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Toddler falls from second-story window on East Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

A toddler reportedly fell from the second-story window of a residence on East Avenue earlier this evening.

The condition of the child is not available at this time.

The child was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC.

The exact circumstances of the fall are not available at this time.

Google's 'Street View' car spotted in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

If you've ever used Google Maps, then you probably know what "Street View" is.  For those who don't or haven't noticed Street View before, it's a service of Google Maps that allows you to "navigate" along a street on the map, seeing what buildings are on the street.  The theory, supposedly, is that if you ever travel to that street, you'll see better the landmarks and such to help you find what you're looking for.

Much of Batavia was already mapped by the Google "Street View Car" -- seen above -- but the car is apparently back in town today.

I spotted it on Court Street this morning (link for Street View example). Andy Pedro sent in this picture of the car Violet Lane.

Security guard accused of grand larceny in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A security guard charged with protecting the assets of a Le Roy-based company has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree.

Tony Randall Smith, 52, of Clifton Street, Rochester, is accused of stealing material worth more than $3,000 from PCORE Electric, 135 Gilbert St., Le Roy.

Smith was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment in Le Roy Town Court.

Oakfield man accused of sexually abusing a child

By Howard B. Owens

A 54-year-old Oakfield man is being accused of sexually abusing a child and has been jailed on $15,000 bail.

Anthony Leslie Nicosia Jr., of Albion Road, Oakfield, was arrested following an investigation into sexual abuse that began June 1.

Nicosia is charged with criminal sex act, 3rd, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.

The age of the child was not released.

The alleged abuse reportedly took place at his residence.

Photos: Another bit of Batavia history being reduced to rubble

By Howard B. Owens

A wrecking crew is tearing down the Batavia Elks Lodge building today.

The property was purchased by United Memorial Medical Center in December to make way for "future growth." It will become a vacant lot with grass and plants in the meantime.

Police Beat: Akron resident accused of DWI, leaving scene of accident

By Howard B. Owens

Richard W. Rumble Jr., 26, of 9229 County Line Road, Akron, is charged with with aggravated DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unsafe backing and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Rumble allegedly backed into a car at a restaurant on West Main Street, Batavia, and then left the scene. Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice stopped Rumble's car a short time later. The alleged incident was reported at 11:04 p.m., Saturday. 

Darik Robert Michael Orbaker, 19, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker allegedly violated an order of protection by being in the presence of the protected person.

John Thomas Harley, 32, of Gordon Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and operating with a suspended license. Harley was stopped at 5:10 p.m., Sunday, on Route 77 at Darien Lake by Deputy Chris Parker. Harley was then turned over to law enforcement out of Erie County on a family court warrant.

Gary Robert Murray, 55, of Gorton Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Murray is accused of recklessly damaging the car of another person during a confrontation with that person.

Timothy Philip Maher, 20, of John Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Maher was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

Jason Louis Buoni, 21, of Barton Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Buoni was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

Eight arrests, nine citations at Darien Lake's Def Leppard concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department during the Def Leppard Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday:

Robert B. Milefski, 23, of Kauga Street, Richford, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating in the amusement park, and then when approached he allegedly struck a security guard in the face. Milefski then allegedly entered a fenced-in restricted area of the park while attempting to flee. He was arraigned and remanded to jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Anthony J. Derkas, 32, of Davis Avenue, Homestead, Pa., is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal possession, of a forged Instrument, 3rd, after allegedly using a forged stage-crew pass to enter the concert venue. Derkas was released on $250 bail.

Chad E. Ferguson, 23, of Robinson Road, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the backstage area without permission.

Cory L. Hyde, 29, of Stenwick Drive, Churchville, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance by consistently swearing while being ejected from the concert.

Terry R. Messmer, 41, of Main Street, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert after being ejected.

Bryson J. Ludden, 18, of Gleason Street, Belfast, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with security while being ejected from the venue.

Jillian A. Tomlinson, 23, of South Main Street, Belfast, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating in the lawn area of the concert venue.

Gary F. Mueller, 53, of Kokomo Street, Depew, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance inside the venue.

The following people received citations for alleged underage drinking:

A 17-year-old of Alsace Place, Blasdell
Nolan J. Guilford, 18, of Merton Avenue, Belfast
Carlene A. Derkovitz, 20, of Hawro Place, Depew
Daniel P. Thomann, 19, of Autumnwood Drive, Cheektowaga
Rachel M. Toporczyk, 18, of Creekview Drive, Cheektowaga
Steven L. Schmid, 20, of Penora Street, Depew
Brian R. Gorski, 19, of Harvard Avenue, Depew
Justin A. Michalak, 20, of Houston Street, Buffalo
A 17-year-old of Hawro Place, Depew

Photos: Batavia's rainbow

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia was visited by a pretty spectacular rainbow this evening. Here's two pictures. If you took pictures of the rainbow, mail them to howard (at) the batavian (one word) dot com. We'll add them to this post.

Reader submissions:

No name attached with this submission.

Submitted anonymously.

Submitted by Diane Cox.

Submitted by Janet Richardson.

Submitted by Brett English. He said, "This was taken off my Dad's porch in Darien while we were parking cars for the concert."

Submitted by Nate Fix. Taken at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Submitted by Lusanne Simard.

Submitted by Ashlie Hackett.

Submitted by Walt Kershenski, Stafford Town Clerk.

Batavia's Fix family marvels at unexpectedly long zucchini

By Howard B. Owens

Apparently, Nate Fix got his hands on some magic zucchini beans seeds this spring.

It's not like he has Beanstalks reaching up to the clouds above, but Sicilian zucchini typically grows to about 10 inches in length. What Nate is harvesting this summer are zucchinis that exceed 3 1/2 feet in length.

Nate and his wife Kayte plant a garden every year, but they've never had zucchini grow taller than daughter Hannah, who is 3 1/2.

Nate said they used organic fertilizer and did nothing out of the ordinary. He said perhaps a reader knows why this year's zucchini grew so massive.

Photos courtesy Nate Fix.

Photos: Darien Community Day

By Howard B. Owens

Even rain couldn't stop the annual Darien Community Day in the Town of Darien today. At least a couple of hundred people still turned out for arts, crafts, games, a car show, food and music.

Severe thunderstorm warning issued

By Billie Owens

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the southwestern portion of Genesee County until 1 p.m. It's said to be capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds of up to 60 MPH. It's now moving in an easterly direction from Hamburg at a rate of 35 MPH.

The weather service says: "This is a dangerous storm. If you are in the path, prepare immediately for damaging winds, destructive hail, and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter, preferably inside a strong building but away from windows."

Photos: Summer in the City 2011

By Howard B. Owens

Summer in the City 2011 had it all -- sun, classic cars, a big crowd, a competitive 5K, food, dunk tanks, face painting and other fun along with some great entertainment.

Slide show of more than 70 photos below (be sure to click the button on the lower right to view in full frame).

To purchase photos from this event, click here.

Motorcycle accident reported near GCC

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcycle accident, possibly with injuries, isreported on Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive, Batavia, just west of Batavia-Stafford Townline Road.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched. 

UPDATE 9:38 p.m.: Batavia fire back in service. No fluid leaks, not blocking traffic.

Stove fire reported in apartment on Gilbert Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A stove fire has been reported in an apartment on Gilbert Street, Le Roy.

The first is reportedly is at 82 Gilbert St., building 12, apartment 14, of the Royal Apartments.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 8:37 p.m.: The assignment is being held to Engine 63.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Fire is out. A crew will check the kitchen with a termal camera. Le Roy ambulance back in service.

UPDATE 8:46 p.m.: Le Roy fire back in service.


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Lapp Industries sold, plans growth in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

New investors and an ambitious growth plan have been announced by the management of Lapp Insulators, based in Le Roy, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

With 125 employees in Le Roy and more than 1,000 worldwide, the management team of Lapp presented a growth plan to the company's ownership group, Andlinger & Co., which saw potential in the plan but felt the management group should seek outside funding to execute the plan.

German-based equity investors Quadriga Capital bought out Andlinger.

Officials say the plan could lead to increased employment in Le Roy.

The Genesee County manufacturer sees growth opportunities in the United States and particularly in fast-growing international markets.

Lapp's annual sales are close to $180 million and, with Quadriga's financial backing, the hope is for revenue to climb to $250 million to $300 million by the middle of this decade. Lapp was No. 10 in the most recent Rochester Top 100 ranking of the region's fastest-growing private companies.

Photos: Summer in the City under way

By Howard B. Owens

Summer in the City is under way. It's a beautful day. Come on down.

Thanks to Ken Mistler for roof access to the WBTA building at Main and Center, and to Louie Kingsbury for taking me up there.

Three-car accident on the Thruway

By Billie Owens

A three-car accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile market 386.6. Uknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: A Mercy medic on scene reports there are no injuries.

Course record set in second annual Elba 5K

By Howard B. Owens

This morning was the 2nd annual Elba 5K sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Elba.

The men's winner was Michael Richenberg, 21, with a time of 17:34. That's a new course record. Richenberg has run 21 5Ks this season and won seven of them.

The women's winner was Stephanie Schmidt, 18, with a time of 20:14.

Tom Rivers, Daily News staff writer and author of the book "Farm Hands"

Stephanie Schmidt

Michael Richenberg

Top Items on Batavia's List

City of Batavia, New York (Pop. 15,600) seeks an experienced professional to join the management team in the capacity of Assistant City Manager/ Director of Administrative Services. Salary: $98,642-$119,642 DOQ. Reporting to the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager/ (ACM) will oversee the functions of Assessment, City Clerk/Treasurer, and IT. This position assists in the implementation of the City’s strategic plan; annual operating budget and capital improvement program; will participate in labor negotiations; and present information to the public, advisory committees and commission, City Council, and outside agencies. In addition, as the ACM, this individual shall assist multiple committees as well as serve as a liaison to various major projects and neighborhood groups. Must have the ability to exercise considerable independent judgment in planning, implementing, overseeing, and reviewing major projects; and the ability to develop and recommend policies and projects. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the New York State Department of Education, AND EITHER: A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and two (2) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and four (4) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: C. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with an Associate's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and four (6) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: D. Eight (8) years full-time paid experience in the private sector, non-profit, and/or government management sector with progressively more responsibility. OR: E. Satisfactory equivalent combination of the foregoing training and experience. To be considered, submit your cover letter, resume, and contact information, including email addresses for five work-related references to Gabrielle Kolo, Human Resources Director, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, New York 14020 or gkolo@batavianewyork.com. First review of candidates to begin 7/3/25. Background check, personality assessment, and drug testing required. City residency is required within one year of appointment. EEO A full description and list of duties can be found at www.batavianewyork.com under the Human Resources tab.
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