, but the first time they have been a top finalist. Fitzgibbon said the competition was started by NASA more than 20 years ago to involve high students.

In a normal year, up to 80 schools might participate, but due to COVID-19 this year, only 26 teams competed, she said. The competition was canceled completely last year.

Recipe was Judged on Taste, Texture, Aroma, Appearance

During the challenge, the team of students prepped, prepared and served their recipe to a panel of local judges, who scored their recipe based upon taste, texture, aroma and appearance.

The scores were sent to the Johnson Space Center’s Food Lab in Houston, Texas, where they will be scored against the other teams from around the United States. The teams with the top 10 scores will move into the final round of the competition, which is expected to take place within the next few weeks. If chosen, their recipe could be sent to the International Space Station for astronauts to enjoy.

Chef Tracy Burgio, Culinary Arts instructor at the Batavia campus, shared how this team of students collaborated and were persistent in creating their recipe.

“This was a process of trial, error, reformulating and much tasting,” she said. “Isaiah, Alexa and Sara were determined to make this recipe the absolute best it could be. They did an amazing job preparing, cooking and presenting their recipe. I’m so proud of all their efforts.”

The panel of judges included Bill Hayes from Turnbull Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Tom Turnbull from Genesee County Chamber of Commerce; Eve Hens with Genesee County; Jorden Strapp with Genesee Valley BOCES; Ann Valento from Genesee Community College; Pauly Guglielmo, founder and CEO of Guglielmo Sauce; Denise Newman, Artesano bakery manager at the Rochester Institute of Technology; Christine Grout, senior development officer at St. Ann’s Community; Maggie Poray with Genesee Valley BOCES; and chef Jason Ball from Main Street Pizza Company.

Fitzgibbon reported that Hayes said he doesn’t like sweet potatoes, but that dish was so delicious that he ate it all.

NASA's Nutritional Restraints Don't Make Things Easy

Guglielmo, of the Guglielmo’s Sauce food development company, said his company has launched a number of new products over the last few years, and he understands the restrictions placed by NASA.

“It’s very difficult to work with these nutritional restraints set by NASA,” he said. 

The judges asked many questions of the team. Isaiah revealed how they arrived at their recipe.

“We were given the food category and guidelines from NASA HUNCH,” Isaiah said. 

The students said they put their heads together to develop their recipe. Each year the competition has a theme, and this year’s was comfort food.

“We wanted to make something we had growing up,” Alexa said. “We thought about it being winter and what food we leaned on to feel good.”

“We also wanted something unique to our region,” Isaiah said. 

Adding sweet potatoes to shepherd’s pie was a new twist, and it was achieved with a lot of trial and error, the students said. They are sweet and they wanted the dish to be savory.

They chose sweet potatoes because regular potatoes are too high in fat, Isaiah said. 

“The recipe took weeks to perfect,” he said. “I can’t even count how many times we made this recipe and changed ingredients. Even the day before the judging we added two other ingredients to boost the flavor.”

Their recipe had to contain no more than ¾ teaspoon of butter, 150 milligrams or less of sodium, and be between 200 and 400 calories. 

“We interpreted this recipe to have subtle flavors,” Sara said. “But we did add garlic.”

Recipe to be Processed and Packaged to Eat in Outer Space

Sara added that only certain ingredients could be used due to the recipe having to be processed and packaged for space travel and for astronaut consumption onboard the International Space Station.

The students’ sweet potato shepherd’s pie contains pepper, olive oil, onion, ground turkey, tomato paste, garlic, fresh oregano, frozen peas, frozen corn, carrots, fresh basil, rosemary, low sodium turkey broth, water, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, red wine vinegar and butter.

The students met with a chef in Louisville, Ky., via Zoom, who tried to replicate their dish from the NASA competition. 

“We documented every step for him,” Isaiah said. 

“The students participating in this challenge had a great opportunity to learn about NASA, what astronauts can eat in space, and why recipes need to be made a certain way, as well as all of the nutritional values that need to be tracked while living on the International Space Station,” said Jon Sanfratello, executive principal of the GV BOCES Batavia Campus.

“Over the years, NASA has been a great partner with our programs and has provided our students many learning opportunities.”

The top 10 winners will each receive a scholarship. The next level of the competition will choose the top three recipes, and those students will receive a bigger scholarship. Students whose recipe is the top winner will receive an all-expenses-paid scholarship to Sullivan University in Louisville.

Top photo: Chef Tracy Burgio points out meat options to three students in her culinary class at Genesee Valley BOCES who developed a recipe for astronauts. From left are Alexa Wolcott and Sara Logsdon, juniors at Pavilion Central School; and Isaiah Merrell, a senior from Byron-Bergen Central School.

Bottom photo from left: Alexa Wolcott, Isaiah Merrell and Sara Logsdon, students in the culinary class at Genesee Valley BOCES, and their instructor, Chef Tracy Burgio.

Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Photo below (submitted), the sweet potato shepherd’s pie, which three students in the GV BOCES culinary class created for NASA.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

Batavia police are looking for assistance identifying a DoorDash delivery driver involved in an accident that occurred on Wednesday, March 17 at about 8:30 p.m. on Norris Avenue in the City of Batavia.

(Norris is east of State Street and runs north and south between Hart Street and Fairmont Avenue.)

The operator was driving a dark-colored, older-model compact truck.

Anyone with information, please email Officer Perkins at:  aperkins@batavianewyork.com, or contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6444. 

Scrap weighing you down? Well, put it to good use and donate it to benefit homeless pets at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

It'll soon be time once again to Scrap for the Pack!

The metal recycling event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday June 19 and 20 in the shelter parking lot, 3841 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

The scrap service will be handled by Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors of Corfu.

Accepted items include any kind of METAL: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing, window frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

The Volunteers For Animals, who work tirelessly on behalf of the shelter animals, will thank you for it.

Press release:

• Genesee County reporting 17 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
  • The individuals are in their 19-20s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s. 
  • Nineteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
  • Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. 
  • One of the new positive individuals is a resident of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing.
  • We are saddened to report the loss of one community resident. The individual was over 65. We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individuals and their families. Our deepest condolences to the families and friends during this very difficult time.

NOTE: There are 86 active cases in Genesee County and there have now been 121 deaths.

• Orleans County reporting 16 new positive cases of COVID-19.  
  • The positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
    • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
    • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
  • Nine of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • Two of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility.
  • One of the new positive individuals is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
  • We removed one of yesterday’s positive individuals as they are not a resident of Orleans County.