Press release:
On 09/02/2017 at approximately 11:41 a.m., the Batavia Police Department responded to an incident involving a knife where a subject had been cut in the upper arm. The injured subject was treated and released at the hospital. Police were able to locate and speak to all parties involved in the incident. Further police assistance was declined.
Amanda Lynn Abrams, 26, of Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. The Sheriff's Office received a complaint at 5 p.m. Sunday of several broken windows, including broken windows on a vehicle, at a location on Sand Hill Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Upon investigation, it's alleged that Abrams broke windows "with no reasonable grounds to believe she had such a right," damaging the property of another person.
Joseph A. Saraceni Jr., 21, of Linwood Avenue, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlicensed driver, following too closely and failure to signal a turn. Saraceni was stopped at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 28 in Wyoming County after a trooper observed Saraceni allegedly following another vehicle too closely. When the trooper attempted to follow Saraceni, he made an abrupt turn reportedly without signaling. During the traffic stop, State Police say Saraceni presented an expired license. He provided a list of medications he was taking that included controlled substances. The trooper conducted a field sobriety test and he was processed at SP Warsaw by a drug recognition expert. He was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to Monroe County Sheriff's Office on an active probation warrant.
Bill Buckenmeyer won the Batavia Area Jaycees' Labor Day 5K race yesterday with a time of 18:11.
The female winner was Kimberly Mills with a time of 19:53.
The top walker was Gina Giese with a time of 36:13.
There were also winners in various age categories.
At the youngest level, 14 and under, the top male and top female were Kameron Kuszlyk (22:46) and Maya Ciocola (29:20).
In the over 60 category, Frank Gioia (21:24) and Janice Spiotta (26:12) had the best times.
For a complete list of participants and times, click here.
A couple of City firefighters today had Ladder 15 in the parking lot of Yancey's Fancy on Evans Street to practice with one of the truck's unusual capabilities, lifting the front wheels off the ground.
Typically, if firefighters wanted to swing the bucket to the rear of the truck and lower it to the ground, the negative angle would only be 5 percent. With wheels up, the bucket can reach a negative angle of 20 percent.
That might come in handy if the bucket was needed, say, to rescue somebody from Tonawanda Creek, or down in a gully or any situation where the truck was being used on a slope and the bucket needed to be lowered to the ground. The old Ladder 15 didn't have a frame strong enough to handle this maneuver.
The Batavia Blue Devils rolled into Syracuse with the goal of shutting out Johnson City at the Carrier Dome to open the 2017 season. They rode out 37-0 victors.
"I felt really good about our defense," said lineman Anthony Ray. "Our defense is always good. We’ve just got kids who are physical and who can hit. One of our goals was to put up a giant goose egg, not let them have anything, have a shutout, so I think we completed that and that’s a good thing."
Batavia scored on the first play of its first possession when Ray Leach broke out for a 56-yard run to the goal line. The Mustangs then fumbled the kickoff giving Batavia good field position again. On Johnson's City's next possession, the snapper on a fourth-down punt attempt overshot his target resulting in a safety, extending Batavia's lead to 16-0.
That's how the day went for Johnson City. In the second half, when a Johnson City runner was about to cross the goal line, Taiyo Iburi-Bethel caught him from behind and punched the ball out of his hands, sending it out the back of the end zone for a touch back and giving Batavia the ball on the 20. After another long drive by the Mustangs, Chandler Baker snagged one of his two interceptions to deny Johnson City a score again.
"Coming in, we worked very hard in practice, just from the start, from the get-go," said Baker, who is also QB1. "We’ve been improving every single day, so coming in, I had confidence in my guys. I knew they were going to give 100 percent and that’s what they did and we came out with a win."
A win is a win, but Coach Branden Briggs, who expects his players to execute on every play, wasn't entirely satisfied.
"I'm hoping we’re not happy with a win here today, to be honest with you," Briggs said. "It’s good to get a win, but we’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of mistakes to clean up. I’m confident we can do that, but the kids must buy into that and we’ve got to get much, much better."
Both Baker and Ray said they see room for improvement.
"We did good, but we can always improve," Baker said. "Me personally, I've got to limit the interceptions. I can’t have that. Next week we’re going to have Aquinas and they’re going to be a battle. We’ve just got to work really hard in practice and we’ll be fine."
Ray said there are some tasks the defense needs to address, such as improving player discipline in staying in position and closing up holes up the middle.
The team was eager to play on the big stage of the Carrier Dome, said receiver Ethan Biscaro.
"We were very excited and we were ready," Biscaro said. "We put in enough preparation and practice and we knew if we came out and played like we do at practice that we could beat anyone."
Leach rushed for 256 yards on 19 carries and scored once. He said he was proud of the effort of his teammates.
"Our team did good," Leach said. "We all did our 1/11th and that’s all we needed to do to get the W. We knew we had to come out hard to stop them. Our goal coming into this year was get a shutout at the Carrier Dome. We put our heart into it."
Briggs said Leach also knows there are things he needs to work on to improve.
"He needs to hit that hole a little bit harder," Briggs said. "He can’t dance as much. He understands that. We’ve had that conversation."
These kinds of details will be important when the Blue Devils open their home season Friday against Aquinas, which may be their most daunting opponent of the season.
"It’s going to be a whole different animal next week," Briggs said. "The kids will understand that when they watch the film. Aquinas put up a great game against one of the great teams in AA football in section V. It’s going to be a true test of our character and a true test of where we really are as a benchmark."
Asked if the team came out a little flat in the second half, Briggs said, not flat, but dehydrated.
"They found out they need to get in better shape," Briggs said. "The need to get into conditioning a little more, get serious, take care of their bodies more outside of football."
Baker was 9-13 passing for 193 yards and two TDs.
Taiyo Iburi-Bethel had four receptions for 96 yards and a TD. Eric Davis had a single catch, but it was a big one -- a 30-yard TD.
Antwan Odom had eight tackles.
Photos by Steve Ognibene.
Top photo: Ray Leach on a run to score in opening seconds of the first drive to give Batavia an 8-0 lead.
Chandler Baker scores early in the game.
A 19-year-old Nigerian college soccer player was sentenced to time served today after agreeing to a plea bargain on a sex charge.
Hamma S. Yusuf Jr. has been incarcerated for 11 months (nine in Genesee County; two in North Dakota for reasons not explained). In Genesee County Court this morning, he pled guilty to a Class A misdemeanor -- sexual misconduct, on an "Alvord basis," meaning without a factual admission of guilt. The maximum sentence he could serve on that misdemeanor is one year.
He was originally charged with first-degree rape in a case involving a 13-year-old girl when he was 18. He was also granted "youthful offender" status today, which means in due time his crime can be expunged from his record, provided he does not commit another one.
But Yusuf is not home free. Although he was released today from Genesee County's custody, an immigration detainer was filed by the U.S. Immigration Service. Therefore, he will imminently be in their custody and his temporary visa status will be reviewed and possibly revoked.
Judge Charles Zambito clearly and articulately explained the proceedings to Yusuf and was careful that the client of defense attorney Michael D'Amico understood them and the impact the guilty plea may have on his immigration status.
D'Amico described the athletic teenager as articulate, thoughtful and a good soccer player who realizes "he got himself in a tough spot." When asked, the soft-spoken African said he completed two years of college and could write and speak English fluently.
Nothing was said about regrets.
Zambito agreed to issue the requested order of protection for the victim and fined Yusuf $175 plus a $25 mandated surcharge.
Then the orange-jumpsuited, handcuffed teen was led away to be processed and transferred to the custody of immigration authorities.
According to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Christopher Joseph Campbell has been staying with a woman and her three children, which is a violation of his probation.
"He can't be around children, even if the mother has no objection," Judge Charles Zambito told the defendant and his attorney, Michael Locicero. "It's not up to her. It's up to me."
The mother, who was sitting in the gallery, was asked by the judge if she understood that. She said yes, and was asked to state her name for the record.
The defendant, with nearly shorn hair and sporting a Van Dyke (see photo, taken in February), was dressed in street clothes -- jeans, a gray T-shirt, and turquoise, gray and white zip-up fleece jacket. He looked over at his girlfriend and shrugged his shoulders a couple of times during the proceedings.
Although his attorney said he is employed full time, Friedman said that it is his understanding that Campbell was fired from his job.
Zambito said he will revoke Campbell's probation if he is found around children and he will be arrested. Period.
Last October, Campbell was charged with failure to report a change of address as required by law. It is a felony. He formerly resided on West Main Street Road in Batavia before moving to Bethany. But the state database for sex offenders, as of today, lists him as residing on West Main Street Road.
According to the state database, the 39-year-old, who is 5'10" and weighs about 190 pounds, was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse in 2007. He was a "non-stranger" who sexually abused two girls, ages 10 and 7, in the summer of 2005. Although force was not used, according to the record, he is listed as "sexually violent." He was arrested for the sex crimes by Monroe County authorities.
Campbell served two years in state prison.
Campbell is due back in court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
A man accused of forcibly stealing a cell phone and beating and strangling a woman's beagle will get a thorough mental health exam to determine his fitness for court proceedings, Judge Charles Zambito ordered today in Genesee County Court.
Shawn Michael Twardowski is charged with one count of third-degree robbery, a Class D felony, for allegedly taking a cell phone from a woman on Jan. 26 on Bank Street in the City of Batavia; and one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor.
A possible plea deal was withdrawn, for now at least.
His attorney, Michael Locicero, told Judge Zambito that his client "displayed competency issues in his last court appearance" in August. Today, Locicero reiterated his concerns, saying a recent "mental forensic evaluation" does not address Twardowski's "competency per se" and he again expressed reservations about his client's "fitness to proceed," and comprehend a plea bargain.
Locicero said his client told him that at some point he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but nothing in his file confirms that diagnosis. He described his client as "non-responsive" in face-to-face dealings with him. Indeed throughout his brief appearance in County Court this morning, the tall, lanky Twardowski, handcuffed and wearing inmate orange, sat or stood slope-shouldered, staring vacantly at the table.
The defense attorney once more asked for a "730 Exam" -- a comprehensive mental health evaluation of his client.
Last month, Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl objected to that request and noted that no comprehension issue was raised when the defendant sought a judicial diversion. Zambito, who subsequently called for more information and specifics to be gathered in the intervening weeks, seemed reluctant to grant the 730 Exam request.
"I've reviewed the records," Zambito said. "There's nothing to indicate he's incompetent, but I have not dealt with him personally."
Zickl again objected to the request, adding that the plea offer would be withdrawn and if he is found competent, the case would go to trial.
"If he's (found) not competent to stand trial, he's not competent to consider a plea offer," Zambito said, making Zickl's point moot.
Zambito ordered a 730 Exam for Twardowski.
The case is on the docket again at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13.
Clarence J. Carithers, 32, of West Academy Street, Albion, is charged with: unlawful fleeing a police officer; three counts of endangering the welfare of a child; reckless driving- speeding (86 in 55-mph zone); failure to stop at blinking red light; unsafe turn without signaling, speed in excess of 55 mph (111 mph); and inadequate lights. Carithers allegedly drove his vehicle past a Sheriff's patrol at an excessive speed on Lewiston Road, Alabama, at 12:44 a.m. and then failed to stop at a blinking red light at the intersection of Lewiston and Alleghany roads, continuing southbound on Route 77 at a high rate of speed. Carithers then allegedly turned onto Bloomingdale Road and failed to signal. He is accused of driving in excess of 55 mph on Bloomingdale before stopping at a gas mart located on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. He was arrested by Deputy Eric Meyer, arraigned in Town of Alabama Court and jailed without bail. Assisting were Sgt. John Baiocco, Sgt. Jason Saile, Deputy Ryan Young, and Deputy Howard Wilson.
Devan Dashaun Hazel, 23, of St. Mary's Street, NYC, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. He was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Stafford Court and jailed on $250 bail.
Kalil T. Walker, 23, of Isabelle Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. Walker posted bail and was released.
Timothy J. Wood, 28, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant upon release from the Niagara County Correctional Facility. He was turned over to Batavia PD, arraigned in City Court and sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Nicholas D. Martino, 37, of Main Street, Alexander, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear.
Darryl Robinson, 53, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Robinson was taken into custody during an investigation into an unrelated incident. Robinson allegedly failed to appear in City Court on charges of harassment, 2nd, and unnecessary noise.
Robin A. Pickering, 33, of Electric Avenue, Lackawanna, was arrested on a warrant. Pickering allegedly failed to comply with terms of DWI conviction in 2015. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.
Shuvon J. Williams, 41, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams was allegedly involved in an altercation in the Dollar General parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, at 6:10 p.m. Friday.
Kelly A. Morrison, 44, of Skyline Drive, Lady Lake, Fla., is charged with menacing, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a weapon (prior conviction). Morrison allegedly brandished a large pocket knife during an altercation at 6:10 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of Dollar General in Batavia. Morrison was jailed without bail.
A 17-year-old resident of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth allegedly damaged a parked vehicle in the area of Bank Street and Washington Avenue, Batavia, and then resisted when officers attempted to place him under arrest. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.
Maria Katriliotis, 35, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Katriliotis allegedly kicked another person at 3:40 p.m. Saturday.
Brandon C. Smart, 40, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Smart was arrested after police responded to a location on Hutchins Street to investigate a noise complaint.
A 17-year-old resident of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at a location on Cedar Street, Batavia.
Dora L. Poodry, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear on a petit larceny charge. Poodry is in custody on an unrelated charge.
Meredith H. Cutro, 40, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal trespass. Cutro allegedly entered the home of another person at 4:44 p.m. Aug. 22and refused to leave when told to leave. Cutro allegedly pushed another person when that person was trying to get her to leave.
Dustin L. Landin, 38, of James Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for an alleged violation of his release under supervision contract. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.
Traci Lynn Abrams, 19, of Skye Road, Alabama, is charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Abrams was arrested by Batavia PD and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant.
Rudy P. Bail, 23, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bail was charged by State Police at 8:36 a.m. Thursday in the Town of Bethany.
Press release:
To all residents: Please be aware that the spray pad at Austin Park will be closing for the end of the summer season on Sept. 5.
Thank you for a wonderful year.
The spray pad is scheduled open again next Memorial Day.
More than a decade of planning, preparation, promotion, lobbying, public hearings, and approvals have finally culminated in the first shovel in the ground for the Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the northwest corner of Genesee County.
Contractors are making room for roads along with water, sewer, and electrical transmission lines, clearing brush and trees and grading the ground to specifications.
"We're pretty excited to be moving forward on infrastructure and breaking ground and turning it into a modern business park," said Mark Masse, VP of operations for Genesee County Economic Development Corporation.
The infrastructure project, which includes a new water main being installed down Judge Road in Oakfield to Route 77 and then out to STAMP, is covered by a $33 million budget appropriations in New York's 2014 state budget.
The new sewer system is still in the design and approval process and electrical won't be completed until the first tenant -- probably 1366 Technologies -- designs its project and specifies its electrical needs, but all of that infrastructure will be covered by the 2014 budget appropriations.
The new Oakfield-Alabama water line will carry 200,000 gallons of water a day to the Town of Alabama and STAMP. A second water line will also be installed from Pembroke to STAMP, which will provide 600,000 to 800,000 gallons per day of capacity, giving STAMP access to nearly one million gallons of water a day.
As for 1366, the company continues to be engaged with GCEDC in preparations for construction of its solar wafer manufacturing plant, but is still awaiting final approval of a loan guarantee by the Department of Energy. The Trump Administration has yet to fill vacancies on the DoE's board, which must authorize final approval.
Rachael J. Tabelski, GCEDC's director of marketing and communications, said both Rep. Chris Collins and the office of Sen. Charles Schumer have been engaged in trying to help move the process along.
Tabelski also said tech companies looking for locations such at STAMP have shown a good deal of interest in the project. GCEDC has received 14 requests for information and hosted 10 site visits. The projects combined represent a total of $11.5 billion in investments.
"The sales funnel is full," Tabelski said. "There's a lot of interest in STAMP, so it's a matter of when not if."
When that when arrives, Genesee County and the entire region will be expected to provide the employees for these new companies, so GCEDC is also aggressively pursuing workforce development projects with area schools, colleges and universities, Tabelski said.
"There is going to be a need in mechatronics, nano technology, and STEM at all levels of these companies," Tabelski said. "We will have a need for all of these kinds of workers."
(STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering (and) Math.)
Smoke is reportedly coming from the garage at 8 Prospect Ave. in the city. City fire is responding.
UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: The address is approximate -- either 8 or 10 Prospect -- the house is yellow with a flagpole out front; caller is from adjacent street (Ellicott Avenue).
UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: Fire command says may be a grill fire in back of 4 Prospect.
UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: It's a grill that's smoking due to food cooking; fireman is going to caller's house to speak about the fire concern.
UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: The assignment is returning to service.
Press release:
The Genesee County Democratic Committee is proud to announce a fall fundraiser featuring Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYS Democrats Executive Director Basil Smile Jr. and several of the potential candidates interested in challenging Congressman Chris Collins in 2018.
The Committee will be honoring Lorie Longhany for all of her contributions to the community.
The fundraiser will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at RCW (Rochester Club West) @ Bohn's, located at 5256 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.
Cost/suggested donations: $30 per person or $50 per couple.
To reserve your seat please email geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com. Please include your full name and physical address in the email.
Note: political donations are not tax deductible.
Information provided by GO ART!
In addition to GO ART!'s upcoming member exhibit "Guilty Pleasure," (Sept. 10 - Dec. 9) there are two more exhibits, both featuring photography, planned this fall at Seymour Place. It is located at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.
"Complex Society" consists of photographs by Bob Doyle to be shown in the Bank of Castile Main Gallery.
Doyle says "These images are from the early stages of a current long-term project…I am attempting to illustrate a definition of civilization by the notation (of) various elements or evidence of a structure that supports our complex society."
It runs Sept. 14 to Nov 3. Artist Reception is 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8.
"The Beauty of Ireland" shows photographs of that nation by Barbara Knight in Oliver's Gallery in the Seymour Dining Room. It runs Sept. 14 through Nov. 3.
Knight has been a freelance writer and photographer for the past 25 years, working for two newspapers in her area. She has always had a love for photography, expanding her knowledge along the way. She has also had a dream of traveling to Ireland.
In April, this dream came to fruition when she visited the Emerald Isle for 10 days. These photos are a culmination of the sites she saw during that visit. Defined by her as "One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!", Ireland's beauty is outstanding! She is thrilled to be able to share that beauty with those who visit during the exhibit.
There will be an Artist Reception Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. with music, light fare and beverages. The reception coincides with the one for the members' exhibit "Guilty Pleasure" (same day and time).
Regular Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and second Sunday of the month 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Press release:
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is looking for artists to participate in its fifth Members Challenge Show, which will be on display Sept. 10 through Dec. 9 at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia.
GO ART! is challenging artists to create artwork that invokes the idea of, feeling, meaning or experience of "Guilty Pleasure." All levels of artists are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Artists are encouraged to submit works that interpret this theme in any way they choose. One piece per artist requested. No media restrictions. Entries must be no larger than 3’ x 3’.
Artists interested in participating can drop artwork off, along with an application (download at www.goart.org/galleries,) to GO ART! at Seymour Place. For more information or to become a membervisit www.goart.org, or contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or info@goart.org. Entry Fee: Members -- FREE.
GO ART! will be accepting submissions Sept. 5-9. No submissions will be accepted after Sept. 9. Selected works will be displayed in the Bar Gallery.
This will be “The Public's Choice" show with an artist reception, 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 with music, light fare and beverages.
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also on the second Sunday of the month 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Law enforcement is responding to the Social Security Administration office at 571 E. Main St., Batavia, after a security guard reported that two people are refusing to leave the premises. They allegedly had their claims denied and were staying put in protest.
Among the districtwide goals for 2017-18, City Schools Superintendent Chris Dailey told the board at last night's meeting, the district will strive to communicate better and engage more with the Batavia community, improve student writing, improve the use of technology and maintain a solid budgeting process.
Goal #1 he said is communication and engagement with the community, which will include recognition of outstanding alumni, more use of social media, increased use of volunteers and promotion of academic, athletic, art and music achievements.
"We have kids and staff who are doing amazing things all the time," Dailey said. "We need to do a better job celebrating it in our community so they know what’s going on in all aspects of our school."
Improving student written communication is the second goal, Dailey said. At every grade level, the district needs to put more focus on helping students become better writers.
“We’ve had college professors share with us that our kids need to learn to write better," Dailey said. "We take that very seriously. As a group, this year we’ve committed to common benchmarks across the district in each grade where our kids will do written responses and work on improving their ability in writing.”
Over the past couple of years, students and teachers have been given Chromebooks, each with access to a group of Google tools known as Gsuite. The district has provided more training and will continue to provide training to teachers, on the use of Gsuite in classrooms. As a third goal, this will continue to be a priority he said because it helps bring STEAM into each district building. (STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, (and) Mathematics.)
"That’s where the jobs are coming in our region," Dailey said. "(The students) need to know what’s out there."
The district has a solid budgeting process, Dailey said. Its budget ambassador program is even being copied by other school districts around the state now as a way of getting the community involved in the budget process.
As a fourth goal, Dailey wants to improve this process. Last year, he spoke before eight community groups about the budget. His goal this year is to double that number.
The district will continue to work to keep the tax levy below the tax cap level, which helps ensure residents are eligible for state rebates. The district will also look for other sources of revenue.
"Our goal is to pass (the budget) with a super majority of 60 percent or higher to show the community does support what we’re doing financially to advocate for their students," Dailey said.
As a stretch goal, what Dailey calls the "Columbus Day Goal," is to have 100 percent of the teachers set up with their own Web pages on the district site that they are updating regularly. This is a great resource for parents, he said.
Dolce Panepinto works tirelessly to protect the rights of injured workers by making sure that those responsible are held accountable. If you or a family member are injured at work, or in your private life, contact us today for a free case evaluation at 585-815-9003. Below are some previous litigation highlights:
Please call Kristin Allen at 585-815-9003 for any of your workers’ compensation needs.
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