batavia

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, City Church, at its St. Anthony facility, has continued to offer free food to anybody who drives through on the distribution today. There was another distribution this morning with a line of cars stretched down Liberty Street and dozens of volunteers helping with the distribution.

Three Batavia High School student-athletes have signed letters of intent to continue both their studies and their sports careers in college.

Stone Siverling, above, will play basketball at Alfred State College. Pictured with him are: Jason Siverling, Holly Siverling, Coach Tim Stevens, Coach Buddy Brasky, Sawyer Silverling, Sheldon Silverling, and Morgan Murray.

Rebekah Daniszewski, center, will compete at Seton Hill University in track and field. Pictured are Paul Daniszewski, Douglas Daniszewski, Wendy Daniszewski, and Coach Dan Geiger.

Tyler Kleinbach, second from left, will swim at Genesee Community College. Pictured, David Kleinbach, Desire Kleinbach, and coaches Eric Geitner and Frank Dibacco.

Rebbecca Storm Wissinger, 29, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with: endangering the welfare of a child; custodial interference in the second degree; and second-degree harassment. Wissinger was arrested at 5:03 p.m. June 21 after an incident at GC Social Services on East Main Street Road in Batavia. It is alleged that she became physical with a third party while trying to take custody of her children, against a GC Family Court order. Following her arrest, she was released with appearance tickets to be in Batavia Town Court June 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Hale, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Thomas Joseph Scheuerlein, 56, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Following an incident at 4:48 p.m. June 21 in the Town of Batavia, Scheuerlein was arrested, arraigned in Alabama Town Court, then released. He is due in Genesee County Court on Aug. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Grace Crystal Murray, 22, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass. At 11:50 a.m. on June 23, Murray was arrested on a bench warrant and arraigned in Batavia City Court, then "returned" on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Interview with Dr. Ahmet Guler at the ribbon cutting last week for his new cardiology and wellness center at 34 Swan St., Suite 3, Batavia.

Press release:

The Salvation Army in partnership with Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia will be hosting their final food box distribution at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 28^th.

The distribution will take place at the church's north campus located at 8160 Bank Street Road. This is a drive-thru distribution.

Be sure your trunk/hatch are cleared out for the volunteers to place the boxes in your vehicle. You will need a photo ID for each household you will be picking up for.

There will be boxes of assorted fresh produce and boxes of assorted dairy items. The distribution will continue until the boxes are gone.

When lining up ahead of time please do not block traffic and stay in your vehicle until it is time to procede.

From the city's Department of Public Works:

The City of Batavia Water Department is going to be repairing a water line at 10 Vernon Ave. at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23. The repair will require the road to be shut down for through traffic. 

This will include emergency vehicles.

The road should be open by 3 p.m.

The City appreciates your patience while we perform this repair.

A caller reports a small child, about age 2, is driving a motorized scooter in and out of the roadway in the area of State Street and Lewis Place. City police are responding.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: An officer is speaking with someone about this call at State and Hutchins Place.

Press release:

The City Church and St. Anthony's are excited to announce the opening back up of their Tuesday Night Activity Nights on July 6th.

They offer basketball, four square, a game room and the Liberty Arts room will be open.

The gym floor has been recently updated and is ready to be played on!

This will occur every Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. at the St. Anthony's Community Center located on 114 Liberty St. in Batavia.

Everyone is welcome and food will be provided.

They are excited to welcome the community for a night of fun and friendship!

A dog is reported to be on the roof in the first block of Washington Avenue in the city. Officers are responding.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Dispatch has left a message on the resident's voicemail machine. An officer at the residence reports the dog has opted to go back inside the house, but still has access the roof. "I'll be hanging in the area until we get it secured," says the officer.

A car vs. pedestrian accident with possible serious injuries is reported at 229 W. Main St., in front of Ken Barrett's Chevolet dealership. City fire is en route. Mercy medics are responding. Police are on scene. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is on ground standby.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to scene and directed to land behind city fire headquarters in a grassy area off Evans Street. City Ladder #15's crew is the ground contact.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed behind city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and heading to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. The city assignment on West Main is back in service.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: From the City of Batavia Police Department -- The City of Batavia Police Department is investigating a car vs. pedestrian personal injury accident that occurred on Tuesday, June 22, at about 2:03 p.m. in front of 229 W. Main St., Batavia. A pedestrian was crossing West Main Street and was struck by an SUV that was traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing and the names of the individuals involved will not be released at this time. The City of Batavia Police Department would like to thank the City of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight Air Crew for their assistance with the initial investigation.

Top photo: City police say this dark-colored SUV was involved in the accident where a pedestrian was struck.

Below: Emergency personnel at the scene while the patient is being stablized in the ambulance in order to transport them to city fire headquarters where Mercy Flight has landed.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has been gifted the largest donation in its history of more than 100 years. Marian Ransom, who lived in LeRoy, left her entire estate of more than $1.2 million to the hospital upon passing away last year. In honor of Marian Ransom and her generous contribution, the second-floor medical wing at UMMC has been renamed the “Marian Ransom Medical Unit.”

“Its contributions like Marian’s that make such a profound impact on the community,” said Dan Ireland, president of United Memorial Medical Center. “We are beyond grateful for Marian’s contributions and what it will mean for the hospital, our patients, and the community. With the support of her donation, we’ll be renovating the intensive care unit (ICU), which will also have a significant impact on the newly named Marian Ransom Medical Unit.”

The ICU project is still in the early stages of development, but when complete will improve patient, visitor access, and flow to both the ICU and the Marian Ransom Medical Unit. The ICU will get a new waiting area and greeting area and also, clinical support spaces for both units. 

“Marian desired to make a difference at the end of her life and so bequeathed her entire estate of more than $1.2 million to United Memorial Medical Center," said Michael T. Welsh, Marian’s attorney. “This humble and philosophical woman has left a legacy which will benefit so many of our citizens for years to come.”

Christopher P. Thomas, 37, was arrested June 11 and charged was endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged that at 6:37 p.m. on May 13 that Thomas allowed three children to engage in a physical fight with another person on Lewis Place in Batavia. Thomas was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on June 22.

Nicole R. Griffin, 39, was arrested June 12 and charged was endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged that at 6:37 p.m. on May 13 that Griffin allowed three children to engage in a physical fight with another person on Lewis Place in Batavia. Griffin was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on June 22.

Brandon Crawford, 19, was arrested June 15 and charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that at 6 p.m. on June 1 on Kingsbury Avenue that Crawford took a sum on money from residence while he was house sitting for a family on vacation. He was processed, issued an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia City Court July 6, and then released.  

Tierance J. Davis Sr., 34, was arrested at 5:52 p.m. June 8 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He was arrested after a physical altercation that day with a juvenile female on North Lyons Street in Batavia. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court, he was released on his own recognizance. He due to return to court July 15.

Angie Maniaci, 39, was arrested at 3:37 p.m. June 12 by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post on Chandler Avenue in Batavia and charged with second-degree harassment. It is alleged she struck another person after a brief argument. Maniaci was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there June 22.

Shawn P. Wolcott, 38, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. June 11 on West Main Street Road in Batavia and charged with second-degree criminal contempt and resisting arrested. It is alleged that he violated a stay away order of protection by coming to the protected party's residence. Wolcott then allegedly resisted arrest when officers attempted to take him into custody. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court July 1.

Robert Williams Jr., 30, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. June 13 on Hutchins Street, Batavia. He is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more; DWI common law; aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree; and operating/using/leasing/renting, or was loaned, a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device. The arrest follows a traffic stop after a patrol allegedly observed traffic violations. Williams was released with traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on June 22.

Danielle Weldon, 19, was arrested at 9:24 p.m. June 10 on West Main Street in Batavia and charged with second-degree harassment. Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Weldon after an unspecified incident at a local restaurant. She was issued an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court on June 15.

Jacob Hernandez, 26, was arrested by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post June 9 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. It stems from an unspecified incident at 5:52 a.m. Sept. 22 on Jackson Street in the City of Batavia. After his arraignment June 9, Hernandez was released on his own recognizance. He was due back in city court June 17.

Heather Holbrook, 36, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court at 9 a.m. June 2 on West Main Street in Batavia. Holbrook is accused of failing to appear in court May 12 for an unspecified incident that occurred Jan. 14. She was issued an appearance ticket for a later date (unspecified) and then released.

Do not be afraid. The cat with the seemingly luminous laser eyes is not possessed by evil spirits, but he is on the loose. Fear not, it's only "Spot."

Beyond the dazzling backlit eyeballs is an ordinary housecat who has scampered away from home at the corner of State Street and MacArthur Drive in Batavia, just in time for tomorrow's Summer Solstice -- the year's longest day of sunlight.

His markings are distinctive -- the black teardrop nose, the prominent snowy bib, and what appears to be a black cat's arm stretched around his head and under his chin, with paw resting on the right side of his mouth. Charming.

Another unique thing about Spot is his front legs are shorter than his back ones, kinda Manx-like, kinda rabbity.

"He's only ever been out of the house once and (this time) he snuck out and wouldn't come back," pouts owner David Austin, astonished by his pet's willfull disregard for the Official Handbook of Household Rules.

All cats apparently would have us believe they only got out once -- once -- on a Sunday morning to hang out in the church parking lot before rushing home straightaway once the congregation was dismissed. Never another defiant act! Yea, right...

If you see this rapscallion, email David Austin at:  daustin201345@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Just Kings Social Club, Batavia's Juneteenth celebration is taking place in Williams Park today. The celebration of freedom continues until 7 p.m.

Chris Humel and Julio Morales busking this afternoon outside the Pok-A-Dot at Liberty and Ellicott. 

The Volunteers for Animals collected a dumpster full of scrap metal today, an annual fundraiser for the organization.  

You have plenty time yet to donate your old metal items. You can either drop it off this evening, placing it as close to the dumpster as possible, or tomorrow between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.