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Deep Blue Pool & Spa celebrates 20 years of fun to Batavia-area residents

By Howard B. Owens
deep blue pool and spa 20th
Deep Blue Pool & Spa: Dominick Camelio, partner; Rich Pfreedom, service tech; Cory Bater, service tech; and Brian Bater, partner.
Photo by Howard Owens.

When you want to take a dip in a pool or grill hot dogs, rain isn't your friend.

But a bit of precipitation didn't dampen the spirits on Saturday of Dominick Comelio and Brian Bater, who were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their business, Deep Blue Pool and Spa, located at 4152 W Main Street Road, Batavia (Valu Plaza).

Bater said it's been a good business, especially in Batavia.

"I started working for Danny Dugan at Denny's Pool World in 1984," Bater said. "He was kind of my mentor. Along the way, Dominick and I started a service business called BNR Pool Service. We opened that around 1990. We did all the service work for 15 years, and then we decided to go into the retail side of it. Now, we continue to have a large service department, and we also do the retail side."

The first location was in Warsaw, and within two years, Comelio and Bater moved their location in Batavia. In 2010, they decided to expand and opened a store in Henrietta.

"We decided (a couple of years later) it was too much for us," Bater said. "We wanted to consolidate back down and focus on the Batavia region and our customer base here."

Camelio said he's enjoyed the pool business.

"It's fun, it's exciting. There's always something new to work on and make people happy," Camelio said.

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Grace Campbell and Kyle Bater
Photo by Howard Owens.

Driver cited in serious injury accident at Jackson and Ellicott

By Howard B. Owens
ellicott accident may 2024
File photo by Howard Owens

The driver of a 2012 Ford Focus involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer on May 17 at Ellicott Street and Jackson Street in Batavia, has a received traffic citation following an investigation by Batavia PD.

Emma Durnham, 24, of Avon, was cited for allegedly passing a red traffic light. 

Durham and a passenger, not identified by police, were seriously injured in the accident, but both have been released from the hospital and are expected to make full recoveries, according to police.

The truck driver, Michael Johnson, 48, of North Tonawanda, was not cited and was not injured in the collision.

The accident was reported at 9:30 p.m. on May 17, and Batavia PD, along with City Fire, Oakfield Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, and Mercy EMS. Due to a shortage or of ambulances at the time, volunteer crews from Byron and Darien responded to the city to assist with other calls.

The Ford Focus was reportedly southbound on Jackson Street and allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Ellicott Street and was struck by a southbound tractor-trailer (note: Jackson runs north and south, Ellicott Street (Route 63 is considered a north-south road).

The Ford Focus came to rest in the gas lane (but did not strike a pump) of the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St., and firefighters had to extricate both occupants.

The Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team assisted with the accident investigation.

Previously: Tractor-trailer vs. car accident reported at Jackson and Ellicott, Batavia

Donation will help HLOM inform visitors of Revolutionary War patriots who settled Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens
DAR HLOM check presentation
Tyler Angora, HLOM curator receives a check from DAR member Robin Ettinger in front of a Revolutionary War drum.
Photo by Howard Owens.

The men from Genesee County who fought in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the wars of the 20th Century are well represented in the Holland Land Office Museum.

The men who served the cause of freedom starting in 1776 are less well represented, and the HLOM, with the help of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, hopes to provide visitors to the museum information on those men who fight for liberty and then helped settle Western New York.

On Saturday, DAR members presented Tyler Angora, HLOM curator, with a check for $700 -- a $500 grant from DAR and $200 from the local chapter -- to create a display honoring the patriots who settled present-day Genesee County and immediately contiguous towns.

"There are a lot of people buried here but why did they come here? What did they do to help found our county?" said DAR member Robin Ettinger. "This is what our project is about."

In the past, DAR members identified all the patriots who purchased property from the land office and those names are already listed in a book in the research room. There are also men who acquired land in the county before the Holland Land Office started selling plots. 

Western New York was not part of the colonies at the start of the Revolution.

The Senecas did not cede control of Western New York until the Treaty of the Big Tree in 1797. In the treaty, the Senecas agreed to establish residences on reservations in the territory and receive $100,000 (about $1.8 million today) for 3.75 million acres of land. 

The Holland Land Company participated in the negotiations after acquiring rights a portion of the territory from Robert Morris in 1792. 

Joseph Ellicott started surveying the land in 1798. Two years after Ellicott completed the survey, new settlers were able to buy plots of land in Genesee County (then, all of Western New York).

The project involved creating a slideshow of names and background information on the patriots to display on a flat-screen TV in the War Room.

"Right now, the only Revolutionary War piece that we have is the drum (acquired by a prior, now defunct DAR chapter)," Angora said. "We do talk about it on tours and stuff, but people don't actually get to see the men; they don't get to see their history. Ryan (Duffy, HLOM director) and I don't personally have the time to do that (put the display together). We're running the entire museum. We've wanted to expand this because the rest of the War Room has all the veterans listed except this part."

He said the TV will show a slide show of the men sharing their stories and showing their connections to this county and how they built this county, Angora said.

"We've researched them and we found a lot of men who purchased large plots, multiple plots in certain sections," Angora said. "Once the land office was here, they started flooding into this area to start farming because it was wilderness and it was a good opportunity for those patriots to come and build their lives here."

DAR members concentrate a lot on history and geology because in order to become a member, you must document that you have an ancestor who was either a patriot or supported a patriot at home.

Most of the patriots were farmers, but they were also mill owners, tavern owners, and shopkeepers.

"There's a lot of farmers and they just came out this way and had to have that tenacity to -- especially the women -- to say let's go out there and build log cabin. So the whole focus is what these guys did, who they were in the war, and they came out here and settled our area."

Borrello paints stark difference between downstate and upstate elected officials at Le Roy Town Hall meeting

By Howard B. Owens
Sen. George Borrello Le Roy American Legion

In a town hall meeting at the American Legion Botts-Fiorito Post #576 in Le Roy on Thursday, Sen. George Borrello drew a clear distinction between upstate interests, represented chiefly by Republicans, and downstate interests, represented mainly by progressive Democrats.

"These are not the Kennedy Democrats," Borrello said during an opening statement. "These are not like my father and my grandfather, who were Democrats because that was the party of the working class, right? This is no longer the party of the working class. These are folks who truly believe that we should be pushing toward socialism. And that's no joke. We have committed socialists in our New York State Legislature, people who are endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, the DSA. We have people who truly believe that, quite frankly, none of us are smart enough or enlightened enough to understand what's good for the greater good."

He covered a range of topics in the evening, from the push to ban natural gas, crime, the shortage of healthcare workers, Thruway revenue and MTA revenue, the safety of elections, climate change and solar farms.

The first question to Borrello was about assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.  Borrello said he is against it because it represents a slippery slope toward a lack of respect for the sanctity of life.

The natural gas ban and climate change are examples, Borrello said, of radicals pushing an agenda that is unrealistic. He thinks the push for solar panels across the state isn't about climate change but about profits.

"They've become so desperate to try to virtue signal that we're going to cure climate change here in New York State that they've created so many lucrative incentives that have resulted in a glut of projects and an inability for those projects to really be fed into the system," Borrello said. 

The revenue from these projects is the result of public support, he said.

"Unfortunately, the only profit comes from taxpayer subsidies," Borrello said. "If there weren't state and federal taxpayer subsidies of renewable energy, there would never be another industrial wind or solar installation ever built anywhere in the country, period."

While he disagreed with renewable energy subsidies, he expressed support for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

"I believe those incentives are good when you're doing something like some of the great projects that have come to Genesee County under the great economic development organization you have here," Borrello said. "You want to give incentives to ensure that we get some some great new jobs and economic activity that's great, but not for a solar installation."

Helen Hanes asked about the shortage of healthcare workers, and Borrello tied part of the problem to the $2.5 billion New York is reportedly spending on migrants in New York City (Borrello called them "illegal immigrants" but the migrants in NYC are mostly asylum seekers in the country legally), and Hanes pushed back on that assertion. 

Borrello made two points that he thinks directly tie into fewer healthcare workers -- nurses who lost their jobs because of their refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the fact they haven't been hired back, and the need for more young people to be encouraged to seek out the medical field as a career option.  He also suggested that poorly regulated Medicaid spending creates greater expense and burden on hospitals.

"One of the biggest challenges that (hospitals) face is that people on Medicaid using the emergency room as if it's the primary care physician for non-emergency situations," Borrello said. "Talk to any health care professional, they will tell you that that's the problem."

In response to a question, he said there is a longstanding problem -- not just with the current administration -- of governors taking money from the profitable Thruway Authority and giving it to the money-losing Transit Authority in NYC.  He said one of the problems with the MTA is the city's unwillingness to deal with toll avoiders.

As for elections, Borrello said voters said citizens should have confidence in New York's elections and that there is very little fraud, certainly not enough to sway a presidential or statewide election, but there are areas of concern, such as "ballot harvesting," which he said allows third parties to pick up completed ballots from residents and deliver them to election commissioners. He's also concerned about a Democratic push to make voter registration automatic when people get a new driver's license, which has no check on citizenship.

On crime, he said progressive reforms are creating more crime, and it's hurting most of the people they say they most want to help -- marginalized populations in urban communities.

"It's unfortunate that the people that they say that they want to help the most, you know, the people that are low income, people that are who are members of minority communities, the people they claim to have in mind whenever they make these ridiculous laws and regulations, they are actually the ones that are probably hurt the most by spiraling crime," Borrello said.

An agenda of smaller government and greater freedom is what most New Yorkers want, Borrello said.

"New York needs to be safer, more affordable, and ultimately a better place to live because we need less government, not more government," Borrello said. "That's the fundamental difference between the way I think, and I think most of you think, and what my colleagues downstate think. They think the government is the answer for everything."

Sen. George Borrello Le Roy American Legion
Sen. George Borrello Le Roy American Legion
Sen. George Borrello Le Roy American Legion

Photos: Volunteers help spruce up the community as part of annual Day of Caring

By Howard B. Owens
day-of-caring-2024

It's time for spring cleaning, and for Genesee County's community organizations, that's where volunteers on the Day of Caring prove invaluable.

They paint, pull weeds, clean and scrub, trim and rake, pick up debris -- just about anything that will help or beautify a community organization's property.

On Thursday, hundreds of volunteers started the morning at Dwyer Stadium before dispersing to nearly 40 locations throughout the county, including Crossroads House, the Community Garden, GO ART!, Gillam Grant Community Center, the International Peace Garden, Machpelah Cemetery, Purple Pony, and many other locations.

These photos are from the Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball field at Lion's Park, the Pathway of Life Garden at Grandview Cemetery, and the Historic Batavia Cemetery.

The event is organized by United Way.

Photos by Howard Owens.

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Batavia High celebrates six seniors continuing academic and athletic pursuits after graduation

By Howard B. Owens
bhs signing day 2024
Photo by Howard Owens.

Batavia High School recognized six of its student-athlete seniors Wednesday who will continue both their academic and athletic careers at colleges and universities.

Cole Grazioplene is heading to Brockport State College, where he will play D-III baseball. His parents are Andrea and Jeffery Grazioplene.

Owen Halpin will attend St. John Fisher University and play D-III soccer. He is also receiving a presidential scholarship.  His parents are Graham and Jill Halpin.

Giana Mruczek will attend Keuka College where she will play D-III softball. She is also receiving a partial academic scholarship. Her parents are Brian and Erika Mruczek.

Casper Steward, a NYS champion in wrestling, is heading to West Point where he will wrestle in D-I. He is receiving a full athletic scholarship. His parents are Rick and Katie Stewart.

Anna Varland will attend Robers Wesleyan University, where she will play D-II soccer. She is receiving athletic and academic scholarships. Her parents are Nate and Julie Varland.

Noah Whitcombe is signing with Niagara University where he will play hockey. He is receiving an academic scholarship.  His parents are Jeff and Shannon Whitcombe.

bhs signing day 2024
Cole Grazioplene
Photo by Howard Owens.
bhs signing day 2024
Owen Halpin. 
Photo by Howard Owens.
bhs signing day 2024
Giana Mruczek
Photo by Howard Owens.
bhs signing day 2024
Casper Stewart
Photo by Howard Owens.
bhs signing day 2024
Anna Varland
Photo by Howard Owens.
bhs signing day 2024
Noah Whitcombe
Photo by Howard Owens.

Two serious injuries reported in accident on Route 77 in Darien on Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

Two people sustained serious injuries in a three-vehicle accident, one of them a tractor-trailer, on Route 77 and McVean Road in Darien at 7:14 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing but reports that a 2022 Subaru was attempting to make a left-hand turn off of McVean onto Route 77. The tractor-trailer was northbound on Route 77. It appears the Subaru failed to yield the right of way to the truck. 

As a result of the collision, one of the occupants of the Subaru was thrown from the vehicle and struck by a passing Ford Escape that was southbound.

The Subaru was driven by Brittany N. Smith, 30, of Macedon. She was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS for treatment of her injuries.

The occupants were Kayleigh E. Williams, 30, of Rochester, who sustained serious injuries and was transported to Strong by Mercy EMS, and Ariana P. Dupra, 30, of Fairport, who sustained serious injuries and was transported to Strong by Mercy Flight.

Both Williams and Dupra are listed in critical condition.

The tractor-trailer was a 2002 Peterbilt with Ontario plates. The driver, Lyndord E. Yoder, 37, of Sebringville, Ontario, was not injured.

The 2018 Escape was driven by Brandon G. Schoener, 25, of Grand Island, and occupied by Allyson A. Schoener, 23, of Grand Island. Neither were injured and denied medical care at the scene.

Route 77 was crowded with concert traffic at the time of the accident, according to responders.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges, if any, were released. The Crash Management Team responded to the scene, which was closed to through traffic for several hours. Assisting at the scene were Darien Fire, Corfu Fire, Pembroke Fire, East Pembroke Fire, Mercy EMS, and the Corfu Police Department.  An off-duty City Fire officer assisted with the Mercy Flight landing zone.

Previously: Critical injuries reported on Route 77 in Darien

Critical injuries reported on Route 77 in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

At least two critical injuries were reported in an accident on Route 77 at McVean Road in Darien at about 7:30 p.m.

The accident involved a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles. There is entrapment and a passenger injection.

Multiple ambulances and Mercy Flight dispatched.

There are also minor injuries and people in another vehicle not injured.

Darien Fire and Corfu Fire dispatched.

There's a concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center and traffic has slowed the emergency response.

Semi-truck rollover reported in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

A semi-truck rollover accident is reported on Route 262 near Chapel Road, Byron.

Fuel tanks are leaking.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched.

UPDATE 1:45 a.m.: The driver would like to be evaluated by a medic.

Westbound traffic blocked on Thruway after accident

By Howard B. Owens

A car is reportedly on its side in the passing lane of the Thruway after colliding with a semi-truck.

The accident is reported in the area of mile marker 400.7 in the westbound lane.

Reports are of minor injuries but traffic is blocked.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.: The driver is denying any injuries.

Photos: Work continues on Ellicott Station

By Howard B. Owens
ellicott station

Contractors, as they've did through most of the winter, continue to make progress on construction of the Ellicott Station apartment complex.

For prior coverage, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.

ellicott station

Elmore, Wilcox make initial County Court appearances in Sanfratello case

By Howard B. Owens
Lyndsey Jean Wilcox
Lyndsey Wilcox
michael j. elmore
Michael Elmore

Genesee County's justice system took another step forward on Monday in the prosecution of Michael J. Elmore, implicated in the March 10 death of Sgt. line-of-duty death Thomas A. Sanfratello, and co-defendant Lyndsey J. Wilcox.

Both Elmore and Wilcox appeared in County Court before Judge Donald O'Geen for the first time and their attorneys, on their behalf, entered not-guilty pleas to the criminal indictments filed against each of them.

The hearing was standard procedure, with District Attorney Kevin Finnell affirming he had supplied the defense with all available discovery material, requesting an alibis demand, and stating that the people are ready for trial.

O'Geen then outlined the case's milestone dates, including trial dates if it reaches that far in the process.

The defense attorneys—Joseph A. Lobosco for Elmore and Daniel J. Dubois for Wilcox—have until July 12 to file motions. Defense attorneys typically file motions in criminal cases challenging the admissibility of evidence, the relevance of witnesses, and the possibility of constitutional violations (though every case is different, and there's been no public discussion of what motions the attorneys might make in this case).

The prosecution has until July 26 to file an answer to the motions.

Any hearing on the motions or other pre-trial issues will be held at 9:30 a.m. on July 31.

O'Geen provided each attorney with an anticipated schedule of proceedings after initial motions.

He set Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing on any pre-trial motions, a follow-up hearing date of Sept. 20, a plea cutoff (the last day for defendants to accept any pending plea offer before trial) of Oct. 16 and a hearing date on any pending issues for Nov. 15.  Then, if there is a trial, jury selection on Jan. 21.  Opening arguments would begin on Jan. 23, with the trial scheduled to last until Feb. 11.

When Elmore and Wilcox were first arrested, they faced the same charges and both were ordered held on $100,000 bail.

On Monday, Dubois asked that his client, Wilcox, be released under supervision given the reduction of the top charges against her to burglary and assault.  Finnell argued that since the top charges include mandatory prison terms if convicted, Wilcox should be held on bail.  O'Geen reduced her bail to $20,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.

Elmore was indicted by the Grand Jury on counts of:

  • Aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony. He is accused of intending to cause serious physical injury to a police officer and, as result, causing the death of a police officer;
  • Aggravated criminally negligent homicide, a Class C violent felony. He is accused of causing the death of Sanfratello with criminal negligence;
  • Assault in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. Elmore is accused of causing the death of Sanfratello while in the commission of another crime, burglary in the second degree;
  • Burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. He is accused of knowingly entering a building unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime in the building and threatening to use or did use a dangerous instrument.

Elmore and Wilcox are indicted on counts of:

  • Burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. Elmore and Wilcox are accused of remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime in the building and, while in the building, causing serious physical injury to another person;
  • Assault in the second degree, a Class D violent felony. Elmore and Wilcox are accused of causing physical injury to a police officer who was in the act of performing his official duties;
  • Obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. The pair is accused of trying to intentionally prevent a police officer from performing his official duty by means of intimidation, physical force, or interference.

Wilcox is separately charged with resisting arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. She is accused of intentionally trying to prevent her legal arrest.

The incident that led up to Sanfratello's death began at 12:43 a.m. on March 10, a Sunday morning following a pair of events at Batavia Downs on Saturday night, when Sanfratello and Batavia Downs security responded to the Rush 34 bar for a disturbance. There, Sanfratello confronted Wilcox, 39, of Batavia and ordered Wilcox to leave the building. While being escorted out, she allegedly became combative with Sanfratello. She is accused of hitting Sanfratello several times with the intent to injure him. 

As Wilcox was being arrested, Elmore became involved and was also ordered to leave. He reportedly walked out of the building and came back in with a chain in his hand (a chain he was apparently wearing that night).

During the struggle, which included assistance from Batavia Downs security, Sanfratello reportedly tried to deploy his taser in an attempt to subdue the person attacking him.

According to initial reports, Sanfratello suffered a medical emergency during the struggle and became unresponsive. There was extensive effort, according to witnesses, to revive him with CPR. He was later pronounced dead by a county coroner.

For complete prior coverage of the case and related articles, click here

Alexander Fire shows off rec hall renovations, installs officers, presents awards at annual dinner

By Howard B. Owens
alexander fire dinner
Matt Pietrzykowski was named Firefighter of the Year by the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department. Presenting the award were Sean McPhee and Ryan Hinz. 
Photo by Howard Owens.

Alexander Volunteer Fire Department members were proud to show off their renovated rec hall on Saturday during its 2024 awards and installation dinner.

With freshly painted walls, ceiling and a newly poured epoxy floor, the $50,000 renovation gives the hall a fresher, newer look.

It was also a night to recognize a few of the department's key contributors in 2023, including Firefighter of the Year Matt Pietrzykowski, who responded to a fatal fire in February.  He was the firefighter who found the deceased's body and was commended for his career and professionalism in handling the situation.

Jim Burkhardt and Regan McPhee were named EMS Providers of the Year. 

Regan McPhee received the Chief's Award.

The newly installed officers are, on the Firematic side:

  • James Burkhardt, chief
  • Nathan Fix, deputy chief
  • Thomas Green, 1st assistant chief
  • Anthony Johnston, 2nd assistant chief
  • Matthew Pietrzykowski, 3rd assistant chief
  • Jenny McPhee, EMS captain
  • Todd Fleenor, EMS lieutenant
  • Nicholas Yackeren, truck lieutenant
  • Lance Scharlau, training captain
  • Bernie Fix, safety officer
  • John Meier, parade chairman
  • Heidi Richmond, parade co-chairman

Administrative officers:

  • Sean McPhee, president
  • Thomas Green, vice-president
  • Amanda Donnelly, recording secretary
  • Heidi McPhee, financial secretary
  • Barbara Pietrzykowski, treasurer
  • Robert Spiers, chaplin
  • and, trustees Matthew Fernaays, Nathan Fix, Amanda Donnelly, Nicholas Yackeren, Anthony Johnston, Darlene Merle, Matthew Pietrzkowski, and Matthew Grimes.
alexander fire dinner
Jim Burkhardt and Regan McPhee were named EMS Providers of the Year. Presenting the awards were Todd Fleenor and Jenny McPhee.
Photo by Howard Owens
alexander fire dinner
Regan McPhee received the Chief's Award from Jim Burkhardt.
Photo by Howard Owens.
alexander fire dinner
Department President Sean McPhee with remarks during the ceremony.
Photo by Howard Owens.
alexander fire dinner
Installation of officers.
Photo by Howard Owens.
alexander fire dinner
Honoring members who passed.
Photo by Howard Owens.
alexander fire dinner
Honoring members who have passed, including former member Sgt. Thomas Sanfrello, with a Stetson on the right, who died in the line of duty on March 10.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photo: VFA's 40th anniversary celebration at Batavia First Presbyterian Church

By Howard B. Owens
volunteers for animals
Cutting the anniversary cake, from left, Shanna Shaw, Kathy Dispenza, Debbie Chilano, Wendy Castleman, Debbie Stocking, and Angela Knisley.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Volunteers for Animals celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday at Batavia First Presbyterian Church.

Previously: Chamber Awards: VFA earns special recognition in its 40th year caring for animals

volunteers for animals
Photo by Howard Owens.
volunteers for animals
Julie Jenkins with shirts being sold to support VFA.
Photo by Howard Owens.
volunteers for animals
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Mary Della Penna and Shanna Shaw with sheet pizzas donated by Main Street Pizza to the event. Main Street donated 10 sheet pizzas.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Law and Order: Warrant suspect accused of possessing a controlled substance

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Joseph Torres, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.  While attempting to locate a warrant suspect, Deputy Jeremy McClellan came into contact with Torres at 2:09 p.m. on May 14 on Columbia Avenue, Batavia, who was also wanted a warrant. Torres was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned and released.

Lance Donald Beals, 53, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd.  Beals is accused of pointing and shooting a BB gun toward another person, placing that person in fear of injury at 7:16 a.m. on May 14 at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was arraigned and released.

Nathan Wayne Campbell, 43, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Campbell was accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart at 12:56 p.m. on May 13. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of criminal possession of a weapon

By Howard B. Owens

Micahel J. Difalco is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, and menacing in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Difalco is accused of possessing a dangerous instrument on Dec. 21 in the city of Batavia while having previously been convicted of a crime. He is also accused of threatening another person with a dangerous instrument.

Daniel J. House is indicted on counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony, and harassment in the second degree, a violation. House is accused of violating an order of protection on Jan. 23 at a location in the town of Batavia and of having unwanted physical contact with another person.

James A. Williams is indicted on counts of DWI, a Class D felony, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, circumventing an interlock device, a Class A misdemeanor, and obstructing governmental administration in the second degree. Williams is accused of driving a 2008 Hyundai with an Ohio license plate on Route 33 in the town of Stafford while intoxicated on Sept. 24. He was allegedly driving intoxicated while knowing or should have known that his driving privileges were suspended. The Hyundai was not equipped with an interlock device. He is accused of trying to prevent a government official from performing his official duties. The felony DWI charge stems from a prior DWI conviction in March 2019 in Rochester.

Isaac C. King is indicted on a count of bail jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. King is accused of failing to appear in Genesee County Court as ordered on a felony charge after being released on bail or on his own recognizance on Dec. 4.

Tanisha N. Gibson is indicted on a count of criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class D felony.  Gibson is accused of intentionally damaging the property of another person on Jan. 8 with a value in excess of $1,500.

Lashayia S. Bussey is indicted on counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Bussey is accused of stealing property with a value in excess of $1,000 on Sept. 14, 2022, in the town of Batavia. She is accused of concluding with another person to commit the crime.

Shameek T. Taylor is indicted on counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony, and burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony. Taylor is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection on Feb. 24 in the town of Batavia. On that same date, Taylor is accused of entering a building with the intent to commit a crime within.

Evan J. Vanskiver is indicted on a count of bail jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. Vanskiver is accused of failing to appear in City Court as ordered on a felony charge.

Jacob W. Patterson is indicted on a count of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, Class D felony. Patterson is accused of introducing two glass pipes into the Genesee County Jail on Feb. 6.

Adrian L. Sheppard is indicted on a count of bailing jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. Sheppard, having been released on his own recognizance, is accused of failing to appear in City Court as ordered on felony charges.

 

 

Tractor-trailer vs. car accident reported at Jackson and Ellicott, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
ellicott accident may 2024

A tractor-trailer and car have collided at Jackson Street and Ellicott Street, Batavia.

Injuries are reported. 

Traffic is blocked.

City Fire responding.

UPDATE 9:37 p.m.: Two patients critical, both pinned. 

UPDATE 11 p.m.: Capt. Bob Fix said both patients appeared to be in serious condition following the accident and were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance. At least one of them may have been transported by Mercy Flight crews hadn't been grounded by weather. The Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team was requested to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. In the preliminary stages, Batavia police officers have no information on what may have occurred leading to the accident.  The truck driver was not injured. There were only two people in the passenger vehicle.  

Photos by Howard Owens.

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Photo: Puddles of fun in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens
pavilion flood swim
Photo by Shari Joy.

Localized flooding in Pavilion created a swimming opportunity for two kids in their own front yard on Perry Road, said Shari Joy, who spotted the kids having fun in the large puddle on Friday afternoon.

Batavia beats Greece Olympia in flag football semifinal 24-0

By Howard B. Owens
batavia flag football

In its second year, for a second time, Batavia's flag football team has a shot at a sectional title in Class B1 after beating Greece Olympia/Odyssey on Thursday 24-0.

The championship game will be played on Tuesday at Monroe Community College, with a game time of 5 p.m., against Greece Athena.

Batavia is the #1 seed in the tournament, and Athena is the #2 seed.  Athene won its semifinal game over Monroe 33-0.

On Thursday, Anna Varland was 16-24 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Varland also ran for 91 yards and a TD.

Ella Radley rushed for 117 yards and a TD.

Isabella Walsh had six catches for 55 yards.

Jaimin McDonald, five receptions, 51 yards and a TD.

Kylee Brennan, six flag pulls and an interception. Grace Parker also snagged an interception.

Photos by Mike Ognibene.

batavia flag football
batavia flag football
batavia flag football
batavia flag football

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