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Teens suffers back injury in dirt-bike accident

By Billie Owens

A 17-year-old male lost consciousness and reportedly suffered a back injury following a dirt-bike accident at Area 51. He is now alert. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The motocross track is located at 3323 Harloff Road in the Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: Medics on scene have requested Mercy Flight. Dispatch says Mercy Flight is checking the weather, supposedly there are storms approaching, to determine if a helicopter can fly in. The patient will be transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is going to launch. Indications are there may be weather issues flying to Buffalo. That's still being determined, but "they can fly the other way if necessary." East Pembroke is to establish at landing zone at Area 51.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 has landed.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne. The destination is still not certain, but the plan is to go to ECMC.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight has the green light to go to ECMC in Buffalo.

GoArt! members and non-members display artwork -- some for sale

By Daniel Crofts

GoArt! hosted its first GoArt! Members Exhibition on Friday, along with its first Digital Art Exhibit. Both are intended to become annual events.

The above ink-on-canvas painting is called "Fiscal Policy" and was painted by Kevin Hammon, who lives just north of Le Roy. It was on sale for $350.

Here is Hammon with another of his canvas works, "Moon Light Drive-In" ($125).

Below are some of the other paintings on display at Seymour Place.

Oil painting: "Wolf Creek at Letchworth" by Rick Ellingham ($275).

Oil painting: "Route 5" by Joseph Deni ($400).

Kevin Feary, of Batavia, stands beside his oil-on-muslin painting, "Short Order Cook" ($580).

Artist (and City Councilwoman) Rose Mary Christian stands next to her untitled acrylic (not for sale) with Linda Sforno (left) and Roelene Christian.

"Country Cottage Needlepoint" by Joan E. Rotondo ($238).

Watercolor: "Sinking Ponds" by Rita M. Hammond ($50).



Pencil: "Silent Communication" by Judy Wenrich ($175).

Glass art: "Dragonfly Wide Bowl" by Heather Whitney ($100).

Glass art: "Peacock Bowl" by Heather Whitney ($120).

Acrylic and paper: "Night Out" by Kimberly A. Argenta ($100).

Acrylic: "National Geographic: Stampede" by Carole LaValley ($225).

Oil on muslin: "Upton Monument" by Kevin Feary ($580).

Oil: "Rusted & Weathered" by Rick Ellingham ($200).

Connie Mosher, of Albion, stands next to her Arizona-inspired oil painting, "Rugs on a Railing Near Sedona, AZ" ($500).

Pastel: "Alzheimer's--the Ultimate Identity Theft," by Sharon Jahnke Long (not for sale).

Earthenware, slips, glaze: "Cityscape II" by Moi Dugan ($425).

Pastel: "Twoo Wuv" by Sharon Jahnke Long (not for sale).

Woodcut: "Angus" by Rita Hammond ($50).

Clay: "Covered Jar with Wheat" by Jean Grinnell (SOLD).

Long Stitch: "Tiger Walk" by Joan E. Rotondo ($238).

To find out which of these--and other--photos are still for sale, contact Robin Upson, administrative assistant at GoArt!, at 343-9313, or email info@goart.org.

As this was going on, a reception for non-members' digital art was held next door at GoArt!'s satellite gallery in the Batavia Senior Center.

"Study in Perspective" by Natalie Buczek ($10).

"Katie" by Byron-Bergen ninth-grader Katelyn Simmons (not for sale).

"Guitar Rock" by Susan Meier ($45).

"Let It Be" by Daniel Cherry ($40).

Cherry displays his work, "Broken Treaties," with his sons, Jimmy and Daniel.

The digital artwork will be on display until April 27 at the senior center, at 2 Bank St. in Batavia. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For information, contact Joe Langen at jlangen@goart.org.

Photos: Batavians get their Irish on

By Howard B. Owens

Downtown Batavia was hoppin' on Saturday night with hundreds of local residents out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We stopped by Delavan's, T.F. Brown's, Bourbon & Burger, Center Street Smoke House and, of course, O'Lacy's.

If you can't view the slide show below, cick here. To purchase prints of any of these photos, click here.

Live music on St. Patrick's Day (3/17) at the Log Cabin with Brent Persia

By Brent Persia

Traditional Irish Folk songs and other popular acoustic covers from 6pm till midnight. The Log Cabin will have corned beef and cabbage on the menu too!

Log Cabin is located off of Route 77 at

1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu, NY 14036

For more info:

www.brentpersia.com

Event Date and Time
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Batavia man accused of getting food stamps while earning money selling scrap metal

By Howard B. Owens

A 35-year-old Batavia resident has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly making false claims with the Department of Social Services.

Lee Heckman, of 5 Fairmont Ave., is accused of submitting various forms with DSS that concealed income from a scrap recycling business.

Heckman allegedly received food stamp benefits totaling $600 from March 2011 through July 201, as well as temporary assistance totaling $1,576.13.

Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, Heckman was jailed without bail.

Besides the grand larceny, 4th, charge, Heckman is also charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing.

Cases of suspected welfare fraud can be reported by calling 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.

Dr. Syed Shah joins UMMC Cardiology and Internal Medicine Practice

By Howard B. Owens

Syed A, Shah MD has joined the United Memorial Cardiology and Internal Medicine Practice at 229 Summit Street, Batavia. Dr. Shah is a Board Certified non-invasive Cardiologist with extensive experience in developing outreach practices. He is a graduate of Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan; completed a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Dundee, Scotland; received an MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester and has an MD from the State University of New York.

Dr. Shah is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He is certified as a Physician Executive by the Certification Commission in Medical Management. Dr. Shah is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Diplomate of the American College of Physician Executives. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry. He practices in Batavia, Albion, Brockport and Olean. Dr. Shah resides in Penfield with his family.

Genesee Cardiology and Internal Medicine merged with United Memorial in December 2011 to create United Memorial Cardiology and Internal Medicine following the retirement of Dr. Keun Oh. The practice is accepting new patients.To make an appointment with Dr. Shah, Dr. Rathor or Susan Riner, NP telephone (585)344-4440. Most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.

Law and Order: ATV riders accused of trespass

By Howard B. Owens

Joseph A. Monkelbaan, 40, of Tesnow Road, Akron, and David J. Albright, 51, of Meadville Road, Basom, are charged with trespass. Monkelbaan and Albright are accused of trespassing on property on Wright Road, Alabama, while riding ATVs.

Gregory Angel DeJesus, 21, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with disorderly conduct. DeJesus was arrested following an argument with a family member at 12:25 a.m., Wednesday, and jailed on $250 bail.

Mickey Harlen DeJesus, 23, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with disorderly conduct. DeJesus was arrested following an argument with a family member at 12:50 a.m., Wednesday, and jailed on $250 bail.

Darik R. M. Orbaker, 19, of 12 Elm St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker was allegedly observed with a person protected by a "stay away" order.

Five Genesee County hockey players picked to play in Bowman Cup games

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County will be well represented in the 8th Annual Scotty Bowman Showcase, a hockey tournament sponsored by the Buffalo Sabres, with five local players making the junior and senior squads.

Named to the teams are three players from Notre Dame High School-- Zach Blew, Tyler Kessler and Brett Perfitt -- and two from Batavia HS -- Tom Grammatico and Josh Marr.

The games will be played March 20 at First Niagara Center. Tickets for the event are $5.

The first game begins at 6 p.m. and pits all-star squads from Buffalo and Rochester made up of players in their junior year of high school.

The senior game is at 7:30 p.m. and the winner of that match will be awarded the Bowman Cup. Buffalo has a 6-1 advantage in the tournament.

All five Batavia-area players will be on the Rochester teams.

Scotty Bowman, a former head coach, notched more NHL wins than any coach in history. The coach will be on hand to present the Bowman Cup to the winning team.

Notre Dame Head Coach was also named a Bowman team coach.

Burglar faces up to 10 years in prison after guilty plea

By Howard B. Owens

One of the two men charged in a pair of burglaries in September entered a guilty plea in Genesee County Court today and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Michael J. Hilton, 20, a former Le Roy resident, entered a guilty plea to burglary, 2nd. He had also been charged with grand larceny, 4th.

According to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Hilton faced two additional burglary charges -- a break-in at 39 Trumbull Parkway and one at 36 Williams St. -- but his office won't file those charges as part of the plea agreement.

Under the plea agreement, Hilton waived his right to appeal and agreed to pay an unspecified amount of restitution to his victims.

However, in order for the two uncharged burglaries to be included in any restitution total, the DA's office would need to file charges in those cases. Friedman told Judge Robert C. Noonan that is possible, though the charges would not figure into Hilton's sentencing.

Hilton can't receive more than 10 years in prison, under the terms of the agreement. Sentencing is set for May 9.

Hilton was arrested with Kurt Hawkins following a pair of break-ins on Williams and Swan streets, Batavia, in late September.

Hilton and Hawkins reportedly entered an occupied residence on Swan Street.

Hawkins was sentenced Monday on burglary and assault convictions to nine years in prison.

Warrent issued for woman hospitalized following March 8 accident in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

A warrant was issued in Genesee County Court today for a woman involved in a one-car rollover accident March 8 and expected to be released from Strong Memorial Hospital today.

Michelle Crawford, who in 2009 was the first person in Western New York charged with felony DWI under "Leandra's Law," was placed on the court docket for an alleged violation of probation.

"I would request a warrant," said Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl, "especially considering the circumstances that required her appearance, which included drinking and driving and getting into a serious motor-vehicle accident."

No charges have been filed related to the March 8 accident. The Sheriff's Office is awaiting results of blood tests before determining what, if any, charges are filed.

According to attorney William Harper, of the Public Defender's Office, Crawford was taken out of the intensive care unit yesterday.

Crawford will require ongoing medical care upon her release from the hospital, but Zickl said outside of court that if she is arrested and jailed, the jail can provide for her care.

Reportedly, Crawford's jaw has been wired shut.

The 26-year-old Batavia resident has three children and was arrested for alleged DWI in November 2009. Her children were reportedly in her car at the time of her arrest, making it a felony DWI under a fairly new law that made driving while drunk with children in the car a more serious crime.

However, in a bench trial in Erie County, Crawford was acquitted of the felony charge and convicted of driving while ability impaired and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Firms will get more than $11 million in tax relief to build giant yogurt factory in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

PepsiCo and the Theo Muller Group -- partnering on Project Wave in Batavia -- will receive more than $11 million in tax relief for the planned yogurt plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

The incentive package was approved by the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board on Monday.

The PILOT on the project -- relief from taxes on the increased value of the assessment -- is 100 percent for the first six years and 50 percent in years seven through 10.

The total PILOT abatement is estimated at $5.6 million over 10 years.

The companies will also receive $5.4 million in sales tax abatement on materials and supplies for construction of the facility.

The project will add 186 new jobs to the local economy, and early planning for the plant projected as many as 600 jobs by 2033.

Wave Holding, LLC (the company formed by Pepsi and Muller for the project) will spend $206 million on construction of a 363,000-square-foot facility.

Construction on the project began in November.

The agreement calls for the first 186 jobs to be filled within three years of Wave Holding receiving a certificate of occupancy.

GCEDC competed with shovel-ready sites in Avon and Pennsylvania.

According to a GCEDC press release, for every $1 invested by Waving Holding the local economy will benefit by $14.47.

Consolidation top of discussion at school board meeting

By Howard B. Owens

Summary of the school board meeting provided by Batavia City School District:

Highlights from the BCSD Board of Education meeting on March 12, 2012:

Parent Shares Concern Regarding Consolidation
A parent addressed the Board of Education, voicing concerns regarding the proposals for consolidation and cutting programs. In regard to consolidation, her concerns were about people losing their jobs and about test scores decreasing as class sizes increased. In addition, claiming that Batavia is growing, she felt the District will need to reverse the decision soon in order to accommodate an increase in students. In regard to cutting programs, she also cited concern for people losing jobs, keeping students involved in productive activities, and providing students withoutlets for accomplishments that enhance their college applications. Her recommendation was to avoid consolidation and cuts to programs, move administration functions to the Middle School (rather than fifth graders), have a voluntary pay freeze, and have staff increase their portion of paying for benefits to 20%.

Students Voice Support for Music Department
Five students addressed the Board to show support for the Music Department. In addition to mentioning the fun and enrichment of participating in musical productions and performances, several emphasized that the District’s music program had helped them identify what they wanted to pursue as a career and had offered opportunities for achievements and recognition that helped them stand out on college applications. Two are pursuing careers in music, with one majoring in Music Education and Performance at Ithaca College, and the other majoring in Fine and Performing Arts at Genesee Community College. Noting that cuts were made to the music department during the past two years, several mentioned that, although they were graduating, they would like underclassmen to have the same opportunities to grow in skill and confidence that they were given. All were particularly grateful and complimentary to music teacher Daniel Grillo, who they said has been an inspiration and mentor as well as a skillful teacher of music.

Update on 2012-2013 Budget Preparation
Business Administrator Scott Rozanski provided an update on the District's preliminary spending plan for the 2012-2013 school year, presenting a “roll-over” budget, or one in which minimal adjustments to the services provided in 2011-2012 (current)school year were made. This roll-over budget amounts to $40,622,313.

As noted previously, one significant change in expenses is an accounting change which affects the budget total but not the tax levy: in the past, instead of budgeting for such expenses as post-retirement and unemployment, those items were charged directly to the reserve funds - regarded somewhat as a sidebar to the budget. Now both are added into the budget figures as both an expense and a revenue, creating a larger number in both columns but no impact on the tax levy. Partly as a result of the accounting change, the budget shows an increase in expenses of $1.256 million or 3.19% over the current 2011-2012 school year. When the accounting change (which represented about two-thirds or $850,000 of the increase), is factored in, the real increase is about $403,000 or 1%.

The consequent tax levy needed to close the gap between roll-over expenditures and lessening revenue from such sources as State Aid, shows an increase of$980,957, or 5.515%. This amount is well over the District’s tax cap limit or threshold of 2.59%.

As mentioned in previous reports and news articles, the Tax Cap legislation is referred to as a 2% Tax Cap, when in reality, the “2%” figure is only one of the factors used in an eig determine each school district's and municipality's allowable tax levy increase that requires simple majority approval. Anything over that allowable limit or threshold requires a supermajority (60%) voter approval to pass. The School District’s Tax Cap Threshold is 2.59%; any higher increase requires a super majority of voter approval.

In order to bring the budget down to within range of a 2% to 2.59% tax levy increase, between $520,074 (for the 2.59% threshold) and $625,241 (for a 2% limit) would need to be cut from expenditures.

In providing direction to Mr. Rozanski on how to proceed with the budget, Board members agreed that preserving programs to whatever extent possible was a high priority. With that in mind, they opted to support a budget that does not exceed the allowable threshold increase of approximately 2.59%. This, they noted, will still require cuts totaling slightly more than a half-million dollars.

Board of Education Legislative Committee Chairperson Patrick Burk indicated that members of the NYS Assembly are working to restore approximately $178 million in aid through a more equitable basic Foundation Aid formula, while members ofthe NYS Senate or working to earmark $200 million in Gap Elimination Adjustment aid. Whether either of those efforts will succeed is unknown, and our budget preparation uses the projected figures released by the governor’s office.

School Consolidation Update
Superintendent of Schools Margaret Puzio requested that the Board provide direction on the much-discussed consolidation of schools. Weighing the difficulties and reluctance expressed by some families affected by the change against the educational efficiency and benefits of having grade levels in the same building and the financial benefits of being able to preserve more programs for students, the Board adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Batavia City School District has invested heavily in its facilities as an important vehicle through which it delivers its quality educational program; and
WHEREAS, Board of Education is charged with ensuring that District buildings are being deployed in the most efficient manner in order to provide the best possible educational opportunities for students at the lowest possible cost; and
WHEREAS, the Batavia City School District Board of Education has officially established the Buildings and Grounds Committee as a sub-committee of the Board to make recommendations regarding the condition and use of District facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Buildings and Grounds Committee is composed of a number of individuals including Board of Education members, District administrators, and a certified architect; and
WHEREAS the Batavia City School District Board of Education referred to the Buildings and Grounds Committee (June 7, 2011) the review of a possible building consolidation process that included the possible closing and reorganization of specific buildings for the purpose of increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs; and
WHEREAS, at various times public forums were held to obtain community input related to multiple options for building consolidation; and
WHEREAS, a final report was presented by the Buildings and Grounds Committee to the Board at the February 6, 2012 meeting, recommending the clustering of elementary grades Pre-K through 4 in two elementary buildings and 5th grade at the Batavia Middle School; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education has determined that it is in the best interest of the community to adopt the recommendations contained in the Batavia City School District Consolidation Feasibility Study.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS - the Robert Morris Elementary School shall close effective June 30, 2012, and Jackson Elementary will be converted to a facility housing primary students in grades Pre-K through 1, and John Kennedy Elementary will be converted to an elementary facility housing students in grades 2through 4, and 5th grade students will be educated at the Batavia Middle School. District administrators and necessary to effectuate the assignment of affected students who previously attended each school to another school building. While details of the plan have yet to be worked out, parents who are registering their child(ren) for kindergarten are still asked to so at their neighborhood elementary school.

Superintendent’s Report Superintendent of Schools Margaret Puzio reported briefly on several other items:

* Petitions     for election to one of the seats on the Board of Education are now     available and can be picked up in the Administration Building’s Business     Office. * Student     Artwork is on display in Richmond Library, with a celebration of the     artists scheduled for this Friday at 6:50 p.m. * The     Administration Building, currently up for sale, has had many showings,     much interest, but no offers to date. * There     have been inquiries about utilizing one of our school buildings if     consolidation was to take place; now those inquiries can be pursued. * Friday,     March 16, will be a full day of staff development, with the focus being on     implementing the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) adopted by NYS.     The Staff Development focus will be on Common Core Literacy, with specific     attention on “Deconstruction of Common Core Standard” for identifying     learning targets, cognitive load, learning progression, and daily objectives;     “Close Reading” for making sense of complex text; “Building Academic     Vocabulary” for acquiring and comprehending more sophisticated vocabulary;     and “Writing to Respond to a Text-Dependent Prompt” for attending to persuasive and explanatory writing that utilize reasoning and evidence,   organized in logical ways. (The Common Core State Standards Initiative     is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association     Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The     standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school     administrators, and other experts, to provide a common understanding of     what students are expected to learn, and a clear and consistent framework     to help all children become well-prepared for college and the workforce     through rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills.)

Post-Graduation Report
Administrator of Student Assessment/Data Analysis Pam Buresch presented a summary of the District’s Post-graduation Report, obtained through working with the National Students Clearinghouse (NSC), a not-for-profit organization that tracks student enrollment in colleges. Ms. Buresch noted that tracking this information helps the District evaluate our academic programs and curriculum to assess their value in helping District students to be college andcareer ready, to align coursework with college and work expectations, and toensure a rigorous curriculum where students are prepared to succeed in a global economy and society. NSC tracks such things as the percentages of college enrollment; the timetable for enrollment (immediately after graduation orlater); the types of institutions attended - public or private, two-year or four-year; whether the institutions are in-state or out-of-state; the rate of freshman to sophomore year “persistence” (whether students return after freshman year); degree completion rates and timetables; and the most common institutions for enrollment.

Some ofthe findings indicate that college enrollment is typically in the mid-70% range, that our students are more likely to enroll in public institutions, aremore likely to enroll in-state, that enrollment has been higher for four-year institutions than two-year, and overall persistence rate is about 85%.

For more details, the full National Student Clearinghouse report is available on theBatavia City School District web page: http://www.bataviacsd.org/documents.cfmby clicking on the file folder labeled “District Forms and Publications,” then on the file folder labeled “District Information,” then on the document labeled “National Student Clearinghouse Graduation Report.”

District Calendar for 2012-2013
Deputy Superintendent Christopher Dailey announced that the calendar committee finalized the District Calendar for 2012-2013. It is available on the District’s website.

News from Batavia High
Student Ex-Officio Board Member Taylor Harkness reported to the Board that auditions for the High School play are scheduled, and that spring sports are starting. She also passed on a request that the Board look into inequity of improvements that have been made to the VanDetta Stadium site, noting that the boys’ locker room has received some updates and cosmetic improvements while the girls ’locker room has not, and still has, for example, only one bathroom stall. The matter was referred to the Buildings and Grounds Committee which will meet next week.

Grass fire blowing across Ellicott Street Road

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reported just south of 4826 Ellicott St. Road. It is blowing across the roadway. Town of Batavia Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: Nothing was found. One engine is continuing to check the area. The other responding unit is returning to quarters.

UPDATE 3:47 p.m.: This may have been a lot of dust blowing around, which can give the appearance of smoke, according to a firefighter. They checked the area from the viaducts all the way to Batavia Town Line and Bethany Center roads and found no indications of fire. Town of Batavia is back in service.

College hosts fifth annual Tech Wars competition for sixth- through 12th-graders

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to once again offer an exciting hands-on opportunity for area middle- and high-school students to apply what they know about technology and learn even more. The fifth annual Tech Wars competition will take place this Thursday, March 15 at the Batavia campus.

The competition is open to middle- and high-school students, who will participate in multiple project-based events of skill, chance and ability. Events will include CO2 dragster design; AutoCAD technical drawing and architectural design; logo design; manual drafting; sculpture; web page design; bridge design; catapult; mousetrap cars; robot tractor pull; Rube Goldberg demonstration; king of the hill and the ever-popular sumo robots.

Teams of students aged 9 through 14 will also compete in the NXT/RCX robotic marshmallow catapult launch to try to propel their marshmallows the farthest from various points.

"The interest in this competition continues to grow each year because it's fun, but it also illustrates the how the broad range of careers in technology young people can explore," said Debbie Dunlevy, GCC tech prep program director and co-chair of the Tech Wars competition. "The Tech Wars encourage kids to think beyond the classroom, engage their creativity and strengthen their team-building and problem-solving skills to embrace technology as a fun, yet rewarding, way to make a living."

College Tech Prep helps students explore various career options and make a smooth transition from high school to college and ultimately to professional careers. The Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals.

For more information, please contact Debbie Dunlevy, Genesee Community College tech prep program director at 343-0055, ext. 6316, or dkdunlevy@genesee.edu or visit the Tech Wars website at http://www.techwarsgcc.org.

Mystery Readers discuss 'A Share in Death' at Richmond library

By Billie Owens

The Mystery Readers’ Mondays Book Discussion will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 23 at Richmond Memorial Library to discuss “A Share in Death” by Deborah Crombie.

Copies of the book are available at the library’s front desk. For more information, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 8, or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.

The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

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Opening reception for artists in GO ARTS! debut 'Members Exhibition'

By Billie Owens

The premier GO ART! Members Exhibition featuring more than 60 works by 22 artists is now on display at the GO ART! Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

A free Meet-the-Artist Opening Reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at the Bank of Castile Main Gallery.

The exhibit can be seen weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, April 27.

Event Date and Time
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Car injures pedestrian in Tops Market parking lot in Bavatia

By Billie Owens

A car has reportedly struck a pedestrian in the parking lot of Tops Market, located at 390 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. There are injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: A responder on scene reports there is no damage to the vehicle and the pedestrian is being treated at the scene by Mercy medics.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: City fire is clearing the scene. The patient is being taken to UMMC.

Batavia woman injured in accident avoided 'Leandra's Law' conviction after 2009 arrest

By Howard B. Owens

A 26-year-old Batavia mother of three young children who was among the first people in the state arrested in 2009 under "Leandra's Law" avoided a felony conviction in that case, reports WHAM 13's Sean Carroll.

Following her conviction on a single count of driving while ability impaired, Michelle Crawford also wasn't required to drive a car with an interlock ignition device.

Crawford was seriously injured in a single-car rollover accident in Byron last week and investigators say charges are pending in that case.

Erie County Judge William Boller who convicted Crawford of DWAI and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, berated Crawford for putting her children in harm's way and then sentenced her to 60 days in jail and probation, according to video in Carroll's report.

At the time of the December 2009 arrest, Crawford's three children were 4, 3 and 17 months old.

"Leandra's Law," named after a little girl killed in a car crash involving an allegedly drunken driver, makes it a felony to drive drunk with children 15 years old or younger in the car.

The law also required anybody convicted of drunken driving to have an interlock ignition -- designed to keep a person who has alcohol on his breath from starting a car -- on any car the person might drive.

Carroll reports that Crawford was convicted of DWI in 2007 and that her license was revoked in 2009.

The car she reportedly drove March 8 was registered to a Batavia man whom Carroll reports Crawford was living with. Carroll said the car's owner was sleeping when Crawford allegedly took the car and he didn't know about the accident until seeing news reports the following morning.

Crawford's children are reportedly living with relatives in Erie County.

Law and Order: Pavilion resident charged with DWI following rollover accident in Perry

By Howard B. Owens

Mason Dumbleton, 20, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe speed, unsafe lane change and unlawful possession of marijuana. Dumbleton was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Route 20A in the Town of Perry at 10:30 p.m., Saturday. Dumbleton's vehicle reportedly left the south side of the road, struck a driveway culvert and a utility pole causing it to go airborne. The car landed on its roof. Dumbleton reportedly suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Daniel Norman Brown, 39, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Brown is accused of placing a phone call to a person he is barred from contacting. Brown was also arrested the day before, on Sunday, and charged with harassment, 2nd. Brown was accused of grabbing a woman and pushing her down.

Enoch Ronald Cole, 61, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cole allegedly punched another person in the back.

Kevin James Hodge, 28, of Valley View Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hodge is accused of stealing $66.21 in merchandise from Kmart.

Kathryn Ann Tordy, 45, of Sheriden Drive, Williamsville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper left turn and failure to keep right. Tordy was stopped at 12:34 a.m. Saturday on Remsen Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Daniel Jay Balduf, 20, of Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient tail lamps. Balduf was stopped at 3:35 a.m. Saturday on Angling Road by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Danielle Marie Stevens, 35, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Stevens allegedly entered and remained unlawfully in a hotel room.

Jill Ann Fulater, 59, of Shepard Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings and improper right turn. Fulater as stopped by Deputy Kevin McCarthy at 4:20 a.m. Sunday on Route 63, Batavia, following a complaint of an erratic driver.

Timothy Ryan McJury, 24, of Madison Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for petit larceny. McJury was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. McJury was arrested on a city court warrant for parking violations. McJury was jailed on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding (75 mph in a 55 mph zone) and driving on a junior license (state Class DJ) after 9 p.m. and driving on a DJ license with two or more passengers under age 21. The youth was stopped at 1:13 a.m. Sunday on Buffalo Road, Bergen, by Deputy Timothy Weis.

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