Skip to main content

Stories from

Police release surveillance video related to suspected South Main shooting

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On August 28, 2021, at approximately 1:45 a.m. officers from the City of Batavia Police Department were dispatched to a residential location on South Main Street for the report of potential gunfire.   Officers arrived on the scene and found that shots were fired at a residence and that no one was hurt.  Officers believe that the victim was the target of the crime, and this was not a random act. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311.

Batavia First United Methodist Church hosting spaghetti dinner on Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia First United Methodist Church at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia, is hosting a spaghetti dinner this Friday from 5 to  7 p.m. or until sold out.

It features the church's "famous homemade sauce."  The meal also includes a chef salad, Italian bread, and brownies.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and for children.

Call for tickets: (585) 343-4708.

Photo submitted by Diana German. Chef and assistant chef Don Rada and Kathy O’Neil.

No gunshots fired in incident on Route 33 in Stafford yesterday

By Howard B. Owens

Arthur Brown

There were no gunshots fired yesterday evening following a traffic stop near Mill Road on State Route 33 in Stafford after the driver ran into a cornfield -- either by the suspect or by law enforcement.

What was initially reported as gunfire turned out to be a wildlife scare cannon -- it emits loud blasts fueled by propane -- to deter birds and other wildlife from damaging crops.

The incident began at 6:04 p.m. when Howard Owens, publisher on  The Batavian, reported a silver Pontiac sedan heading west on Clinton Street Road being driven in an erratic manner.  

Near Mill Road, a Deputy was positioned in a laneway in a farm field waiting for the vehicle to pass.

The deputy initiated a  traffic stop across from a  sweet-corn-for-sale stand and a cornfield. As soon as the sedan stopped, the driver bolted from the vehicle and ran south into the cornfield.  The deputy initiated a foot pursuit but backed off when he reportedly saw the suspect remove a handgun from his waistband.

The deputy detained a female passenger in the vehicle,  placing her in handcuffs and returning her to the vehicle.

At that moment, there was a muffled boom, and Owens and the deputy took cover behind their respective vehicles.  The deputy reported, "shots fired."

Over the next 15 minutes or so an additional three blasts were heard.  During that time additional deputies and Batavia police officers arrived on the scene and Route 33 was closed in both directions. Owens was then evacuated from the scene by two deputies in a patrol vehicle.

Over the next few hours, additional law enforcement arrived from Monroe County and the State Police.  SWAT units on scene included one from Monroe County, one from the State Police, and the Genesee County Emergency Response Team. The DEC K-9 unit also responded.

Law enforcement had a preliminary identification of the suspect based on statements from the female passenger. 

The NYSP Aviation Unit helicopter was dispatched to assist and it coordinated with NYSP drone operators to search the area.  Also assisting were the Monroe County Sheriff's Office drone operators.

The suspect was located shortly after 11:20 p.m. in an area about one mile to the northeast of the original location near Westbrook  Road. He was attempting to seclude himself in a wooded area.

He was taken into custody without further incident. 

Law enforcement did recover a handgun during a search of the area where the suspect had initially fled. 

Taken into custody was Arthur J. Brown, 44, of Lake Street, Le Roy.  He was charged with:

  • Criminal possession of a weapon 2nd
  • Menacing a police officer
  • Tampering with physical evidence
  • Obstruction of governmental administration 2nd
  • Criminal  possession of a controlled substance 7th
  • Driving while impaired by drugs
  • Failure to keep right

Brown was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and jailed without bail.

The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Breanna A. Smith, 29, of Lexington Avenue, Rochester. Smith reportedly had an active warrant in Florida but Flordia officials declined to extradite Smith.  She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and issued an appearance ticket.

Top Photo: Sweet corn sign this morning at the incident location.

Previously: BREAKING NEWS: Shots fired after vehicle stopped on Route 33, near Mill Road

Smith being taken into custody just after the driver fled and just before the first blast was heard.

Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of switching price tags at retail store

By Howard B. Owens

Amanda Lynn Huber, 39, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  Huber is accused of switching price tags to make items appear to cost less at the time of purchase while at a store on Veteran's Memorial Drive, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket. 

Joshua Lanair Webster, 34, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd. Webster is accused of having physical contact with a victim during an incident reported at 12:51, Aug. 27, on East Main Street in the Town of Batavia. Webster was released on his own recognizance.

Kelly Grace McCoy, 27, of Cambell Street, Rochester, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and failure to keep right. McCoy was stopped at 1:23 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 5236 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush. McCoy was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

William Cappiello, 62, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant, arraigned in City Court, and released on his own recognizance. There was no information was released on the reason for the warrant. 

McKenzie N. O'Connell, 18, of Rochester, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. O'Connell is accused of encouraging/exposing children between the ages of twelve and fifteen to engage in sexual behavior.  Her bail status was not released.

Winston A. Lockhart, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Lockhart was allegedly found in the company of a protected party in violation of a stay-away order.  He was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to the Albion Police Department on a warrant.

Rachil J. Oliver, 49, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI,  driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Oliver was stopped by a Batavia police officer at 2:37 a.m., Sept. 12, on Otis Street in Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Marlena M. Burrus, 34, of Batavia, is charged with owning/harboring an unlicensed dog.  Burrus was arrested at her home in Batavia after allegedly being found with an unlicensed dog on Sept. 14. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Photos: Sunset and moonrise

By Howard B. Owens

Melinda Hagen shared this picture from a couple of nights ago of the sunset as seen from the Byron-Bergen soccer fields.

Below, yesterday evening's moonrise in Pembroke by Joanne Meiser.

Photos: 'Musical Memories' at City Church

By Howard B. Owens

Past and present came together Saturday night at City Church in a 15th-annual "Musical Memories" concert in support of Crossroads House in Batavia.

This year, the free concert honored COVID caregivers and honored victims and survivors.

Performers this year included: The Rochester Hitmen, The Park Avenue Brass, St. Joseph’s Batavia Brass Ensemble, The Hamburg Kingmen Drum Corps, and Mighty St. Joe’s Drum & Bugle Corps.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

 

 

Stalbaum sweeps features at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Former Batavia Downs driving champion Larry Stalbaum returned to western New York and has already started to find his old groove. On Saturday night (Sept. 18) “The Bomber” swept both pacing features with horses he owns and trains and he did it in impressive fashion. 

Stalbaum took the $12,300 Open I Handicap with recent acquisition Matticulous GB, with a tough first-over trip.

Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) outfought Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) and Major Authority (Wade Tomaszewski) for the front and led the field to the half in :56. Stalbaum pulled Matticulous GB first-over and drew alongside Art Scene by three-quarters. The two pacers then went stride for stride around the last turn and into the final eighth. The battle continued into a deep stretch where Matticulous GB got the edge over Art Scene and then held off a late burst from Daylight Rush to win in 1:53.4.

Matticulous GB ($5.50) got his third win of the year, but first in two starts for Stalbaum.

Then in the $11,000 Open II pace, American Zest A returned to the Downs after two starts at Saratoga and despite being a beaten favorite in four previous Genesee County starts, demolished the resident group this night.

Stalbuam played give-and-go with Catch A Lefty A (Mike Baumeister) at the start of the race before taking control of the race with American Zest A by the quarter and from there, the race was history. After getting to the half in an unchallenged:56.4, American Zest A started to lengthen his lead at three-quarters and by the top of the stretch he was clear by four. Stalbaum sat chilly as American Zest A cruised down the lane by open lengths and won in a sparkling 1:52.3.

American Zest A ($3.00) got his sixth win of the year and pushed his earnings to $58,168 this year. 

Stalbaum added a win with catch drive Better Watch Out (1.56.1, $) to lead all drivers with three wins and all trainers with two. 

There was a guaranteed $5,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager on Saturday and $5,438 of new money was generated on the strength of the $898 carryover and a USTA Strategic Wagering guarantee. The combination of 2, 1, 1, 2, 4-3, 5 paid $142 for a 50-cent wager.

There was no winner in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager on Saturday so there will be a carryover of $1,527 for that wager on Wednesday (Sept. 22) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

Photos: 2021 Friends and Family 5K in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Brandon Rebert set a new course record of 18:09 today in Elba in the annual Arc of Genesee  Orleans Friends and Family 5K.

Rebert beat his 2019 winning time -- the last time the race was won -- by nine seconds.

Kim Mills took yet another women's 5K title with a time of 21:37.

Trojans just miss chance to beat Avon

By Howard B. Owens

The Alexander Trojans suffered the team's first loss of the season at the hands of Avon, 12-10.

The Trojans drop to 2-1 and Avon remains undefeated at 3-0.

Alexander scored first on a 30-yard field goal by Eric Cline to cap a seven-minute offensive drive.

Avon took the lead early in the second quarter on a one-yard TD. A failed extra-point try made the score 6-3.

Alexander's final score of the game came on a Nick Kramer one-yard TD dive followed by a Cline PAT, 10-6.

With two minutes left in the half, Avon scored again on a 23-yard pass,  setting the score at 12-10.

The Trojan's last gasp came with 30 seconds left on the clock and a 37-yard field goal attempt that drifted wide, allowing Avon to hold on  for the win.

Braden Woods carried the ball  19 times for 132 yards.  Kramer rushed for 32 yards and a TD on nine carries.  

Photos By Philip Casper. Top photo: Nick Kramer QB #3 scrambling out of the pocket

Brayden Woods RB #2

Nick Kramer QB #3 being brought down after a commanding run

Eric Cline K #9 with the field goal attempt

Benny Merrill DB #6

Trojans special teams making their way onto the field before a field goal attempt

Clayton Bezon, FB #40 powering through the Avon line

Photos: Sunset along Clinton Street Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

I've been driving through Stafford in the evenings a lot recently and every time I pass the barn on Griswold Road off Clinton Street Road,  I wish I had my camera with me.  Yesterday evening, I time my trip for sunset and had my camera with me.

Photos: National Grid employees volunteer for clean up work at Arc

By Howard B. Owens

As part of a statewide Day of Service project, employees of National Grid volunteered at Arc of Genesee Orleans in Batavia to dismantle obsolete machines, boxes, and pallets, that had been used to recycle cans, cardboard, plastic, and newspapers. National Grid employees broke down - and prepare for removal - old equipment that has been stored outdoors on the property since the organization began implementing a new, more efficient recycling process.

Office for the Aging offering assistance with HEAP applications

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Each year, Office for the Aging assists older adults with their HEAP applications.  If you received your pre-printed application in the mail for the 2021-2022 HEAP season, please mail it to Office for the Aging, 2 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020.  You may also drop it off at the front desk of Office for the Aging.  Please be sure to include all current income information and year-to date interest and dividends earned on any accounts.

For new applicants, HEAP will open on October 1, 2021.  We will have blank applications available in our front vestibule.  If you have any questions about how to fill a new application out, we encourage you to call the office.

Due to continued concerns with COVID, walk-ins are highly discouraged.  Many questions can be answered during a phone call.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.   

County Historian Michael Eula gives talk in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, located at 11115 W. Park Street in Pavilion. The presentation is entitled “Is it Dangerous to Believe Anything We Want to Believe in? The Plot to Kill President Lincoln and the Place of Conspiracies in Genesee County – and American – History.” 

Event Date and Time
-

Authentically Local