batavia

John Spyropoulos spotted a pair of bald eagles feasting on a deer carcass this morning along the Tonawanda Creek along South Main Street in Batavia. He submitted this photo where you can see one of the eagles at the top of a tree.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 44, no permanent address, is charged with second-degree assault. Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Horseman at 9:03 a.m. Dec. 9 on North Street, Batavia. It is alleged that Horseman struck another male in the face multiple times with his fists, causing serious physical injury to the victim. Horseman was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. He was due back in city court Dec. 17. Post was assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot in this case.

Alex Scott Dumbleton, 27, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: endangering the welfare of a child; second-degree burglary -- illegal entry into a dwelling; first-degree criminal contempt -- violating an order of protection with physical contact; second-degree criminal contempt -- disobeying a court order; and criminal misdemeanor -- acting with intent to damage property. Dumbleton was arrested on the charges at 1:05 p.m. on Dec. 11 at an apartment on Pearl Street in Batavia. He was arraigned virtually in Batavia City Court and held in jail on unspecified bail. He was due back in city court Dec. 15. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Blake R. Terry, 20, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault. He turned himself in at Batavia PD headquarters during the afternoon of Dec. 14 on an arrest warrant out of Batavia City Court that stemmed from a reported physical altercation Oct. 8 on Bank Street, Batavia. He was arraigned virtually in city court and released on his own recognizance. Terry is due in city court on Feb. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Alicia M. Lyons, 41, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing. Lyons was arrested at 2:05 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Kwik Fill at Jackson and Ellicott streets in the city after it was reported that she displayed a knife after an altercation with an employee. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice. 

Christopher A. Sewar, 34, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested after an investigation of an incident that occurred Dec. 4 wherein Sewar allegedly violated an order of protection. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Officer John Gombos.

Dennis Paul Kiener, 49, of Hagen Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with: driving while intoxicated, with a BAC of .08 percent or greater; DWI; moving from lane unsafely; and speed not reasonable and prudent. Kiener was arrested at 3:48 a.m. on Dec. 19 on Sand Hill Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, following a single-vehicle accident. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Alabama Town Court on Jan. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein.

Terry Michael Roth, 45, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; moving from lane unsafely; and expired vehicle inspection. He was arrested at 12:52 p.m. on Dec. 19 following an investigation into an accident that occurred at 5:06 p.m. on Oct. 30 on East Main Street in Batavia. Roth was issued uniform traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 24. After his arrest, he was released on his own recognizance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Craig James Alexander, 48, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with: driving while intoxicated, with a BAC of .08 percent or more; DWI; and moving from lane unsafely. Alexander was arrested at about 11 p.m. on Dec. 17 on Albion Road in Oakfield after a single-vehicle accident. He is due in Oakfield Town Court on Jan. 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier.

Matthew Metahan Osmancikli, 28, of South Lake Road, Pavilion, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested at 2:45 a.m. on South Lake Road after an alleged physical altercation with another person. He was released with an appearance ticket to be in Pavilion Town Court on Jan. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

A trio of ladies who have never met before got together yesterday to help spread some holiday cheer at a time when our local “Holiday Man” has been missing in our hearts. 

Bob “The Holiday Man” Zeagler spread much joy, smiles and laughter to many people in about a decade of his festive decorated Jeep Wrangler and clothing attire. He passed away in 2016.

Bob dressed up for every holiday occasion, which he had a different outfit for nearly every month of the year. The group organizers pictured from left above are Courtney Dawson, Jenn Noon and Danielle Nigro. They wanted to brighten the holidays since the past year has been difficult for so many. They want to make it an annual event.

A Facebook group started some discussion to dress up their vehicles “Bob style” to make it fun and entertaining for all.  About a dozen vehicles of parents, kids and families took part in driving around to many streets around Batavia showing off their vehicles in a drive-by mini parade.

Many local businesses helped support the event and after it concluded they were going to meet back at Ficarella’s Pizzeria to pass out prizes for various categories and the kids who participated.

When Bob’s wife, Bridget, was contacted about the event, she was overwhelmed with joy to see it take off. She spoke about how Bob used to travel to Walmart, the Broadway market sharing his joy with many people, and how he loved to make the children smile. She also said how happy he would be to see everyone dress up their vehicles like he did -- Bob style.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

To view more photos from the event, click here.

Press release:

The staff at The Manor House would like for you to send their seniors holiday cards, who especially need them because of COVID-19 restrictions and not being able to see their families for the holidays.

We want to show them how much the community cares and is thinking of them!

We are also looking for cards for three very special ladies who turn 100, 101 and 102 in January! 

There are boxes for cards and pictures at the front doors of The Manor House at 427 E. Main St. in the city or mail to the attention of Kristin Cronk at that address.

Happy holidays and stay healthy!

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Lewiston Road and West Main Street, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and State Police are on scene.

Mercy EMS dispatched.

At least two vehicles involved and traffic is blocked.

Photos and information from Jason Clark, of St. Paul Lutheran School.

The children at St. Paul Lutheran School have been practicing for their Christmas Program since the beginning of November.

"We have the kindergarten through third-grade students spaced out 12-feet apart in the Sanctuary as the choir, with the fourth- and fifth-grade students on the 'stage' having memorized the lines," says Clark. "We will be videotaping the play during school hours, then sending out a link to the school families and church members to watch the play at home."

The title of this year's play is "The First Leon, Discovering the True Meaning of Christmas." It's a dramatic 35-minute children's musical created by Dennis and Nan Allen in which the Christmas story is told as seen through the eyes of Leon. He's special. See, Leon's name spelled backward is Noel, and since discovering that, he's felt called to tell the world the true meaning of Christmas.

The play is being directed by Jennifer Dunn.

Top photo: Members of the fourth- and fifth-grade class at St. Paul's Lutheran School.

Below: Sam McMillan and Lilly.

Below back row from left: Addison Kilian, Amelia Paratore and Cordelia Rivers. Addison Forsyth is in front.

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Below five photos: members of the choir comprised of the kindergarteners through third-graders.

A three-car accident that is blocking traffic is reported in the area of 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, in front of Planet Fitness. "Appears to be no injuries at this time -- a couple of people are shaken up," says a first responder on scene.

Town of Batavia Fire Department, law enforcement and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: Fluids are leaking from the vehicles.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Speedy Dry and some brooms and shovels are needed.

Chris Crocker submitted this photo taken on South Main Street in Batavia of geese lounging on the Tonawanda Creek.

Yesterday, the first members of UMMC's staff received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The video was shot by Rochester Regional Health staff and edited by Howard Owens.

Submitted photo and press release:

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) program at John Kennedy Intermediate School in Batavia received a $500 Educational Alliance Program grant from the ExxonMobil Corporation, which was then matched by the local distributor that had initiated the grant application, Reid Petroleum Corporation.

Mike McCarthy, vice president of Reid Petroleum, along with his grandson, Jack, currently a third-grader at John Kennedy, presented the two checks to John Kennedy’s STEAM teacher, Melissa Calandra at the Crosby’s convenience store/gas station in Batavia. Crosby’s is a subsidiary of Reid Petroleum.

Reid Petroleum had taken the lead initially by applying for the ExxonMobile grant on behalf of John Kennedy. When their office received word that the school would receive a check for $500, they decided to match it. As the money can only be used for math or science, it will go to support hands-on activities that go along with science lessons in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program, which is run by Calandra.

“I am so excited, and so grateful,” Calandra said. “This will be such a big boost for our students and our STEAM program.”

Photo: Melissa Calandra, John Kennedy’s STEAM teacher, left, and Vice President of Reid Petroleum Mike McCarthy, right, with his grandson, Jack.

Press release:

Arc of Genesee Orleans Transfer Station, 3785 W. Main Street Road, Batavia has reduced its hours of operation until further notice.

The Transfer Station will be closed on Fridays, but normal hours will be in effect on Mondays (8 - 2), Wednesdays (8 - 6) and Saturdays (8 - 2).

Customers are asked to please stay in their vehicle at the transfer station and reminded that masks are required.

If you have any questions, please call (585) 343-4203.

Photo and information from reader Kayla Twardowski: 

My sister Crystal Ishmael's dog went missing Monday morning, Dec. 14, on Alexander Road between Pike Road and Rose Road in Batavia.

Her dog is a Chihuahua, tan in color with white paws. She's 11 years old. Her name is Lady.

My sister's phone number is (585) 356-9774. She is very worried about her and wants her back home. Lady is her support animal. ... Just trying to put the word out there.

Sunday is the inaugural "Bob's Christmas Car Day" created in honor of Bob Zeagler, who used to decorate his Jeep Wrangler in different themes for each holiday throughout the year with a special effort for Christmas. 

The event is being organized on Facebook by a group of local residents.

Zeagler died in November 2016.

Residents are encouraged to decorate their car in a "Bob-inspired" way and drive around Batavia starting at 4 p.m. For those who want to be part of a group of cars, there will be a starting point at Ficarella's Pizzeria on Liberty Street in Batavia. It appears some of the details, such as routes, are still being worked out. Check the Facebook group for more information and updates.

Photo by Steve Ognibene.