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Batavia, N.Y., was founded in 1801 by Joseph Ellicott, surveyor and land agent for the Holland Land Company. Batavia was named after the homeland of the Holland Land Company investors who owned most of Western New York. At that time, their nation, the Netherlands, was called The Republic of Batavia.

Since then, at least eight other American communities have come into existence with the name, “Batavia.” They are located in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Montana and California. However, none of these other communities had any connection to the Holland Land Company.

As City Historian for our Batavia, I am in the process of visiting the other Batavias to learn their history, visit with residents, discuss the origin of their name, and to take photographs. My first such trip was to Batavia, Ill., in the spring of 2011. Since then, I have also visited the other five Batavias east of the Rocky Mountains.

In the next few days, thebatavian.com will carry a brief article and a few pictures pertaining to each of these places. As the reader will see, the other Batavias range from an incorporated community with 27,000 people to an unincorporated community with only a “handful” of people. As it has turned out, four of the six have direct historical links to Batavia, N.Y.

Larry D. Barnes

Batavia City Historian

June 2014

Press release:

YWCA of Genesee County extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Nicole Sheehan, a 29-year-old Batavia native who died from an apparent domestic violence shooting a week ago in Lancaster.

This tragic incident is another painful reminder that domestic violence is about so much more than arguments and debates; it can have grave consequences, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

As a gentle reminder that YWCA is here to help with Domestic Violence Crisis & Prevention Services, the agency will be lighting its walkway this week at 301 North St. as a visual display that there is hope, Walton said. Victims can always confidentially call YWCA for guidance, help and referrals to appropriate avenues that will take them out of a potentially harmful situation and into safety.

"We ask that people join us in spirit as we light up our walkway in Nicole's memory," Walton said. "And to please help -- through your increased awareness -- those others who may be struggling with a domestic violence situation. We offer advocacy, safe housing and, perhaps most importantly, a 24-hour hotline so that everyone has opportunity to reach out for help when needed."

Domestic Violence Crisis & Prevention Services Director Cindy Earl said there is usually a Domestic Violence Services office in each county. If you're unsure about where to turn for help or guidance, call the hotline at (585) 343-7513.

"Everybody's mission is to find a safe location for a potential victim if they think the person's abuser is going to do something harmful," Earl said. "We take them very seriously and will do everything we can to put them in a safe location."

Sometimes abuse is not evident to friends, family and coworkers, she said. If you even suspect that something like that is going on in someone's life, reach out for help. And if you are in a relationship that makes you feel threatened in any way, make the call. It's free and confidential.

A tree and wires are down, partially blocking the roadway, at 1469 Lewiston Road. No sparking or arcing at this time. Alabama fire is responding. The location is just east of Church Street.

A two-car accident is reported at 78 S. Pearl St. in Oakfield. The vehicles are partially blocking. The occupants are likely sign-off and Mercy medics are responding non-emergency for evaluation. Oakfield Fire Police are called to handle traffic.

You have helped us reach 25% of our goal. $1000 has been donated by Joe Parmenter Inc. to the Truth Ministries of Batavia!

A little about the organization: Truth ministries is a nonprofit program that began in Batavia in 2011. Steve and Mona Doyon saw a need to help the local lower-income youths in need of practical hygiene items as well as to offer spiritual guidance. Since creating the program they have helped more than 150 families a month year-round. The youths they help range from ages to 10 to 18.

The Doyons found that because some hygiene products are not covered under Food Stamps, many of the families did not have shampoo, soap, feminine products and other items that are necessities for a healthy life. This is the cornerstone of their donations, but clothing and food are also given. These items make the children feel more confident and increase their attendance in school.

A faith-based non-denominational recovery program was also developed for youths to support with issues such as drug, alcohol, and physical abuse that they have been exposed to or are going through themselves.

If you would like to make a donation to Truth Ministries, you can e-mail truthministriesjohn146@hotmail.com.

Items can also be dropped off at Parmenter Tire and Auto, 4531 W. Saile Drive, Batavia.

The family of Jason McNeil, the former WNY resident seriously injured after being struck by Craig Lawson at a Kid Rock concert a year ago, has asked we clarify some prior reporting on the case.

At a pre-trial hearing in January Deputy Lonnie Nati testified that immediately after the incident, Lawson made statements indicating that he and McNeil had been involved in a confrontation and that Lawson said, "he never should have touched my wife."

Not expecting a plea deal, we were not at Lawson's court appearance last week where Lawson entered a guilty plea to second-degree assault in exchange for a maximum one-year jail term. We reported the mere fact of the plea based on information provided by the D.A.'s office. At the hearing, Lawson made a statement we were not informed of until this morning.

Lawson said:

I've had the opportunity with my lawyers to again review the evidence the people will present against me at trial. I admit the individual I struck was not the person I encountered earlier while leaving the concert.

Lawson made no other statements concerning the events of July 5, 2013. He will be sentenced Aug. 18.

Two men from Genesee County are dead following a horrific multi-vehicle accident on the Thruway in Henrietta yesterday afternoon.

Trooper Jason Jones, PIO for Troop T, confirmed the two victims were from Genesee County, but said the State Police are not releasing the names pending notification of family members.

One victim was from Batavia, the other from Darien.

The accident was reported at 4:30 p.m. near Exit 46. Six vehicles were involved.

UPDATE July 1 (information from State Police press release): Killed in the accident were Michael F. Pehrson, 51, of Batavia, and Christopher M. Rheinheimer, 25, of Darien. They were pronounced dead at the scene after their pickup truck was struck head on by a commercial vehicle hauling a construction dumpster. That vehicle was traveling eastbound when it left its lane, crossed the center median, and traveled into westbound traffic, according to officials' preliminary investigation. State Troopers, Fire, EMS, and Thruway Authority personnel immediately responded to the scene. The operator of the commercial vehicle, Roger L. Labar, 51, of Prattsburgh, was transported to Strong Memorial Hosptial with non-life-threatening injuries. Seconds after the first collision, a westbound tractor-trailer hauling produce struck the damaged guide rail from the first collision, which punctured its fuel tank causing it to become fully engulfed in flames. The operator of the tractor-trailer, a 49-year-old man from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, quickly exited the vehicle and was uninjured. A fourth vehicle traveling behind the tractor-trailer struck debris in the road causing it to spin and be struck head on by a fifth vehicle. The operator of the fourth vehicle, a 70-year-old man from Canandaigua, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the fifth vehicle was uninjured. A sixth vehicle traveling westbound on I-90 struck debris causing damage to the vehicle only, no other injuries were reported. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Collision Reconstruction Units responded to the scene and are handling the investigation. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets also responded to the scene to assist with the fuel fire and perishable cargo of the tractor-trailer. At this time, no charges have been filed against the commercial vehicle driver, and the investigation remains ongoing. All westbound traffic was diverted off the Thruway at Exit 45 (Victor) for the duration of the investigation at the scene.

Photos submitted by Mark Hough.

Chad Graham Desmit, 20, of Gillette Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police in a motor vehicle, 3rd, reckless driving, speeding (120 in 55 mph), failure to stop at stop sign and unsafe turn. Desmit allegedly failed to stop for an alleged traffic violation and instead fled from police. Deputy Joseph Corona attempted to stop Desmit at 9:24 p.m. Monday on Lockport Road, Oakfield. Desmit was allegedly pursued through the towns of Oakfield, Elba and Byron and into Orleans County, where he eventually stopped. Desmit was jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

Richard Gerald Harfford Jr., 36, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant related to an unlawful possession of marijuana charge. Harfford was located by Batavia PD during an unrelated investigation and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. He was jailed on $340 bail.

Lance M. Mercado Sr., 24, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Mercado allegedly tried to fight another person while in the presence of a police officer.

Loma J. Burshtynsky, 55, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Burshtynsky was arrested following a complaint at 7:33 p.m. Sunday of a driver entering Wendy's and becoming belligerent. Burshtynsky was jailed without bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Haven Lane, Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. The youth is accused of forcibly touching the intimate parts of another person.

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From Downtown Batavia this evening, I spotted this towering cloud to the north, so I decided to drive out toward East Saile Drive to get a better look at it. On the way back down Bank Street Road, there were three deer reasonably near the road (they're often in that farmfield, but usually too far away for any lens I own), so I managed to get a couple of shots.

An experienced firefighter joined the City Fire Department today. Zach Gowanloch spent two-and-half years with Lockport before falling victim to a budget ax. Recently married and a new father, Gowanloch is also EMT trained.

"I came down, met with the chief, liked what I saw, was very impressed, met with a couple of the guys," Gowanloch said when asked about why he applied for the job. "It just seemed like a nice place to work."

Gowanloch and his wife are looking for a new home in Batavia.

Kasandra Sturgeon plays with her sister Hannah at the Spray Park in Austin Park today. It was Hannah's first trip there.

Dozens of kids were out this afternoon on what may be the hottest day of the year so far. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, warning of an increased possibility of heat-related illness on a day with temperatures into the 90s and high humidity.

Stay cool and stay hydrated.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (formerly Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.).

“The Supreme Court’s ruling today is a victory for our First Amendment rights and the free exercise of religious beliefs,” Congressman Collins said. “Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate is an intrusion on the religious freedoms of private employers, and was decided to be what many of us expected: unconstitutional. The Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., case is another example of this Administration’s hubris and extreme overreach into every corner of our lives.”

Boy Scout Troop 6006 had its first Eagle Ceremony of 2014 Sunday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church on Route 63, Batavia. Dennis Alton received the highest Boy Scout award he could achieve. Pictured above from left are Brian Mcallister who received the "Mentor Pin," Troop Scoutmaster Ron Bernard, Dennis and his parents.

Dennis held off his special day so brother Ken who just returned from the service in Afghanistan could be there. Pictured below are Dennis and Ken. The last photo is with his family who celebrated the event. Many scouts and assistant leaders came today to show support for Dennis.

Ronald Aaron Arrindell, 29, of Austen Court, Ashawa, Ontario, Canada, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and disorderly conduct. Arrindell is accused of causing a disturbance at the Darien Lake Hotel and Resort. He allegedly refused to comply with being arrested and physically removed from the vehicle he was in. Arrindell was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Alexander Colon-Colon, 20, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, no/insufficient tail lamp and failure to dim headlights. Colon-Colon was stopped at 2:47 a.m. Thursday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Joshua M. Laureano, 23, of Lackawanna, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Laureano was stopped at 2:25 p.m. Saturday by State Police in the Town of Alabama. No further details released.

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