The City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a water line on Lehigh Avenue, on January 27, 2022. The location will be just south of the underpass on the curve. Due to the location, the street will be closed to traffic at Ellicott Street as well as the city line. The closure is planned for 8 a.m. The road should reopen by 3 p.m. Motorists should plan to have an alternate route in place.

We thank the public for their patience.

Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Press release:

On Monday, July 16, officers from the City of Batavia Police Department responded to the area of 11 Lehigh Ave. for a 9-1-1 hang-up call plotting to the general area. Upon arrival, officers found no signs of distress and checked the building located at 11 Lehigh Ave. for any signs of a disturbance.

Officers located an open door to the building and checked the interior to ensure that there were no problems inside the building itself or anyone in need of assistance. During the search of the interior of the building officers located a large make-shift aquarium that contained a 4-foot-long alligator.

Officers immediately notified the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and EnCon Officer Wilson arrived on scene a short time later. The alligator was captured and turned over to EnCon Officer Wilson. It was determined that the 9-1-1 hang up call was not related to the found alligator.

Residents are reminded that the possession or sale of alligators and other dangerous animals is a violation of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. Not only is it illegal to possess such an animal, but they are dangerous and should not be harbored by anyone without specific training and the appropriate licensing or permits.

If anyone has any information regarding this animal or knows of anyone harboring such a dangerous animal, they should contact the DEC Region 8 office at (585) 226-2466.

This investigation was turned over the DEC, any requests for further information should be directed to DEC Region 8 press contact Regina Willis at (585) 226-5324 or pressoffice@dec.ny.gov. 

Previously: Four-foot alligator found in vacant building on Lehigh Avenue

Officer Christopher Lindsay.

A four-foot long alligator was found in a vacant building at 11 Lehigh Ave., on Monday, and picked up by Encon Officer Wilson.

The alligator was initially discovered by Batavia PD but spokesman Investigator Eric Hill said the report didn't indicate how an officer found out about the alligator.

A DEC spokeswoman said the Seneca Park Zoo agreed to house the animal temporarily until it can be relocated to a permitted facility.

The case is still under investigation and she said it's illegal in New York to possess any crocodilian family without permits.

The building's listed owner is RCT Corp. The Batavian emailed a person who might be associated with that company to see if we can get more information.

Photo by Linda Cotter​.

The owner of a building on Lehigh Avenue discovered this morning that overnight about 20 windows on the south side of the structure were broken out.

Police are investigating, but suspect some kids in the neighborhood.