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Photos: Birds munch seeds on snow-covered bird feeders

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia got its first real snow accumulation of the season yesterday and last night but the birds still showed up this morning in our backyard feeders for their morning meal.

There's more snow on the way. A winter storm watch is in effect for tonight starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until Wednesday afternoon. Heavy, blowing snow is possible. The National Weather Service warns that travel may be difficult with more than 10 inches of snowfall possible.

Winds could gust up to 45 mph.

The forecast is for little precipitation today but a low-pressure system crosses the region bringing periods of widespread accumulation. Several weak systems cross the area in the following days with an additional chance of snow.

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Law and Order: Oak Street resident charged with robbery

By Howard B. Owens

James J. Spivey, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd. Spivey is accused of forcefully taking property from another person at 2:25 p.m., Oct. 25, while on Park Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed without bail.

William G. Schultz, 43, of Evans Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Schultz was allegedly found in possession of stolen property -- the property is not specified -- while at 1 W. Main St., Batavia. The original incident was reported at 11:46 p.m. Oct. 6 at a residence on Union Street, Batavia. Schultz was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Cameron Robert Lochren, 23, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged while driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving without headlines, and driver's view obstructed. Lochren was stopped at 12:58 a.m. Friday on Railroad Street, Alexander, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Lochren was jailed on $1,250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Robert David Cummings III, 31, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Cummings is accused of damaging the property of another person at 3 p.m. Friday at a location on Phelps Road, Pembroke. 

Amie Lin Santiago, 31, of Hindsburg Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Santiago was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 1:47 a.m. Saturday on Roberts Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Alex A. Applegate, 21, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Applegate was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident Saturday on Route 237 in Byron. The accident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Gerald Jacob Farrell, 24, of Nunda-Byersville Road, Nunda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or more, and failure to keep right. Farrell was stopped at 12:28 a.m. Sunday on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan. 

Car strikes pole on West Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car has struck a pole in the area of the CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street, Batavia.

No word on injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:48 p.m.: Three occupants. Mercy EMS requested to the scene for patient evaluation. 

Car hits tree at Lehigh and Creek, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A driver is complaining of back pain after his car struck a tree at Lehigh Avenue and Creek Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:01 p.m.: One patient transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Photos: Santa at Adam Miller

By Howard B. Owens

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Carter McClellan, 15 months old, wasn't too happy during his first visit with Santa today at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

Santa visited Adam Miller so the store could provide a free visit and a chance to get pictures with Santa for customers who came in the store today.

Penelope Ortiz, 18 months, below, was also a little unsure of the Santa thing, but didn't cry.

Chase McClellan, 7, was quite ready to let Santa know what tops his Christmas wish list.

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Photo: Five boys outside Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

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These four Rampart players and their friend wanted to get their picture posted on The Batavian today, so we're accommodating their request.

They are Maggio Bucholz, Champ Buchholz, Sheldon Siverling, Domenic Viele, and Preston Viele.

Photo: Foxprowl 'pop up store' at Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

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Bill Hume popped up in Falleti Ice Arena today with a "pop up store" for Foxprowl.

It's the second time he's set up a retail location in Falleti and he said later this month he will do what he's calling a "flash store" inside Record Revival on East Main Street.

Earlier this year, Hume shut down his permanent retail store at Jackson and Main, Batavia, but sees the trend for "pop up stores," which are common in metropolitan areas, as something he would like to see catch on Batavia.

Photos: GSO to perform holiday concert Sunday

By Howard B. Owens

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The Genesee Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Christmas concert tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Batavia.

The program includes "Dance of the Tumblers" from Snow Maiden by Rimsky-Korsakov, Canadian Brass Christmas, "The Snowman," by Howard Blake and narrated by Laurence Tallman,  (top photo), Holiday Favorites with a special guest vocalist: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "(There’s no place like) Home for the Holidays," "White Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Sleigh Ride," and "Christmas Festival."

Tickets will be available at the door.

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Photos: Shop with a Cop at Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

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Fifty children from Genesee County got a chance to buy presents for other family members today during "Shop with a Cop" at Walmart in Batavia.

Officers from Batavia PD, the Sheriff's Office, and State Police participated.

A grant from Walmart paid for $100 gift cards for 30 children and donations from the City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, City of Batavia CSEA members, the City’s “Jeans for Friday” program, Department of Public Works (AFSCME) Union, and H.E. Turner & Co. Inc. Funeral Home of Batavia & Bergen raised additional funds so another 20 children could participate. 

Once children completed their shopping, members of Batavia PD's Explorer program wrapped presents and the children got a chance to visit with Santa.

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Possible fire at new construction site on Veterans Memorial Drive

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reports seeing flames at the construction site at 4187 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: First responder: "Confirmed. Looks like a small fire."

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Fire must be out. Town assignment back in service.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Another fire reported at the same location.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Town of Batavia assignment back in service.

Accident reported on West Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

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A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be with injuries, is reported on West Main Street Road, in front of Taco Bell.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: Police believe the Nissan, which was eastbound, started a left-hand turn into the Tops parking lot and then the driver changed his or her mind but failed to negotiate fully back into its own lane of traffic. The Nissan struck a car, front left fender to front left fender, that was stopped to make a left-hand turn into the shopping center on the south side of West Main. The Nissan then careened into a third vehicle. Two people were transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Renowned soprano Emily Hellenbrook to perform tomorrow at First Presbyterian Church in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Renowned soprano Emily Hellenbrook, who is a native of Alexander, will be the featured soloist at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia this Sunday, Dec. 10.

The service begins at 10:45 a.m. and will also feature the Women's Choir, congregational singing, and a message by Rev. Dr. Roula Alkhouri.

Join us at this special time of the year as we celebrate the advent of Christ's earthly ministry. We are located at 300 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

BHS Z-Club is collecting unwrapped toys and cash donations for Toy Drive

By Billie Owens
Press release:
​​
​​This is the fourth year the Batavia High School Z-Club will be doing a Toy Drive for the YWCA.
 
BHS students will be collecting unwrapped toys for area children through Thursday, Dec. 14th.
 
As students and parents arrive at BHS in the morning between 7:30-8 a.m., Z-Club members will be in the traffic circle collecting toys and financial contributions to help purchase toys.
 
Your donations will help to make this season a little brighter for some little girls and boys!
 
The Z-Club is affiliated with Zonta International, a service organization for young women and men that provides service for international, national, local and school initiatives. 

Grand Jury: Man accused of making a terrorist threat against law enforcement at Rez Smoke Shop

By Billie Owens

Isaac D. Abrams is indicted for the crime of making a terrorist threat, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 30 in the Town of Alabama that he acted with "intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination, kidnapping, threatened to commit or caused to be committed specified offenses": assault on a police officer, assault in the first degree, and/or murder in the second degree, and thereby caused a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of such offenses. Abrams allegedly threatened several NYS troopers and Genesee County Sheriff's deputies with deadly violence by means of a firearm. In count two, the defendant is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor. In count three, Abrams is accused of trespass, a violation, for entering or remaining unlawfully in The Rez Smoke Shop and Gas Mart on Bloomingdale Road.

Tony R. Graber is indicted on four counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, each a Class E felony. It is alleged that Graber, with intent to defraud, made or caused false entries in the business records of an enterprise in the Town of Batavia -- Pawn King -- regarding the ownership of items on four different dates in 2016: on March 23, a Husky Wrench Set; on March 25, a Husky Model 20-piece Combination Wrench Set; on March 29, Milwaukee Drill Bits/Blades; and on April 2, a Craftsman Tap and Die Set. In addition, Graber is indicted on four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, Class A misdemeanors. On the misdemeanors, Graber is said to have allegedly knowlingly possessed stolen property (the items cited previously) with intent to benefit himself or a person other than the owner or to impede recovery of the items by the owner.

Destin D. Rouse is indicted for the crime of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 10 in the Town of Batavia that Rouse stole property having a value in excess of $3,000. He is accused of stealing $4,209.76 worth of merchandise from Walmart.

Timothy M. Weinstein is indicted for the crime of aggravated family offense, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 7 in the City of Batavia that the defendant commited or attempted to commit second-degree criminal contempt against a person of the same family or household as the defendant: By being in the presence of the victim in violation of an order of protection. In counts two and three, he is accused of the same crime twice on April 29. In counts four and five, Weinstein is accused of the same crime on May 1 and May 2, respectively. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Weinstein is accused of having been convicted of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, on March 23 and this was against a member of the same family or household as the defendant and this was within five years previous to the crimes alleged in the indictment.

Suspect took person's cell phone, search underway near Burger King

By Howard B. Owens

A larceny has been reported in the area of Burger King in Batavia.

The suspect took the caller's phone and ran.

Last seen at 23 Oak St., Batavia.

Maybe running toward Burger King.

The suspect is a black male wearing a black hoodie and sweatpants.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: A police officer is following possible tracks on Holland Avenue.

Photos: Remembrance service at Grace Baptist Church

By Howard B. Owens

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H.E. Turner Funeral Homes hosted its annual service of remembrance for local residents who lost a loved one during the past year last night at Grace Baptist Church in Batavia.

Rev. Bill Hockey, above, delivered the message for the service, and Pastor Jeffrey Bartz, below, read Bible passages of the Christmas Story.

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Dec. 12-16 get $5 off haircut at Clean Cut Barbershop on Ellicott Street with donation of new, unwrapped toy or gift

By Billie Owens

Clean Cut Barbershop in the City of Batavia is offering $5 off a haircut from Dec. 12-16 IF you donate a new, unwrapped toy or gift suitable for a child age 6 months to 16 years old.

The donations received will benefit the nonprofit Hillside Children's Center in Batavia (located at 50 City Centre).

Bring your donation to the city's newest barbershop at 466 Ellicott St.

Co-owner Joey Williams says the guys there are "always looking to spread love in the city and do positive things for kids."

The event that starts next Tuesday will add to their list of good deeds, which also includes giving away back-to-school supplies, breast cancer awareness month events, customer appreciation days and more.

"We want to make this event as big and impactful as possible," Williams says.

Photos: St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar at the Manor House

By Howard B. Owens

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Braelynn Cook, 4, received a free scarf from Leanne Mullen, owner of Tahoe Pines Custom Sewing and Design, yesterday during the St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar at the Manor House.

This was the first year the Manor House hosted the bazaar and Braelynn was there with her mother, another vendor, and Mullen thought she deserved a scarf​ for being a good girl during the event.

The bazaar was open to the community as well as Manor House residents to help with Christmas shopping.

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