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Car hits deer on Route 33 near Ivison Road

By Howard B. Owens

An ambulance is requested for a possible injury after a car has hit a deer on Clinton Street Road near Ivison Road, Byron. 

There was airbag deployment. 

Byron Fire, South Byron and Mercy EMS responding. 

Free program orientation to restaurant ownership boot camp sponsored by freshLAB & BDC is tonight

By Billie Owens

Press release:

It's now LAST CALL for interested restauranteurs to attend the FREE freshLAB BOOT CAMP Program Orientation, which takes place tonight from 6 to 9. Preregistration required by Julie Pacette at the Batavia Development Corp. at 585-345-6380.

The orientation will take place inside City Hall, located at 1 City Centre, in the Community Room.

At the newly coordinated restaurant ownership Boot Camp program orientation, you will learn more about the freshLAB restaurant incubator, network with industry specialists, learn business basics and discuss entrepreneurial traits necessary to be successful.

Attendees may enroll into Boot Camp online before Oct. 20 to attend all follow-up sessions.

freshLAB Boot Camp Objective: Introduce aspiring entrepreneurs to restaurant industry trends, market opportunities, key operating functions and the importance of restaurant management systems.

freshLAB Boot Camp Outcome: Upon successful completion of Boot Camp, two participants will be offered an invitation to open a food service business at freshLAB restaurant incubator on Main Street, Batavia.

Barb Shine, captain of the freshLAB Boot Camp and Batavia Development Corporation volunteer, has put together a dynamic schedule of classes to feature hands-on instruction with Chef Tracy Burgio at the Batavia Career & Technical Education Center and exclusive time onsite at freshLAB before the foodhall opens to the public on Main Street, Batavia.

Instructors from the business community and industry specialists will lead most sessions to include Katie Frillici of JFS/Curtze Food Service and Ken Hudson of Palmer Food Services.

The value of the eight-session Boot Camp, not including tonight's orientation, is valued at more than $1,300 and is being offered for $349.

Tentative Boot Camp schedule:

Oct. 16 -- Program orientation, entrepreneurial traits & business basics featuring guest speakers & networking

Oct. 30 -- Operations, Equipment & Managing the kitchen, food costs, portion control, inventory

Nov. 6 -- Business & Restaurant Marketing with heavy emphasis on concept development

Nov. 20 -- Experiential Learning, professionalism, sanitation, safety in the kitchen
*Signature Dish Evaluation* 

Dec. 4 -- Operating Systems, Accounting & Record Keeping Business Management

Dec. 11 -- Reporting & Risk Management

Jan. 8 -- Business Plan Run-through to reveal class participant restaurant concepts, differentiation and system preparation

Jan. 22 -- Individual pitch to freshLAB Selection Committee, *Final Tasting*

Feb. 2 -- Business Plan Submission Deadline for freshLAB consideration

freshLAB restaurant incubator was conceived to strengthen the local food service industry and capitalize on more than $20,000,000 that is spent outside Genesee County each year when residents eat, drink and are entertained elsewhere. The project is funded, in part, by USDA Rural Development to intentionally link regional agriculture to the menu.

A program coordinated by the Batavia Development Corporation in cooperation with the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Business Improvement District and Batavia Career & Technical Education Center. https://freshlabbatavia.com/

Free Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program starts Nov. 4

By Billie Owens

The free instructional Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program for students in grades one through six will be held weekly at John Kennedy Elementary School Gymnasium from Nov. 4 through Dec. 9.

The program is open to boys who attend Batavia City Schools only. Participants are to enter and exit the gym by the rear of the school, which is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

Times are as follows:

GRADES 3-4:  9 -- 10:30 a.m.

GRADES 5-6:  10:30 a.m. -- noon

GRADES 1-2:  Noon to 1 p.m.

Although the cost of the Saturday program is free, there is a fee for those playing in the league that begins in January and runs through early March. This is a travel-friendly league, which competes against other towns including Attica, Alexander, Oakfield, Byron Bergen, Pembroke, Elba, and St. Joe's.

Practices will begin after Winter Recess and be held once or twice per week in the evening at various schools in Batavia. There will be an 8-10 game schedule and played on the weekends. Schedules will come out around the holidays.

The program will feature Coach Jim Fazio -- Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, youth coaches, and current Blue Devil players. It will focus on the offensive and defensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and ball handling, etc. There will be contests with full court and half-court games.

Contact Youth Director Jim Fazio 585-356-0901 with questions or concerns.    jfazio@gvboces.org

To get an application, email Fazio at his email address above.

Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.

Law and Order: Woman charged with multiple crimes after disturbance on Bank Street

By Howard B. Owens

Tatiana C. Lugo, 22, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment;third-degree robbery; endangering the welfare of a child; tampering with physical evidence; and criminal mischief, 4th. Lugo was allegedly involved in a fight with a male on Bank Street at 1:02 p.m. Sunday in the presence of two young children. During the course of the investigation by officers Kevin DeFelice and James Prusak, Lugo allegedly stole property from the victim. Lugo was ordered held without bail.

Patrick Ervin Say, 57, of Nesbitt Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings, and failure to keep right. Say was allegedly involved in a single-car accident on Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, at 5:43 p.m. Sunday. The accident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Delong and Sgt. Jason Saile. (Initial Report)

Shane Lee Hoehn, 43, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, failure to notify DMV of address change, and driving over the divide on a divided highway. Hoehn was stopped at 2:16 a.m. Sunday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Clifford W. Matthews, 43, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Matthews was allegedly involved in an accident on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, at 4:43 p.m. Friday. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jenna Ferrando and Sgt. Eric Seppala.

Shawn Micheal Koegl, 30, of Alleghany Road, Attica, is charged with: DWI; driver view obstructed; possession of an open container; failure to keep right; and uninspected motor vehicle. Koegle was arrested following an investigation by deputies Mathew Clor and Eric Meyer into an accident at 2:02 a.m. Saturday on Route 77, Darien.

Passiona C. McConnell, 39, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with a curfew violation under the Batavia Municipal Code. McConnell was charged after her underage son was located in public after curfew. The youth was located at 12:59 a.m., Oct. 7, in the area of 20 Main St., Batavia, by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Michael J. Henry, 50, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Henry allegedly refused a lawful order by police to disperse at 10:45 p.m. Saturday while at Van Detta Stadium. Henry was arrested by officers Frank Klimjack and Stephen Cronmiller.

Joseph R. Paner, 37, of Cheekwood Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Paner's vehicle was located after a complaint at 9:27 p.m. Saturday on Genesee Street, Pembroke, of a vehicle being operated erratically. Deputy Ryan DeLong initiated a traffic stop. Assisting in the investigation was Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello and Deputy Eric Meyer.

(name redacted upon request), 42, of Bethany, is charged with DWI. xxxx was stopped by State Police in the City of Batavia at 9 a.m. Friday. No further details released. 

Truck driver cited for improper right turn in accident on Route 77

By Howard B. Owens

A driver of a liquid transport truck was cited for alleged failure to properly position his truck in his lane of travel for a right-hand turn Friday morning in connection with a truck vs. car accident on Route 77 in front of the Flying-J.

Cedric T. Hamilton, 45, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was cited following an investigation of the accident by Sgt. Ron Meides.

According to the accident report, Hamilton exited the Flying-J parking lot and was heading north on Route 77 in the center left-turn-only lane. Hamilton then allegedly initiated a right-hand turn into the driveway of the Econo Lodge truck parking lot. 

The truck struck the driver's front corner of a 2010 Infinity SUV driven by Jason Stanton, 39, of Lockport.

Neither Stanton nor Hamilton were injured as a result of the accident.

(Initial Report)

Car hits deer on Thruway in Le Roy, minor injuries

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly struck a deer on the Thruway in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 384.5. 

There was airbag deployment. 

Minor injuries reported. 

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched. 

Rollover accident reported on Molasses Hill Road

By Howard B. Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 10911 Molasses Hill Road, Bethany.

One person may have suffered a head injury.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE: Photos of the vehicle after it was towed submitted by a reader. No further updates available at this time.

Heavy metal band from Le Roy, Invictra, wins Battle of the Bands at the Smokin' Eagle

By Howard B. Owens

Invictra, comprised of four young men from Le Roy, is the Battle of the Bands champion in the annual summer-long contest sponsored by Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew.

Invictra and The Travis Prinzi Band battled in the finals last night in a tent outside the tavern in Le Roy and the judges and audience picked the heavy metal quartet as the winner.

Invictra is Josh Zalar, vocals and guitar, Alex Dunn, guitar, Dylan Thompson, drums, and Steve Stephany, bass.

The band released a single in July, "A Cardinal Sin."  

The band was the first entry to perform this summer and the growth of the band from June to October was apparent in last night's performance. There's a real polish to their performance now. They are tighter, more confident, more polished and perform with greater energy.

In addition to the championship title and a chalice, the band received a $1,000 cash prize.

The Battle of the Bands raised $3,000 for Golisano Children's Hospital.

Arrest made in Friday night stabbing on Veterans Memorial Drive

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the stabbing of a man behind businesses on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, on Friday night.

Jeffrey L. Barr, 18, no permanent address, was located by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay at State Street and Washington Avenue, Batavia, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Barr is charged with attempted murder in the second degree, a Class B felony. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia and jailed without bail.

Barr is accused of stabbing a man from Buffalo multiple times, including in the neck and chest, at 9:30 p.m., Friday, behind the mall at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, the location of Jagged Edges, Pawn King, Yume Asian Bistro and Peebles.

The victim stumbled to the parking lot of Batavia Downs where he was located by a good Samaritan who called 9-1-1. Deputies arrived on scene and provided first aid until Mercy medics arrived.

Barr was identified as the suspect early on and deputies and members of the Local Drug Task Force, working closely with Batavia PD, spent most of Saturday trying to locate him, based on tips that indicated he was in the Batavia area.

The name of the victim and his current medical condition has not been released.

Le Roy picks up homecoming win to finish season at 6-1

By Howard B. Owens

On homecoming night, the Oatkan Knights secured the #2 seed in sectional play and locked up a 6-1 record for the regular season with a 20-6 win over Letchworth/Warsaw.

Kyler LaCarte gained 56 yards and scored a TD on 21 carries. Luke Stella added a TD and 21 yards on nine carries. Cole Biggins was 8-19 passing for 84 yards. LaCarte had one TD pass for 24 yards.

Reece Tresco had six receptions for 65 yards. Gavin Luckey, two for 37 and a TD.

Luke Stella led the defense with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jake Hill had five tackles. Gavin Luckey, four, and Bryce Bordonaro, four. Gaven Cassidy had two interceptions to go with three tackles.

In other Friday night action:

  • Alexander 54 -- Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 6. It was also homecoming for Alexander and on a night when the community honored Brian West Jr., the former player killed earlier this year in a car accident, the Trojans brought their A game. The 54 points scored by the team matched West's uniform number. 
  • Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 49 -- Avon 12. Bryce Yokel gained 225 yards and scored three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Le Roy game photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Kyler LaCarte fights for yardage.

Gaven Cassidy after an interception.

Bob Locke

Reece Tresco

Start of the game, honoring law enforcement with a greeting of Sheriff's deputies.

Callers alarmed by man with rifle in Elba -- turns out to be squirrel hunter

By Billie Owens

A man out in front of his own house with a pellet gun atttempting to shoot squirrels raised suspicions late this morning in the Village of Elba. Several of his neighbors called the dispatch center to report that a man armed with a rifle was acting suspiciously.

Sheriff's deputies went to the house on Main Street, across from the St. Padre Pio Catholic Church (which is located at 65 S. Main St.).

Accordingly to Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Meides, "Once he saw us, he didn't deviate. He stood by the tree with the rifle. We attempted to shut traffic down and approached, and took him into custody and learned he was just squirrel hunting because some squirrels were destroying his home, and he did have one squirrel there, and luckily it was only a pellet rifle."

Meides said no laws were broken; he noted that technically the pellet rifle is not a firearm. The man was allowed to shoot the squirrels because they were damaging his house.

He was released from custody. The road was reopened.

Person seriously injured after being stabbed in throat at location on Veterans Memorial Drive

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred about 9:30 p.m., Friday, behind a shopping mall on Veterans Memorial Drive.

A male victim was stabbed in the throat.

A good Samaritan found the victim in the parking lot of Batavia Downs and called for help. Deputies arrived on scene first and administered first aid until medics arrived.

The stabbing is believed to have occurred behind 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, the location of Jagged Edges, Pawn King, Yume Asian Bistro and Peebles.

The victim was transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC for treatment of serious injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Batavia PD, State Police, Mercy EMS, and security staff from Batavia Downs.

Two-car accident reported at Lewiston and West Main, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Two ambulances are requested to the scene of an accident at Lewiston Road and West Main Street, Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE: A 64-year-old man was transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Batavia closes regular season dominating St. Mary’s 69-20

By Steve Ognibene

St. Mary’s football squad left Woodward Field a bit crushed on Friday the 13th after the Blue Devils steamrolled the visitors on their way to a school-record 69 points in a game.

Batavia won its final regular season match 69-20.

On the record-setting night, Batavia's kicker Alec Wagner also put his name in the books by going nine for 10 on extra point attempts and finishing the regular season with 30. The previous school record was 28.

The team's total point record stood for 55 years. 

Junior Ray Leach carried the ball 15 times for 106 yards for five touchdowns. He also scored on a 22-yard interception. Senior Chandler Baker was four for four passing, 75 total yards, and one touchdown. He scored a touchdown on a 45-yard punt return and 70-yard kickoff return.

Andrew Francis scored a touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Baker.

Batavia’s Defensive stats: John Kindig had six tackles, three for a loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Nick Neid made 11 tackles, two for a loss. Anthony Ray made four tackles, all for a loss. Josh Barber had seven tackles, three for a loss. Alex Rood made four tackles, one for a loss, two sacks and one interception.

St. Mary’s scoring summary: D’Jae Terry scored two touchdowns, one of them on an 85-yard kickoff return and a 75-yard run from the line of scrimmage. Quarterback J’Shawn Collins scored on a 57-yard run. St. Mary's scored only two points on three extra point attempts.

To view or purchase photos, click here: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p532489889

St. Jerome's Guild celebrates 100 years this weekend

By Maria Pericozzi

After 100 years, the St. Jerome’s Guild is thriving and continuing its mission of being an organization of women who work together to benefit the community.

Helen Batchellor, has been a member of the nonprofit guild since 1949, back when they held many dinner dances, and parties for newly born babies.

The group is celebrating its Centennial at the Jerome Center by holding a public reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 14), enjoying an afternoon with No Blarney’s Rich Conroy, who will provide Irish songs for the party. It is located at 16 Bank St. in the City of Batavia.

“It’s a get-together time for everybody,” Batchellor said. “I spoke to a couple doctors that worked at St. Jerome’s a few years ago and they said they’re looking forward to coming. It’s a nice thought.”

Batchellor said the Jerome Sisters, who started the guild, bought the property on Bank Street in 1917, where the guild still resides today.

“At that time there was an epidemic of influenza,” Batchellor. “The little hospital that we had, wasn’t big enough.”

The group of nuns who formed St. Jerome’s Guild were originally from Ireland.

“They were very active in taking care of the sick,” Batchellor said.

When the Jerome Sisters purchased the land on Bank Street, there were wooden houses at the time.

Judy Stiles, a research assistant at the Genesee County History Department, assisted Batchellor in filling in the dates from the guild’s history that she could not remember.

“Everyone at the Genesee County History Department has been a big help with the history,” Batchellor said.

Batchellor said the guild has advanced in their technology use since she first joined.

“We’re trying to evolve with modern technology,” Batchellor said.

While they don’t hold dinner dances, or other events as fundraisers anymore, Batchellor said they depend on their gift shop.

“It is located in the Jerome Center now,” Batchellor said. “It has been very successful.”

The gift shop has unique giftware items that artisans from coast to coast have designed, including jewelry, purses, and country aprons.

The guild donates funds yearly to the hospital for new equipment, and has a scholarship for students pursuing higher education for a career healthcare.

Batchellor said times have changed a lot since 1917 during World War I, and the flu epidemic.

“Things change, people change, and I guess we have to change with it.”

REMINDER: Donate $20 to hurricane victims and chalk the 'Walk of Hope' Saturday on Liberty Street, Batavia

By Billie Owens

GO ART! invites you to chalk the "Walk of Hope" on Saturday, Oct. 14 along the sidewalk at the Liberty Square Plaza.

For a $20 donation you can secure your spot along the sidewalk near Ficarella's Pizzeria's parking lot.

Artists can arrive at 7:30 a.m. and judging will happen at 2:30 p.m. You must bring your own chalk art supplies.

This is part of the (hurricane) "Harvey Festival," which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes -- sponsored by Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, Pollyanna & Dot/The Hidden Door, Charles Men's Shop, Batavia Bootery, Main St. Pizza Company and The YNGodess Shop -- will be awarded for the best design in the following age groups:

  • 10 and below
  • 11 to 14
  • 15 to 17
  • 18 and up

All proceeds of the event will go toward aid for the victims of the summer's devastating hurricanes.

For more information, contact Jodi Fisher at   jfisher@goart.org or phone 343-9313.

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