Stories from

An automatic alarm of fire sounded a short time ago at the new Med-Tech building near GCC.

Town of Batavia is responding, and first responder requested a responding fire truck position itself next to a fire hydrant. He reported condensation on one of the windows.

A key holder (somebody with emergency access to the building) is responding.

UPDATE 1:11 a.m.: The alarm is sounding from an elevator shaft.

UPDATE 1:13 a.m.: "It's very steamy." (Not sure of the context of that statement.) The key holder is on scene.

UPDATE 1:14 a.m.: "Second floor clear. No type of steam atmosphere up here."  Responder has made entrance to elevator room. "Nothing showing." Maintenance person reports "they poured concrete this morning." Checking the rest of the building.

UPDATE 1:19 a.m.: Crews are double-checking the entire building, but the drying concrete seems to be the cause of the alarm.

Florida native Joey Bergman has made quite a showing in his first year of pro ball, hitting .302, scoring 35 times, driving in 31 runs and drawing 30 walks. But Friday night he achieved a special milestone -- hitting his first professional home run.

The blast in the fifth inning was part of a Muckdog onslaught against Auburn that lifted the division champs to a 8-5 victory.

Chris Edmundson also homered -- his second of the year. Edmundson's three-run shot was part of a five-run third inning for the Batavia.

Burgman had three hits and Edmundson two.

Starter Zach Russell went five innings and gave up three runs -- all in the first -- to get the win and move his record to 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA.

Batavia is in Auburn on Saturday and closes out the regular season at 1:05, Sunday, against Auburn. The playoffs open on Tuesday, but Batavia's first opponent and the location of the game have not yet been announced.

Photo: File photo.

The treasurer of a Le Roy nursery school is being accused of using the school's ATM card to make unauthorized withdrawals and purchase.

The total of the alleged misappropriated funds is more than $6,200.

Jennifer M. Riggi, 29, of 47 Lake St., Le Roy, is being charged with grand larceny.

Riggi was arrested by Le Roy detective John Condidorio following an investigation that started Aug. 16.

Nursery school officials contacted Le Roy Police after checking bank statements and reportedly finding unusual activity.

After being arraigned in Le Roy Town Court, Riggi was released on her own recognizance.

Phillip Antonio Lee Sanders, 20, of Marine Drive, Buffalo, is charged with sexual abuse, 2nd. Sanders is accused of touching two girls under age 14 in intimate spots on their bodies. The alleged incidents were reported Thursday and allegedly occurred at Darien Lake's water park.

The Jamestown Jammers managed to get to starting pitcher Justin Edwards (4-5, 3.38 ERA) for five runs in the fourth and fifth innings, giving them all the runs they needed to defeat the Batavia Muckdogs.

The Jammers (40-32) are still in a wild card playoff hunt with Williamsport (41-32), while the Muckdogs are cruising into the playoffs as Pinckney Division champions.

The Muckdogs scored early, taking a 2-0 lead following a Victor Sanchez double, and hits from Jon Rodriguez and Joey Bergman.

The Muckdogs would score again in the fourth and fifth innings, but still come up short, 5-4.

Muckdogs coach Oliver Marmol was ejected in the fifth inning along with Manager Dann Bilardello. Marmol and Bilardello argued a foul ball call, which may have cost the Muckdogs a run. Shortstop Yunier Castillo hit the called foul, and later grounded out, and he apparently mouthed off himself and got tossed.

Rodriguez had three hits, knocked in two and scored twice.

Batavia is at home tonight against Auburn, in Auburn tomorrow and finish out the regular season Sunday at 1:05 p.m. against Auburn.

The playoffs start Tuesday at a location to be determined.

More pictures after the jump:

The Daily Grind, 85 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: For Batavia's finest coffee, smoothies, as well as fast and convenient breakfasts and lunches, stop into The Daily Grind. We have a $10 gift card for $5.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

South Beach, 59 Main St., Batavia, NY: Only recently reopened, a fine/casual dining atmosphere, offering steaks and seafood and daily specials. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50 (must be used by Nov. 30, 2010).

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

The Muckdogs need to make money and draw more fans, according to NY-Penn League Commissioner Ben Hayes, but even that might not be enough to keep the team in the city of the NYPL's birth.

Hayes said Dwyer Stadium is one of three or four ballparks in the league that is not up to professional baseball standards.

"It's not that I want them to relocate," Hayes said while visiting Dwyer for Thursday's game. "It's not something I want to happen. But it is something that, if the market is not supporting the ball club, or you have a stadium that’s not in condition for professional baseball, either one of those can end a franchise, and that’s where we are."

The infield is a particular concern, Hayes said. He said he's heard, but doesn't know about firsthand, that one team that visited Dwyer this year refused to take infield practice  because the manager was concerned about the condition of the playing surface.

Minutes earlier Hayes spoke with the groundskeeper. Hayes said the groundskeeper told him the field needed to be bulldozed.

"The infield needs to be laser leveled," Hayes said. "Those things are very costly."

The local ownership group is nonprofit, Hayes noted, and doesn't have the resources to take on those kinds of improvements.

The commissioner pointed to Aberdeen, State College, Staten Island and Brooklyn as franchises with professional quality facilities. He singled out Vermont as a club that, while profitable, will need to relocate if it can't solve its ballpark problems.

Hayes agreed that it would be a shame if one of the last original franchises had to relocate.

"We considered that three years ago," Hayes said. "That was one of the top things on our minds. It's one of the last original, founding clubs in the New York-Penn League.

Unfortunately," he added, "it’s a situation where I’m not sure this club can make money. It’s losing money every year and if that’s the case, then, you know, like the other original members, those clubs will have to depart and go somewhere else."

UPDATE, Friday, 9:22 p.m.: Groundskeeper Donald Rock called to clarify -- he's concerned that some might read his comments as meaning that the whole stadium needs to be leveled. That's not what he said. He said Hayes came to him before the game and asked, "If you could do one thing, what would it be?" and he replied bulldoze the field (both infield and outfield) and level it. Rock said years of football play on the field has left it uneven. He said Hayes told him he does a great job with the field and it's in the best condition it can be under the circumstances. He said Hayes said, "The things that need to be repaired, you can't do yourself."

The Stafford estate of Vaughn Hahn was auctioned off by Bontrager's this afternoon. More than 150 bidders registered, according to owner and auctioneer Todd Jantzi.

There was a wide range of items available, from Victorian-era couches, dressers, dishes, books and pictures, as well as a car and yard equipment.

Hahn died April 29 when he was hit by a car while standing beside the roadway across from his house, which had been in the family for generations. Hahn was 87.

Jantzi said there were rooms on the second floor that hadn't touched in years.

He said estates such as Hahn's only come along once a year or only every other year.

People came from as far as Palmyra and Toronto to particpate in the auction. Cars lined both sides of Route 5 for at least a 1/4 mile.

Brandon C. Dodd, a 24-year-old whose name has been well known to local law enforcement for close to a decade, is going to prison for the first time in his life.

While he hoped for probation, he knew prison was a possibility. When Judge Robert C. Noonan showed no leniency today, Dodd became emotional.

A few minutes after being told he was going to spend five years in prison and another three on parole, the Batavia resident let out a little sob and his attorney, Fred Rarick, put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

As Dodd was escorted from the courtroom in an orange jail suit and shackles, Dodd's emotions apparently got the better of him. He lashed out at Noonan, saying something about "pedophiles."

Noonan said, "Just a minute, bring him back in here, please," and the deputy escorted Dodd back into the courtroom.

"Would you please repeat on the record what you just said," Noonan said.

"I hope you continue to let all the pedophiles walk the street and save all of the probation  for those people," Dodd said.

Noonan then explained to Dodd that when he comes up for parole, the first thing the parole board will do is look at the transcript of today's hearing, and they will take into consideration what Dodd did and said.

Dodd said something about not caring as he was taken again from the courtroom, and a deputy later said that Dodd continued to mouth off all the way back to the jail.

Ironically, as Dodd was leaving, a man sentenced to state prison in Genesee County Court was coming in to face new child-sex charges.

In July, Dodd entered a guilty plea to a reduced burglary charge, limiting his maximum jail time from 15 to five years.

On March 18, Dodd and a partner forced their way into a house on Vine Street and, through the residents reportedly fought back, the duo left with money and property.

It turns out that what Dodd reportedly stole was $4,000 in cash and a stash of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Attorney Rarick, before Dodd's outburst, requested a probation sentence for Dodd, saying the young offender was ready to turn his life around, get counseling, and become a productive member of society.

As evidence of Dodd's repentance, Rarick said Dodd made a full admission to all of his past crimes, including some he was never charged with, during his pre-sentencing interview. Dodd allegedly admitted to dealing drugs in Batavia.

"He was extremely honest," Rarick said. "I think he was flushing it all out and saying 'these are the things I've done in my life and I don't want to do them any more.'"

Rarick said there was no excuse for Dodd's past crimes, but he blamed it on drug and alcohol use and hanging out with the wrong crowd.

"The fact that you came clean with probation is not refuted here," Noonan said. "I'm just not willing to ignore that you engaged in extensive criminal conduct in our community. While it may have been all related to whether you were involved in drugs doesn't excuse yourself at all. You're fortunate you negotiated a favorable plea deal."

A Rochester man is going to prison for two to four years for his part in a baseball-bat attack on three State Street residents on May 20.

Reginald Charles Sampson, 44, of 335 Flanders St., Rochester, entered a guilty plea to burglary, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd, charge July 21. He was originally charged with burglary, 2nd.

Attorney Fred Rarick told Judge Robert C. Noonan that Sampson was a candidate for a supervised probation release that would include substance abuse counseling, but Noonan said Sampson was already getting a good deal with the reduction in the burglary charge.

Sampson told Noonan, "I wish I could do everything different."

Sampson was part of a group of five individuals who busted into an apartment at 112 State St., Batavia, on May 20, swinging baseball bats. One person suffered serious, but  not life-threatening, injuries.

Batavia Police say no further arrests have been made, but the case is not closed.

A victim's statement included in Sampson's court file describes the May 20 attack.

The woman was sitting in her apartment with two men when they heard a commotion downstairs. Soon, somebody was banging at their front door. When one of her male companions opened the door, he was immediately hit by an individual swinging some object.

She described the attackers as five black males.

She recognized Sampson as someone who had punched her the night before.

"I know Reginald had a bat for sure," she said. "Reginald came over to me. I was laying on the couch. He was pointing his bat at me and he said, 'I told you, Shorty, we don't play.'"

When the other male got up and tried to leave, saying "I wasn't part of this," all five individuals started hitting him, according to the witness. She said one person picked up her crutch and hit him with it.

A former Batavia resident already in state prison on eight sex-crime-related charges entered a not-guilty plea in Genesee County Court to a 10-count indictment alleging rape in the 2nd degree.

Philip E. Kroft Jr., is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl 15 years old or younger.

Because Kroft is already serving a lengthy prison term, Judge Robert C. Noonan wondered what sort of bail status Kroft should be granted on the new charges -- Noonan has to set something in the way of bail status -- and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman didn't really have a recommendation.

"I don't think it's going to matter, your honor," Friedman said finally, kind of shrugging his shoulders, then adding, "$10,000."

"That's reasonable," Noonan said.

Kroft won't get his first parole hearing on his prior conviction until 2015.

Police say the alleged rapes in Batavia occurred in 2008.

A non-injury accident on West Main Street in front of Oliver's is apparently blocking traffic.

Batavia PD is responding.

A former Orleans County resident who was accused of driving drunk with children in her car on Dec. 29, shortly after Leandra's Law was passed, had her sentence delayed this morning, giving the probation department time to confirm her new residency in Oakfield.

Michelle M. Kasper, 20, formerly of Albion, could have become the first Genesee County resident sentenced under Leandra's Law.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini also raised a concern that Kasper admitted on Aug. 12 to driving while intoxicated, then during a pre-sentencing interview, Kasper said she hadn't been drinking prior to accident that led to her arrest. She told probation that she drink three energy drinks containing alcohol after the accident.

Ask to explain the contradiction, attorney Nathan Pace had a hard time explaining his client's comments, saying he didn't hear what questions she was asked by probation that led to her answer.

Kasper told Judge Robert C. Noonan that she had drinks earlier, but not immediately prior to the accident.

Noonan went ahead and agreed with a defense request to delay sentencing so that her new residency in Genesee County could be confirmed so that her sentence could include supervision.

Kasper was arrested on Dec. 29. She was the second WNY resident charged with a DWI felony under Leandra's Law, which increases the penalties for DWI with children under age 15 in the car. She was also charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jessie J. Jones, 19, of 118 1/2 State St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd. Jones is accused of being involved in a fight on State Street at 10:08 a.m., Wednesday, where two men reportedly brandished knives. Police say that the other subject is known but has not been located. The police are seeking a warrant for his arrest.

Michael J. Piasta, 30, 415 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with burglary and petit larceny. Piasta was arrested on a warrant upon his release from Niagara County Jail on an unrelated charge. Piasta is accused of stealing beer from Wilson Farms on Aug. 1. (See this report, also this alleged incident.)

Rebecca J. Fili (pictured), 32, of 103 W. Main St., Building 9, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Fili allegedly entered a business on West Main Street, Le Roy, and filled a purse she was carrying with items from the store. The purse was reportedly hollowed out in order to better conceal multiple items. A total of 15 items worth $53.70 were allegedly found in the purse. An employee reportedly spotted Fili allegedly filling her purse with store items.

Darik R.M. Orbaker, 18, of 6 Forest Edge Drive, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Orbaker is accused of grabbing another person who had previously been granted an order of protection.

A 16-year-old, of Ivison Road, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The youth is accused of letting another person under age 16 drive his family's car. The car was allegedly occupied at the time by the driver, the defendant and two females under 17 years of age.

A 16-year-old, of South Main Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. The youth is accused of stealing a 24-ounce can of Labatt Blue Light from a vendor's cooler during the Brooks & Dunn concert at Darien Lake.

Saul Doynasday Standsblack, 32, of Parker Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal trespass, 2nd. Standsback is accused of breaking a window and gaining entry to a trailer at 587 Council House Road on Aug. 25 at 5:15 a.m.

Lindsay Catherine Miller, 19, of 236 E. Bennington Drive, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Miller is accused of stealing cartons of cigarettes from the Totem Pole store.

The Batavia Muckdogs are playoff bound, and not as just some wild card hopeful, but as certified champs.

Tonight in Jamestown, the Muckdogs recorded their sixth-straight win to capture the Pinckney Division crown.

The team in the smallest city in the league now has a shot at its second league championship in three years.

Andrew Moss turned in another strong outing and Jon Rodriguez homered twice, giving him 11 on the season, as the Muckdogs beat the Jammers, 10-5.

Moss went six-and-a-third innings giving up four runs, but only one was earned. Anthony Ferrara came on to record his second save.

The Muckdogs now lead Williamsport by four games and Jamestown by 4.5 in the Pinckney Division.

Rodriquez went  2-5 with two solo home runs. Nick Longmire had two hits and three RBIs. Chris Edmundson continued his hot hitting at the top of the order, with two hits and three runs scored. Yuner Castillo also had two hits.

The division champs return home Thursday night to face the Jammers again, and then play Friday at Dwyer (fireworks!) against Auburn. 

The Muckdogs have three more regular season home games, and one more on the road.

Batavia Police are responding to a report of four or five people at the end of Hall Street fighting.

UPDATE  12:27 a.m.: Police officer on scene: "Things appear more calm at this point."

View Larger Map

Three Monroe County businessmen who bought the former Pontillo's location on East Main Street, Batavia, and reopened the legendary location as "Pontillo's" have drawn the ire of the Rochester wing of the Pontillo's family.

Pontillo's Family Pizza, Inc., led by David Pontillo, nephew and son of the Pontillo's founders, has filed a trademark infringement suit against Batavia Pizza, LLC, owned by Thomas Masaschi, Jeffrey Reddish and Jason Teller.

The trio bought the 500 E. Main Street building and land late in 2009 from a firm that had acquired it in foreclosure. Then they reopened it as Pontillo's Pizzeria in April, hiring one of Salvatore Pontillo's son's, Sam Pontillo, to manage it.

Pontillo's Family Pizza, which overseas the operations of more than a dozen Pontillo's locations in the Rochester area, is claiming that Batavia Pizza never asked for, nor received, permission to use the Pontillo's name.

David's father, Anthony Pontillo, brother of Salvatore, filed for and received a federally registered trademark for "Pontillo's" in 1984.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for damaged business reputation, as well as all revenue and any profits of the new Batavia Pontillo's, plus any damages that might be awarded at trial, plus attorney's fees.

The suit also seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction against Batavia Pizza prohibiting the use of the Pontillo's name by the ownership group.

The Pontillo brothers founded one of the first post-war pizzerias in the United States in Batavia in 1947, and a few years later, Anthony headed out for Rochester to start a chain of pizzerias under the same name.

According to John and Paul Pontillo, there was an agreement between families not to infringe on each other's territory so long as Pontlllo's remained a family business.

In the lawsuit, Pontillo's Family Pizza contends that contrary to an early presentation by the Monroe County businessmen, Sam Pontillo, is not a partner in Batavia Pizza, and even if he were, Pontillo's Family Pizza would not have given him permission to use the Pontillo's trade name in a re-established Batavia enterprise.

"Because of his tax problems, Pontillo's Family Pizza, Inc., will not give Mr. Sam C. Pontillo the right to use PONTILLO'S to operate a pizzeria," reads a letter dated June 18 and written by attorney Stephan B. Salai to an attorney representing Masaschi and his partners.

It was one of two letters the ownership group received from the Rochester Pontillo's demanding that Masaschi and his partners stop using the Pontillo's name.

Sam and Paul Pontillo were operating the Batavia location when mounting debts and tax bills apparently forced them to close the store in November 2008. John Pontillo had also been involved in the operation at one time, and all three brother's dispute just how the family business fell into failure.

Sam has continued to operate the Le Roy Pontillo's, though John has made attempts to acquire it.

There is a pending lawsuit filed by the estate of Elizabeth Pontillo against Sam and Paul.

Previously:

• Pontillo v. Pontillo opens window on finances of legendary family business
• Dave's Produce has barely survived the alleged bad debt from Pontillo's
• Motions denied in Pontillo's lawsuit
• And for the rest of our previous coverage, going back to November 2008, click here.