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GCC's 40th annual Fashion Show is free, view 'Novaturient' online

By Billie Owens

The Fashion Program students at Genesee Community College announced the 40th Annual Fashion Show will go live, ONLINE, for FREE on Saturday, May 1 at 6 p.m. and this year's show is just in time for the "Novaturient" desires stirring in us all!

The term novaturient describes a desire for change that leads one to travel -- to seek a change in environment.

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Law and Order: Alabama woman accused of stealing $9.5K in goods from smoke shop

By Billie Owens

Nia Hanevin Spring, of Meadville Road, Alabama, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. At 7 p.m. on March 23, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to 986 Bloomingdale Road in the Town of Alabama for complaints of trespassing and larceny at the Rez Smoke Shop and Gas Station. Spring allegedly stole $9,501 in merchandise from the business. She was arraigned in Alabama Town Court and released on her own recognizance. She is due in Genesee County Court on May 18. The case was handled by Deputy Zachary Hoy, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Emery Green, 32, no address or place of residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, 4th, a Class A misdemeanor. He was arrested and processed at Batavia Police Headquarters after an investigation into an allegation that he possessed a firearm on Batavia City School District property. He was arraigned virtually in Batavia City Court and is due to return there on April 13.

Joshua Williams Sr., 29, no address or place of residence provided, is charged with: criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; second-degree menacing; endangering the welfare of a child; and second-degree harassment. He was arrested at 4:26 p.m. March 17 after a domestic incident in which he allegedly attempted to hit a person with a brick. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in jail on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, or $15,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in city court on April 22.

Clarence Wesley Odell, 52, of Corfu (no address provided) is charged with: felony driving while impaired by drugs with a previous conviction within 10 years; felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree; refusal to take a breath test; operating an unregistered ATV; and unlawful operation of an ATV on a public highway. At 11;38 p.m. on July 30, Odell was arrested after a traffic stop on South Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield. He was arraigned on March 5 in Oakfield Town Court and is due back there on April 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Heberlein, assisted by Jacob Gauthier.

James F. Perry, 36, (no address provided), was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal contempt after a disturbance at 1:30 p.m. March 16 on State Street in Batavia. He was allegedly observed in the presence of a person with an order of protection from him. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in jail in lieu of bail (unspecified). He is due back in court April 15.

Peter Joseph Mancuso, 32, of Northwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal contempt. On March 26 Mancuso was arrested for allegedly causing damage to a door and doorknob at a residence on Roberts Road in Alabama at 11 a.m. March 10 in violation of an active order of protection. He was arraigned in Alabama Town Court and released on his own recognizance. Judge Charles Zambito issued a full stay away order of protection to the Roberts Road resident. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Cynthia McKnight, 22, of Avenue D, Rochester, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated per se -- with a BAC of .18 or more and no prior convictions; DWI -- first offense; and failure to stop at a stop sign. On March 27 at 6:41 p.m., Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to Route 33 in the Town of Bergen for a single-vehicle accident. After an investigation, McKnight was arrested on the charges. It is alleged she was driving while intoxicated and failed to stop at a stop sign, causing her vehicle to go off the roadway and into a field. She was released with appearance tickets and is due in Town of Bergen Court on April 7. The case was handled by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Kyle Tower.

City opens Law Street Yard Waste Station for the season

By Billie Owens

The Law Street Yard Waste Station will open for the season on Monday, April 5th for City of Batavia residents.

The station will be open from 12 to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until November, when time changes to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The station will also be closed on May 31st for Memorial Day, July 5th for Independence Day, Sept. 6th for Labor Day, and Nov. 25th for Thanksgiving. The station will close for the season in early December.

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Batavia Society of Artists holds virtual hands-on art demo with local artist Karen Crittenden

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Society of Artists is having a Virtual Hands-on Art Demonstration by artist Karen Crittenden at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th.

It is open to nonmembers for a $5 fee, please go to the society's Facebook page to sign up. Members will receive an email with Zoom meeting info.

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Free Zoom webinar on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication

By Billie Owens

A webinar focusing on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication will be offered via Zoom videoconference from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.

It is sponsored by the Upstate New York Poison Center and is the third webinar in their Health Educator Series. Anyone interested in the topic is welcome to register for it.

Mary Beth Dreyer, MS, will conduct the webinar.

Participants will discover:

  • What meds teens are abusing;
  • How they are accessing medication;
  • What unusual behaviors to look for;
  • How to properly dispose of medication.

Free Zoom webinar on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication

By Billie Owens

A webinar focusing on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication will be offered via Zoom videoconference from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.

It is sponsored by the Upstate New York Poison Center and is the third webinar in their Health Educator Series. Anyone interested in the topic is welcome to register for it.

Mary Beth Dreyer, MS, will conduct the webinar.

Participants will discover:

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Law and Order: Pair of Batavia men arrested on felony drug charges

By Billie Owens

Anthony J. Welch aka "Science," 40, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, also a Class B felony. It is alleged that Welch sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force, comprised of officers from the GC Sheriff's Office and Batavia Police Department. Welch was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in the Town of Stafford (date and time not provided). He also had a bench warrant out of Genesee County Court for pending drug charges from last May. He was arraigned in county court, then released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The task force was assisted by uniformed deputies, a NYS officer from the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the DA's office.

Stephen Richard Hart, 34, of Cedar Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree -- with intent to sell; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree; speeding in excess of 55 mph. At 10:46 a.m. on March 21, Hart was arrested after a traffic stop on Route 33 in the Town of Bergen. It is alleged that he possessed one or more preparations of a narcotic drug with an aggregate weight of one-eighth ounce or more, with intent to sell it. He was arraigned in Bergen Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due in Genesee County Court on May 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Today only: 15 percent of online orders picked up from Applebee's will benefit local nonprofits

By Billie Owens

In order to earn funds for local nonprofits, St James Episcopal Church is hosting a Carryout for a Cause Fundraiser through their local Batavia Applebee’s. The event will run all day today -- Tuesday, March 23 (now until until close).

Supporters simply have to order To Go, online via applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app and use Promo Code “DOINGOOD” at checkout.

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LeRoyan Taylor Kirby graduates from Troy University

By Billie Owens
Taylor Kirby, of Le Roy, graduated from Troy University during Term 3 of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Kirby graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree while attending Troy Online.

Term 3 includes students at TROY's campuses in Dothan, Phenix City and Montgomery, Ala., along with teaching sites outside of Alabama and online.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala., campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

Head-on collision at Main and Bank in the city

By Billie Owens

A head-on collision between two vehicles is reported in Downtown Batavia at the intersection of Main and Banks streets. Unknown injuries. City fire and police are on scene.

UPDATE 2:27 a.m.: This was not a head-on collision; it was a T-bone. One vehicle struck the driver's side passenger door of another vehicle.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Engine #11 is back in service.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: No injuries. A white Ford Edge, which is a mid-size crossover SUV, was struck by a white four-door Subaru and the Subaru has heavy front-end damage.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: City police Sgt. Mitch Cowen said video of the collision captured by a camera the covers the intersection was provided to BPD by a citizen will be reviewed to determine what happened and whether any citations will be issued.

Caller reports dog locked in vehicle for a half hour outside of Target

By Billie Owens

A caller to dispatch says a dog has been locked inside a vehicle for a half hour outside the Target store in Batavia "near the hotel sign." An officer is responding.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: "Spoke to the owner of the dog; the dog is safe," the officer tells a dispatcher. "En route to the shelter."

Drive-thru chicken BBQ at American Legion in Attica next Saturday

By Billie Owens

There will be a drive-thru “take-out only” chicken BBQ at the American Legion, 83 Market St., Attica, on Saturday, March 27th, starting at 12 p.m. until sold out.

Dinner will include: half chicken, salt potatoes, macaroni salad and dinner roll w/butter.  

Dinners are $12 each and will benefit the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

To reserve your dinners, call Jeff at (585) 813-2743.

Free virtual Bob Knipe Memorial Concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will livestream a free memorial concert next Friday honoring the late musician and educator Bob Knipe, who played in the orchestra and served on the board for many years, among his other contributions.

The Robert Knipe Memorial Concert will be held virtually via the streaming service Vimeo beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 26.

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This afternoon: Old Hippies Home to Home Concert for the Common Good #53, with Vincent Pastore, fiddler from the North Country

By Billie Owens

Hippie-ki-yo-ki-yay! Spring is in the air and so are the Old Hippies -- 53 weeks in a row -- a year's+ worth of HOME TO HOME CONCERT SERIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD LIVESTREAMS.

It has been and hopefully will continue to be the huge success that it's been so far. As we try to make the best of it like everyone else galloping along the way enjoying the ride. We will open our windows and allow some fresh air in and our music out for everyone to enjoy today: Saturday afternoon March 20 at 5:30.

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Ellen Jakobine Brown Hall

By Billie Owens

Mrs. Ellen Jakobine Brown Hall, age 75, of Douglasville, Ga., passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021.

She was born January 18, 1946 in Batavia, NY, the daughter of the late Mr. Christian Jensen Brown and the late Mrs. Albertine Elizabeth Worden Brown. 

Mrs. Hall worked as a Registered Nurse at The VA Hospital for many years.

She loved to travel, gardening, boating, reading and all kinds of birds. She loved being outdoors!

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Eric Brown.

Mrs. Hall is survived by her husband of 54 years, Mr. Tommy Lee Hall of Douglasville, Ga.; sister, Catharine Graybeal, of Douglasville, Ga.; several nieces and nephews also survive.

According to Mrs. Hall’s wishes, she will be cremated. No services are scheduled at this time.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com.

Jones-Wynn Funeral Home of Douglasville is in charge of the arrangements, (770) 942-2311.

GSO to hold free virtual memorial concert next Friday to honor the late Bob Knipe

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will livestream a free memorial concert next Friday honoring the late musician and educator Bob Knipe, who played in the orchestra and served on the board for many years, among his other contributions.

Music Director and Conducter S. Shade Zajac, in a note to friends and supporters about the concert, says Bob was truly a "force for the arts," one who "worked tirelessly to make our GSO a vibrant part of our GLOW region."

The Robert Knipe Memorial Concert will be held virtually via the streaming service Vimeo beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 26.

A few days prior, a lnik will appear on the GSO website and its social media pages with a link that will allow you to access the concert. The link will go directly to the livestream, which will be activated at 7:20 p.m. March 26.

Here's the program for next Friday's concert:

  • Der Freischütz Overture -- Carl Maria von Weber
  • Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61 - Nocturne -- Felix Mendelssohn
  • Trois (3) Gymnopédies, Gymnopédie No. 1 -- Erik Satie, orchestrated by Claude Debussy
  • English Folk Song Suite, March -- Ralph Vaughan Williams
  • String Quarter No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135, III. Lento assai, cantate e tranquillo -- Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68, Finale -- Johannes Brahms
  • "Nimrod" from Enigma Variations, Op. 36 -- Edward Elgar

Also be aware that GSO's board and the Knipe family have decided to create a scholarship in Bob's name.

About the Robert Knipe Memorial Fund

It will be used to expand opportunities for elementary, middle school, high school and college-bound students to further advance their music education. The funds will promote their musical growth through attending music camps, festivals, Area All State and All State festivals -- empowering them to enter music and stay involved in their musical growth. It is hoped young musicians who are beneficiaries will be influenced to continue in their musical career. 

GSO hopes to raise donations from the memorial concert to support this new project and you can donate on the GSO website.

"Bob was passionate about many things ... One of his many passions was creating opportunities for young musicians to further their growth and love of the art," says Zajac.

Previously: Arts and civic leader and tireless volunteer Bob Knipe will be missed

File photos from May 2017 taken of the GSO's visit to Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School.

Law and Order: Warsaw Road man accused of allowing his dogs to bark habitually

By Billie Owens

Charles Lewis Hull Jr., 63, of 9460 Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with allowing his dogs to bark loudly habitually, in violation of Le Roy Town Code Section 63-11 sub 3, according to a report from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to his home at 12:13 p.m. March 13 for an animal complaint, which alleges he allows his dogs to bark habitually thereby disrupting other citizens in the neighborhood. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Le Roy Town Court at 1 p.m. on April 6. The case was handled by Deputy Zachary Hoy, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Christine Michelle Jones, 33, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. She was arrested and arraigned in Genesee County Court on March 16, then released on her own recognizance. She is accused of filing an application for SNAP benefits on May 1, 2018 that either contained false information or omitted information, and as a result she received $17,197 in benefits that she was not eligible for. The investigation was completed by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi and she was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, assisted by Deputy Chad Cummings.

Trina Leigh Grimmer, 49, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and six counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. She was arrested and arraigned in Genesee County Court on March 17, then released on her own recognizance. She is accused of filing applications for SNAP benefits that either contained false information or omitted information, and as a result she received $8,104 in benefits that she was not eligible for. The investigation was completed by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson and she was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Dawn Marie Puleo, 54, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and four counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. She was arrested and arraigned in Genesee County Court on March 16, then released on her own recognizance. She is accused of filing applications for SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, 2018 that either contained false information or omitted information, and as a result she received $4,555 in benefits that she was not eligible for. The investigation was completed by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi and she was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, assisted by Deputy Chad Cummings.

Erin Marie Rutoskey, 34, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and fifth-degree conspiracy. At 7:52 p.m. on March 3, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to Walmart in Batavia. After an investigation, Rutoskey was arrested for allegedly stealing property valued in excess of $1,000 and allegedly damaging property. She is due in Batavia Town Court on April 8. The case was handled by Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Angeline Ella Lorreine Escudero, 28, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and fifth-degree conspiracy. At 7:52 p.m. on March 3, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to Walmart in Batavia. After an investigation, Escudero was arrested for allegedly stealing property valued in excess of $1,000 and allegedly damaging property. She is due in Batavia Town Court on April 8. The case was handled by Deputy Zachary Hoy, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Odor of natural gas at VA center prompts building evacuation, city fire responds

By Billie Owens

The odor of natural gas in Building #5 at the VA Medical Center in Batavia has prompted the evacuation of the building. City fire is responding to the site at 222 Richmond Ave. The leak was called in by VA police.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: Command confirms the odor of natural gas in the building, says it will be there awhile, investigating. National Fuel is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: National Fuel said they'll get a crew there ASAP.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: National Fuel is on scene.

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