batavia

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

On June 18 at approximately 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Hutchins Place and Lewis Place for a large disturbance.

Upon arrival, patrols found several individuals fighting, with numerous different fights taking place. Some of the suspects had weapons such as knives, tasers, and bats and were allegedly threatening individuals with those items. Other suspects were allegedly throwing rocks at people and vehicles in the area.

After several minutes, officers were able to get the situation under control. No injuries were reported but two vehicles were damaged.

A thorough investigation was conducted and concluded that the incident began over fireworks being thrown at one of the damaged vehicles and a residence. The parties involved have had previous issues with one another.

The Batavia Police Department arrested the following individuals:

• Eric McGill, 37, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 265.02-1) – criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a Class D felony);
• Delonta Curry, 19, of Warner Street, Rochester, one count (PL 265.01-2) – criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (a Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Hezekiah Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.00-1) – criminal mischief in the fourth degree (Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) -- riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Louis Mercado, 32, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.05-2) – criminal mischief in the third degree (a Class E felony); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Jasmine Ryder, 34, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Lance Mercado Sr., 30, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor).

Update 1:30 p.m.
The time for the media session on Thursday for K-9 Hank wlll be 3:30 p.m. at the rear of the City of Batavia police station.

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Community residents have stepped up in thousands of ways to support the City of Batavia Police Department's K-9 program.

Actually, the number is $11,228.53, which is the total amount of the donations sent into the City after the program was established last August, with the stipulation that donatons would be accepted.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, lawmakers voted to place the contributions into a committed fund just to be used for K-9-related expenses.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch told The Batavian that a press conference is being arranged for this Thursday at police headquarters to introduce Hank, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois (pronounced MAL-in-wah), and his handler, Officer Stephen Quider, and to provide details about the program.

The Belgian Malinois is known as a hard-working, protective and smart breed with an ability to detect explosives, accelerants and narcotics. The name is derived from Malines, the French name for the breed's Flemish city of origin, Mechelen.

The male Malinois, which can weigh up to 75 pounds, is sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd.

Hank and Officer Stephen Quider attended last weekend's Juneteenth event at the YWCA of Genesee County.

“I jumped at the chance (to partner with the dog),” Quider said.

So, it looks as though the department's newest trainee is almost ready to em-“bark” on his journey to serve and protect.

In other action, Council:

-- Moved the bid process and determination for the Franklin Street-Richmond Avenue sewer rehabilitation project to its July 13^th Business Meeting.

According to Public Works Director Matt Worth, the City will see significant cost savings by changing the focus from a complete sewer line replacement on Franklin Street to an excavated repair of one section and relining of the rest of the line, and then to include relining of the Richmond Avenue sewer ahead of its rehabilitation project in 2022.

“The original budget for this project was $1,048,596, including engineering costs,” Worth said, “but with the changes, the cost will be significantly lower even with the addition of the Richmond Avenue lining.”

Worth said engineering fees will drop from around $240,000 to $57,800 “due to the reduced effort required to design and inspect a lining project compared to full open construction with new sewer.”

He also said he expects the construction cost to be “well under” the original estimate of $806,000 when the bids are opened on July 2.

-- Voted to authorize Council President Eugene Jankowski to facilitate the acceptance of $16,000 from the Genesee County Youth Bureau to support the Liberty Center for Youth and City Summer Recreation Program.

-- Voted to appoint three City residents – Nicholas Harris, Marc Staley and David Leone – and two Council members – Robert Bialkowski and Jeremy Karas – to the Audit Advisory Board for a term ending Dec. 31.

CORRECTION: We previously published a picture taken June 6 of Officer Stephen Quider with a K9. It turns out that dog was returned and "Hank" is a different dog so we've removed the photo.

After a heavy downpour this afternoon, the area under the train bridge on Cedar Street flooded for a short time.

Town of Batavia fire is on scene for an accident involving two vehicles and a semi-truck in the area of 9331 Lewiston Road.

Traffic is blocked.

Unknown injuries.

The railroad underpasses on Ellicott Street and on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia is impassable due to flooding from heavy rain. The county is under a Flood Warning until 5:45 p.m. the National Weather Service has Buffalo announced.

City police are on scene at both places.

From the National Weather Service:

At 1:49 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include -- Batavia, Stafford and East Bethany. 

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area as additional thunderstorms move across the area. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. 

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you can do so safely.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: "Ellicott Street has already started to drain so I don't think (the road closure) it will be too long," says an officer on scene.

Judd Allen Farewell, 28, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. He was arrested June 16 on an arrest warrant out of Genesee County Court. He allegedly committed the crime he's charged with at 2:12 p.m. May 31 on Coe Avenue in Oakfield. He was arraigned and jailed without bail. He is due in county court on July 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Marshawn Jamal Singletery, 38, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; criminal use of drug paraphernalia; driving while ability impaired by alcohol; registration display violation; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Singletery was arrested at 4:50 p.m. on June 19 on Swan Street, Batavia, after a motor-vehicle stop for having no license plates. He was allegedly found to be under the influence at the time and refused Data Master testing at Genesee County Jail. He was issued an appearance ticket for July 29 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Hezekiah N. Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Batavia police responded to a report of a large fight in the area of State Street in Batavia. While investigating the incident, police arrested Burch after he allegedly "engaged in violent, tumultuous behavior towards another male." Burch was issued a computerized appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and he is due there on June 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 48, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Batavia police responded to a report of a large fight in the area of State Street in Batavia. While investigating the incident, police arrested Kosiorek after he allegedly "engaged in violent, tumultuous behavior towards another male." Burch was issued "a hand written appearance ticket (65007)" for Batavia City Court and he is due there on June 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Mark Leroy Farley 51, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrest at 3 p.m. on June 14 following a domestic incident at an apartment on Harvester Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket and released from custody. Farley is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Jzon Anthony Richardson Sr., 21, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. At about 10:20 p.m. on June 16, Richardson was arrested at the intersection of Hutchins Place and Lewis Place, in Batavia, following a physical and verbal dispute. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Press release:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is extending the open enrollment for health insurance for another month. The deadline for anyone who wants, or needs to apply for health insurance, the extension is now to July 15^th.

Anyone who has questions, lost income, lost health insurance or needs help navigating the NYS of Health website can give Lake Plains Community Care Network a call at (585) 345-6110 and talk to a Navigator.

Applications are completed telephonically. Assistance with locating other resources are also available.

Charlotte Crawford RN, MSN, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Lake Plains Community Care Network

575 E. Main St., Batavia

The crowd may not have been as big for the Rotary Club's annual Father's Day Pancake Breakfast as it would have been if they had been able to conduct the breakfast in the sit-down style of the past 20 years, but club members were pleased with their well-organized effort to feed members of the community for free.

Nobody had to pay this morning for three pancakes, two sausage links, butter and syrup, milk and orange juice, though donations were gratefully accepted.

On what should have been their prom night on Saturday, Batavia High School seniors were given a chance to celebrate the close of their final year of high school with a parade through the city, passing Robert Morris, Jackson Primary, John Kennedy, the nursing home, and then returning to Batavia HS.

A one-vehicle rollover accident, believed to be with no injuries, is reported at 8068 Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. The location is between the Interstate 90 bridge and Galloway Road.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: The driver and sole occupant is out of the vehicle.

A perpetrator is still at large following a late-night break-in at Dave's Ice Cream, 3872 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Local law enforcement is looking for an individual who made forced entry into the ice cream shop at about 10:50 p.m. and was wearing black pants, a black coat, a gray hoodie, white gloves, and a black mask.

The subject attempted to gain entry to the cash register before fleeing in what appeared to be a small, white SUV.

Owner Debra Webster became aware of the burglary in progress because of a security camera in the store that alerted her on her phone to activity inside the closed and locked shop. She called 9-1-1 and Sheriff's deputies, with back up from Batavia PD and State troopers, responded but the perpetrator had left before police arrived.

Webster said the burglar did not seem familiar with the store and that no money was left in the store so no money was taken.

She is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the criminal.

The Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information pertinent to the case is asked to call Investigator Chris Parker or Deputy Jordan Alejandro at (585) 343-5000.

UPDATE: Photo of the intruder's face submitted by Debra Webster.

VIDEO: Courtesy Debra Webster. Note: The submitted video was 2:30 long. We've trimmed it to include only the portions that show the intruder and the SUV.

(Initial Report)

A burglary in progress was reported at Dave's Ice Cream, 3872 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, about 25 minutes ago. Several Sheriff's deputies responded initially and found the front door secure, but noted there was forced entry through the back door.

Dispatchers were told the cash register drawer was on the floor, and a light was on in a portion of the building.

No one was located inside; the building was deemed secure.

A security camera at one point, briefly, showed an individual on the premises.

The suspect is described as wearing all black, including a hoodie and gloves.

A search for the suspect by law enforcement is underway and includes Batavia police and NYS Troopers. They are establishing a perimeter for the search area.

The four local men who organized the March for Justice in Batavia on June 7 have joined together with eight more local residents to form Just Kings Social Club to help promote racial equality in the city. Friday, they hosted their first event at the YWCA: Day one of a two-day Juneteenth celebration.

Today (Saturday), the event starts at noon and runs until 7 p.m. There will be food and beverages, live entertainment, as well as vendor booths.

The YWCA is located at 301 North St., Batavia.

The end of slavery in the United States is not marked by one single date.

Juneteenth evolved out of the cooperation of June 19 in Texas, the day slaves were freed in the former rebellious state in 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in territory still held by Confederates.

It wouldn't be until December 1865 that the 13th Amendment was ratified banning slavery in the United States. Many believe the struggle for equality and liberty for black Americans has yet to be fully realized.

Kathy Poole and Patty Poole were sitting in their yard at Bank and Washington in Batavia late this afternoon with signs around them supporting Black Lives Matter, giving every car that passed their way a big, smiling, friendly wave.

Patty said they wanted to support the movement. 

"I feel like something in the system is pretty screwed up and there has to be a change and that starts at your home, you know," Patty said. "Spread the word."

As for Juneteenth, Patty said the holiday isn't just about black power. It's about power for all people.

"The color of my skin does not define me but a special day like this, I’m going to support it, of course," she said.

Photo: Kathy Poole, Jeneve (last name declined), Jaya, and Patty Poole.

Press release:

In collaboration with St. Joseph Regional School and in the spirit of maintaining and ultimately enhancing the vibrancy of Catholic Education in the GLOW Region, the St. Joe's seventh- and eighth-grade classes will be transitioned to Notre Dame High School beginning this September.

Both schools are very excited about engaging in a unified approach to maximize continuous improvements and long-term vibrancy.

Submitted photo and press release:

Nicole Hopkins has been awarded the 2020 St. Jerome Guild Health Professional Scholarship.

Hopkins is a registered nurse who has worked at UMMC, dedicating six years to patients in the UMMC Pain Center.

She is striving for her BSN advanced degree in Leadership Management, carrying a 4.0 average at Roberts Wesleyan College. The recipient received a $500 scholarship in memory of Dorothy Baker, a dedicated Honorary Guild volunteer.

The St. Jerome Guild Inc., offers the annual scholarship to applicants who are currently employed at UMMC/Rochester Regional Health and are pursuing advanced degrees in healthcare fields.

The Guild’s Gift Shop operates entirely by volunteers, and is coined “The County’s Best Kept Secret” located in the Jerome Center and hopes to reopen in the near future. Proceeds from the Gift Shop continues to purchase equipment for UMMC.

In the photo, Hopkins holds a plaque representing the Guild’s current initiative, “Home Town Heroes, 2020 Wall of Warriors.”

The GLOW community is welcome to support this initiative by donating $10 per star representing one of the 1,000 UMMC employees located at the North Street and Bank Street campuses.

All proceeds from this initiative will be donated to UMMC to purchase vital equipment.

Checks can be made payable to: St. Jerome Guild Inc., 16 Bank St., Batavia, NY 14020.