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Two-car accident on Cole Road, Byron, reported

By Steve Ognibene

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The initial call came in at 8:45 p.m. of a two-car accident in the area of 6312 Cole Road. Byron. Byron and South Byron fire departments are on the scene with Byron Rescue Squad and Mercy EMS.

More details pending investigation.

UPDATE (By Traci) 10:06 p.m.: According to State Trooper Stephen Kosowski, the driver of the Saturn was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Saturn was traveling eastbound on Tower Hill Road and the pickup truck was traveling northbound on Route 237. Witnesses said the driver of the Saturn failed to yield and entered the intersection in front of the pickup truck causing the collision. 

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Photos: Genesee Kickball League

By Steve Ognibene

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In its third year Genesee Kickball League has continued a tradition for adults to have some fun on the field after work. Playing at Batavia Sports Park last evening were six teams in the Spring league. 

“We have had as much as 10-12 teams in a session,” said league organizer Matt Smart. "We have two sessions, spring and summer, starting in May and depending on weather and daylight we may get in a fall league.

"Tonight’s teams were the Fireballz vs. Pitches BeCrazy, One Kick Wonders vs. Grass Kkickers, Purple Fother Mickers vs. Kermit Killers. We come up with some relevant names to the sport but it’s all for fun and then we go to our sponsors businesses afterward. 

"There are typically one to two sponsors per team and they are recognized on our team shirts. The summer league starts on July 1st."

For more information to register go to Facebook: Genesee Kickball

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Genesee County's signature pink truck delivers with a new look

By Steve Ognibene

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Meet Jason Moneau (pictured above) on his first week on the job with Michelle's Catering Company and Bakery. I found him tonight serving to customers at the Batavia Sports Park.

Moneau is the first male employee driver since the business opened in 2010. He is enjoying working with the public and says to stop out at lunch time daily during the week at the bakery to grab a hotdog or hamburg. He's a friendly guy that delivers a smile and fills the tip jar too while making new friends.

Driving a pink truck is one thing, wearing it would be another.

"Well as long as I don't have to wear anything pink I'm good with that," Moneau said.

Batavia Track team finishes second place in Penfield

By Steve Ognibene

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The Batavia Varsity Boys Track Team competed in the Monroe County Championships on Saturday earning a tough second-place finish, 63 points total out of 22 schools competing. 

Junior Adonis Davis had a big day for the Blue Devils earning an impressive victory in the pentathlon. Senior Jerrett Laskett was the winner in the 400 hurdles and placed second in the high jump. Senior Devon Koepp placed third in the disc and fourth in the shot. 

The 4x8 relay team of Senior Eric Dilaura, Junior Cal Jantzi, Junior Louie Leone, and sophmore Campbell Andersen finished in third place also. 

Head Coach Nicholas Burk said, “The Monroe County Championships is a very competitive meet and to finish in second place is very impressive."

Class B rival Greece Olympia finished in first with 75 points. Next Saturday is Batavia’s next meet, which is the Section V at Brockport State College.

Full results of this meet can be found at:

http://results.yentiming.com/2015/outdoor/5-23-2015-monroe-county.htm

PHOTOS: On Broadway at Harvester 56 Theater

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia Players just finished their third production this year directed by Anthony Giambrone. This past weekend, five performances were held at the Harvester 56 theater. Each performance had five sections of range from different types of broadway theater.  

We have a family friendly show, "Annie," that will make your heart melt when hearing the song "Tomorrow." Then we have a wild story of "Kinky Boots" where the challenge of singing modern pop music and still try to get the message across to the audience.  

"Wicked" has a reputation of being a showstopper and the cast had to live up to that. A challenge of women in "Leading Ladies" had a task of singing five different songs from five different musicals and had to find a way to make them flow together nicely.

The last section, "Hairspray," proved to be the largest section for both cast and director and it was the longest section in the show that called for the most dancing. The directing and choreographing of this show took a bit of extra time needed but was aimed to have the audience leave with smiling faces.

Batavia Players next show is "Xanadu" and runs from May 14-16th. For more upcoming events go to: http://www.bataviaplayers.org/

Godfrey's Pond holds fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt

By Steve Ognibene

More than 70 children with there families attended the fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt at Godfrey's Pond yesterday. The club put out a couple thousand Easter eggs early before the event which started at Noon and continued through 2 o'clock. Cookies, drinks were provided to all who attended. Mike Hammon, caretaker of Godfrey's Pond, said the free public event has grown consistantly over the years.

Other activities included a petting opportunity with six baby chicks.

Two contests were held; one for who collected the most eggs and a coloring contest.

Abby Lampke was the winner of the coloring contest.  

Egg hunt winners were:  

Gold -- Adrian Laird

Silver -- Connor Schrane

Bronze -- Trevor Pahl

Photo above is 7-year-old Eliana Stringham with the Easter Bunny. Craig Gillard submitted the photos from Godfrey's Pond.

Photos: Easter Bunny at Oliver's Candies

By Steve Ognibene

It’s an annual tradition that has some patrons make an hour-long trek to continue. Oliver’s Candy Store on Main Street in Batavia welcomed Spring with the arrival of the Easter Bunny earlier today. 

Genesee County’s “sweet spot” has extended business hours – from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, April 4. Oilver’s is closed only two days a year – Christmas and Easter – regular business hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Photos: 2015 Chamber of Commerce Home Show

By Steve Ognibene

Who is ready to jump into a pool, hot tub or just get outside? The second annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home Show, "Think Spring!", is being held at the Falleti Ice Rink, 22 Evans St., Batavia. The event kicked off Friday featuring more than 80 booths and 60 vendors.

The event continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Friday night's crowd hailed more than 300 visitors, according to Kelly Bermingham, chamber director of membership and special events. The home show is anticipating another couple thousand attendees throughout the weekend.

Tickets are $3 and include a chance to win $500 at your choice of vendor at the home show. Some booths are offering their own event specials.

For a detailed map of the event click here: http://www.geneseeny.com/homeshow

City firefighter Captain Mark Mikolajczyk retires

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia City Fire Department’s Engine 11 says farewell to longstanding firefighter Capt. Mark Mikolajczyk. For more than 21 years Mikolajczyk has responded to fire calls throughout the city and surrounding communities. Now, he is ready to hang up his gear to spend more time with his family.

“Being a fireman was a rewarding experience,” Mikolajczyk said. “It was nice knowing that the public trusts us enough with their loved ones.”

Mikolajczyk began his firefighting career in December 1993. Throughout the years, he earned the title of lieutenant – in 2005 – and in 2012 he became captain. Family and friends, both near and far, gathered for a farewell luncheon in his honor. 

Although the day marked Mikolajczyk’s retirement, he had one last call to make – a would-be dryer fire – that turned out to be a drill.

“The experience of teaching and working with this crew the past five years was great,” Mikolajczyk said. “I will miss the guys I’ve worked with.”

Photos: Maple Road house fire, Pembroke

By Steve Ognibene

At 9:45 this evening, a resident reported smoke coming from a house at 285 Maple Road, Pembroke. Heavy smoke was coming from the kitchen area, reported Pembroke Fire Chief Jamie Waff. The house was vacant at the time of the fire. Pembroke, Corfu, Newstead, Indian Falls, Alabama, and the Town of Batavia fire companies were on the scene.

UPDATE 11:49 p.m.: Fire Chief Waff says there is smoke and fire damage in kitchen area caused by the improper dispose of polyurethane rags. Owners were notified upon arrival.

Photos: 2014 Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony

By Steve Ognibene

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce held a gala at the Clarion Hotel last evening to honor its 2014 award winners.

(Pictured above L to R) 2nd row -- "Business of the Year" Applied Business Systems, Lisa Ormsbee, Connie DiSalvo, Jim DiSalvo, Jason DiSalvo, Steve Samis;  "Geneseean of the Year" Margaret "Peggy" Lamb; "Industry of the Year" Muller Quaker Dairy, Karen Banker, Kevin Williams. "Geneseean of the Year" William "Bill" Schutt.

(Pictured above L to R) 1st row -- "Innovative Community Contribution of the Year" Merrill Lynch, Steve Tufts, Joshua Dent, John Riter; "Agricultural Business of the Year" Corcoran Custom Services, Stacy Corcoran, Bill Corcoran. "Special Service Recognition of the Year" Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., Dr. Kevin Mudd.

To purchase and view pictures contact: https://www.facebook.com/SteveOgnibenePhotography

Steve Samis - Applied Busniess Systems

Kevin Williams - Muller Quaker Dairy

Bill & Stacy Corcoran - Corcoran Custom Services

Steve Tufts, John Riter, Joshua Dent - Merrill Lynch

Joe Gerace, Carol Grasso, Toni Funke, Paul Figlow, Dr. Kevin Mudd, Ellen Bachorski together pictured for Genesee Cancer Assistance

Jay Gsell with Margaret "Peggy" Lamb - Geneseean of the Year

William "Bill" Schutt - Geneseean of the Year

More pictures on Steve Ognibene Photography's Facebook page.

Batavia Police Department tour shows current working and building conditions need to be addressed

By Alecia Kaus

(Chief Shawn Heubusch explaining safety and security issues with the current building)

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch along with Assistant Chief Robb Yaeger and City Manager Jason Molino made a legitimate case for a better working and functioning police headquarters building during a two hour tour of Batavia Police Headquarters at 10 W. Main St. today.

Chief Heubusch says there are major safety concerns daily.

A comingled entrance at the back of the building is a big issue.

Suspects, police and the general public all come and go in that one entrance at the rear of the building.

Assistant Chief Yaeger says there have been incidents where suspects have not been cooperative when being brought into headquarters in handcuffs. Getting an uncooperative suspect up the stairs can be difficult for officers.

Also the public waiting area is located in the same entryway where suspects are brought in.

Security is also an issue.

The City Youth Officer's office is located in the same area where adult suspects and criminals are brought in for questioning. This area does not comply with NYS law that says the two areas must be separate.

The parking area for police vehicles is also not secure. A secure, fenced-in parking lot is needed.

"The most important thing is safety and security, not only for the officers but the community," Heubusch says. "We have to be able to provide safety and security for the community. If we can't provide it for ourselves, it is difficult to provide it for the public."

(City Manager Jason Molino discusses the older model boiler that heats the building)

City Manager Jason Molino says the discussion about improvements and or a new police headquarters is 25 years overdue.

Improvements have been discussed at length, but no action has been taken.

In the meantime, the 150-year-old building, originally the Brisbane Mansion, is in need of repairs.

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Crumbling cement, leaking bricks, rotting wood, leaking ceilings and a whole basement that cannot be used due to asbestos contamination are emergency issues that cannot be ignored any longer.

(Rotting wood below windows on the west side of the building)

(Water damage to drop ceiling in basement)

(What is left of a ceiling in the basement area when the building was used as a home, between 1855 and 1917)

According Molino, consultants who have been working on the project for the last 10 months have come up with four alternate locations for police headquarters and two renovation schemes for the existing building.

Site 1 is listed as 56 Ellicott St. and is located at the former Santy's Tires shop. It will cost between $11.1 - 11.9 million to construct.

Site 2 is listed as 96 Jackson St., which is currently the location of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Cost is between $11.6-12.5 million.

Site 3 is located at 26 Evans St. and is located next to the Falletti Ice Arena. It would include the current ice rink parking area. Cost at this site is between $11.4-12.3 million.

Site 4 is located at 165 Park Road and is located next to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Cost to build at this site is between $9.9-10.6 million.

Renovation scheme A for 10 W. Main St. will cost between $15.9-17.2 million and includes the demolition of an area of the building built in 1963.

Renovation scheme B for 10 W. Main St. will cost between $11.3-12.2 million and does not include the demolition of the area of the building from 1963.

Site options 1-4 also include improvements to the current building for resale.

The project will be paid for by reserve funds, bonding and grants, Molino says.

A Citizen Task Force Advisory Board made up of citizens, business owners, education and health care leaders will be created next. 

City council will meet Oct. 14 and decide if it wants to move forward with the task force and, if so, appoint one in November.

Molino says he expects a task force recommendation by July of 2015. Construction could possibly begin in 2016 or 2017.

Audio: WBTA interview about 'The Wired City'

By Howard B. Owens

Tomorrow at 11 a.m., Dan Kennedy, author of "The Wired City," a book about the changes in journalism in the Digital Age, will be at Present Tense on Washington Avenue, Batavia.

Batavia's little corner of the media world is featured in the book and Kennedy will read a portion of the book and talk about what he's observed about media in Batavia.

Here's an interview from this morning on WBTA's Main and Center (mp3).

NOTE: I can't be there at 11 a.m. because I need to be at the Oatka Festival Parade, but I plan on stopping in the store about 12:15 p.m. or so.

Love Geocaching? Follow us on Twitter!

By Elizabeth Downie

The seasons in Western New York are not always cooperative, so you really need to be able to accept all four of them – when you can get them.  Because of this, I have a wide variety of hobbies that keep me busy throughout the year.  During the winter, I enjoy watching the Sabres play hockey and getting outdoors to go sledding on a steep hill, snowshoeing through a local park or even start the occasional snowball fight with my soon-to-be 5 year old niece.  In the fall, I enjoy taking long walks on leaf-covered country roads, taking a trip to the local orchard to pick a peck of apples or that perfectly round pumpkin, and watching Buffalo Bills football.  The spring brings out the kite-flyer in me and allows me to start up my two-mile a night walks around the block with my husband, preparing me for the upcoming warmer weather.  I like to do a lot of camping in the summer, aerobie tossing with friends and my casual 20 miles rides along the Erie Canal on my recumbent bicycle.  However, there is only one hobby that I can do year round, and it is one that I am very passionate about.  That hobby is geocaching.

I’m sure most of you have heard of geocaching, but you may not know what it is.  Geocaching is an outdoor, high-tech treasure hunt.  You go out into the world with a hand-held Global Positioning Satellite receiver, or GPSr for short, and find hidden containers called caches.  Once found, you make a trade of a small trinket and then log your find.  So, I would like to share with you some of my geocaching experiences.

I started caching in late July 2010 with my husband and we go by the caching name of “authorized users.”  To this date, we have found over 130 caches!  Included in that number are the caches we found to complete the Seaway Trail GeoTrail, which entailed a month and a half journey along the Great Lakes, from northwestern Pennsylvania to the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York.

If asked whether I prefer to cache in urban or rural areas, I would definitely tell you that I prefer to cache in rural areas.  The caches in rural areas require more hiking and really expand your mind to a much farther capacity for your search. 

One of our most favorite local caches is called “Bruce Wayne’s Lair” which is located near the old mining caves in Akron, NY.  We trudged through about two feet of snow for about an hour to get to this cache, mostly because we took a wrong turn, but it was the most fantastic location to visit.  Not only do the caves have a rich history, they also have, what I call, upside down icicles!

“Did You Say Ohio?” was a very fun multi-cache, putting a play on the town name of Akron.  This cache  took us to various historic buildings and businesses in Akron, NY.  I have lived in this area for over 15 years and had never visited the places I was taken on this cache.  This actually happens quite frequently, so I really appreciate the opportunities it give me to open up my eyes to the historic and natural places that are right in my own backyard.  Unfortunately, this cache has been archived.

After three days and a lot of research, I was able to figure out the riddle to the first part of a puzzle cache in Olcott, NY, called “She’s A Lady… Bug!”  The puzzle was actually a picture of several ladybugs with different patterns of spots on their backs.  To figure out the puzzle, you had to decrypt the pattern into a math problem to determine the coordinates of the final location of the cache.  I figured out the puzzle just as winter hit, and we only make it to Olcott during the warm months.  Once the weather breaks, we will conquer that cache!  I have a very special trinket of a wind-up ladybug that I plan to place in the cache once we find the final, in tribute of the complexity of the puzzle.

Also, we just recently experienced our first earthcache, which was in Akron Falls Park, and it was spectacular!  It took us to an overlook of one of the falls and we had to describe to the cache owner our experience at the location, how much water we thought was coming over the falls at the time of our visit and what the weather was like while there.

I could go on and on about my geocaching adventures and journeys, as I have become truly passionate about this hobby.  As a momentum, I like to keep a photo-journal of our finds, so that we can later reflect on the awesome adventures we have had, and even some funny blunders, that we have had while caching.  To keep up with the times, we just created a Twitter account so that our friends and family across the country can experience our journeys and finds with us in real-time.  We hope to have a webpage up for our family and friends to see our photo-journal, but that is still in the creativity stages. 

My niece loves to come with us and calls it “treasure hunting.” She does a really good job of watching out for the pirates who may want to steal the treasure.  I just think that everyone should experience this wonderful hobby – it is a great, fun and healthy pastime for people of all ages and lifestyles.

I would like to invite you to follow us on Twitter!  We can't explain everything about our experiences in only 140 characters, but you will at least know that we are out there and you can look up our detailed logs on www.geocaching.com after our posts.  Find us on Twitter as @authorizedusers (make sure it s all one word and plural!)

Also, feel free to check out our profile on www.geocaching.com.  If you do not have an account, it is absolutely free to sign up!

We hope to see you on the trails soon!  May you steer clear of muggles and be rich with cache! 

 

"A Powerful Voice in A Child's Life"

By Tara Pariso
Every year in Genesee County hundreds of children are abused and neglected and end up without a home to call their own. On average, these youth spend more than two years in the child welfare system and can be moved as many as 15 times, wreaking havoc on their education, friendships and sense of belonging. Although the number is staggering, the Genesee County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is helping to make a difference. The CASA program makes a positive impact in the lives of these children by training volunteers to advocate on behalf of their best interest in court. CASA volunteers help to secure safe, permanent homes where foster youth can thrive.
 
Currently our local CASA program has nine volunteer advocates. But there is a great need for more volunteers. With your help, we’ll be able to make sure these children can safely be returned home or, when that can’t happen, be released for adoption.
 
Our vision is to have a volunteer advocate for every abused or neglected child that comes to the attention of Genesee County Family Court.
 
To learn more abour CASA, becoming a Volunteer, or making a donation, please call (585) 344-2550 ext. 2331. 
You can help ensure that the children in Genesee County are placed in safe, permanent homes.  Volunteer to help one child at a time.
 
 

 

BIGOTS OUT IN FULL FORCE ON AOL

By Bea McManis

A quick look at AOL's News comments indicated that the bigots are out in full force. Some comments should, in my opinion, be removed, but AOL appears to thrive on this type of community back biting. Our country took the first step in healing the wounds the inept Bush administration caused for eight years. Electing Obama may not set well with the bigots. However, they are a small minority.

Quite honestly, if I were elected president and faced the 'clean up' job required to put this country back together after the many years of Republican rule, I would ask for a recount. It isn't going to be an easy job.

Will Obama raise taxes? Quite possibly, but who did you think was going to pay for the debt Bush foisted upon us? When did you think that bill would come due? I applaud the Obama victory and pray that President elect Obama will find the strength and the wisdom to lead this country out of the mire caused by the Bush years.

When, in your recent memory, did you see one of our presidential elections greeted with such a positive impact around the globe?

Rainbow in Batavia

By Brian Hillabush

 I was just leaving Genesee Community College after covering the Alexander/Notre Dame girls soccer game (coverage in sports).

A rainbow showed up as the rain slowed, starting from one side of the college and ending out back beyond the soccer fields and past the thruway. 

I snapped a couple of shots.

 

 

 

summer in the city 08

By daniel cherry

I went to the summer in the city yeaterday it was fun.I really enjoyed the band kindred.That woman sure can sing wow.

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