The George family siblings worked on building some snowmen with their grandmother yesterday afternoon before the warmer temperatures came in today. It was good packing snow and they wanted to take advantage of having some outdoor fun while we still had some snow.
Jessica Newton -- wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and nurse -- needs the community's help as she struggles to regain her health and her strength.
After being diagnosed with COVID-19 and spending six days in the hospital, she returned home only to suffer a stroke a day later. She went back in the hospital and though is again back home recovering.
"One thing she isn't is a quitter. ... Jess...is staying strong so she can come home to her husband TJ and her two sons, Maverick and Emmett," according to a note sent to The Batavian by the Newton and Johnson families.
They are holding a drive-thru chicken BBQ for her from 12 p.m. until sold out on Saturday, March 6, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Parish, located at 8656 Church St. in East Pembroke.
Tickets for "Racing to Recovery" are $12 each. There will also be a walk-thru basket raffle at the church that day.
Money raised will help the Newton family offset their medical expenses and help them now that Jessica, for the time being, is unable to work.
You can buy tickets, and/or drop off monetary donations or a raffle basket at:
Jess's friends and family say they appreciate the outpouring of love and support given to the frontline healthcare worker and her family.
The note continues: "This road the family is about to go down is unpredictable and may have bumps and turns, but one thing is for sure -- it will never be a road they travel alone."
Data Update –
Orleans County received 19 new positive cases of COVID-19.
Timothy M. Tundo, 57, of Linden Road, Bethany, was arrested Tuesday after an execution of a search warrant by the Local Drug Task Force that allegedly uncovered machine guns, LSD, and money.
The Sheriff's Office reports that besides the LSD, in an amount that suggests it was being sold, they also found marijuana.
Weapons recovered include an AR-15 style pistol, declared a "ghost gun" (unmarked and unregistered), two fully automatic machine guns, and five assault-style weapons. They also recovered 10 high-capacity magazines, an ammo belt, and brass knuckles.
Tundo is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd, 12 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, criminal possession of an assault weapon, 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd.
The suspect is being held in the Genesee County Jail in lieu of bail (unspecified).
The task force was assisted by uniformed deputies, State Police VGNET, State Police SORT, State Police CCERT, and the District Attorney's Office.
A semi-truck has reportedly overturned at 5140 W. Ag Park Drive, Batavia.
Unknown injuries.
Town of Batavia fire is responding.
Steven Luigi Maltese, 51, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with third-degree menacing and endangering the welfare of a child. At 4:05 p.m. on Feb. 19, deputies responded to the 4000 block of South Main Street in the Town of Batavia for a reported domestic incident. After an investigation, Maltese was arrested for allegedly threatening a female victim in the presence of a juvenile during a domestic dispute. He was arraigned in Genesee County Court and is due back there on April 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.
Benjamin J. Lathan, 20, and Brandon C. Lewis, 20, both of Bergen (no addresses provided) were arrested Feb. 21 by State Police out of the Amity Barracks and charged with petit larceny and trespass. Troopers investigating the January theft of three trail cameras from a property on Streeter Brook Road in the Town of Genesee allegedly determined both men were involved in the theft of the cameras. Both were arrested and released with appearance tickets for Genesee Town Court, where they are due to appear in March.
Will R. Thompson, 21, of Byron (no address provided), was arrested on Feb. 14 by a Wyoming County Sheriff's deputy and charged with having an uninspected motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. At 3:22 p.m. that day Deputy Austin Harding was patrolling northbound on South Main Street in the Village of Perry, when he observed a gray pickup truck southbound with a 2020 inspection sticker on the front windshield. Harding conducted a traffic stop near Camp Road and a DMV data check found the inspection sticker expired Nov. 30 and that Thompson's license was suspended twice for failure to answer a summons in the Town of Hastings Court on Feb. 8. Thompson was proceseed roadside, then released with an appearance ticket to appear in Village of Perry Court at a later date.
Antonio Diego Dames, 45, of Farnsworth Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon marijuana in the fourth degree. At 2:29 p.m. on Feb. 22, Genesee County Sheriffs deputies responded to a residence on Farnsworth Avenue in the Village of Oakfield to assist the county Probatation Department. After an investigation, Dames was arrested for allegedly possessing more than two ounces of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Oakfield Town Court on April 5. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre. CORRECTION: This item initially, and mistakenly, used the word "weapon" instead of "marijuana" in the criminal charge. The Batavian regrets the error.
Trustee Don Frank provided the following statement:
Assemblyman David Dipietro (inset photo left) of the 147th District came to Bethany Feb. 18 to speak on behalf of the bill that he authored, proposing to Partition the State into three autonomous Regions.
He explained that this would include a 52-county Upstate Region, a five-county NYC Region, and a four-county Long Island Region.
Each region would have its own governor and legislation and would function independently of the others. A token Governor and State government would remain to care for those things required of the state by the federal government.
This would allow us a rare opportunity to reimagine our government with things like term limits, voter ID and campaign finance laws in place on day one. We would also be able to rework or discard all of the unfunded mandates that Albany has foisted upon us in the past several years.
This would give us the opportunity to reduce property taxes considerably. This would allow us to review, rework or scrap any law that is on the books in this state. We could instantly repeal the Safe Act, the bail Reform Law and the Farm Labor Law that were passed last year would also be scrutinized.
As Assemblyman DiPietro put it: "It doesn't matter what political party you support, as a resident of Upstate, this plan will benefit you greatly."
He explained that there is growing support for this idea in New York City as well. With so many people leaving because of COVID-19, the residents there are feeling the strain of the COVID-19 shutdown and it has become clear that they could save billions of dollars of their own tax money for their own purposes, if they were on their own.
To learn more about this plan, please click here.
If you would be interested in hearing more or you would like to help this effort in Genesee Co. email: divideny.genco@gmail.com
Press release:
Batavia Society of Artists will hold its first ever Tabletop Art Show from March 1 through 31.
This show is made up of 43 pieces, 15 of which are featured on the tabletops (placemats) of local restaurants.
The 15 featured pieces will also be on display at the Eli Fish Brewing Company, 109 Main St., Batavia. Please stop in to Eli Fish during the month of March to view the artwork, since there will be no opening reception because of COVID-19.
You can scan the QR code on the placemats to go to our virtual art show, or you can go to our Facebook page to view the show. When there, also click on the link to vote for your favorite tabletop artwork for People's Choice Awards, which will be annouced on April 1st!
Press release:
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is hosting its first “Virtual Meat Raffle” on Saturday, March 13, and is seeking assistance from friends and the community to support this fundraising event.
In 2020, the foundation had to cancel all major fundraising events due to the coronavirus pandemic and is now holding its first ever virtual event.
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit (501)(c)3 organization whose mission is threefold:
Your help is needed to continue to assist those in need and carry on this mission.
The Virtual Meat Raffle ticket packages are as follows:
Package #1 -- $50
Package #2 -- $90
PLUS A CHANCE TO WIN 1 of 4 FABULOUS PRIZES:
Tickets can be purchased by mail to P.O. Box 267, Batavia, NY 14021-0267, Venmo@MNMF8, or through the website at www.michaelshope.org.
Thank you for “Lending a Hand for Hope” and supporting the mission of the Foundation.
Please contact any of the following contacts with questions, or ticket information.
Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, (585) 861-0550
Laurie Napoleone, (585) 409-3275
Michelle Krantz, (716) 572-2955
A Batavia resident accused of attempted murder could be the first defendant to face an in-person trial in Genesee County since the start of the pandemic a year ago.
Jacob Sponaugle, 22, being held in the Genesee County Jail, made a virtual appearance today while the attorneys in the case informed Judge Charles Zambito they had no oral arguments to make in motions they've filed in the case.
Zambito will read their motion papers -- standard pretrial motions -- and issue a ruling in a few weeks.
He scheduled an in-person appearance for Sponaugle at 9:30 a.m., April 12. The judge noted that it is likely -- since Sponaugle is being held in custody -- that of all the pending potential trial cases, his could be the first in County Court since the coronavirus outbreak.
April 12 will be the plea cut-off date for Sponaugle, though District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said after today's hearing that he has yet to make a plea offer in the case. He didn't indicate whether he would or not.
Sponaugle is accused of shooting a person entering the lobby of the Days Inn in Batavia in July.
He is also charged with: assault, 1st; criminal use of a firearm; aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; and criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd.
Video below, coverage of the July 22 incident.
Data Update –
Orleans County received five new positive cases of COVID-19.
A Batavia man is going to serve at least a year in prison for a violation of probation but his fate on rape charges remains pending.
While held in the Genesee County Jail, Justin T. Gladney, 30, appeared virtually in County Court today on his violation of probation conviction.
His appearance on his rape charges was continued until March 23, when all parties are expected to appear in person.
Nearly a year ago, Gladney admitted to a violation of probation and according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, he's subsequently been arrested on other charges. Those arrests, Friedman argued, meant Gladney had violated his sentencing cap offered to him for his guilty plea.
Instead of one to three years, Friedman said, he should get one and a third to four years.
Gladney was arrested locally in June 2020 and later in Monroe County.
His attorney, Marty Anderson, argued that Gladney is facing allegations from those arrests and hasn't been convicted. He asked for a one-year local sentence on the felony violation of probation conviction.
Gladney blamed his prior bad behavior on drug use and said he has been through treatment and is a changed man.
Judge Charles Zambito agreed with Friedman and sentenced Gladney to one and a third to four years in state prison.
Gladney is facing a criminal indictment on counts of first-degree rape, a Class B violent felony, third-degree rape, a Class D felony, and possession of a sexual performance by a child, a Class E felony.
A Class B violent felony carries a possible sentence of five to 25 years.
He is accused of a violent rape in early June on Lehigh Avenue, Batavia, of sexual intercourse while being older than 18 with a child 15 or less.
Gladney remains in custody locally while his rape charges are pending.
First responders are staging in the area of the travel plaza in Pembroke awaiting command to close the Thruway in both directions so National Grid crews can safely remove a damaged utility pole and sagging power lines. The power lines will need to be de-energized in order to do that.
The Thruway Authority has approved the action, which "could be a long event," according to a first responder on scene.
National Grid is sending a crew to the scene to cut power to the lines and repair the pole.
They are coordinating the work at the Service Area nearby needed to close westbound and eastbound lanes from Exit 48 to Exit 48A.
Town of Batavia Fire Department is ready to shut down westbound traffic at Exit 48.
Pembroke, Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are ready to shut down eastbound traffic at Exit 48A.
UPDATE 4:53 p.m.: Command has OK'd the shutdown of the Thruway, including the eastbound on-ramp.
UPDATE 4:57 p.m.: Some cars in line at the Service Center are being allowed to leave now; eastbound traffic at 48A is shut down.
UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: Westbound traffic is shut down. The Thruway Authority is being kept apprised of the work and may provide a crew to relieve firefighters of traffic control if need be.
UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: It is confirmed that the Thruway Authority will have a crew respond to relieve firefighters of traffic control duties; no ETA though.
UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: "I want you to keep traffic moving at that light; we've got a mess here," says command. Corfu fire is to assemble in their hall to stand by for Pembroke, East Pembroke and Indian Falls.
UPDATE 5:18 p.m. The county Highway Department is called to bring a loader to the pole repair site so National Grid workers can gain access to the pole.
UPDATE 5:51 p.m.: Command reports that National Grid estimates this job will take two to three more hours. The Thruway Authority had been advised of this.
UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: The power lines have been deactivated. The Thruway can be safely be reopened and they are doing that now -- in both directions. The fire assignments are back in service. National Grid will be working on repairs for some time and the Thruway will likely have to be closed at some point later tonight to put the pole back in place and activate the lines again. At that point, it is possible a Thruway Authority crew can respond for traffic control.
Press release:
The Genesee County Interagency Council is pleased to announce that we will be offering a $1,000 scholarship for the Fall 2021-2022 semester for Genesee Community College students and high school seniors.
Those eligible will be students living in Genesee County and attending Genesee Community College or high school seniors; in good academic standing, and majoring in or intending to major in Human Services, Social Work, Sociology or Psychology ONLY.
Because the goal of this scholarship is to support those students who have a strong drive to contribute to the field of Human Services, special consideration will be given to those students who have already demonstrated a commitment to the field through their employment, volunteer, academic, or extracurricular pursuits.
Completed applications must be received by Friday, May 7. (See PDF links below to print out, fill out, and mail in. One is for high school students; the other is for GCC students.)
The awardee will be notified by June 1 and presented at our June 17th picnic meeting. However, if the picnic is cancelled due to COVID-19, we will acknowledge the awardee in another way and the check will be mailed directly to the individual.
We look forward to having the opportunity to support a Genesee Community College student in their pursuit of a degree in the field of Human Services. Please feel free to contact me at (585) 343-1611 if you have any questions.
The mission of the Genesee County Interagency Council is to create fellowship and understanding among community human services agencies. The council helps to identify community issues and encourages development of resolutions.
Genesee County Interagency Council Inc.
P.O. Box 1619
Batavia, NY 14021
Press release:
The Genesee Sno Packers will host their seventh annual Bikini Rally to combine the passion for snowmobiling and the ability to help men and women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Participants will brave the winter weather to compete for hottest ride crowd favorite, most original and most pledges.
In addition to raising money for men and women fighting breast cancer, money raised will also benefit local snowmobilers.
“We are excited to bring some summer spirit to winter as we host our seventh annual Bikini Rally, bringing together our snowmobiling community to help those diagnosed with breast cancer,” said James Elmore, New York State Snowmobile Association past president and Genesee Sno Packers Board of Directors member.
“This fun-filled day has a very serious purpose, and we hope to provide a valuable benefit to the The Pink Fund.”
Admission is $5 per person. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and gates will open at noon.
Genesee Sno Packers Snowmobile Club Inc. -- member club of the New York State Snowmobile Association
About the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA)
It's a nonprofit corporation, is the largest snowmobile association in the country working on behalf of the registered NY snowmobile owners, who contribute more than $860 million to the New York economy, and 235 snowmobile clubs to improve trails, facilities and services for participants, and defend snowmobilers against discriminatory legislation.
On Monday night, Batavia City Council Member Robert Bialkowski presents a proclamation to Donna Saskowski, executive director of the Arc of Genesee Orleans, denoting March 2021 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Saskowski said the local ARC has had a long relationship with the city – even before 1987 when President Ronald Reagan made Development Disabilities Awareness Month a nationally recognized event – and continues as one of the leading employers, with 450 workers in the two counties.
“Thank you for the support and when you see people with development disabilities think about the contributions that they make … they are significant,” she said.
Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Press release:
The legislative leaders and public health directors of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties sent a letter to New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo urgently requesting the designation of a regional mass vaccination clinic at the Genesee Community College (GCC) campus to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to the rural counties.
The letter was signed by: Rochelle Stein, Genesee County Legislative chairwoman; Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislative chairwoman; Rebecca Ryan, Wyoming County Board of Supervisors chairwoman; Paul Pettit, Genesee Orleans County Health Departments director; and, Dr. Gregory Collins, Wyoming County Health Department Medical director.
The letter reads that “Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties have consistently been left out of the COVID-19 response with delays in testing supplies and now with very limited vaccine allocations. All three counties are medically underserved and having a regional clinic with less than a half hour commute would benefit these communities."
The letter went on to state that residents have limited transportation access to Buffalo and Rochester and that a vaccination clinic at GCC would draw the eastern and western portions of other contiguous counties and that it is easily accessible from the Thruway. If properly staffed through assistance by the National Guard the officials said that the GCC clinic would have the capacity of vaccinating in excess of 2,000 individuals per day.
The letter expresses concerns about the lack of access in rural communities to vaccination site and vaccine supplies.
It concludes that “our three counties look forward to working with your office to provide this much needed and more equitable solution to meet the needs of the more rural communities."
Copies of the letter were also sent Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties state representatives, Assemblyman David DiPietro, Senator Patrick Gallivan, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Assemblyman Michael Norris, Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, and Senator Edward Rath, III.
As Batavia City Council members ponder giving the company that manages the city ice rink a break on their lease and capital improvement fund payments, they also realize they can no longer skate around the need for renovations at the Evans Street facility.
Interim City Manager Rachael Tabelski on Monday night introduced a resolution that would amend and extend the lease agreement with Firland Management, the Virginia-based firm that has operated the Batavia Ice Rink (formerly Falleti Ice Arena) for more than a decade.
Speaking at Council's Conference Meeting at the City Centre Council Boardroom, Tabelski explained that Firland’s finances have taken a severe hit due to COVID-19 as the rink was closed for most of 2020 and just recently saw the return of youth league and high school hockey.
She is recommending that Council let Firland make its next lease payment of $25,000 on Jan. 1, 2022 instead of the current due date of March 1, 2021, and also to reduce its contribution to the rink’s capital fund for 2020-21 from $32,958.30 to $5,000.
Furthermore, she is proposing to extend the contract from its current ending date of March 31, 2021 for two years through March 2023. As a result of negotiations, Firland’s lease payments will be $20,000 annually for 2021-22 and 2022-23 and its capital fund contribution will be $5,000 annually for the next two fiscal years.
Rink Has Some Big-Ticket Items
Currently, $370,000 is in the rink’s capital improvement fund, Tabelski said. That may seem like a large amount, however, a new refrigeration system could cost around $500,000 and a Zamboni dasher board could cost up to $250,000.
Contacted this morning, Tabelski said the time has come for the city manager’s office to conduct a study and analysis, and present a strategy to Council to “move that facility forward.”
“This should be done within the next year with the goal of bringing it back to full capacity and to potentially attract a buyer,” she said.
Council did put $19,500 into the 2021-22 budget to fix the front doors and the locker rooms, both “minor repairs,” Tabelski noted.
Another issue at hand is finding a business or organization interested in having its name affixed to the building. Falleti Motors is not interesting in renewing its “naming rights” agreement with the city, said Tabelski, suggesting a request for proposal will be forthcoming.
During the meeting, Council Member Robert Bialkowski asked about events scheduled for the rink, noting that he couldn’t remember if the activities stated in the contract actually took place.
Tabelski said that events were added during the last negotiation period with Firland “because we’d like to see more done with the facility” and mentioned that the home show is held there and she hopes to see indoor soccer events there.
Council Member Rose Mary Christian asked how much the city is paying to take care of the ice-making system (refrigeration) per year. Tabelski said the city contracts with a separate firm and estimated the price tag at $2,500 to $5,000 annually, but believed that is billed back to Firland. She said she would check on that and get back to Council.
Deferring Costs in a Tough Time
After hearing that the locker rooms have been painted recently, Christian said it was important to know about the refrigeration contract since she believed the city was reducing Firland’s lease payments.
Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. said lease payments were being reduced for the one year, but the city was giving Firland more time to make its payments.
“They’re paying the same amount, right?” he asked, and Christian replied, “Only for this year?”
Van Nest entered the conversation, stating “we’re deferring the lease payment that would have been due in March, based on the COVID shutdowns that affected all hockey rinks as Councilman (Paul) Viele and I are well aware because we don’t see each other at the rinks anymore.”
“Deferring it and then basically reducing the capital contributions … so that gives them a little bit more flexibility as Council president indicated to get the operations back to a normal level of service and normal level of programming.”
Christian said she heard that the rink is doing well now, with the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association and the adults leagues in action once again.
Viele said officials are “trying to lump a lot of games in a short amount of time, so what you would play in October, they’re trying to get everything in February and March, and that’s why they’re deferring the payment to get the money.”
Jankowski noted that the rink was closed for many months, and that’s why the city is looking at deferring the payment until Jan. 1, 2022.
Hockey Players Return to the Ice
Van Nest said hockey wasn’t permitted until Feb. 1 of this year, and only skilled-based practices were allowed. Viele said that open skate sessions also were closed to the public.
“It will be the same amount but only the capital part will be reduced dramatically for the two years (since the city has some money in reserves),” Jankowski said. “That will give them two years – one year to get back on their feet, one year to assess and then we’ll be back, talking to them about an extension or whatever we need to do after that. It’s only a two-year agreement.”
Council agreed to forward the measure to its March 8 Business Meeting, where a formal vote will take place.
Van Nest said that Firland would be interested in participating with city officials about future capital projects at the rink.
“Firland has significant experience with capital planning for rinks, development of rinks, renovation of rinks,” he said. “They actually assisted the Buffalo Sabres with development of their practice facility, so in talking to Firland … they indicated they would be happy to look forward to assisting with general capital planning discussions for the facility.”
Roach: Public Safety Comes First
In other action, Council held public hearings for the 2021-22 budget; water rates, meter fees and capital improvement fees, and a local law amending the Business Improvement District plan. All three resolutions were forwarded to the March 8 Business Meeting for a final vote.
City resident John Roach was the only public speaker, expressing his view that the city should not pay the salary of the Batavia Development Corp.’s director since that is not a city position.
“As long as you have any public safety positions vacant, then I think it's wrong that you pay the BDC money to pay for their employee, no matter how good a job, how worthy,” he said. “It’s not a city employee and I think public safety should come first.”
He also questioned giving money to GO ART! for Picnic in the Park and said if the agency doesn’t hold the summer event, the money should go back into the city coffers.
Council Member Patti Pacino responded that there is no money in the 2021-22 budget for that event, and Tabelski said that appropriation was not paid out in 2020-21 as Picnic in the Park was cancelled.
Tax Rate to Increase by 14 Cents
Concerning the budget, Tabelski reported a 2021-22 spending plan of $27.78 million, with $16.855 million of that in the general fund.
The property tax rate would increase by 14 cents per thousand of assessed value – from $9.59 to $9.73. That would cost a homeowner with a $100,000 house about $13 more per year in property taxes.
She said Council has approved reductions in purchasing, overtime and training, and are keeping three firefighter positions, two police officer positions and one laborer position vacant.
Water rates and meter fees would increase by 3.5 percent while capital improvement fees would go up by 10 percent – numbers that have been the norm in recent years.
Amendments to the BID Plan will include three proposed capital projects -- downtown marketing banners ($9,000), downtown music equipment ($30,000) and downtown Christmas decorations ($38,000) – and spell out the amount of the BID’s assessment charge to its members.
From Rochester Regional Health Care:
As eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccinations expands to more members of our community, New York State has shifted the delivery of vaccine allocations from health care systems to state and county mass vaccination sites, pharmacies and to facilities for groups like veterans and those with developmental disabilities.
Because of this shift, Rochester Regional Health is no longer routinely scheduling additional first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments for non-healthcare workers. We will fulfill all first- and second-dose appointments that are already scheduled.
We know many in our community are eager to get vaccinated as quickly as possible and know that this has been a frustrating process. Thank you for your patience and persistence.
We recommend continually checking the Finger Lakes Vaccination Hub for the latest on eligibility for and availability of COVID-19 vaccination appointments in our region.
A gas line has reportedly broken and is leaking gas at 111 Lake St., Le Roy.
Le Roy fire dispatched.
UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Ice fell on the line.
UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: Le Roy cleared the scene and the residents are awaiting a repair crew from RG&E.
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