news

Press release:

The Genesee County Emergency Management has received a $2,600 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers.

FM Global representatives presented the award to Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, which will be accepting the grant award at a presentation at the Fire Training Center, located at 7690 State Street Road, Batavia. It will be used to help fire investigators more efficiently investigate and determine the cause of a fire.

Because fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, during the past 40 years FM Global has contributed millions of dollars in fire prevention grants to fire service organizations around the globe. Locally, the company has awarded grants to a number of New York-based organizations.

 “At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said Michael Spaziani, manager of the fire prevention grant program.

“Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”

Through its Fire Prevention Grant Program, FM Global awards grants to fire departments — as well as national, state, regional, local and community organizations worldwide — that best demonstrate a need for funding, where dollars can have the most demonstrable impact on preventing fire, or mitigating the damage it can quickly cause.

To learn more about FM Global’s Fire Prevention Grant Program, or to apply for a grant, please visit www.fmglobal.com/grants.

For nearly two centuries, many of the world’s largest organizations have turned to FM Global to develop cost-effective property insurance and engineering solutions to protect their business operations from fire, natural disasters and other types of property risk. With clients in more than 130 countries, FM Global ranks #561 among FORTUNE magazine’s largest companies in America and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best and AA (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings. The company was named “World’s Best Supply Chain Risk Insurance Provider” in 2014 by Global Finance magazine and was voted “Best Commercial Property Insurer” in Business Insurance’s 2013 Buyers Choice Awards.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is looking for City residents who are interested in serving on this committee! Submit your application, available on the City’s website, www.batavianewyork.com, under “Documents,” to the City Clerk’s office by May 19^th!

The Audit Advisory Committee was established to provide oversight to the financial and compliance reporting process, external audit process and control environment.

The Committee aids in the communication between the City Manager and the independent auditor in areas including the integrity of the City’s financial statement, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the performance, qualifications, and independence of the auditors.

The Committee will be responsible for meeting with the auditors prior to the audit, reviewing risk assessment, reviewing the draft financial statements and making a recommendation on acceptance of the external audit reports to the City Manager. Additional responsibilities include reviewing the management letter and establishing internal controls.

The Committee is made up of five members, two of which are Council members. Thank you for your interest in serving on this committee!

Gannon D. McNall, 20, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful surveillance, 2nd. McNall is accused of setting up a camera to record a female acquaintance for the purpose of sexual arousal and/or gratification. He was jailed on $5,000 bail. He was also arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an unrelated incident.

Brandon James Nugent, 23, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana, moving from lane unsafely and failure to keep right. Nugent was allegedly found asleep at the wheel of his running vehicle while it was parked on the shoulder of Sweetland Road, Stafford, at 6:28 a.m. Saturday, by Deputy Eric Meyer. When the deputy approached and woke Nugent, he reportedly put the vehicle in gear, drove east on Sweetland in the wrong lane and drove the vehicle off the north shoulder of the roadway. Deputy Meyer completed a field sobriety test and allegedly found Nugent in possession of marijuana during the investigation.

A 16-year-old resident of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing money from a safe inside a residence where he was living at the time.

A 16-year-old resident of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly threw scissors at another person striking the person in the back.

Joseph Marsceill, 32, of Lewis Place, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Marsceill was located during a home check by Probation and taken into custody by Batavia PD.

Jolynn M. Gorski, 37, of West Main Street Road, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with court-ordered program or service. Gorski was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Priscilla M. Donahue, 38, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested on a pair of warrants. Donahue was arrested by Batavia PD after being located in City Court on an unrelated matter. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Jacob L. Hernandez, 22, of Pearl Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Hernandez turned himself in.

Elizabeth A. Hicks, 34, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hicks is accused of shoplifting at Tops on April 21. She was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Lori A. Keech, 46, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Keech is accused of shoplifting from Tops on April 12.

Kevin J. Weber, 46, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Weber was arrested following a report of an incident at 12:26 a.m. April 23 on Columbia Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Kiha Samuel McNear, 19, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, inadequate lights, no bell/signal device. McNear was stopped at 8:12 p.m. April 26 at 10 Ellicott St., by Officer Arick Perkins.

Dander J. Cramer, 18, of Route 46, Dansville, is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. He was stopped at 8:34 p.m. April 26 at 117 Jackson St., Batavia, by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Gregory M. Munroe II, 29, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with driving with a suspended registration and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Munroe allegedly failed to appear in City Court on these charged.

Lisa M. Burke, 48, of Maple Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Burke is accused of shoplifting at Kwik Fill on Jackson Street.

Haley Marie Findley, 24, of Mt. Read Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Findley was charged following a traffic stop at 8:40 p.m. Friday on Judge Road, Alabama, by Deputy Micheal Lute.

Jason William Whitehead, 19, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operator, moving from lane unsafely, expired inspection and failure to use signal. Whitehead was stopped at 11:43 a.m. Saturday on Pratt Road by Deputy Michael Lute.

Eugene Laney turned 80 on Saturday. As part of the celebration, the family created a five-generation photo, with his daughter Linda Johnson, his granddaughter Serena Richardson, his great-granddaughter Cheyenne Richardson, and his great-great-granddaughter, 2-month-old Kymina. 

Photo and info submitted by Jessica Budzinack.

If the sun comes out over the next few hours, it could help energize a storm heading toward Western New York, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a special weather statement this morning.

The storm is likely to hit western counties between 3 and 6 p.m. and move east.

Cloud cover this morning could limit the storm's growth as a cold front pushes across the state.

A severe thunderstorm could include dangerously strong winds.

The slow-moving storm could also deliver downpours on top of already wet conditions raising concerns for flooding.

A rollover accident with what is believed to be minor injuries is reported at South Main Street Road and Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

Law enforcement is on scene.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Stephen Edward Edmonds, 53, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI -- driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher, and failure to keep right. Edmonds was arrested at 1:34 a.m. on April 15 on Wilkinson Road, Batavia, for allegedly going over the center line of the roadway. He was allegedly intoxicated at the time. The defendant was released with appearance tickets for Batavia Town Court on May 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker.

Kayla A. Ladue, 21, of Barry Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding in a 55-mph zone. Ladue  was arrested at 7:54 p.m. on April 27 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. Following a traffic stop for allegedly speeding, it is alleged that Ladue had marijuana in her possession. She was issued an appearance ticket for Bergen Town Court on May 3. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Adam Stephen Terhaar, 23, of Torrey Pine Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Terhaar was arrested at 9:09 p.m. on April 28 on Judge Road in Alabama following a traffic stop. The stop was made after a complaint of traffic offenses that had occurred. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe and a grinder. He was released on an appearance ticket for Alabama Town Court on May 30. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Howard Wilson, assisted by Deputy Michael Lute.

A "pretty large fire" has been reported by a deputy on Quinlan Road, Le Roy, as a "possible en-con complaint" (environmental conservation).

The fire is about 20 feet in diameter and the deputy is requesting a fire department response.

The Girl Scouts held their second Powder Puff Pinewood Derby at St. Joe's this afternoon.  Local Boy Scouts and scout leaders assisted with setup and running the races.

A possible illegal burn, a brush fire, is reported at 9002 Fargo Road, Stafford. Stafford firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: Law enforcement is called to the scene.

A dog is stuck outside on the roof of a house at 17 Elm St., Batavia. City fire is police are responding. "The caller tried to help the dog but it growls at her," says the dispacher.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: This black, medium-sized dog is now safe inside the house and appeared to be uninjured after falling off the roof. The dog got outside on the roof by going out a door and through a wrought-iron railing of a balcony, perching on a two-foot wide eave of the roof. Police Sgt. Dan Coffey said the dog didn't want to go back through the railing and into the house and kept trying to jump down. Police went to the owner's place of employment and got the owner and brought the owner back to the house to try and get the dog to come inside. When the owner appeared, the dog became more agitated and while trying to get back through the railing, fell off the roof. It stood up as soon as it hit the ground and ran to the owner, who had opened a side door, and the dog ran inside the house. It appeared to be uninjured. The owner went in the house, closed the upstairs door and came back down to talk with the police. 

A K-9 is assisting in a Sheriff's Office search for an individual who has gone into the woods off Route 77 in Darien.

We don't have information on what initiated the reason for the search.

The subject is described as a white male, about 6' 2" tall, 175 pounds, in tan pants and a gray/green short-sleeve shirt.

Librarian Sue Border cut the red ribbon today to celebrate the opening of a remodeled child's library room in the bottom floor of the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy.

The library was a project supported by community members, with state grants secured by Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

At the ceremony today, Hawley said he has three issues he always keeps in front of him, veterans, ARCs, and libraries.

"For all 12 years that I’ve been in the Assembly, each of the governors, from Pataki to Spencer to Patterson and Cuomo, have always seemed to cut the library allocation at the state level," Hawley said. "So every year I circulate a letter asking for restoration to the speaker, to the majority and each year it actually works."

Board President David Frost speaking.

Steve Hawley

Eight local volunteer fire companies are holding open houses this weekend and I was able to drop in on a couple of them today, though by the time I got to Stafford, things were just wrapping up. But the Perkins kids were still there, so we thought, we'll get a picture of them inside one of the fire trucks.

Carter, 4, was pretty done for the day and not really into it. One-year-old Elli was having none of it, but older sister Leyna, 7, was all smiles.

Below are pictures from Bethany and Town of Batavia.

Here's a list of tomorrow's open houses:

Byron Fire Department
6357 E. Main St., Byron
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fire-related demonstrations; mutual aid exercises, plus blood pressure checks, truck tours and trying on gear.

East Pembroke Fire Dept.
2623 Main Road, East Pembroke
Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon

Elba Fire Department
4 S. Main St., Elba
Sunday
Equipment displays and station tours.

To find out more about supporting your local fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Det. John Corodorio, Le Roy PD, manned the booth today at the police station for national drug take-back day. There were drug drop-off spots set up also at Batavia PD and the Town of Pembroke Highway Department (Sheriff's Office location).

Condidorio said now that Le Roy PD has a permanent drop-off box inside the police station, most people bring their unused, unwanted medications throughout the year.

There are also boxes set up at Batavia PD, the State Police barracks on West Saile Drive, and the Sheriff's Office on Park Road that are available most days of the week.

Proper disposal of unused medicine keeps the chemicals out of the environment and keeps potentially harmful or addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands.

Jaden Pocock, third from left, is the winner of the 2017 Character Award at the 13th Annual Liberty Partnerships Empire Promise Youth Summit at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. He is pictured with his brother Logan, his father Joel and Shelly Bartow, Ph.D., Conference chairperson. 

Photo and info submitted by Patrick McGee.

A larceny of cigarettes was just reported at the Family Dollar store on East Main Street in Batavia. The suspect left in a red Camaro and is now heading east on Clinton Street. Batavia PD is responding and the Sheriff's deputies are alerted.

UPDATE 7:37 p.m.: Within five minutes the suspect vehicle was stopped. A law enforcement officers says of the suspect, who is a passenger in the vehicle: "All she got was one pack of Pall Mall Red 100s."

Press release:

Clifford "Cliff" Scutella has spent most of his professional life working with students. From his early beginnings as a program supervisor at Monroe Community College to his current role as director of Student Activities at Genesee Community College, Scutella has had an impact on hundreds of lives. With such an effect on so many people throughout the years, it's no surprise that the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) recently recognized Scutella with a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring him for great service to the hundreds, if not thousands of students he has worked with and supported through the many years.

"I am very proud and humbled by this recognition," Scutella said. "For as long as I have been fortunate enough to work in the positions I've had, I have never felt as though I've worked a day it my life."

Scutella is no stranger to earning praise from the APCA, having been named the National Advisor of the Year by the Association in 2012 and the Northeast Regional Advisor of the Year in 2011. He also received a State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2003 an award given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and the pursuit of excellence. And, Scutella was also been hailed as Who's Who in American Junior Colleges.

The APCA strives to promote campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment and community service initiatives. The Association hosts many annual leadership development workshops and conferences for regions and teams through the year and throughout the country. Last year, over 600 college or universities and more than 2,000 students and higher education professionals attended in APCA conferences and activities.

From 1969 through 1973, Scutella served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise. Following his military service, he helped veterans obtain employment and further their education as a counselor for the Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester. He then worked as a program supervisor, student activities advisor and assistant director of Student Activities at MCC before moving to The College at Brockport where he held the role of alumni affairs director. Scutella began his time at Genesee in 1990 and has held the role of student activities director ever since. He was named the assistant dean for student life in 2006, a role he held for two years.

Cliff earned an associate degree from MCC before obtaining a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and a Master's Degree in Education from The College at Brockport. He is a member of the Association of College Unions-International (ACUI), the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), College Student Personnel Association of New York (CSPA), Rochester Area Activities Directors (RAAD), and many other student and higher education groups. Cliff has volunteered his time for community service initiatives such as STOP DWI, Smoke Free, Planned Parenthood, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and Drug Free Communities. At GCC, his committee work supports student retention, strategic planning, the fine and performing arts, global education and in-service training.

Outside of work, Cliff enjoys spending time with his family, gardening and sporting events and activities which includes chasing around his eight grandchildren. He currently resides in Brockport

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs today announced the start of their reading program, designed to promote reading amongst the youth of the local communities. Along with the help of New York’s 529 College Savings Program, 2017 will mark the fifth year of the “HIT THE BOOKS with the Batavia Muckdogs” reading program.   

As part of this program, the Muckdogs have provided various schools and libraries across local counties with customized bookmarks. On the back of these bookmarks, children can have a parent, guardian, teacher or librarian initial each time they complete a book. When a child completes 10 books, they can redeem the bookmark at the Dwyer Stadium box office for a FREE TICKET to any Sunday-Thursday Batavia Muckdogs’ game!

In addition to the free ticket, the child will also receive a prize courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program. If a child reads 20 books, they will be entered into a drawing to win a backpack with school supplies, provided by New York’s 529 College Savings Program; along with the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Muckdogs game. 

In addition to the many participating schools, bookmarks will be made available to children at the following local libraries:

·         Richmond Library (Batavia)

·         Lee-Whedon Memorial Library (Medina)

·         Byron-Bergen Public Library

·         Haxton Memorial Library (Oakfield)

·         Hoag Library (Albion)

·         Pavilion Public Library

·         Woodward Memorial Library (Le Roy)

·         Holley Community Free Library

Any questions about the reading program or redeeming for tickets can be answered by Josh Swan, at 585-343-5454, ext. 1005.

The shuttering of the Muller Quaker Dairy opened doors for Michael Welch.

The part-time pastor always wanted to own his own business, be his own boss, and with a three-month severance package and a program through the unemployment office aimed to help the unemployed start companies, Welch decided it was time to turn dream into reality.

"I’m a pastor and I believe in God and I just asked the Lord if this what we’re supposed to do, just let the doors all be open," Welch said. "And if it’s not, just stop, stop it. All of the doors have been open all along the way, not to say it hasn’t been hard work. It’s been extremely hard work, especially at the end here."

At first, his wife, Paula, was skeptical, even though she also enjoyed his hobby of garage sales, estate sales, and auctions. But as doors along the way kept staying open, she realized a retail store of their own might be exactly what God wanted them to do.

Tomorrow, they open Welch and Craine Trading Post, 60 Liberty St., Batavia (the main entrance is really on Liberty, behind the Pok-A-Dot).  

The store features home furniture and decor, architectural salvage, handcrafted and repurposed furniture and household items.

 Welch added "trading post" to the business name because he wanted people to know the store sold a variety of items.

"We’re not just going to have like 100 beds, or 100 dressers," Welch said "We’re going to have a whole different mix of things. Some of it is going to be old. Some of it is going to be new."

Michael and Paula long enjoyed going to garage sales together and then about six years ago, Michael discovered auctions. He enjoyed the hunt for antiques and the rush of bidding and winning on favorite pieces.

"At first, I was bringing pieces home and it fit perfectly, and then I was bringing more pieces home and then it didn’t fit too perfectly," Welch said. "Finally, Paula is like, ‘this stuff, you’ve got to do something with this. There is too much stuff.’ "

That's when he started to think his hobby could maybe someday become a business.

As he was going through the unemployment business program, he mentioned some of his ideas to Brian Kemp, co-owner of T-Shirts Etc., and Kemp loved his ideas.

"I'd like to do something like that," Welch said Kemp said.

As they talked, Kemp told Welch about the Batavia Development Corp. and how they have low-interest loans and grants to help small businesses get started in Batavia.

That started a whole other long process. He had to write a business plan and the BDC Board had him revise it a few times before his plan was approved and the project was approved for assistance.

Tomorrow, the grand opening is at 11 a.m. and then from 7 to 11 p.m., the Tommy Z Band, out of Buffalo, plays a free blues concert.