After receiving reports of gunfire in the area of 3310 West Main Street Road, Batavia, shortly after noon on Tuesday, Sheriff's deputies engaged in a standoff with a resident that lasted until after 11 p.m.

There were no injuries to the resident, neighbors, or responding personnel, said Chief Deputy Brian Frieday. 

Friday noted the area is a fairly residential neighborhood with houses close together and a trailer park nearby, so law enforcement carefully assessed the situation and moved slowly in trying to coax the man out of the small house on the property. 

"Just in dealing with anybody with a gun call these days, sometimes you have to take the time and the extra caution to make sure you're dealing with it properly and safely," Frieday said.

Based on multiple witness statements supporting the assertion that there was gunfire on the property, the Sheriff's Office was able to obtain a search warrant for the house.

Throughout the 11-hour standoff, deputies continued to try and talk the man out of the residence.  Every 15 minutes or so, deputies with guns drawn and using shields approached the house and spoke through a bullhorn, telling the man to come out of the house.

Frieday said the man responded once to deputies, but "that ended quickly."

The details of how the subject was taken into custody have not been released, but there were no injuries, Frieday said. He indicated there was no struggle.

Asked if he knew what shots were fired, Frieday said any answer he might give would be speculation.

"I wouldn't want to say anything that wouldn't be 100 percent accurate," Frieday said.

After investigators entered the residence, they were seen removing possible weapons and taking inventory of them at the scene.

While at the scene, with the investigation ongoing, Frieday didn't want to release the possible charges against the suspect.  At least one potential charge was needed to get the warrant, but Frieday said he didn't want to release that charge until a press release was issued with all possible charges.

Asked what possible charges might apply to the situation, Frieday said it's illegal to fire a gun within 500 feet of a residence, there is possibly reckless endangerment, and "a few different things," he said.

Route 5 west of Wortendyke was closed to traffic throughout the standoff.  That, too, Frieday said, was done out of an abundance of caution.

"If ever something were to break out and a passerby on the road was to have something bad happen to them, we certainly wouldn't want that," Frieday said. "We wouldn't want to second-guess that."

That's also why several homes in the immediate vicinity were evacuated, Frieday said. 

Frieday said if other witnesses would like to come forward, they can call the Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Mike Geissler (ELM) v.s. Gavin Chandler (BAT)

#GoDogs

West Main Street Road at Wortendyke Road in Batavia remains closed at 5:30 p.m. since a police incident that was called into Genesee County Sheriff's dispatch at approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday.

No other details are confirmed at this time.

UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: Subject was taken safely into custody. Story and photos to come.

Click here to sign up for an Early Access Pass from The Batavian. Join before June 14 and receive as a thank you gift from The Batavian and T.F. Brown's a $50 gift card redeemable at T.F. Browns.

Use the promo code BROWNS1050 and get an additional $10 off.

Members of Early Access Pass help support local journalism and get early access (currently, four hours) to select stories published by The Batavian.

The music of the 1990s is still going strong, the way Zach Goode, lead singer of Smash Mouth, sees it.

Twenty-five years ago, San Jose-based Smash Mouth topped the charts with songs like Walking on the Sun and All Star, scoring at least 10 Top 40 hits into the early part of the new century.

Three weeks isn't exactly right around the corner, but it's at least on the horizon for a dozen business owners desperately waiting for handicap parking to be restored, and that's where the timeline stands as of Monday evening, according to City Manager Rachael Tabelski.

Work has been mapped out

Press Release:

The Genesee County Office for the Aging (OFA) is pleased to announce the distribution schedule of Farmer's Market Coupons. These coupons allow eligible older adults to access fresh, locally-grown produce at participating farmers' markets.

To qualify, individuals must be 60 years or older and have an income at or below $2,322 per month for a one-person household, $3,152 per month for a two-person household, or $3,981 per month for a three-person household.

The OFA encourages all eligible seniors to take advantage of these opportunities. If you reside in senior housing, please look for a flyer at your location with specific details on when the Office for the Aging will visit.

The schedule for July 2024 is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 2: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
• Friday, July 5: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
• Saturday, July 6: 9 - 11 a.m. at Le Roy Farmers’ Market, Trigon Park, Le Roy
• Thursday, July 11: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
• Friday, July 12: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
• Monday, July 15: 4 - 6 p.m. at Corfu Farmers’ Market, Corfu Presbyterian Church Parking Lot
• Friday, July 19: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
• Saturday, July 20: 9 - 11 a.m. at Le Roy Farmers’ Market, Trigon Park, Le Roy
• Thursday, July 25: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
• Friday, July 26: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
• Wednesday, July 31: 2 - 4 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia

For any questions or further information, please contact the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-
343-1611.

By James Fink

For one morning, racers at the Batavia Downs' starting gate and finishing line will have two legs, not four.

Batavia Downs is hosting the second annual Jackpot 5K run - set for 9 a.m., Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day) - where the runners will start and finish along the one-half mile track.

“It is designed to be a fun, fast, flat, and unique course,” said Dan Horan, race director and a retired Buffalo Police Department officer.

Runners (and walkers, too) will start on the Batavia Downs harness track and then make their way through various Batavia streets and the Batavia VA Medical Center grounds before returning to the track and the finish line.

“Actually, I think running through the VA hospital grounds is one of the more picturesque parts of the course,” Horan said.

The race’s genesis came from a happenstance meeting between Horan and Henry Wojtaszek, Batavia Downs president and CEO. Wojtaszek was looking for new events to bring to Batavia Downs, and the 5K (3.1 mile) race fit the bill.

“Things just worked out,” Horan said.

In its inaugural run, the race attracted 165 runners last year. More than 140 people, as of June 4, have pre-registered.

“It is gaining some traction, especially because of the course and being on the track,” Horan said. “But, our intent is to see this grow."

Entry fees are $40 and are available through the Batavia Downs website. A portion of proceeds benefit WNY Heroes Inc.

Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, $25 in free play at Batavia Downs, a post-race party on the track with pizza and beverages.

Sponsors include NUTRL, Michelob Ultra, Aqua Fina, Pepsi, Tops Friendly Markets, Pizza 151, Vivify, and Red Bull.

James Fink writes on behalf of Batavia Downs.  Sponsored Post paid for by Batavia Downs.

All motorists please be aware Redfield Parkway will experience traffic delays on Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 between the hours of 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. for paving operations. 

Paving on River Street will occur on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, followed by Jackson Street on June 19 and 20.

While work is being performed in this area, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays. This work is weather-dependent. 

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation. All motorists that regularly use these streets are asked to seek alternate routes while the delays are in place.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 opt. 1 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.