batavia

Will Greek yogurt mean a boom for local dairy farmers? Marwa Eltagouri takes a look at that question for the Buffalo News.

Local dairy farmers Gordon Offhaus and Dale Stein are featured.

In order to keep up with the Greek yogurt demand, it is estimated that milk produced by Western New York farmers must increase by 15 percent over the next four to five years, said Dave Dean Norton, president of the New York State Farm Bureau.

Since there isn't enough milk in the state right now to feed the Alpina Foods and PepsiCo plants, the plants will have to pay additional costs to freight the milk in from another state, likely Michigan, said Stein, the farmer from Le Roy.

The article is full of useful information to know if this segment of the local economy is important to you.

From County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

The work scheduled to start tomorrow on the River Street Bridge in the City of Batavia has been postponed until Friday due to a rescheduling of contractors. Milling of the existing asphalt overlay will be performed Friday and should be completed that day. The bridge will be reduced to one lane during the work.

A 24-year-old Batavia resident who allegedly gave bath salts to a minor did so, she reportedly told a DSS caseworker, because she thought the chemical was legal, "therefore it was OK."

Ashley R. Keene, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Her alleged admission to giving bath salts to a 14-year-old girl are contained in court documents on file with Batavia City Court.

According to a DSS worker who made a statement in support of Keene's arrest, Keene said she didn't understand on May 28, Memorial Day, that giving a child bath salts was illegal.

Keene is the girlfriend of Jason D. Lang, 28, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, who is currently being held in Genesee County Jail. He is accused of falsely reporting an incident for allegedly calling 9-1-1 to report gunshots at a local hotel July 2.

In court documents, a Batavia PD officer reports that in a jailhouse interview, Lang denied participating in giving the girl bath salts and says he warned Keene against it, but admits, according to the officer, of "having a problem with bath salts."

Lang has reportedly been involved in other bizarre calls to the emergency dispatchers, placing multiple calls to 9-1-1 one morning in late June and either he or Keene reported a toxic chemical odor at 244 Liberty St. in June that city fire later declared unfounded.

Lang is the former owner of The Laughing Buddha, 238 Ellicott St., Batavia, which was a head shop and tattoo parlor. The shop has been closed for a few weeks and is reportedly out of business.

In late May, Lang was arrested by State Police for allegedly calling the property owner of 400 Ellicott St. and telling the landlord that he was a "State Police detective." Lang was allegedly warning the landlord not to rent to 420 Emporium because, according to Lang, the business sold bath salts.

According to court documents, on May 28, the 14-year-old girl was given permission to go with Lang and Keene to a rib festival in Rochester. She was reportedly going along as a babysitter for Lang and Keene's daughter.

At about 5 p.m., her parents gave her permission to go home with them. On the way back to Batavia, Lang drove to Warsaw and stopped at a 420 Emporium location there.

The girl reportedly told officers that Lang gave Keene $100 to buy two packages of "Amp" (aka Amped).

When Keene came out of the store, according to the girl, she gave one package of the compound to Lang and kept one for herself. Lang, the girl said, got in the back seat and Keene got behind the wheel. Before driving away, according to the statement, Keene snorted a half line of the bath salt.

Jason slept in the back seat during the drive home, the girl said.

Upon arriving at 244 Liberty, according to the girl's statement, she got permission to stay with Lang and Keene overnight.

In the statement, the girl is reported to have said that Keene was going to do her hair and makeup for her last day of school.

Once home, the girl reported that Lang and Keene argued about "cheating and lying."

Then they decided to go to McDonald's and Tops for food.

When the group returned to 244 Liberty, Keene allegedly asked the girl, "do you want to do caffeine powder with me?"

The girl said she had never snorted anything before, according to the statement, and Keene allegedly showed her how to snort the powder.

At 10:30 p.m., Lang reportedly said he was hot and wanted to go for a walk. The girl also said they were going to look for Lang's dog, which had apparently run off.

When the got home, the girl took a swig from a Sprite bottle, according to the statement, that she later learned contained some "Amped" mixed in the bottle.

The girl said she started feeling hot. Keene, she said, got a bag of peas from the freezer and put them on her forehead. Lang asked her if she needed to take a shower. She declined the shower.

The group stayed up all night watching TV, the girl reportedly said. She said she couldn't sleep.

At 5 a.m., she started getting ready for school. 

She took a shower and Keene stayed in the bathroom during the entire shower, the girl said.

When she got out of the shower she said she noticed scratches on both of her forearms but didn't know how they got there.

Keene did the girl's hair and makeup.

When she got to school, she said, she wasn't feeling well. At about lunchtime, she started throwing up.

Her mother came and took her home.

According to the report, the girl didn't eat for two days.

Lang has previously denied selling bath salts at The Laughing Buddha, but has admitted to selling what is commonly accepted as synthetic marijuana, which Lang called incense and potpourri (previous coverage here). Just before his store closed, Lang said he had found a new kind of synthetic marijuana that was all organic and wasn't covered by a recent statewide ban on most substances known as synthetic marijuana.

After the jump (click on the headline) a press release from Sen. Charles Schumer on President Obama signing legislation making it illegal to sell (as a federal crime) many of the chemicals used in bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Press release:

Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that President Obama has signed into law new drug legislation that will permanently ban the deadly chemical compounds marketed and sold as bath salts and incense in the New York State and the United States.

Schumer successfully fought to include three bills relating to synthetic substances – S. 409 (Bath Salts), S. 605 (Synthetic Marijuana) and S. 839 (Synthetic Hallucinogens) – as part of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. Schumer and his colleagues were able to pass this ban over the strenuous objections of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Schumer applauds President Obama today for his swift approval of the bill once it arrived at his desk for signature.

“President Obama’s swift approval of this federal ban is the final nail in the coffin for the legal sale of bath salts in smoke shops and convenient stores in New York State and throughout the rest of the country,” Schumer said. “This law will close loopholes that have allowed manufacturers to circumvent local and state bans and ensure that you cannot simply cross state lines to find these deadly bath salts, and I’m pleased that after a great deal of effort, it has become law.

"We have seen bath salts catalyze some of the most heinous crimes in recent months across Upstate New York, and the President’s signature ensures that the federal government can fight this scourge with a united front, across state lines and at our borders.”

Schumer’s bath salt legislation will specifically ban MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone, the active ingredients in bath salts and are now being sold online, at convenience stores, and in smoke shops under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove, Legal Phunk and Vanilla Sky.

According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in bath salts cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. In one case a user was reported to have resorted to self-mutilation after abusing the substance. In several cases, users have died after overdosing or because of violent behavior.

Schumer’s legislation will make bath salts illegal in the United States by adding the active ingredients, MDPV and mephedrone, to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies drugs that are illegal and cannot be prescribed under any circumstances. In addition to MDPV and mephedrone, there are 29 other substances that Schumer’s bill bans.

Over the past year, New York State has seen a drastic increase in both the use and the occurrence of destructive incidents involving bath salts. This new federal ban will significantly curb the accessibility of this life-threatening scourge.

Below are a list of all 31 substances that Schumer’s legislation would ban on a federal level:

A) Synthetic Marijuana:

1.      2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol with substitution at the 5-position of the phenolic ring by alkyl or alkenyl, whether or not substituted on the cyclohexyl ring to any extent.

2.      3-(1-naphthoyl)indole or 3-(1-naphthylmethane)indole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted on the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthoyl or naphthyl ring to any extent.

3.      3-(1-naphthoyl)pyrrole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring, whether or not further substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthoyl ring to any extent.

4.      1-(1-naphthylmethylene)indene by substitution of the 3-position of the indene ring, whether or not further substituted in the indene ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthyl ring to any extent.

5.      3-phenylacetylindole or 3-benzoylindole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the phenyl ring to any extent.

6.      5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (CP-47,497);

7.      5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (cannabicyclohexanol or CP-47,497 C8-homolog);

8.      1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018 and AM678);

9.      1-butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-073);

10.  1-hexyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-019);

11.  1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-200);

12.  1-pentyl-3-(2-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (JWH-250);

13.  1-pentyl-3-[1-(4-methoxynaphthoyl)]indole (JWH-081);

14.  1-pentyl-3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-122);

15.  1-pentyl-3-(4-chloro-1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-398);

16.  1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (AM2201);

17.  1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (AM694);

18.  1-pentyl-3-[(4-methoxy)-benzoyl]indole (SR-19 and RCS-4);

19.  1-cyclohexylethyl-3-(2-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (SR-18 and RCS-8);

20.  1-pentyl-3-(2-chlorophenylacetyl)indole (JWH-203).'.

B) Bath Salts

21.  4-methylmethcathinone (Mephedrone).

22.  3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).

C) Synthetic Hallucinogens

23.  2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-E).

24.  2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-D).

25.  2-(4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-C).

26.  2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-I).

27.  2-[4-(Ethylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-2).

28.  2-[4-(Isopropylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-4).

29.  2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-H).

30.  2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-nitro-phenyl)ethanamine (2C-N).

31.  2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-P).'.

Workers this morning carefully dismantled the landmark Batavia Downs sign atop the roof of the grandstand of the legendary racetrack.

The neon sign is being replaced with a more energy efficient and less costly LCD sign that has been fabricated to exactly match the lettering of the old sign.

Ryan Hasenauer, marketing director for Western Regional OTB, said officials plan to keep the B and the D from the old sign and display them in some manner on the property, but the future of the remaining letters of the sign has yet to be determined.

Bottom photo: The first two letters of the new sign, time permitting, will be fitted into place some time today.

A patient, described as combative, is having seizures and is being transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS.

The patient, according to a medic, may have used bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Mercy EMS was initially dispatched to an address on Tracy Avenue for a 25-year-old person having seizures. Upon arrival, medics requested police back-up.

Ashley R. Keene, 24, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Keene is accused of providing bath salts to a juvenile to snort.

Chad E. Merle, 31, of 3225 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged criminal contempt, 1st. Merle is accused of sending multiple text messages to a person protected from contact by a court order.

Jamie E. Andrews, 19, of 15 School St., Batavia, is charged with harassment,1st. Andrews is accused of continually following around her ex-boyfriend and driving by his house repeatedly for no legitimate purpose. Andrews was previously arrested by Batavia PD for allegedly harassing her ex-boyfriend.

Valerie Marie Covill, 23, of Oaklawn Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and unlawful possession of marijuana. Covill was charged following a one-vehicle accident at 12:014 a.m., June 28, at 3064 Galloway Road, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl and Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Peter James Przybyl, 19, of Peachy Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unreasonable speed on a curve. Przybyl was arrested following a motor-vehicle accident at 3:10 a.m., Saturday, on Route 19, Bergen. The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Kelly Elizabeth Howard, 19, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Howard was allegedly observed by loss prevention at Target shoplifting June 8 and July 16. Howard allegedly stole merchandise worth $64.60.

Quentin Israel Humphrey, 20, of East Bethany Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Humphrey is accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Justin Baehr, 21, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Baehr was observed early Sunday morning allegedly driving erratically, swerving in and out of his lane on West Main Street, Village of Le Roy, and operating with a loud exhaust. During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia and other apparent drug paraphernalia. Additional drug charges possible pending the outcome of lab tests.

Michael Perdue, 49, of West Broad Street, Rochester, and Jeffrey L. Hayes, 47, of Meadow Circle, Avon, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Perdue was allegedly operating a vehicle at 4:46 p.m., Sunday, on Route 237 in Byron. Perdue was stopped for allegedly speeding. An ID check revealed Perdue allegedly has 13 prior suspensions on his driving record. Hayes was allegedly found in possession of a crack pipe with residue. Perdue was stopped by Deputy Brad Mazur, who was assisted at the scene by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Matthew James Pietrzykowski, 19, of Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Pietrzykowski was taken into custody following a report of a vehicle in a dith at 1:15 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 3630 Broadway, Alexander. The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

A Batavia resident, along with his passengers, was rescued Sunday afternoon on Lake Conesus in Livingston County after his boat caught fire.

Paul J. Battaglia, 60, and his passengers all got off the boat safely, assisted by emergency personnel and other boaters.

Livingston County Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the north end of Conesus Lake around 2:15 p.m., according to WHAM 13.

Lakeville and Livonia fire departments responded to the blaze.

Police have yet to determine how the fire started, but the boat is considered a total loss.

Police responded at 6:45 a.m. to a report of an erratic driver in the Valu Plaza parking lot after a car slammed into a light pole, according to witnesses, and then the driver tried to continue operating the vehicle.

Witnesses told police once the car wouldn't go any further, the occupants jumped out and ran. One of them threw items onto the roof above Great Kutz, according to police.

A work crew was on scene and provided a ladder for a Sheriff's deputy to get on the roof and reportedly recover beer bottles.

According to a police, the car had pulled into McDonald's and an employee allegedly observed open beer bottles in the car. The driver, according to police, then pulled into the parking lot, the occupants ate their meals and disposed of trash in the parking lot. The car then allegedly sped toward the light pole at about 90 mph.

The occupants were quickly taken into custody and the driver is reportedly facing a DWI charge.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Three Batavia churches were broken into overnight and items were stolen from at least one of the buildings, according to Officer Eric Hill, Batavia PD.

Det. Pat Corona said there was evidence recovered that should help police identify the suspect or suspects.

The first burglary was reported early this morning at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., and Hill and Corona responded to the scene.

Hill didn't release what was stolen from St. James, citing an ongoing investigation.

Corona said the burglar at St. James kicked in a door to gain entry.

While Hill and Corona were tied up at St. James, officials at the First Baptist Church, 306 E. Main St., reported somebody had forced his way into the church building.

Det. Rich Scauff reported for duty to investigate that break-in. Hill said no items have yet been reported stolen at the Baptist church.

As Corona was leaving St. James, officials from St. Mary’s Church, 16 Ellicott St., reported signs of forced entry at their church.

Corona said the suspect or suspects forced their way in through a basement window (photo above) and forced their way into several storage areas but so far nothing is confirmed missing.

No arrests have been made yet. The investigation is continuing.

The suspect in a stabbing that occurred shortly before 1 a.m. today on Lewis Place in Batavia was arrested and jailed without bail. Adante L. Davis, of 218 State St., Apt. 4, Batavia, is charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd.

The victim was treated at UMMC for non-life-threatening injuries and released. Davis was also treated at UMMC for injuries allegedly sustained in the physical altercation. Davis is scheduled to appear in court tommorow at 11:30 a.m.

The case was investigated by Officer Frank Klimjack and Officer Eric Bolles.

(Initial Report)

Two games into his professional career, Alex Mejia came through for the Muckdogs in a big way Saturday night, giving local fans an idea why the Cardinals selected the Pac-12 Player of the Year in the fourth round of June's amateur draft.

Mejia put the Muckdogs on the board in the third inning against the Lowell Spinners with an RBI double. It was Mejia first professional hit (top photo).

The former El Camino Real High School (Sylmar, Calif.) All-City shortstop also flashed some leather that proved solid defensively.

Mejia helped lead the Arizona Wildcats to a College World Series championship and signed with the Cardinals just a week ago at the end of his junior year in college to help his family out financially. He received a $250,000 bonus.

The newest Muckdog comes from a strong baseball family (his father was an All-American at Pepperdine, his sisters play college softball and his cousin is with the Washington National's AAA farm team). 

The 21-year-old Californian put up impressive numbers at Arizona, hitting .357 in 2012 and .335 in 2011.

ESPN featured Mejia in a recent article, and the shortstop received some high praise.

"His passion to succeed, his intangibles, his knowledge of the game ... Alex has it all," Lopez said. "I wouldn't trade him for anyone."

There are some analysts who believe Mejia is the best shortstop in all of college baseball. The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year -- and Defensive Player of the Year -- is hitting .361 and boasts a fielding percentage of .959.

But Mejia wasn't the only player to contribute to the Muckdog's 3-0 win over Lowell in front of 667 loyal Muckdog fans.

David Washington, a fourth-year pro from San Diego, who is showing signs of putting it all together this year and is hitting .322, drove in two key runs in the fourth inning with a two-out double.

Tyler Melling picked up his first in four starts this season, tossing six shutout frames, scatting seven hits and striking out five Lowell batters. Mellin's ERA dropped to 2.05.

Last season's starting shortstop is now the Muckdog's closer, and Yunier Castillo picked up his third save on the year. After eight appearances, Castillo's ERA is 0.80 and he's fanned 12 in 10 innings.

First-round pick Patrick Wisdom continued his solid rookie season with two hits and some impressive defense at third base.

Also collecting a hit was catcher Jesus Montero, who is the top offensive player for the Muckdogs so far this season.

Montero is hitting .407 with three home runs and 12 RBI. His OPS is 1.072.

The fifth-year pro is the brother of Seattle Mariner's catcher Jesus R. Montero (the Seattle catcher is known as Jesus Rafael Montero as opposed to the Muckdog's Jesus Montero). The elder Montero was traded to Seattle by the Yankees, where he was considered one of the top catching prospects in the major leagues.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

A fight involving several subjects was reported on Lewis Place and Batavia PD responded.

Officers are on scene and report there is a stabbing victim at a residence on Lewis Place and possibly one other injured person.

No indication on how serious the injuries are.

Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: Police were told that the victim was at a residence on Lewis, but when officers arrived, they were told the victim had left, so officers are trying to locate the victim. The knife was recovered in front of a neighboring residence. Mercy EMS is on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to Batavia PD headquarters for a report of a male having trouble breathing.

UPDATE 1:04 a.m.: The victim and his brother are going to UMMC ER. Police are interviewing a suspect at HQ. Batavia PD has cleared the scene on Lewis Place.

More than 40 bands and solo performers congregated downtown Saturday, the rain stayed away, and a good time was had by all at the annual Ramble & Arts Fest in Jackson Square.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Mercy medics are responding to Dwyer Stadium in the City of Batavia where a female behind the third-base line was reportedly struck in the head by a baseball bat. There's a Muckdogs game in progress.

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: The woman is 50 and was struck by a flying bat from 30 feet away. She is said to have head and hand injuries and is arriving at UMMC.

A young child fell off her bike and struck her head on the pavement at 4 Lewis Place in the City of Batavia. She is unconscious. Mercy medics and city fire are en route.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: The girl is 12 years old and lost consciousness for about 30 seconds. She is now conscious, alert and in stable condition. She has elbow and knee pain and pain on her right side. She was not wearing a helmet. Mercy Medic #1 is taking her to UMMC.

Message from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

The County Highway Department will begin a series of repairs to the River Street Bridge next week. The repairs include joint replacements and a full deck mill and fill. The repairs will have a major impact on travel across the bridge as traffic will be reduced to one lane. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes. The repairs are scheduled to start on Tuesday and last for at least two weeks with another closure later this summer to complete the repairs.

Two women are reportedly having a heated argument over clothes at the Golden Coin Laundry on East Main Street in Batavia. Police are responding.

UPDATED 1:14 p.m. with additional information on charges.

A 32-year-old man who clambered on to rooftops in two separate incidents Friday is in jail, being held without bail, after being charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Bradley J. Broadbent, no permanent address, climbed onto a roof and reportedly jumped from roof to roof between homes on Hutchins Street late Friday afternoon.

Police, fire and medical personnel responded to the scene and Broadbent was talked into getting onto a ladder and climbing down.

He was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC for evaluation.

At about 8 p.m., Broadbent reportedly fled UMMC's emergency room and a short time later, police were notified of a person entering a residence on Tracy Avenue.

Broadbent reportedly knows the woman who lives at the residence.

After a search of the residence, officers reportedly located Broadbent on the roof of a neighbor's garage.

Several other charges are pending against Broadbent, according to police.

On Friday, Lt. Jim Henning characterized Broadbent as a person of interest in a case of vandalism at a business building on Swan Street.

At the Hutchins Street incident, Broadbent was observed making repeated head and upper body movements, appearing very jittery. Police described his behavior as "irrational."

The criminal trespass charge stems from the Hutchins Street incident. At Hutchins Street, Broadbent also allegedly kicked in a door of a residence, leading to the criminal mischief charge.

According to Henning, Broadbent will also be charged at his arraignment July 9 with burglary for allegedly entering the Tracy Avenue residence.

Photo: From the Hutchins Street incident Friday. 

The driver of an SUV reportedly drove into some trees an the edge of BJ's Wholesale Club in Batavia. He got out of the vehicle and was obviously angry. No one is sure what happened or why. Sheriff's deputies are responding.