David S. Hazzard is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on March 1 in the Town of Le Roy that Hazzard drove a 1999 Toyota on Interstate 90 while in an intoxicated condition. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, another Class E felony, for driving when he knew or had reason to know that his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities, and that at the time he was under the influence of alcohol or a drug in violation of the law. In count three, the defendant is accused of the crime of circumvention of an ignition interlock device, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that when he drove on March 1, he was subject to a court-ordered ignition interlock device when operating a motor vehicle, and the Toyota he drove was not equipped with one.

Press release:

The Batavia Concert Band will be returning for its 92^nd season of public concerts in Batavia’s Centennial Park. Concerts will be held on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 9, as well as the ever-popular July 4^th Picnic in the Park sponsored by GO ART!

The July 12^th concert in Centennial Park will feature soloist Dan Kliczar and is part of our new Pam Frisby Concert Series. The July 26^th concert will feature ethnic music, sponsored by GO ART!’s “Genesee Orleans Culture Connects” project. The Aug.  2^nd concert features a collaboration with Shake on the Lake.

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire has something for everyone; marches, Big Band and swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in between.

The Band consists of 45-55 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure -- all love to play!

This year’s conductor will be John Bailey, instrumental music director at Lyndonville Central School. The July 4^th Picnic in the Park and July 5^th concerts will be conducted by Joshua Pacino.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except World War II. Concerts are currently supported and funded in part by GO ART!, local businesses, program advertisers, and individual patrons. The City of Batavia supplies chairs for musicians.

The Band also sponsors 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales, and other fundraisers. Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Band should contact a Board member at any concert.

Downbeat for regular season concerts is 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in Centennial Park, Batavia. (* In the event of rain, concerts will move to Genesee Community College’s Stuart Steiner Theatre. Notices will be posted at the NW corner of Centennial Park, announced on WBTA radio AM1490, posted on http://TheBatavian.com, the Batavia Daily News website, http://www.thedailynewsonline.com), on the Batavia Concert Band’s website http://bataviaconcertband.net, and the Band’s Facebook page.)

All concerts are fully funded by local businesses and sponsors and are open to music lovers of all ages.  Light refreshments are available.  Bring your family and friends, lawn chairs or a blanket, and enjoy.  We’ll meet you in the park!

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

Three people have been charged following investigations by the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Christina Hietala-Johnson, 35, formerly of Batavia, now residing on Alphonse Street in Rochester, has been charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. The charges stem from falsified SNAP(Food Stamp) applications submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Hietala-Johnson in March and August of 2016. She is accused of receiving $2,245 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Hietala-Johnson was issued an appearance ticket by Investigator Chad Minuto of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 22.

Martin Jones, 46, of State Street, Batavia, has been charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The charges stem from falsified medical statements submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Jones in February. He was arrested by Deputy Cory Mower of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and was arraigned by Batavia Town Justice Michael Cleveland who ordered him held without bail. He is scheduled to reappear in Town Court on June 26.

Edwin Stancliff, 38, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, has been charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Stancliff’s charges stem from a recertification form he submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services in April 2016 on which he failed to report he was receiving income from NYS disability. Stancliff is accused of receiving SNAP and Temporary Assistance benefits totaling $1,933.21 to which he was not entitled. Stancliff was issued an appearance ticket by Deputy Krzemien of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 19.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Investigation Unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.   

Submitted photos and press release:

Families and friends of St. Joseph Catholic School gathered together recently at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph site) to watch Mrs. Case’s Kindergarten Class of 2017 graduate. 

This year’s class of 26 children showcased what they have learned throughout the year by using the alphabet. Each child was assigned a letter and recited a short paragraph about things they have learned, friends they have made, and songs that they loved.

Their knowledge of God and Jesus through the prayers and songs that they sang helped to keep the tears flowing throughout the ceremony.

After a quick awards ceremony, each child was called up one-by-one to receive their Kindergarten Diploma from Mrs. Hardie (Mrs. Case’s teacher aide) and Mrs. Green (St. Joe’s principal). To celebrate this special milestone, everyone was invited over to the cafeteria for cake and juice.

Congratulations to all these hard-working kindergarteners!

Press release:

Genesee County wants to know your thoughts on housing and if local housing meets your needs. A survey has been launched to get input from County residents and is available online at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/geneseehousing

Paper copies will be available next week at the Richmond Memorial Library and the Genesee County Senior Center. The survey will help the County, its municipalities, housing developers and other housing providers identify unmet needs and demand for various types of housing throughout the County.

The survey is part of the Genesee County Housing Needs Assessment and Market Analysis project. It will document housing needs, analyze the housing market and identify feasible strategies to meet the future housing needs of Genesee County. Genesee County, its municipalities and local housing agencies can use the report's findings to support both rehabilitation and new construction of housing.

Whether you are happy with where you live now or are looking at new housing options for the future, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. The survey will be launched June 19th and responses will be accepted until July 7th.

An ARC bus is smoking in the area of Central and Pringle avenues and city firefighters are responding.

UPDATE (By Howard): The fire was extinguished and City fire is back in service.

Press release:

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will make a stop at YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards Gala tonight to address the audience and say a few words about the event and YWCA’s mission. The awards ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. in Stuart Steiner Theatre, 1 College Road.

“We are very honored to host Lt. Hochul for a visit at this year’s Women of Distinction Awards Gala,” YWCA Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

“She will add yet another layer to our prestigious lineup of representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Congressman Chris Collins and Genesee County Legislature.”

The event includes award presentations to Krysten Schmidt of Ladies First, Dee Quinn Miller, Western New York Tech Academy, Zonta Club, the Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Lewis Tree Service and Georgann Carrubba of TenCar Inc. An appetizer reception and basket and live auction will follow at 6:30 p.m. in The Forum.

Tickets are $40 each or $350 for a table of 10. For tickets or more information, call (585) 343-5808.

Anne Marie Starowitz, coordinator of the Holland Land Office Museum History Heroes Summer Program, and HLOM Director Ryan Duffy.

Press release and submitted photo:

The theme for the 2017 History Heroes Summer Program at the Holland Land Office Museum is "Carnival Days." This year the children will work together to create a Penny Carnival and donate the money to a charity.

The program ends with the carnival and a multimedia production showcasing our local history with the children talking about historical places in Batavia. Each day of the summer program is packed with exciting and educational activities, field trips, games, crafts, and more!

The program begins on Tuesday, July 18^th and runs for eight weekdays, ending on Friday, July 28th.

The cost for the program is $25 a day for nonmembers and $20 a day for museum members. The program is open to children ages 7-12.

Please call the museum at 343-4727 for more information and to save a place for your child. Deadline to register is Saturday, July 1.

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District has partnered with The Batavia Ramble this year to bring a summer festival to downtown. Anyone interested in being a vendor, the Business Improvement District is still taking applications until next Friday, June 23rd. Contact Beth Kemp at bkemp@downtownbataviany.com or 585.344.0900.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs announced today that skydivers from Western New York Skydiving will deliver and throw the Ceremonial First Pitch on Opening Day, Monday, June 19th.

Prior to throwing out the first pitch, an elite group from Western New York Skydiving will perform an aerial show, including banners and smoke, before landing in centerfield. The jump and demonstration are weather dependent and Western New York Skydiving reserves the right to cancel the event if they feel conditions are unsafe for both the jumpers and spectators.

The game between the Muckdogs and Auburn Doubledays will begin at 7:05 p.m. with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Opening Day tickets, as well as all season tickets and ticket packages, are all on sale now at the Dwyer Stadium box office, on Muckdogs.com or by calling 585-343-5454.

Alexis Hoerner is the winner of the 2017 Paolo Busti Scholarship, which the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation awarded at its annual dinner last night at Terry Hills. Alexis, known as "Lexi," was among five finalists.

She is a student at Batavia High School. She holds an overall GPA of 95 and ranks 19th in a class of 175. Lexi is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Art Honor Society. She has received numerous honors and awards, including a commendation in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition NY 27th District, and the Bob Heischman Award for Excellence in Creativity in Drawing as well as various school awards for outstanding achievement in art, printmaking, portfolio, sculpture, and excellence and creativity in drawing.

Lexi is a member of the BHS varsity swim team and has volunteered with various local community organizations including the Lions Club, YWCA, Crossroads House, and Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She has also served as a BHS Link Leader and with the Art Department Stage Crew at Batavia High School.

Lexi plans to attend Canisius College in the fall where she will continue her studies in Studio Art.

Below, she is pictured with her parents Karen Cutitta and Michael Hoerner.

Today is stormy, but yesterday was a beautiful day and it came with a pretty gorgeous sunset. I stopped on South Main Street Road next to the Tonawanda Creek for this picture.

To kick off the third annual Battle of the Bands at the Smokin' Eagle BBQ and Brew in Le Roy last night, the owners and management presented a check for $2,600 to the Golisano Children's Hospital in honor the White Family.

The money was raised during last year's Battle of the Bands.

Trisha White, holding the check, credits Golisano's with saving the life of her daughter, Jamie, left, who was born at 25 1/2 weeks and weighed just one pound, seven ounces. Now 12 and doing well in middle school, she's holding a picture of herself at birth with her father's wedding band around her ankle.

"That's how tiny she was," Trisha said.

The Battle of the Bands runs all summer and into October with performances every Wednesday night at the Eagle. Last night, Invictra kicked off the series.

On Wednesday, residents, first responders and tow-truck companies gathered in the parking lot behind the Falleti Ice Rink for a ceremonial tribute.

The Spirit Ride is a national campaign dedicated to promoting the new move-over laws for first responders and tow trucks, drawing attention to the sacrifices made. A symbolic casket was relayed from one tow truck to another, with a procession following, carrying the casket to Buffalo.

Press release:

Today, the City of Batavia submitted an application for Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), a statewide competition in which each region will select a winner. Batavia was a Finger Lakes Region finalist in 2016.

Agriculture and food production, next-generation manufacturing, entrepreneurship and pathways to prosperity pillars are shared priorities in Batavia that align with the priorities of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Batavia’s application highlights the progressive quality of life policies and further focuses on placemaking and innovation.

“The City Council has been actively engaging our residents over the last few years with planning around the Batavia Opportunity Area, the 2016 DRI process, the 2017 Comprehensive Planning process and other strategic initiatives that the city has completed,” said Eugene Jankowski Jr., City of Batavia, City Council president.

“This type of investment in Batavia will attract investment and boost the entrepreneurial climate, improve environmental quality and create ethnic diversity in order to enhance the City’s central business district.”

The City’s DRI application describes the current conditions of City and identifies the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) as the target area for DRI investment to grow jobs, increase regional wealth, drive private investment and reduce poverty. Local stakeholders defined market-based strategies that place emphasis on:

• Arts, Culture & Entertainment;
• Healthy Living & Wellness; and,
• Prosperity for All.

Batavia’s Downtown is a vibrant and robust area with approximately 2,000 people at work among 220 businesses. It is estimated that 12 million pass through the district on an annual basis. DRI investment will literally build around impending Downtown investments like Savarino Companies’ Ellicott Station. The application further identifies a range of projects that would be catalytic to reviving downtown.

The City of Batavia launched a community campaign earlier this year to cause $100 million additional public-private investment to enhance the City by 2022. Winning the $10 million DRI award would be catalytic and fully leveraged to achieve Batavia’s investment goal.  

Ray Cianfrini, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, said, “signing the BP2 agreement to redirect PILOT payments into an infrastructure fund for the City of Batavia was a critical policy that County leadership strongly supports. Now that BP2 is off the ground, Batavia is ready for $10 million to revitalize Downtown, attract more residents, businesses and entertainment to enhance the quality of life.”  

Pat Burk, Batavia City School Board president, said, “Our district is working hard to link students with careers in STEM, trades, agriculture and other industries that are growing in the Finger Lakes region, but unfortunately too many of our children are living in poverty and we all must work together to change that.”

Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, “The Governor’s DRI competition provides an amazing opportunity to revitalize the City’s economy. We need to create offerings in the arts, culture and entertainment to attract the creative class to live and work in our urban center.”

Pierluigi Cipollone, president of the Batavia Development Corporation, said, “A $10 million Downtown revitalization grant would drive the economic transformation already taking shape in the City to a new level. DRI also introduces a new approach to celebrate the City’s rich entrepreneurial traditions, cultural appreciation, and the possibility to create more vibrant places.”

Beth Kemp, director of the Downtown Batavia Improvement District, said, “Downtown revitalization impacts not only Downtown, but the community as a whole. Enriching the Downtown with arts and entertainment strengthens the whole community here, both economically and culturally. It's exciting to see all stakeholders see the value of investing strategically and collaboratively in Downtown."

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“Today’s celebration of Flag Day is a powerful reminder of both the downfalls and triumphs our country has gone through in the past to get to where we are today. It was made the official flag of the United States in 1777, and although the American Flag has undergone some changes, it has remained a constant symbol of pride, hope and inspiration for our country and will for many years to come.

“I don’t think there is any other country that is as proud of their flag and what it represents as the United States of America. I hope many of you will join me this year in honoring the American Flag by displaying one at your home to show your love and pride in our great nation.”

Two dogs are locked in a black Ford Explorer in Row 7 at Walmart with the windows rolled up.

A deputy has been dispatched.

More than a dozen members of local law enforcement carried the Special Olympics torch on a run from Elba to Batavia this morning, starting at the Arc of Genesee Orleans center in Elba to the facility on Walnut Street, with a stop at the Arc Community Center on Woodrow Road.

Press release:

A Family Court petition has been filed against a 15-year-old who was the alleged driver of the gold Ford Taurus which was involved in the motor vehicle / pedestrian accident on Allen Street in Batavia at approximately 3:16 p.m. on May 27. The juvenile will have to appear in Family Court sometime in July. The 32-year-old female victim was treated and released at a local hospital.

Previously: Woman saves son before car strikes her and two dogs

Summer is here. Mini Golf is, too. Terry Hills Miniature Golf Course opens Friday, June 16th! Excitement for all ages as you putt your way over ramps, bridges, dips & other fun obstacles in pursuit of those Hole-In-Ones! Bring Dad this Father’s Day and he plays for FREE (and if you let him win, that’s OK, too).

Make it a day and stop into the restaurant before or after you play for a delicious lunch, dinner or Sunday Brunch! Click here for our menus (Restaurant Hours: Mon-Fri 11-9, Sunday Brunch 10-2). Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road, Route 33, Batavia, NY. (585) 343-0642