batavia

City police went on a brief foot chase that started by the courthouse to catch a white male allegedly observed rifling through vehicles and "possibly in possession of stolen items." He is wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a hat. He's now been tracked down in the ARC parking lot on Walnut Street.

He was on a bike at first but ditched it in the weeds behind the courthouse.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: He's being taken back to the courthouse. He allegedly is in possession of "items commonly found in the front seats of passenger vehicles," says on officer, "change, cigarettes, electronic items." They are going to meet up with owners of the vehicles allegedly involved and interview them.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: "There are some silver coins -- dimes and nickels -- strewn about here," says an officer searching the grounds of the courthouse. They've also found some other property  -- a camera and other items -- that were possibly stolen.

Workers today are installing the first two silos at the new Alpina Products plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, Batavia.

The first silo is 40 feet tall and will hold up to 20,000 gallons of raw milk. The second silo is half the height and will hold 12,000 gallons of whey.

More silos can be added as the capacity of the Greek yogurt plant increases.

More pictures after the jump (click on the headline to continue):

Duane Leo was honored by the Batavia City Council on Monday night for his 25 years and two months service to the city as a water and wastewater maintenance worker.

Press release:

In keeping with its policy to provide the residents of the City of Batavia with the maximum amount of information allowed by law regarding registered sex offenders residing in the City of Batavia, the Batavia Police Department is now posting the exact address information of New York State Level 2 Registered Sex Offenders.

The New York State Corrections Law now provides for the posting of exact address information in regards to New York State Level 2 Registered Sex Offenders by local law enforcement agencies. Previously, local law enforcement could post only the exact address of Level 3 offenders.

Batavia Police Department continues to provide information regarding Level 1 offenders, but by law is only allowed to post an approximate address by Zip Code.

Batavia residents are encouraged to frequently view the Local Sex Offender Web site at www.batavianewyork.com for the most current and real-time information regarding registered sex offenders residing in the City of Batavia.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for NY –Alert – Sex Offender Relocation Email Alerts, provided by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services at: www.criminaljustice.ny.gov.

It's time for the State Legislature to pass legislation dealing more forcefully with the rise of synthetic drugs in New York, Batavia City Council members said on Monday.

City staff will draft a resolution for the council to vote on at its next meeting, encouraging Albany to expand the penal code to make the manufacture, sale and possession of designer drugs a crime with the same penalties as any other controlled substance.

Some on council wanted to know why the city couldn't enact is own tough, local law, but City Attorney George Van Nest explained that's easier said than done.

"The state has determined that this should be addressed under state law," Van Nest said. "There's that issue, that if the city chose to go above and beyond that, it would be preempted by state action.

"There's also a matter of complexity," Van Nest added. "As the materials indicate, this is a very complicated matter. For city staff to sit down and to try and draft and articulate a statute that's going to stand up in court, withstand challenge, is not going to be an easy undertaking."

Last week, the governor's office announced an emergency order banning the sale and possession of a wide range of synthetic drug compounds, including substances that act like controlled substances.

But breaking this law is only a violation. The maximum criminal penalty under the law is a $500 fine and 15 days in jail.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian noted that DEA agents seized about $750,000 from the reported owners of The 420 Emporium chain in raids on July 25, which is quite a bit of money compared to a $500 fine.

Incorporating sale and possession into penal law would mean defendants could face a year in jail for a misdemeanor or several years in prison for a felony conviction (depending on the how much of the substance a defendant possessed).

City Manager Jason Molino shared a report with council members that said from around May 1 (the approximate date The 420 Emporium opened in Batavia) until July 25 (when the DEA raided the store (and it's been closed since)), Batavia PD handled 35 to 40 calls for "bath salts" related incidents.

Since July 25, Batavia PD has handled no such calls.

During the course of those three months, seven individuals were identified as alleged bath salt users.

"That doesn't mean there couldn't have been more, but we didn't have contact with them," Molino said.

"Bath salts" has become a generic name for a range of products that, despite their "not for human consumption" labels, are often snorted, injected or inhaled in order to provide the user with a stimulant-type of high or hallucinations. The chemicals used have nothing in common with substances commonly added to hot water to provide a relaxing bath.

Because the manufacturers of these chemicals change the compounds as quickly as state and federal officials can ban them, it will take a more comprehensive piece of legislation from Albany to effectively deal with the synthetic drug trade in New York.

Starting at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, the streets of Downtown Batavia, will start closing so vendors, classic car owners, food stands and musicians can start setting up for Summer in the City.

Main Street will be closed in both directions from Court Street to Liberty Street. Court, Jackson, Center and Bank streets will all be closed.

For a map of closures and locations of Summer in the City attractions, click here (pdf). For more detail on closures, click here (pdf).

Robert P. Leiser Jr., of Lockport Road, Oakfield, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Leiser was allegedly involved in a domestic incident July 24 at his residence. Leiser allegedly struck a female in the head with a flashlight. The woman required medical treatment. Leiser was allegedly under court order not to have physical contact with the woman. He was located in the City of Batavia, arrested, and jailed on $15,000 bail.

James A. Klotzback, 35, of Rochester, is charged with assault, 2nd. Klotzback was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 9:18 a.m., Wednesday, in the Town of Byron. No further details were released.

Summer Ogden, 36, no permanent address, is charged with trespass. Ogden is accused of being on 400 Towers property after allegedly being previously told by police and management that she was barred from the property.

Morgan B. Mikolajczyk, 18, of 328 S. Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Mikolajczyk is accused of pushing a family member during an argument.

Jessica R. Johns, 29, of 122 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Johns allegedly possess marijuana while a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped on Jackson Avenue for an alleged traffic violation.

Cory J. Endres, 18, of 400 B Island Cottage Road, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Endres was arrested Thursday by State Police for an alleged incident reported June 9 in the Town of Darien. No further details released.

Daniel H. Bettilyon, 51, of Hamlin, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bettilyon was stopped by State Police at 1:24 p.m., Friday, on Maltby Road, Oakfield.

Emily Ann Lane, 22, of Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Lane allegedly stole $51.94 in merchandise from Kmart.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday, Aug. 15 and Thursday, Aug. 16 at approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area south of West Main Street and west of Jackson Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.

A motorcycle accident with injuries has been reported in the area of 7810 Lewiston Road.

A state trooper on scene requests an expedited ambulance response.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding. Mercy Flight being put on in-air standby.

UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: The motorcyclist was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC with neck, back, hip and leg injuries.

It appears that the bike rider and a red pickup were southbound and according to Trooper John Szymkowiak, the pickup driver came over the crest of the hill just south of Townline Road and apparently did not see the motorcycle.

The truck struck the bike from behind and the bike with the rider under the bike was propelled, skidding on its side, more than 200 feet down the asphalt.

Szymkowiak said that according to witnesses, the motorcycle was not slowing prior to be struck.

“The motorcyclist was conscious at the scene and he stated he was not slowing or stopping," Szymkowiak said.

Charges are pending against the truck driver, according to Szymkowiak.

"(The motorcyclist is) very lucky at this point," Szymkowiak said. "Any time there’s a motorcycle crash and you’re hit by a truck you’re very lucky to come out of it alive."

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City Slickers crowned Batavia's Chris Laird (bottom photo) the 2012 Hot Dog Cup champion after he beat out runner-up James Soccio (above), and the other contestants in the last seconds of the contest. Laird was able to down eight and a half of Nathan's brand hot dogs in the 10 minutes alotted.

Soccio, who was a close second, downed eight hot dogs. The annual cup was part of the WNY Round-Up Rally that took place all weekend. Contestants had to eat the dog and bun for it to count and were given a cup of water to dunk the bun if they chose. 

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at Ellicott and West Main Street. City police are on scene. Mercy EMS and city fire are responding. The pedestrian has a leg injury.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: The victim is a 32-year-old male who has a left leg injury and is being transported to UMMC. City fire is back in service.

Beer pong was the name of the game at the Polish Falcons clubhouse on Saturday as a couple of dozen people joined in a competition as part of a fundraiser for WNY Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A group of Graham employees are trying to raise more than $20,000 for the charity and to finance their participation in a charity marathon in San Francisco in October.

Saturday's event also included a 50/50 raffle and a chance auction.

According to the group's fundraising page, the effort is halfway to its goal.

The team: Arlene Hall, Ashley Lashure, Elaine Harding, Nina Stevens, Andrew Haupt and Brian Ellingham.

Yesterday, Batavia played host to the 2012 ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series at the Batavia Motor Speedway on Harloff Road.

Hundreds of racers, including some of the top pros in the country, from all over the nation to participate in the event. (For more about the series, click here.)

(I don't have an ID on #16, but #708 is Harold Goodman, who came into the event in second place in pro point standings (no results posted yet for yesterday's event)).

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Hundreds of bikers converged on Downtown Batavia today for the 2nd Annual WNY Round Up Rally.

At one point, just about the entire length of the south side of Main Street was lined with parked Harleys (mostly), Triumphs, Ducatis and Suzukis.

The bars and restaurants were full and of course there were vendors to visit and live music in Jackson Square.

The rally continues on Sunday.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these pictures, click here.

A person is reportedly pestering people in Austin Park, Batavia. The subject is wearing all-white clothing and has a teardrop tattoo under an eye. Police are responding.

An extremely intoxicated male who was found "unable to ambulate" beneath the East Main Street railroad overpass in Batavia is going to be transported to UMMC for evaluation. Law enforcement and medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mercy EMS is cancelled. The man is up and moving about and will be taken to the Sunset Motel instead.

In 2011, 7-Eleven, Inc., acquired the Buffalo-based Wilson Farms chain and according to an industry report, the company that pioneered the convenience store concept decided to sell three of newly purchased locations in Genesee County.

According to CSPnet.com, 7-Eleven will sell two locations in Batavia and one Le Roy.

The Batavia locations would appear to be the stores at corner of Ellicott and Cedar streets and at 189 Pearl St.

A month or so ago, 7-Eleven converted the Wilson Farm at 505 E. Main St., Batavia, to its own branded store.

It appears 7-Eleven is unloading the locations that sell gas.

"In any acquisition of an entire chain, there will inevitably be some stores that don't fit with a buyer's long-term strategic plans," said Robbie Radant, 7-Eleven vice president of mergers and acquisitions. "Such is the case with these 30 properties. While not right for our current operations, we believe they will provide great opportunities for the right buyers, as they did for Wilson Farms over the years."

The WNY Round Up Rally got off to a soggy start, but it is under way.

By tomorrow, thousands of bikers with bright, shiny Harleys and Triumphs, and maybe an Indian or two, are expected to fill the streets of Downtown Batavia.

There's only a 30-percent chance of rain, so perhaps we'll have a nice weekend for the round up.

At least it should be clear enough at times for all of us to make our way to Main and Jackson.

Bottom photo: You could win this sculpture and help contribute to canine health at the same time.

A minor-injury accident involving a car and pedestrian is reported in front of the Hillside Children's Center at 50 Main St., which is in the Centre City building. City firefighters and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The 45-year-old bicyclist is complaining of pain in his ribs and an injury to a finger which was already broken. He is being transported to UMMC.

City Slickers welcomes everyone for a weekend full of events and drink specials!

Friday:

Country/ Southern rock DJ from 7 p.m. to close.

Meet the Labatt Blue girls from 10 p.m. to midnight and the Sweet Revenge girls from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Saturday:

Hot Dog Cup 2012- "Batavia's largest hot dog eating contest"- To enter call City Slickers at 345-6788 or stop in before the event to register. $10 to enter and the winner will receive their name on the Hot Dog Cup and a free 1 year Next Level Fitness Membership. The contest is at 1 p.m. 

Meet the Bud Light girls from 2 to 4 p.m., then meet the Labatt Blue girls from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sailor Jerry's girls from 9 to 11 p.m.

Country/ Southern rock DJ from noon-close. 

Enjoy 16 oz. cans of Budweiser, Bud Light, Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light for just $3 all weekend long! Tent is up and the patio is open! 

(...and don't forget, every Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m. is karaoke!)