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Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.89, up 5 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.81. The New York State average is $2.96 – up 7 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.94. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.84 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.87 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.90 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.88 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.91 (up 7 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.88 (up 7 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.95 (up 8 cents since last week)

The main reasons for the continuing increase in prices: lower domestic stock levels, the switchover to more expensive-to-produce summer blend gasoline and reduced gasoline production as a result of maintenance at refineries across the country. As a result, American motorists should expect increased pump prices as demand remains robust and stocks dwindle this week.

AAA and OPIS (Oil Price Information Service) analyzed a range of data to identify how much more time Americans have to punch the clock to afford a tank of gas. For the methodology, the median income for each county was broken down to an income by minute assuming a 40-hour workweek. The average gasoline price was compared to the income per minute.

Counties in the Southeast have been hit the hardest with McCreary County, Ky., topping the list. There, the average worker needs to work for 17.17 minutes more just to buy one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline (compared to 13 minutes in January). That is a 32-percent longer work time than at the start of the year.

According to data released by AAA, a Genesee County median-income resident must work 6.44 minutes to pay for a gallon of gas, that's up 3.5 percent from the start of the year when the time was 6.22 minutes.

A caller reported heavy black smoke in the area of Dillon and Perry roads, Pavilion, and one firefighter responding reported hearing explosions.

A fire chief has located two old campers on fire in the woods.

Pavilion fire is responding.

A chief on scene is requesting contact with law enforcement, either in person or by phone.

A car fire is reported near the railroad tracks on Snipery Road, Corfu.

An initial report said a train was coming and there was a request to contact the train company.

The car is fully involved.

Law enforcement requested to the scene.

An ambulance requested to the scene. A person may have some burns.

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: According to a trooper and a firefighter at the scene, a woman set her own Jeep on fire about 35 yards from the railroad tracks. A train passed by but there was no hazard posed to it since the burning vehicle was far enough away. The woman had soot on her and may have inhaled smoke; it is unknown if she suffered burns. She was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Corfu resident Joe Mortellaro was honored Friday night in Las Vegas for participating in his 50th national tournament, now called the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.

Mortellaro was 19 in 1956 when he bowled in his first such tournament, the predecessor to the USBC championship, the American Bowling Congress Tournament in Rochester.

“I never had that in mind (making it to 50 years),” said Mortellaro, now 82 and battling through some serious health issues. “I have to give credit to the guys (his teammates) who keep pushing me.”

Mike Pettinella wrote about Mortellaro and other Genesee County residents participating in the tournament in his most recent Pin Points column for The Batavian.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

A piece of Godzilla that came from Batavia landed on the doorstep of a Pennsylvania home leading to a hazardous materials team responding to the residence and the police and fire departments evacuating the entire neighborhood around Seneca Street in Fountain Hill, which is outside Bethlehem.

The homeowner apparently forgot he had contributed to a Kickstarter campaign to fund a Godzilla movie, Godzilla Heritage, produced in Batavia by Tim Schiefer and Greg Graves.

One of the rewards for his contribution was a mock body part from Godzilla that was supposed to look like it was frozen.

When the unexpected package arrived, Michael and Tara Conner opened it.

“We opened it and there was a glass jar with a clear liquid inside,” Tara Conner told Andrew Scott, a reporter with the Morning Call. “There was something black floating in the clear liquid. We didn’t know what it was and didn’t want to touch it.”

The return label on the package included the name Greg Graves, which also just happens to be the same name of a U.S. Postal official, which was the only match they found for the name when the Conners searched online. That made them more suspicious so they called 9-1-1.

“We had no idea what this was or who sent it to us," Tara Conner said. "A police officer came, saw the package and agreed it was suspicious. He told us to pack some things and leave our house. And then Hazmat was called in.”

It took a few hours for officials in Fountain Hill to piece things together and discover the jar contained nothing harmful.

The monster part was made by Rashaad Santiago, who lives in Batavia but is nationally known, especially after winning the reality TV series Face Off, for his monster costumes, makeup, and props. He made Godzilla for Godzilla Heritage.

Santiago was both amused and proud that his monster part caused such a hubbub in Fountain Hill.

"It made me laugh," Santiago said. "The mass hysteria caused by it also made me proud that something I made by hand was mistaken for something that looked real and harmful."

Photo: File photo of Rashaad Santiago and Tim Schiefer.

UPDATE: A photo of the bit of Godzilla's flesh that was shipped to the Conners. Photo courtesy Tim Schiefer.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia hosted their annual Law Day dinner on Thursday night at the Batavia Country Club and presented criminal justice awards to Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell, Sheriff's Office Investigator Chad Minuto, Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis, and Le Roy Police Officer Greg Kellogg.

The theme of the Law Day event this year is "Freedom of the Press and Free Speech" so local author Bill Kauffman was the keynote speaker.

"Like most writers, I'm more or less a First Amendment absolutist in favor of the widest possible freedom of speech expression," Kauffman said.

The greatest threat to free speech these days come not from government, Kauffman said, but from big tech companies and social pressure to conform.

"There are tremendous career and social pressures to toe the line," Kauffman said. "To go along with whatever the politically correct fad of the moment is, to keep your mouth shut. Well, it's our birthright and our obligation to defy these pressures, to reject these censors and say what we think."

In small towns, such as we find in Genesee County, however, where we know each other so much better, there is greater freedom.

"I really think the possibilities of freedom are greater here in a place like this than in a big city," Kauffman said. "I'm not just saying that it's cheap boosterism or a kickback from the Chamber of Commerce. Our small or modest size is a real advantage.

"Life is lived here on a human scale, not a mass impersonal scale. We can actually know each other. If we so choose. We don't need to snipe at one another anonymously over the Internet. We can do so face to face. But the funny thing is we don't do so face to face."

Before a crowd of mostly police officers, judges, and prosecutors, Kauffman said life lived at this scale also gives them advantages not enjoyed by their big-city counterparts.

"(It is in) the intricate network of relationships in which freedom of speech becomes meaningful," Kauffman said. "Not just hot and angry air is possible here and we really are blessed. I'm not saying kids who grew up in small communities are any better than kids who grow up elsewhere.

"There's a lot of hell-raisers, as the police officers and sheriff's deputies present tonight can testify, but maybe at least we understand the back story to these hell-raisers and that makes a difference."

Top Photo: Kevin Finnell receiving his award from Chief Deputy Joseph Graff, Chief Deputy Brian Frieday, Undersheriff Brad Mazur, and Kiwanis President Mark Lewis.

Press release about the awards:

Kiwanis Club President Mark Lewis and Genesee County Bar Association President Tom Williams will be announcing the awards during an annual dinner held at Batavia Country Club on Thursday, April 25. The speaker at the dinner was local author Bill Kauffman.

Kiwanis Criminal Justice Award

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia Criminal Justice Award is presented to a member or members of the community, law enforcement, or a criminal justice agency serving the citizens of Genesee County whose exceptional career achievements and conscientiousness to citizenship have demonstrated a spirit of selfless public service or demonstrated an act of exceptional valor or heroism.

The 2019 Award Recipients are:

Assistant District Attorney Kevin T. Finnell

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell's diligent prosecution of violators pertaining to driving while intoxicated and related offenses has shown he is sincerely dedicated to the safety and welfare of the citizens of Genesee County. Mr. Finnell's knowledge of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and the full 12-step Drug Recognition Evaluation, as well as the internal and external functions of the Datamaster DMT chemical test, is a remarkable asset to the Genesee County Law Enforcement community. Mr. Finnell continually strives to develop the skills needed to successfully prosecute DWI and DWAI drug cases whether through training or educating law enforcement officers on current case law. Whenever he is involved in a hearing or a trial, he is totally prepared and our community is very fortunate that Mr. Finnell represents the People of Genesee County. Kevin Finnell was nominated for this award by Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. and Undersheriff Bradley D. Mazur.

Investigator Chad J. Minuto, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office

Investigator Chad J. Minuto began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in March of 1999, when he was hired at the Genesee County Jail as a Correction Officer. He worked as a Correction Officer for two years and was then hired by the Genesee County Probation Department as a Probation Officer.

Investigator Minuto returned to the Sheriff's Office in March 2005, and began his service as a Deputy Sheriff. His work ethic and abilities led to his selection as a Field Training Officer. Minuto was promoted to the rank of Investigator in September of 2015, and has proved to be an invaluable asset to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff's Office. Investigator Minuto performs all his duties to a very high standard. This is clearly demonstrated in the thoroughness of his investigations which has led to a very high rate of resolution of cases he investigates. Investigator Minuto’s attention to detail is truly evident as he is responsible for the integrity of the evidence room where he inventories, preserves and maintains all evidence collected by the Sheriff’s Office. His meticulous work in the evidence room is vital to the criminal justice process.

Investigator Minuto also serves as a Physical Fitness Instructor, a Firearms Instructor, and is a member of the Emergency Response Team. During his career, he has been recognized with awards at the Sheriff’s Office including a DWI recognition award, Commendation Award and Officer of the Year. Throughout his law enforcement career, Investigator Minuto has proven to be a true asset to the community and to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Investigator Minuto was nominated for this award by Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. and Undersheriff Bradley D. Mazur.

Officer Jason Davis, City of Batavia Police Department

Police Officer Jason Davis has been an integral part of the City of Batavia Police Department since being hired in 1999. He has consistently gone above and beyond in the many roles that he holds in the Department. Jason is a Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, General Topics Instructor, De-Escalation Instructor, Crisis Intervention Team Officer, is a past member of the Emergency Response Team and member of several Departmental Committees.

Officer Davis has been recognized for his work with DWI enforcement, his de-escalation techniques and dealing compassionately with vulnerable members of our community. Jason is looked up to by his peers and is one of the "go to" officers when an issue needs to be addressed. He tackles problems head on and ensures a positive resolution. Jason started his career in 1997 as a Deputy Sheriff for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department; he also worked part-time as a police officer for the Village of Ellicottville until transferring to the City of Batavia. Jason has also been a Pack Leader for Cub Scout Pack #650. Officer Davis was nominated for this award by City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.

Officer Gregory S. Kellogg, Village of Le Roy Police Department

Since coming to the Le Roy Police Department in January 2016, Officer Kellogg has continually worked to build community partnerships with the Le Roy School District, the Rotary Early Act Program and the Boy Scouts. Officer Kellogg has also worked at the Perry Police Department and Attica Police Department, where he received the Distinguished Service Award in 2017. He is compassionate, committed, dependable, and willing to step up and perform his duties at all times. In January 2018, Officer Kellogg received a letter of commendation for performing CPR for an extended period of time on a victim, which the family directly attributed his actions to saving the victim’s life.

Officer Kellogg coordinated and implemented the “Stuff the Cruiser” program in conjunction with Early Act, which resulted in cash and gift card donations as well as nearly 3,000 nonperishable food donations that filled five police-cruisers. Greg has a "Coffee with a Cop" mentality frequently going to local restaurants to share time with residents, joking with them, sharing stories but, more importantly, listening to their concerns.

He is actively involved coordinating and implementing the department’s “Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event” training program which has been presented to several community members, local businesses and churches. He is a general topics instructor, firearms instructor, field training officer, accreditation manager, and Taser instructor.

Officer Kellogg is also employed at Six Flags Darien Lake Theme Park as a Police Supervisor, overseeing approximately 30 police officers, and is responsible for all security training. His daily conscientiousness to citizenship and a spirit of selfless public service are a model that young officers in the Le Roy Police Department try to emulate. Officer Kellogg was nominated for this award by Village of Le Roy Police Chief Christopher K. Hayward.

Charles L. Mancuso Mock Trial Award

The “Charles L. Mancuso Award” was presented to the members of the Batavia High School Mock Trial Team as winners of the 2019 GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties) District Competition in the New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament. The award reads “Dedicated to the Memory of an Outstanding Attorney-Citizen." Mr. Mancuso, a Batavia lawyer, served as coordinator of the local competition until his untimely death 12 years ago.

The Batavia High School team members honored at the dinner include: Sophie Beckman, Brianna Bromley, Charles Burton, Eryn Dunn, Kathleen Folger, Tate Fonda, Ariana Frias, Dallas Lama, Amari McNair, Natalie Rogers, Corinne Saluste, Julia Spiotta, Teacher-Coach Theresa Traver, and Attorney Advisor Ethan Kraybill. Coordinator of the local Mock Trial Program, Kristie DeFreze, presented the award.

Bill Kauffman

Chad Minuto receiving his award.

Officer Jason Davis with Chaplain Green, Chief Shawn Heubusch, Councilwoman Patti Pacino, and City Manager Martin Moore.

Officer Greg Kellogg and Detective John Condidorio.

Some of the members of the Batavia High School Mock Trial Team.

Members of the Batavia Rotary Club partied like it was 1919 at Eli Fish last night as part of the club's ongoing commemoration of the civic organization's 100th anniversary but before they did they gathered in Rotary Park in Downtown Batavia for a group photo.

Here is a roster of current members (not all are in the photo):

Andrea L. Aldinger
Lori Aratari
Paul Battaglia
Wade Bianco
Linda Blanchet
Carol Boshart
Justin Calarco-Smith
Timothy Call
Ramon Chaya
Gary Churchill
Christopher Dailey
Richard G. Ensman
Daniel Fischer
Christine Fix
Douglas Forsyth
Vladimar Frias
William Fritts
Steven Grice
Jay Gsell
Barbara Hale
Stephen Hawley
Theodore Hawley
Jonathan Herdlein
Michael Hodgins
Thomas Houseknecht
James Isaac
Kimberly Isaac
Donald Iwanicki
Lalit Jain
John Kirkwood
Robert Knipe
Raja Kolisetti
Michael Kubiniec
Sharon Kubiniec
Edmund Leising
Thomas Lichtenthal
Glen Liucci
Krysia Mager
Rosalie Maguire
Francis Marchese
Paul Marchese
Laurie Mastin Thomas Mazurkiewicz
Debbie McAllister
Gregg McAllister
John McGowan
James McMullen
Sue Medley
David Metzler
Martin Moore
James Mott
Gilbert Mulcahy
Kimberly Nichols
Robert Noonan
Lisa Ormsbee
Susie Ott
Barbara Pierce
Steven Pies
Mary Raymond
Joseph Rowbottom
Marlin Salmon
Donna Saskowski
Paul Saskowski
John Saville
Samantha Schafer
Susan Schuler
Jane Scott
Robert Shell
Raymond Shirtz
Pamela Sivret
James Smith
Lily Snyder
Mark Snyder
George Spinnegan
David Swartz
Peter Terry
Robert Thompson
Thomas Turnbull
Hollis Upson
Robert Walker
Christopher White
Kenneth Witt
Theresa Yasses
Charles Zambito
Andrea Zucchiatti

 

This is the prettiest time of year around the Old Courthouse and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Also, the daffodils in front of City Hall are blooming.

 

Fourth-grade students at John Kennedy School this year were given a straightforward message, "If there's not the business in Batavia that you want, make it." So they researched how to write business plans, came up with ideas for the businesses they would like to see locally, and then, today, pitched those business ideas to a group of community leaders.

The people who listened to the ideas had "Cook's Cash" (named after JK Principal Amanda Cook) to invest in their favorite business concepts. The winner will be announced at an upcoming Genesee County Business Education Alliance breakfast.

A property deed from 1813 and signed by Joseph Ellicott was purchased at auction yesterday by the Holland Land Office Museum for $1,900.

The deed was acquired last year by Dale Vargason, from Wayland, who found it in a box of 18th century documents he acquired and then decided to bring it to Bontrager's Auctions.

Auctioneer Todd Jantzi started bidding off at $1,000 and when there were no initial bids, dropped it down to $800. Two people then jumped into the bidding, including Gary Harkness, representing HLOM, and the bids quickly rose to the $1,900 mark.

Previously: Rare historical document, a deed signed by Joseph Ellicott, to be featured in upcoming auction at Bontrager's

Several student-athletes at Batavia High School signed letters of intent with area colleges and universities on Wednesday, including Sam Sallome, above, who signed with Tompkins-Cortland Community College to play baseball.

Sallome is joined by Jaime Sallome, Emma Sallome, Sam Sallome Sr., Coach Rick Saunders, and Asst. Coach James Patric.

Taiyo Iburi-Bethel signed with the University at Buffalo to play football.  Iburi-Bethel is joined by Mekhi Fortes (brother), Kinu Fortes (mother), Edwin Bethel (father), Lila Forte (sister), Darazian Williams (brother), Coach Brennen Briggs, Brenda Iburi (grandmother), Terri Ernst (grandmother), Shin Iburi (uncle), and Akari Iburi (aunt).

Joe Martinucci signed with St. John Fischer to play football. He is joined by Aimee Martinucci, Joseph Martinucci, Michelle Martinucci, and Coach Brennan Briggs.

Ryann Stefaniak signed with Nazareth to play basketball. She is joined by Anne Stefaniak, Rich Stefaniak, and Coach Marty Hein.

John Bruggman signed with Daemen to run cross-country and track. He is joined by Courtney Bruggman, Michael Bruggman, and coaches Dan Geiger, Rich Boyce, and Bill Buckenmeyer.

Elizabeth Cohen signed with Geneseo to run cross-country and track. She is joined by Coach Dan Geiger, Jeanne Cohen, Coach Bill Buckenmeyer, and Coach Rich Boyce.

Zak Jantzi signed with Roberts Wesleyan to run cross-country and track. He is joined by Coach Dan Geiger, Todd Jantzi, Coach Bill Buckenmeyer, and Coach Rich Boyce.

Ray Leach, the Blue Devils star running back who set several state records on his way to leading the Batavia to a state championship appearance, did not attend Wednesday's signing ceremony. He is expected to attend SUNY Cortland.

Earlier this today a fully loaded semi-truck left the roadway on Route 63 in Bethany and landed in a ditch.

Parises has been on scene and is now ready to try and right the truck and get it out of the ditch so Ellicott Street Road is being closed temporarily between Transit Road and East Road.

    Michael Piasta

A pair of jeans with a hole, a pair of shoes, and a jacket that were all consistent with images of a robber in a surveillance video were key to getting felony convictions in a jury trial for Michael J. Piasta, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

"This is a case where we definitely needed that surveillance video to provide the corroboration that we needed," Friedman said.

Piasta took $10,000 from the Arby's, 212 W. Main St., Batavia, on March 25, 2018. 

The jury took two hours to decide Piasta was guilty of robbery, 2nd, grand larceny, 3rd, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Friedman said Piasta carried an imitation handgun and wore a mask when he robbed Arby's.

Photo from Arby's surveillance that helped lead to the arrest and conviction of Michael Piasta.

On April 13, 2018, Piasta, who had already been identified as a suspect, was located in a pickup truck with three other individuals stopped by a Batavia police officer on West Main Street. Friedman said the pants he wore that day had a hole in one leg consistent with a hole in the leg shown in the surveillance video.

He also wore shoes Friedman said he thought were unique and consistent with the shows shown in the Arby's video.

The jacket Piasta wore during the robbery was located at his mother's house following his arrest. His mother said the jacket was hers but she had loaned it to her son a few days before the robbery and it was returned shortly after the robbery, according to Friedman.

"We had a witness who testified that defendant came to his residence right after the crime wearing clothes consistent with the clothes worn during the robbery and that he had several thousand dollars with him and he stated that he had, quote 'done dirt', which apparently means he committed a robbery," Friedman said.

Piasta has three prior stints in state prison and is eligible for sentencing for persistent felony offender status, which means a minimum of five years in prison. The maximum term for a Class C felony is 15 years.

When Piasta was sentenced in 2010 on a burglary charge, he told Judge Robert C. Noonan, "At this point, I just want to say I don’t feel that I’m hopeless," Piasta told Noonan before receiving a maximum state prison term of seven years for burglary. "Regardless of what happens today, I think I can make things better."

Photo from April 13, 2018, of the scene on West Main Street, Batavia, when Michael Piasta was taken into custody as a suspect in the Arby's robbery.

Driving down Walnut Street in Batavia you may notice several trees have been removed and the logs are piled up on the east side of the Tonawanda Creek.

The tree removal is part of the Ellicott Trail project.

The trail will cross the creek in this area and in July, according to Matt Worth, Batavia's director of Public Works, a bridge will be placed across the creek at this location.

The 4.6 mile, $1.7 million trail -- a cooperative effort between the City, the Town, the County, and the State, should open sometime in the fall.

The trail is designed for recreational use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Genesee County's unemployment rate in March was 4.6 percent, the lowest March rate since at least 1990.

The rate a year ago was 5.4 percent.

The county's labor force is reportedly 29,100, down 100 people from a year ago. The number of county residents with jobs is reported at 27,800, up 200 from a year ago. The number of residents seeking employment is 1,300, down from 1,600 a year ago.

In 1990, there was 30,800 residents in the labor pool with 29,200 holding jobs.

The unemployment rate in March for the GLOW region is 4.9 percent, down from 5.8 percent a year ago and also the lowest recorded rate since 1990.

The state's unemployment rate is 4.1 percent, down from 4.6 percent a year ago and nationally, the rate is 3.9 percent, down from 4.1 percent a year ago.

Spring is in the air.

Local photographer Dylan Brew shared this photo with us of an Eastern bluebird.

A 17-year-old Elba resident and her younger brother were injured Easter Sunday after another reportedly rear-ended the car she was driving in the area of 2102 Main Road, Pembroke.

Theresa M. Gioia, 60, of Auburn, was cited for allegedly following too closely.

The accident sent four people to area hospitals, including Maddison T. Howard, 17, and Zachary D. Howard, 15. Maddison reportedly suffered a minor head injury and Zachary had a complaint of neck pain. Both were transported to Buffalo General Hospital.

Gioia reportedly told a deputy that she "looked back for one minute" while driving 2011 Jeep before hitting a 2017 Mazda SUV driving by Maddison.

Gioia and passenger Julie Wall, 36, were taken by Mercy EMS to UMMC. Gioia reportedly suffered a broken elbow. Wall had a complaint of neck pain.

Also in the car, with no reported injuries, were Jacob Kraatz, 15, and James Gioia, 64.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story reversed the drivers of the vehicles and incorrectly stated who was cited. The Batavian regrets the error.

(Initial Report)

The City of Batavia is likely to reject all three bids it received for roof repair work on the City Centre Mall because they all came in over budget and Public Works Director Matt Worth thinks the city can do better by revising the bid specifications and attracting smaller contractors to the job.

The City Council will be asked to reject the bids at its next business meeting after being briefed at Monday night's conference meeting.

The work on the roof is part of the lawsuit settlement agreement with the Mall Merchants Association.

The original bid specifications including not just replacing the flat roof area, but also removing and roofing over the skylights and reroofing the entryway silos.

While it made sense at the time the bid package went out to include those features, Worth said, the heavy wind of winter storms have filled up the spring and early summer schedule of roofers in the region, especially those who do warranty work.

That left fewer smaller contractors available to bid on a project with a larger scope.

The largest contractors in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse submitted bids of $1.42 million, $1.67 million, and $2.25 million, which are all over budget.

A new bid package will be released that makes replacement of the flat roof one project, with minor repairs around the skylights and the skylights. Silos will be bid out at a later date.