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Vehicle found in Elba may be linked to Saturday morning's hit-and-run accident on Transit Road

By Billie Owens

A caller to dispatch believes he may have discovered the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident shortly after 10:30 Saturday morning on Transit Road in Byron.

Law enforcement units are responding to Spoil Bank Road in Elba, in the mucklands, where the caller found a vehicle well off the roadway with heavy front-end damage. 

There were no serious injuries in the accident, which resulted in one vehicle rolling over multiple times and landing on its side.

For initial report click here.

Post office in Bergen renamed to honor Barry Miller

By Howard B. Owens

Nearly a year ago, Bergen's Barry G. Miller, a volunteer medic with the Bergen Fire Department, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a medical call.

Yesterday, by act of Congress and the signature of President Barack Obama, the post office in Bergen, was renamed in his honor during a ceremony attended by members of Miller's family, local dignitaries including State Sen. Micheal Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and members of the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department. It was organized by the office of Rep. Chris Collins, who got the legislation through Congress to make the dedication possible.

A plaque will be placed on the outside wall of the post office building.

“Barry Miller was a pillar of the Bergen community and someone who spent his entire life serving others,” Collins said. “The ‘Barry Miller Post Office’ will keep his memory forever ingrained in Bergen.”

Tracy Miller, Barry's father, delivered a moving speech at the dedication ceremony.

"In a few short days we will be reminded of the worst day in our family's life," Miller said. "We are so thankful for the outpouring of love and caring from this small community and beyond. I recall the ribbons on all of the telephone poles, the sign on the library, the ladder trucks with the huge flag and the large turnout for the calling hours. These were a testimony of how people in small communities care for one another."

He added, "Thank you to the Bergen Fire Department. You were my son's heart and every young person that gets involved keeps Barry's memory alive and cultivates a desire to serve rather than to be served."

Severe thunderstorm warning issued until 8:15 p.m.

By Billie Owens

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Genesee County until 8:15 p.m.

The storm was located in Clarence and is moving northeast at 50 mph.

Wind gusts of 60 mph and penny-size hail are possible hazards due to the storm. These can damage roofs, siding and trees.

Specifically mentioned are Batavia, Darien Lakes State Park, Le Roy and Pembroke, including the Thruway between exits 48A and 47.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Jankowski ranks in top 13 percent in national gun-shooting championship

By Billie Owens
Eugene Jankowski Jr., a retired Batavia police officer and president of the Batavia City Council, finished in the top 13 percent among 250 competitors in the 2016 FN 3 Gun Championship. He was awarded High Senior in the Tactical Optics Division.
 
Action-packed 3 Gun is one of the fastest-growing shooting sports in the country right now. Competitors use three different firearms -- a modern sporting rifle; a pistol; and a shotgun. Distances of the targets might vary from 1 yard to 500 yards or anything in between. The shooter who hits the most targets -- and avoids certain "no shoot" ones -- in the least amount of time is the winner.
 
The FN 3 Gun Championship took place Sept. 1-3 at Peacemaker National Training Center located in the beautiful West Virginia mountains near Gerrardstown. Top competitors traveled from all over the United States to compete in this annual event. Video highlights of the event can be found here https://youtu.be/FWrZ4vfnbDM

Rollover accident reported on Transit Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A rollover accident is reported at 6465 Transit Road in Byron. Occupants are out but "shaken up." Injuries, if any, unknown. The vehicle is on its side. Another vehicle involved left the scene. A first responder on scene says units can come in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 10:45 a.m.: Law enforcement is on scene. Debris in the intersection will need to be cleaned up.

Ray Leach's 4 first-half TDs powers Batavia's dominance of St. Mary's

By Howard B. Owens

Ray Leach dashed 80 yards, untouched, on the opening kickoff to set the tone for the first half of Batavia's second game of the 2016 season, leading the way to a 54-0 victory over St. Mary's.

The Blue Devils were up 48-0 at the half and by then Leach, a sophomore, had four TDs and 234 total yards. His TDs came on runs of 50 and 51 yards and a 24-yard reception.

Coach Brennan Briggs rested Leach in the second half along with QB Jerry Reinhart, who was 2-4 passing with two TD receptions.

Chandler Baker, who took over at QB in the second half and ran a run-only offense, caught Reinhart's other TD connection, a 50-yard reception. 

Antwan Odom had returned an interception 10 yards for a touchdown.

Cody Dioguardi also scored two touchdowns, on a seven-yard run and 10-yard run.

John Kindig had seven tackles, including three for a loss and one sack.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

RTS Genesee resumes Friday night service, launches Sunday service to Batavia Downs for watching Bills' games at 34 Rush

By Billie Owens

Press release:

RTS Genesee announced it has resumed its Friday night service to connect Genesee Community College’s (GCC) College Village to the business district. The route will once again connect the Walden Estates and Woodstock Gardens apartment complexes to businesses on the west side of town. The service is designed to connect customers with retail, entertainment and dining destinations.

The new Sunday service is called the “34 Rush Bus” and will make it easier for residents looking to catch the Buffalo Bills game at 34 Rush at Batavia Downs.

The “Friday Night Fun Run,” kicked off on Friday, Aug. 26 and will run through May 5. The Friday night service begins at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 12:20 a.m. 

The “34 Rush Bus” will run from Sunday, Sept. 11 through Dec. 11. The Sunday service will begin at 12:15 p.m. and end at 6:10 p.m. As there are some dates the service will not run, customers are encouraged to see the schedule for dates of operation.

“Thanks to the partnership of Genesee Community College and Batavia Downs, we are able to continue improving the service we provide to the community," said James Mott, regional manager for RTS Genesee and RTS Orleans. “This service will help meet the demand of customers who want more access to these popular destinations.”

The standard fare of $1 for a one-way ride will apply for both the Friday and Sunday services.

The schedule for the Friday Night Fun Run and the 34 Rush Bus are available on the RTS website.

Maple Street woman allegedly sold heroin and oxycodone to drug task force agent

By Billie Owens

Shelly M. Dutton, 44, of Maple Street, Batavia, was arrested Thursday evening at her residence following an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

It is alleged that she sold a quantity of heroin and oxycodone, a controlled substance, to an agent of the task force. She was put in jail and was arraigned in Genesee County Court today.

Dutton is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both are third-degree Class B felonies.

The task force is comprised on police officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET, and Le Roy Village Police Department. Task Force members were assisted by uniformed deputies of the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office.

Lei-Ti campers raise more than $8K to assist camp for children with cancer

By Howard B. Owens

The Lei-Ti Campgrounds Association and Lei-Ti, in Bethany, hosted a charity auction on Labor Day and raised nearly $8,400 for Camp Good Days and Special Times.

Located on the shores of Keuka Lake in Branchport, Camp Good Days provides camping and recreational activities for children stricken with cancer and their families.

Photo: From left, Sandra Sekuterski, Gerald Sekuterski, Val Rosehart, Peggy McVea, Sheila Hollwendel (Lei-Ti's co-owner), Bob McVea and James McCauley, a coordinator at Camp Good Days.

Law and Order: Pratt Road resident charged with three counts of burglary, already in jail on unrelated charges

By Billie Owens

Clifford Adam Keene, 38, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with three counts of second-degree burglary. Keene was arrested following an investigation into two residential burglaries. It is alleged that Keene is responsible for a burglary in the Town of Batavia which occurred at noon on March 8 on West Main Street Road. He is accused of entering a residence and stealing a television. It is also alleged that he entered a residence on Marble Road in the Town of Pembroke on two separate occasions on March 4, stealing a crossbow and long guns. Keene was arrested and arraigned Sept. 8 and is due to return to Batavia Town Court Sept. 27 and to Pembroke Town Court Oct. 6. He is presently incarcerated in Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges. The case was handled by Sheriff's deputy Joseph Graff, assisted by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Francis W. Derenzo, 60, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with depositing trash and having an open container of alcohol. At 9:11 a.m. on Sept. 8, Derenzo was arrested on Ellicott Street for allegedly consuming an open container of Coors Light beer while walking on the sidewalk. Derenzo allegedly also threw the beer can, causing litter. Derenzo was issued two appearance tickets for City Court on Sept. 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Jaime B. Janiga, 55, of Bank Street Road, Elba, is charged with failure to appear in connection with an incident which occurred at 1:28 a.m. on July 10 on Vine Street in the City of Batavia. Janiga was arrested following an accident investigation into an unrelated matter. Janiga was taken to BPD headquarters, processed, arraigned in City Court, and is due to return to court on Oct. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

No ID, cause of death yet in case of body found at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to help determine the cause of death of a man whose body was found in the lake at DeWitt Recreation Area on Labor Day.

The victim's name has not been released because authorities are having a hard time getting in touch with appropriate family members for the purpose of notification.

Det. Todd Crossett said he expects notification to happen today and the identity of the victim to be released Monday.

"It should be clear when the information is released why this is taking so long," Crossett said.

The autopsy has been completed, but that procedure did not lead to a determination of the cause of death, Crossett said.

Asked if the extensive search of the area conducted after the body was found turned up anything related to the case, Crossett said he couldn't comment on that until information was released on Monday.

Crossett said he wasn't on scene Labor Day, so he doesn't know if identification was found on the victim, but he said somebody who saw the body did recognize him.

In past fatalities, it has taken a couple of months for toxicology reports to come back from the crime labs.

Town of Batavia Fire Department to sell house on Clinton Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In preparation for the construction of our new fire station, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc., will be accepting written offers for the house and property located at 5007 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

The house is two-story, 1584 square feet and is located on a 60’ x 128’ parcel. The house is currently configured as a 2-family home.

The Fire Department purchased the house as it was included as part of the land acquisition for our new fire station. After a formal needs review examination, it has been determined that the house it is not necessary for our current or future needs.

There will be an Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 2 until 6 p.m. for anyone interested in viewing the house and property.

Written offers will be accepted until Monday, Sept. 19 by U.S. Mail at Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc., P.O. Box 417, Batavia, NY 14021-0417.

The Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc., reserves the right to reject any and/or all offers that it deems in its best interest.

By order of the Board of Directors

Sponsored Post: Join the YMCA during our Fall Membership campaign and all fees are waived!

By Lisa Ace

Fall back into savings at the Batavia YMCA! Stop into the Y to get your joining fee waived during our fall membership campaign. The campaign runs now through Sept. 18th and we will waive the joining fee for any new or returning member. As an extra incentive, anyone who stops in during our campaign and signs up will receive a $10 off program coupon and a free family guest pass for a family friend to try the Y. For our current members, bring someone into the Y with you and if they sign up for a new membership* and complete the member referral form, you can receive a $50 credit toward future YMCA membership dues or program registrations. Stop in soon before these great deals are blown away! *Excludes membership upgrades. Click here for more information.

Monarch Butterfly Watch

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Genesee County Park & Forest is back at it with yet another awesome educational event.

Join the county park for Monarch Watching from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17th. Learn about the fascinating lives of Monarch Butterflies. Explore their world and find out what people are doing to help out!

$5/person, $10/family. Space is limited, pre-registration is required! Call 585-344-1122!

Five Fun Facts about Monarch Butterflies to prepare you for migrating season:

1. Monarch Butterflies migrate through our region in mid-September.

2. A monarch caterpillar can eat a whole milkweed leaf in under 4 minutes! Monarch caterpillars gain about 2,700 times their weight in two weeks.

3. Monarch butterflies smell with their antennae.

4. Monarch butterflies taste with their feet, using special receptors called tarsi.

5. Monarch butterflies ride updrafts of warm air to help complete their 3,000-mile migration at the end of each summer. Monarchs have been seen gliding at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet!

Visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com to learn more...

Traffic issues surround proposed Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop in Pembroke

By Mike Pettinella

Genesee County planners came up with a five-item “to do list” for the owners of a proposed Tim Hortons Café & Bake Shop at 1106 Main Road (Brick House Corners) in the Town of Pembroke

At a meeting Thursday night at County Building No. 2, the board recommended approval of a special use permit and area variances for Clark Holdings Inc. to construct a 1,776-square-foot restaurant, with drive-thru, but not before several modifications have been made.

The panel noted that it is concerned about traffic on Route 77, primarily a lack of visibility to drivers making left-hand turns out of the Route 77 driveway to head north, and the safety of students crossing Route 77 in an area with no sidewalks.

“The proposal is missing documentation, it’s just not ready yet,” said Planning Director Felipe Oltramari. “For one thing, a traffic study needs to be done when school is in session.”

Two of the modifications focus on traffic issues, specifically that the applicant should obtain driveway permits from the New York State Department of Transportation for the proposed driveways onto routes 5 and 77; and that there should be no northbound turns onto Route 77 from the proposed driveway leading to that highway.

Other modifications are that the applicant eliminate at least one wall sign, obtain documentation from the State Historic Preservation Office as to the project's impacts on archaeological resources, and obtain documentation from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as to the project's impacts on endangered or threatened species.

Clark Holdings Inc., headquartered in Williamsville and owned by Bryan Clark, owns and operates a dozen Tim Horton shops in Western New York.

A call to Clark this morning was not immediately returned.

In other action, the Planning Board:

-- Approved, with modifications, a site plan review for the 21,000-square-foot (140x150) L&M Specialty Fabrication metal fabrication facility at East Saile Drive and Bank Street in the Town of Batavia.

The manufacturing and repair business, owned by Lee Shuknecht and Matt Geissler, previously was approved by the Genesee County Economic Development Center for a seven-year, $200,000 loan from the Growing the Agriculture Industry Now fund to purchase equipment.

Planners recommended that the applicants obtain documentation from the State Historic Preservation Office as to the project’s impacts on archaeological resources in light of a form submitted to the SHPO that erroneously stated that the project is not located in an archaeologically sensitive area.

They also asked that any proposed signage conform to the Town’s zoning requirements.

-- Approved, with modifications, a site plan review for Evelyn Jaeger of Batavia to open a consignment shop at 102 S. Main St., Oakfield, an existing commercial building. Modifications include obtaining a driveway permit from state DOT for change in use prior to final approval by the Village of Oakfield.

-- Approved, pending an amended site plan showing all the buildings on the property, a site plan review to construct a 1,920-square-foot (40x48) equipment storage building at Select Collision, 5273 Clinton Street Road.

-- Approved a site plan review from East Saile Properties LLC to build a 2,936-square-foot addition to an existing tractor trailer repair shop at 4736 E. Saile Drive in the Town of Batavia.

-- Approved wind energy systems’ special use permits requested by Paul and Debbie Harris of Bethany and Harold Sinemus of Elba, as well as a solar system special use permit requested by Cynthia Jones of Byron. 

Top Items on Batavia's List

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