batavia

While out and about late this afternoon, early evening, working on a future story, I took a few pictures.

Above, Oatka Creek, Village of Le Roy.

State Street, Batavia, near the Thruway overpass.

Watson Road, Elba.

A reader told us how this pile of trash wound up in Dewitt Recreation Area. He and his wife went to the park Saturday evening and police were talking to two gentleman by a truck near the playground. After talking with police, the men went to a party in the Pavilion. As the party broke up, one man with the group gathered all the garbage, walked over to the woods and dropped what you see above. So here's a request of whomever dumped this: Go clean it up. Don't litter our parks.

An anti-religious vandal damaged three church buildings in Batavia overnight.

The person used black spray paint to scrawl "Religion is a mind virus." 

At Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., the tag "NOZ" was added.

Also struck were the Assembly of God at 24 N. Spruce St. and City Church downtown on East Main Street.

The perpetrator, if ever caught, is facing possible prosecution for a hate crime under New York law, said Officer Jamie Givens, who is handling the investigation.

She said the other charges include graffiti and criminal mischief.

At City Church the phrase was sprayed on glass and was easily washed away by church staff.  At Grace Baptist the vandal damaged painted brick, and at Assembly of God, wood, which will be more costly and difficult to repair.

In all three locations, Givens said, the vandal used black spray paint and the handwriting matches in all three cases.

Nobody has reported seeing anything suspicious around the churches last night and there are no suspects or suspect descriptions available.

There were no cameras in the area that could be used to help identify the suspect.

There are no other reports so far of other churches being hit.

Givens said there's no apparent "rhyme or reason" as to why these three churches were targeted.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation can contact Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

City fire is on scene at a fire in or near a building behind Ferrallgas at 655 Ellicott Street. It is possibly a building of Hanson Aggregates at 645 Cedar St.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: City police are on scene to control traffic and shut it down at Cedar and Edwards. DPW is called to put up barricades at Cedar and Ellicott and Cedar and Edwards.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: A third platoon is called into city fire headquarters for standby. A Hanson building rep is arriving at the scene.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Fire knocked down. Checking for extentions.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: Crews are picking up equipment and preparing to return to service.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m. (by Howard): Chief Jim Maxwell said the preliminary indication is that some smoldering insulation went unnoticed after crews finished installing some new water pipes and new water meter in one of the rooms of the structure. The fire was contained to the small room. A torch or soldering iron had been used. The facility is used to mix ready-made concrete.

Antonio Lester James, 22, of Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant from Genesee County Court on a charge of grand larceny, 4th. He was arraigned and bail set at $25,000. He was returned to Monroe County Jail where he is being held on unrelated charges.

Kevin J. Weber, 42, of 5 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, coercion in the second degree, and harassment, 2nd. He is jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 cash bond. Weber was arrested after a domestic incident wherein it is alleged that he shoved a female into a wall after an argument and grabbed her by the throat.

Justin C. Hofert, 25, of 81 Woodstock Gardens, Batavia, was arrested May 2 by Batavia Police officer Perkins in the UMMC parking lot after it was reported that he allegedly pushed a female while their child in common was present. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance, charged with harassment, 2nd, criminal contempt, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child,

Lakeisha A. Gibson, 26, of 1353 Lewiston Road, Alabama, was arrested on warrants May 2, and charged with criminal mischief, 4th, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct. She had an arrest warrant for the first two charges, and a bench warrant for the disorderly conduct charge. She was arraigned in city court and released on her own recognizance.

Samantha Brooks, 26, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, was arrested by a Sheriff's deputy April 30 and and charged with petit larceny. She is accused of shoplifting $21.98 worth of merchandise from Kmart. She was issued an appearance ticket and has to return to Batavia Town Court on May 20.

Stephanie Grace Pelkey, 18, of Snipery Road, Corfu, is accused of stealing $38.87 worth of merchandise from Kmart on May 3. She will be arraigned May 30 in Batavia Town Court on a charge of petit larceny.

Joshua Michael Pierce, 18, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, is accused of stealing $38.87 worth of merchandise from Kmart on May 3. He will be arraigned May 30 in Batavia Town Court on a charge of petit larceny.

Autumn M. Sierra, 19, of Brooklyn, was arrested by Batavia Police and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and not wearing a seat belt. The defendant was arrested after a traffic stop by officer Darryl Streeter after he allegedly observed her sitting on the lap of the front middle passenger of a vehicle on East Main Street. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Caitlin A. Hanley, 24, of 8080 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, was arrested May 3 by Batavia Police officer Marc Lawrence on a bench warrant out of Bergen County, New Jersey, for failure to appear. She was arraigned and put in Genesee County Jail without bail, awaiting extradition.

Dispatchers have received a report of an ultra-light airplane going down in the area of 8956 Putnam Road, Batavia.

There's been only one call and the caller isn't sure where it went down.

Bethany fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: The caller was about to call back when law enforcement arrived on scene. Since the initial call, the ultra-light has pass over head again. "He must be practicing stall techniques because the engine cut off and cut back on," the deputy said. Bethany fire is back in service.

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A "bonfire-like" fire is reported near the railroad tracks off Lehigh Avenue, Batavia.

It is growing in size.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: Property owners are "cleaning up a hedgerow" according to a fire captain. 

UPDATE 7:44 p.m.: Fire extinguished. City fire back in service.

Once again, hundreds of Genesee County residents came out to Terry Hills today for Derby Day, one of the annual major fundraisers for the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.

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If I'm out in the county driving around on a beautiful spring day, as I was to hit some of the spots on the GO ART! trail, then you know I'm going to make some photos.

Above, dandelions off Jericho Road, Bethany.

This GMC truck is always parked off Route 20 in Alexander, across the street at Ivy Lane Pottery.

At Ivy Lane Pottery.

In the field next to Sticks and Stones on Broadway, Darien Center.

I've published a photo of this barn on Route 20, Darien, before, but from the other side.

Barn at Route 20 and Smithley Road, Darien.

Spring trees off Walker Road, Darien.

Yellow magnolia in front of the Doty Mansion, Jackson Street, Batavia.

Supporters of the Child Advocacy Center gathered at Terry Hills on Friday for the agency's annual fundraiser, the Ugly Tie and Ugly Purse Luncheon.

The ugly tie winner was Brian Paris, top photo on the right with Bob Knipe.

The winner of the ugly purse contest was June Ferry, below. Ann Marie Gsell, bottom photo, also was a finalist in the ugly tie contest.

The keynote speaker was Mary Travers Murphy, executive director of the Family Justice Center in Erie County. She spoke about the center's effort to assist victims of domestic abuse, which she said is an equal problem for all segments of society, regardless of race or religion or level of wealth or degree of poverty. The statistics remain equal in all categories.

Ay Caramba!

"The fajitas activated the smoke alarm" at Salsa & Curry says a dispatcher, who called for city fire to respond.

"Smoke from fajitas confirmed," says a firefighter, putting the assignment back in service.

The entree --  a spicy combo of onions, peppers and meat -- is popular, brought to your table on a sizzling hot plate with fresh tortillas.

So this is a not an uncommon occurance at the location, as was the case when it was Margarita's restaurant.

And tommorrow is Cinco de Mayo...

The call went out to City of Batavia Fire Department for a trash can fire at the car wash on Pearl Street. I was in the neighborhood, so I got there right after Engine 11. 

The fire was actually a smoldering cigarette in a small trash container in the vacuum area.

Not much to it, but I was there, so here's a picture.

Batavia and Le Roy Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the American Heritage Girls Troop NY0146 in Le Roy participated this morning in a flag raising at the International Peace Garden.

Officers Jamie Givens and Kevin DeFelice set up an impromptu check point on Law Street just east of the curve this morning. DeFelice said with all the accidents on that stretch of Law it seemed like a good place set up and hopefully remind people to slow down. The officers were checking for compliance with registration, inspection and seat belts.

Two people have been cited following an investigation into alleged illegal taxi cab operation in Genesee County.

Julious Murphy, 60, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was issued citations for alleged improper plates and operating without proper for-hire insurance.

Jennifer L. Cudney, 32, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, was cited for alleged operating while on a mobile phone, improper plates, operating out of class and operating without proper for-hire insurance.

Murphy and Cudney were cited by the Sheriff's Office following an investigation that began with complaints about alleged illegal taxi cabs operating in Genesee County.

Taxi cabs in New York must register with the proper for-hire class. The operator must possess a Class E driver's license and the vehicle must have insurance covering the for-hire usage.

Assisting in the investigation were Batavia PD, the DMV and the District Attorney's Office.

The investigation was handled by Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, Sgt. Brian Frieday, Sgt. Dan Coffey, Officer Darryle Streeter and members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Press release:

Hundreds of walkers from the Batavia area will hit the pavement on Sunday May 5 hoping the payoff is a cure for multiple sclerosis. Nearly 350 walkers are expected to turn out for Walk MS Batavia, with a goal of raising $36,000 for the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter.

The chapter is holding Walk MS in 19 communities this spring, with an overall goal of more than 11,000 participants and $1.4 million. Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 12,800 people with MS and their families in Upstate New York and research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system.

The rate of diagnosis in Upstate New York is about double the national average. In Genesee County alone, there are more than 110 people living with MS. The disease affects more than 2.1 million people worldwide. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed.

Walk MS Batavia begins at Dwyer Stadium with registration at 9 a.m. and a kick-off ceremony at 9:45 a.m.

People can participate in Walk MS Batavia individually or as a team, and can choose from route lengths of one, two and four miles. Folks can register for Walk MS in advance online, or on site the day of the event.

What: Walk MS Batavia

Where: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St.

When: Sunday, May 5; registration 9 a.m.; walk starts 10 a.m.

How: Participants can register on site the day of the event or online at walkMSupstateny.org

City firefighters are responding to a reported barbeque grill on fire in the back yard at 52 Ellicott Ave.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: The problem was a wire that shorted out on a gas grill. Fire is out. City fire is back in quarters.

There never was a Bushville Fire Department, so there was certainly never a Bushville Fire Chief, but this Ford Fairlane 500 sure looks like the real deal.

Jay Nichols, owner of two used car dealerships in Batavia -- on Route 5 near Wortendyke and next to Jerry Arena's on Lewiston Road -- acquired this car about three weeks ago from a friend.

It's for sale, but Nichols doesn't really want to sell it, so, he said, the price would have to be right.

There's an old Motorola radio on the dash and the dome light works.

"It's a period car, a parade car, a show car," Nichols said. "It's a cruise-the-town-at-night car."

Press release:

Imagination Station Child Care & Preschool will be opening its third location in Batavia on June 3. The newest center will be located at the Robert Morris Elementary School, in the heart of Batavia. The center is centrally located and easy to access from Main Street or Route 98 (Oak Street).    

This family owned and operated child care center opened in Alden, where owners Erik and Kelly Kronbeck reside and are a part of the community. Since opening the Alden location in January, 2011, they have opened a second location in Le Roy, and are excited to be adding a third location to service the needs within the surrounding communities.  

Imagination Station contributes its success to their high standards.

Owner and operator Kelly Kronbeck said “Our program encompasses everything that we wanted as parents, a safe and nurturing environment, one that’s high quality and is professionally run. Of course the teacher in me also wanted one that was academically based and stimulating for our children.” 

Prior to opening her first center, Kelly Kronbeck worked for one of the leading child care centers in Buffalo and taught second grade in Glens Falls, which is where her passion for teaching and importance of early childhood education blossomed.                   

Imagination Station provides care for families with children 6 weeks to 12-years-old. Full-time, part-time, and flexible schedules are welcomed, along with public assistance. 

Imagination Station is offering its new families the first week free when they enroll for the Batavia center prior to June 3rd! Tours are offered daily during operating hours and in the evenings by appointment at one of their other locations. Visit www.istationccp.com for more information or call 585-768-8025 to set up a tour today!