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Law and Order: Man accused of marijuana and fireworks possession

By Howard B. Owens

Brandon Michael Woodham, 22, of Wheeler Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful dealing with fireworks. Woodham was stopped at 5:27 p.m. Friday on Veterans Memorial Drive by Deputy Joseph Loftus and found to allegedly possess fireworks and marijuana.

Scott M. Walton, 57, of Spencerport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to dim lights. Walton was stopped at an unspecified time and unspecified location by a Le Roy PD officer.

Jamie L. Rennicks, 30, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Rennicks was stopped at 2:10 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by a State trooper.

Beagle missing in East Road area, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Pat and John Brumsted, of East Road, near Creek Road and Putnam Road, Batavia, are missing their beagle, DYNO. The pooch has been missing since 10 a.m. yesterday. DYNO is 7 and tan and white and very friendly. Their phone numbers are: (585) 343-6173 or (585) 813-3595.

City claims mall merchants owe $805,000 in past due rent

By Howard B. Owens

Via WBTA:

The City of Batavia is suing the Genesee County Mall Merchants Association for $805,000.
Court papers just filed and obtained by WBTA show the city has filed a complaint against the mall association for past due rent. The city also wants the lease for the mall concourse to be terminated.
The city claims the Mall Association has not paid fair market rent for the mall concourse since April of 2000.

The bad blood between the city and the mall association goes back years.

The mall has claimed that since the city owns the concourse, it is responsible to replace the roof and make other improvements.

The city says that the lease clearly states the mall is responsible for the maintenance of the roof and other public areas.

City Manager Jason Molino, reluctant to talk about details of the latest legal salvo, says he is hopeful the situation can be resolved:

"Hopefully, we will be able to have a permanent resolution to a decade-long conflict that will ultimately contribute to the community."

City Council President Brooks Hawley issued a prepared statement declining comment on the latest legal action while it is pending litigation:

"In the course of defending the City's interests in the case, certain information has become available resulting in the City to pursuing a claim against the Merchants Association. To the extent that this is pending litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment any further."

The Mall Association has been leasing the concourse from the city for $1 a year plus the maintenance costs. The city contends the mall has not kept up with repairs and maintenance equal to the fair market rent.

 

One-car rollover on School Street in Downtown Batavia, injuries reported

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover with injuries is reported on School Street in Downtown Batavia. City fire and Mercy medics are on scene. The car is on its roof but the victims are extricated.

UPDATE (by Howard): It appears a blue sedan was westbound on School Street from Swan Street when it struck a parked SUV. The passenger-side front tire struck the rear tire on the driver's side of the SUV. The SUV was pushed forward about five feet and its rear wheel assembly was broken. The fender was scraped but not dented. The frame of the sedan was broken. The owner of the SUV said he just recently got the vehicle. It still had a temporary registration in the window, he pointed out. He hasn't even made a payment on it yet, he said. He was at a friend's house for Easter Dinner. Police conducted a field sobriety test on the driver of the sedan. He was taken into custody pending further investigation. 

UPDATE 10:30 a.m., Monday (by Howard): The driver was released after further investigation found neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor in the accident.

Field fire off Sumner Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

A field fire is reported in the area of 550 Sumner Road, on the north side. Darien fire and EMS are responding. The location is between Harlow and County Line roads.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Darien command requests Alexander to bring its Gator to the scene.

UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: Darien command reports the fire is out.

BID annual meeting and awards luncheon is Friday, RSVP and pre-pay Tuesday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District will hold its annual meeting and awards luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 (registration at 11:45 a.m.) at the City Church Generation Center, 15 Center St. in Downtown Batavia.

The agenda will include a review of the B.I.D.’s accomplishments and the announcement of the newly elected members to the Board of Directors.

The “Downtown Spirit” Business Awards are presented to: Greg Gluck, Alberty Drug Co. and Christine Crocker, The YNGodess Shop.

The “Downtown Spirit” Volunteer Awards presented to: Dan Fischer (WBTA Radio) who served as a board member and chairperson for Summer In The City, Beth Kemp (T-Shirts Etc.) for serving on the BID Promotion / Wine Walk committees and Steve Coraci (community volunteer) for serving on the Downtown Public, Summer In The City and Wine Walk committees.

Guest Speaker: Mark Masse, vice-president Genesee Economic Development Center. His topic: “When The STAMP Project Comes, Will Downtown Be Ready?”

All B.I.D. members and area businesses are invited. A special buffet will be served from Sweet Ecstasy Bakery & Bistro.

Price is $20 per person. RSVP and payment by Tuesday, April 22. Reservations contact BID - Don Burkel or Laurie Oltramari, at 585-344-0900 or e-mail at dburkel@downtownbataviany.com

Portion of Byron Road closed due to culvert collapse

By Howard B. Owens

From County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

Byron Road between Griswold Road and Walkers Corners Road is closed until further notice due to a drainage culvert that has collapsed. The road is undermined and is a hazard to all traffic. County Highway will be investigating the scene for long-term repair options on Monday.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: The following photos and information were sent to us by Korinne Haymon.

According to Korinne Haymon, her husband was taking their two children out for a bike ride on Byron Road when suddenly, the ground crumbled beneath them. Their 7-year-old jumped out of the carrier, but their 4-year-old fell into the sink hole. Korinne's husband jumped in and got him out, but "he had a hell of a time getting out because the sides were crumbling," Hayman said. "Very scary!" The width of the hole is 15 to 20 feet, Haymon said. "My kids are so traumatized. We're just thankful everyone is OK." Haymon said they called the Highway Department rather than the Sheriff's Office because nobody was hurt.

Dumpster fire outside of Clor's, now out

By Billie Owens

A dumpster fire was reported outside of Clor's Meat Market on West Main Street at the corner of Lewiston Road. A responder says there is no exposure to the building and the dumpster was smoldering, but no flames were showing. Town of Batavia Fire Department responded and the fire is knocked down.

Photos: Easter Egg Hunt in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Boy Scout Troop 6017 hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for the children of Elba today. The hunt included eggs with winning tickets for dozens of prizes.

Photos: Community clean-up day in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield Betterment Committee organized a community clean-up day today. Volunteers spread throughout the town to pick up litter.

Above, Cassandra Semar and Brittany Caton on Maltby Road.

Barb Harkness on Maltby Road.

The Johnson Family -- Mark, Michelle and McKenna with friend Cameron Heineman on Fisher Road.

Grand Jury indicts two people for DWI crimes

By Billie Owens

Here are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Duane L. Garlow is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 18, in the Town of Le Roy, he drove a 2013 Chevrolet on Perry Road while intoxicated. In count two, Garlow is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Robin L. Santarini is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 17, Santarini drove a 2014 Chevrolet on I-90 and in the Pembroke Service Area parking lot while intoxicated. In count two, Santarini is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC or .08 or more at the time.

Photos: Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park

By Howard B. Owens

The Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt this morning at Centennial Park might be called an Easter Egg Scramble. It starts at 9 a.m. and pretty much all of the plastic eggs containing either candy or prize numbers are off the ground by 9:01.

 

To purchase prints, click here.

Have you seen 'Max'?

By Billie Owens

Have you seen "Max"? He was last seen in Batavia on Friday, April 11. But not hide nor hair since.

His elderly owners live on Chandler Avenue, right across from the United Memorial Medical Center.

Max is a friendly little charmer who sports a red harness and is microchipped. He's a pekingese/poodle mix -- a "peekapoo." He's about 15-20 inches long and 15-20 pounds. If you know of his whereabouts, please contact Jen at 585-813-7108.

Closing reception for local artist Jolene Beckman's 'Within the Wallpaper' at The Gallery at Blue Pearl Yoga

By Patricia Hawley

Local artist Jolene Beckkman is closing her current exhibit, “Within the Wallpaper,” at The Gallery at Blue Pearl Yoga with a reception on Thursday, April 24 from 6 - 8 p.m. About a dozen pieces depict the struggle between what we expose and what we choose to keep hidden.

Born in Batavia but moved to Colorado before settling in Albion, Beckman attended local schools. She graduated from The College at Brockport with a degree in Fine Arts and gained an MFA from the University at Buffalo. She currently lives in Batavia with her husband and children.

Beckman has shown her extensive body of work locally in Batavia, Rochester, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Brockport, Binghamton, and Lockport as well as nationally in galleries in Chicago, Seattle, and New York City. With her current exhibit, Beckman says, she is, “questioning what it means to put a body on display, and what it means to be looked at — from the perspective of both the viewer and the viewed.”

Each complete painting is partially covered in wallpaper -- some of it purposely ripped -- “to convey the idea that sometimes what is concealed is often just as important as what is revealed.”

Much of Beckman’s work is steeped in realism and indeed, she draws inspiration from the detailed realism of the Old Masters. She also cites German Expressionist Kathe Kollwitz -- who produced a series of works reflecting her concern with war, poverty, and the lives of ordinary women in the 1920s -- as inspiring for their eloquent yet searing account of the human condition. 

“Her facial expressions are beautifully rendered,” Beckman says. “My own interpretation of such stark emotion is to paint my figures as if they are walking out of the painting and into a dream.”

Within the Wallpaper is on display until Thursday, April 24. The closing reception is scheduled from 6 - 8 p.m.; it is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For additional information contact Blue Pearl Yoga at 585.230.5430 or the artist at jolene.beckman@gmail.com.

Batavia baseball bounces back to beat Akron

By Nick Sabato

After winning the first two games of the season, the Batavia baseball squad was handed its first loss of the season in an emphatic fashion, losing to Honeoye Falls-Lima 15-2 on Thursday afternoon.

Twenty-four hours later, the Blue Devils got back on track, beating up on Akron, 15-8.

“I thought it was a good comeback win for us,” said Batavia Head Coach Rick Saunders. “We got lit up pretty good yesterday by a good HF-L team. Today we came out and jumped out on top and got those three runs in the first.”

Batavia opened up the game with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning on a bases-clearing hit by Zeke Lynn.

The Tigers would battle back, loading the bases with one out in the second inning.

Akron would score on a fielder’s choice by D.J. Carlson, then on a passed ball, and they then tied it up on a RBI single by Zach Pfentner.

Quinten Weis would settle down after that, pitching two more scoreless innings and allowing just one more hit before Greg Mruczek relieved him.

“He was a little wild to start the game,” Saunders said of Weis. “I thought he settled down the rest of the game and he threw well that last two innings he was in the game.”

The Blue Devils regained the lead in the third after Nick Bauer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Steve Borowczyk appeared to get himself out of the jam, ending the inning with the bases loaded and just one run allowed, but it was not to be.

Batavia exploded for four runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 8-3.

Luke McComb was walked with the bases loaded, followed by an RBI single from Rich Francis before Bauer drove in two runs with a double to right field.

Akron appeared to make a bit of a comeback in the top of the fifth, getting two runs off of Mruczek (helped by a few defensive miscues), but he settled down to strike out the side in the sixth.

“I thought he threw the ball real well,” Saunders said of Mruczek. “I think our defense let him down a little bit. That happens, these are high school kids. If we played tight defense like we did in the first three games, we probably only would have let up a few runs.”

The Blue Devils' batters went to work in the bottom of the frame to put the game out of reach as they sent seven runners across home plate, including a two-run single from senior reserve Pat Wrobel.

The Tigers got three runs in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to get close.

“The biggest difference between yesterday and today was that we hit better,” Saunders said. “We got the bases-clearing hit by Lynn and that was clutch for us today.”

Lynn finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBIs, while Bauer went 1-for-4 with four RBIs. As a team, Batavia combined for 14 hits on the game.

Weis picked up the win for the Devils, allowing three runs on three hits in four innings pitched.

Borowczyk took the loss for Akron, allowing eight runs in six innings pitched.

Batavia improves to 3-1 on the season, and next travel to Aquinas on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Law and Order: Bergen resident accused of pointing shotgun at person who was looking through his window

By Howard B. Owens

John Laverne Robinson, 51, of North Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Robinson is accused of pointing a shotgun at another person while the person was looking through Robinson's window.

Aaron M. Hatt, 22, of Alexander, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Troopers responded to a complaint of a domestic dispute in the Town of Pembroke. In route, troopers came upon a young man walking down the center of Gabby Road. He reportedly said he had just argued with a female at the address of the initial complaint. Hatt was taken back to the house and upon investigation, troopers learned Hatt had allegedly been involved with a physical confrontation with the victim. He allegedly possessed marijuana at the time of his arrest.

Connor W. Kelly, 19, of Rushville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. A trooper stopped Kelly's vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, for allegedly lacking its plate lamp. the trooper noted evidence of alleged recent marijuana use.

Bernard Lee Evans, 43, of Cato Street, Pavilion, was arrested on bench warrants for alleged criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Evans was held without bail.

Kelly Marie Faro, 37, of Church Road, of Hamlin, was arrested as a fugitive from justice. Faro was arrested on an unrelated matter by Deputy John Baiocco. During his investigation, he discovered an active warrant out of Cuyahoga County for alleged drug possession. Faro is being held without bail pending extradition.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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Seasonal cook at Stafford Country Club. Immediate start, great work environment, competitive pay! Please send resumes to: HR@Staffordcc.com
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For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
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