A friend of Delores Opuku-Boateng, the 19-year-old GCC student killed in an accident on West Main Street Road, Batavia, yesterday posted this tribute video on YouTube and the GCC Facebook page.
A car has struck a utility pole and a 500-gallon diesel fuel tank on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road near R. Steven Hawley Drive.
The tank, on a farm at the location, was ruptured at a seam and was leaking fuel. The leak is now stopped.
The driver is out of the vehicle and walking around.
Both Stafford Fire Department (the accident is in the Stafford district) and Town of Batavia fire have responded.
UPDATE 4:56 a.m.: A fuel specialist from a local fuel company requested to the scene to help drain the remaining 200 to 300 gallons of fuel in the tank. Also, dispatch asked to contact the father of the driver. "Let him know (his son) is OK. He just needs a ride home."
The road is being kept open.
Mercy Flight was used to transport an injured person to a hospital following an incident at Billy Goats at 2 a.m., Jan. 31 and Batavia Police would like to interview witnesses to determine what happened.
The investigation is pending and police have released no details.
Witnesses should contact Officer Eric Bolles at 345-6350 or leave a message at 345-6444.
City DPW workers were busy Monday night in Downtown Batavia. Crews hauled off a good deal of the snow that was blocking walkways between parking and the sidewalk along Main Street. Tim Walton supplied the picture below of the snow removal.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: The Genesee County Sheriff's Department has released the victims' names in this morning's two-vehicle head-on collision in the vicinity of 3837 W. Main St. Road, Town of Batavia.
Killed at the scene was 19-year-old Delores Opuku-Boateng, who was a passenger in a 1999 Honda sedan driven by 21-year-old Levert R. Kimble. Both of them were ejected from the vehicle upon impact.
Kimble was taken to ECMC with serious injuries. Mercy Flight was not available for unknown reasons this morning.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 1995 Chevy SUV, was Justin J. Jaszko, 31. He suffered a leg injury and was taken to UMMC.
According to investigators, the accident occurred at 9:02 a.m. when Kimble apparently lost control of his eastbound Honda and crossed over the center of the road, striking Jaszko's westbound SUV.
Assisting at the scene were the volunteer fire departments of the Town of Batavia and East Pembroke and the Batavia City Police Department.
The investigation continues by the following individuals: Deputy John Duyssen, Deputy Lonnie Nati, Investigator Kristopher Kautz, Investigator Timothy Weis, Sgt. William Scott, Sgt. James Meier and Sgt. Steven Mullen.
At this point, no charges have been made.
Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble said it's too early in the investigation to say what factor weather or speed played in the accident.
"We just don't know about speed," Dibble said. "We have two or three eyewitnesses and they will help us. Obviously, the road conditions are what they are. We have winter road conditions."
A person has been ejected from a vehicle in an accident in the area of 3842 W. Main St. Road, Town of Batavia.
There are at least two serious injuries and possibly more.
Mercy Flight is unavailable.
Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.
Batavia Police requested to shut down all westbound traffic.
UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: All eastbound traffic is shut down at Route 5 and Wortendyke Road. A third ambulance is called for. East Pembroke Fire Department is called to assist. A flatbed tow truck and another tow are called for.
UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: A man with minor injuries is being transported to UMMC. His grandfather had just arrived at the scene and was advised of this.
UPDATE 9:34 a.m.: The city's police chaplain is called to the scene. He is closer than the Sheriff's chaplain.
UPDATE 9:40 a.m.: There is one fatality. A victim is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.
UPDATE: As of 11 a.m., West Main Street Road reopened in both directions.
City of Batavia Fire is being dispatched to 225 Liberty St. for an unknown type alarm sounding and a strange odor.
UPDATE: Didn't hear much more on this ... I did hear City Fire go back in service.
City Fire has been dispatched to 193 South Main St.,in front of apartment 25, for a report of a Pontiac minivan leaking gasoline.
John Baldwin is getting settled in as the new financial adviser for Edward Jones Investments in Batavia.
Working out of the EJI office on Jackson Street, Baldwin said he's already picking up new clients as well as helping out those clients who were already with Edward Jones.
Baldwin is from Carthage, near Fort Drum. He attended Roberts Wesleyan College and has a B.S. in business management.
He met his wife Jillian in college.
He joined Edward Jones after six years in the Army National Guard.
"Finance has been my life-long passion," Baldwin said. "I love helping people truly understand their money and how to make it work for them."
He said he's excited to be in Batavia.
"Batavia has been very welcoming and I look forward to many great years of involvement, service, and friendship here with the community," he said.
Press Release:
Nearly 60 parish and leadership volunteers, clergy and staff of Catholic Charities gathered today for a volunteer training workshop and luncheon to start the 2011 Appeal for Catholic Charities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The event was held at Bohn’s Restaurant in Batavia in preparation for the Appeal, which carries a goal of $10.5 million this year.
The theme of the 87th annual campaign is again, “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever.” because Catholic Charities is always there, providing help for people of all faiths and walks of life when they need it most. Appeal Week 2011, celebrating those who already have donated and encouraging others to do so, will take place April 10-17, though the Appeal will continue through the end of the fiscal year (June 30).
At the luncheon, Bishop Kmiec remarked on the number of people assisted by Catholic Charities in the area and the importance of the Appeal to that assistance, especially in light of the continued challenges of the local economy.
“Last year, Catholic Charities helped just over 5,000 people in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties through its programs and services,” said Bishop Kmiec. “This far-reaching and vitally important support relies on the funds raised during the Appeal. We have already seen a loss of government funding for our programs and services at the federal, state and county levels, and expect more of the same in 2011.”
He added, “Despite the challenges we face, I am inspired by the incredible commitment of the Appeal leadership team, our volunteers in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and our many supporters. I have found in our diocese a marvelous and extraordinary spirit of giving and service to others.”
The Bishop also talked about this year’s goal and Appeal patron.
“Our goal this year is $10.5 million, the same as last year,” he said. “Even though we fell a little short in 2010, I have confidence that we will meet or exceed this year’s goal and bring our Appeal to a successful conclusion.”
“The 2011 Appeal is under the patronage of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, a woman of our own era who gave herself to the needs of the poor, sick and disadvantaged because she so clearly saw in them the image of God. Like Blessed Teresa, we ask God for the strength and courage to reach out to the people of Western New York again this year, praying that they will continue to act as a community of hope to all in need in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and throughout the diocese.”
Bishop Kmiec was joined by Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, Catholic Charities diocesan director; Greg Maher, chair of the 2011 Appeal; members of the Appeal leadership team; and community volunteers, clergy and lay leaders from 13 parishes in the three counties.
Sister Mary McCarrick thanked the volunteers for their dedicated efforts.
“I am so grateful for all of your hard work each year that enables Catholic Charities to carry out our mission of help and hope to people here in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and across the Diocese. Your efforts make all the difference in keeping the Appeal and its importance at the forefront of the minds of your friends and fellow parishioners – thank you!”
Appeal Chair Greg Maher praised the immense generosity of Western New Yorkers through the last few years of tough economic conditions. He also stressed the importance of both individual and corporate donations to the Appeal, citing that one in 10 Western New Yorkers receives assistance from Catholic Charities.
“Last year charitable donations nationwide were down 10 percent. At Catholic Charities of Buffalo we missed the 2009 mark by only one-half of one percent,” said Maher. “As another show of support by the community of good neighbors, corporate donations last year actually increased by more than two percent.”
“This year we again appeal to both individuals and our strong corporate base to continue their support of Catholic Charities and help spread the word about what Catholic Charities offers nearly 160,000 Western New Yorkers each year,” he continued.
Other members of the leadership team include David Nasca, vice chair; Stephen Ulrich, parish and large gifts chair, and Anthony Delmonte, corporate gifts chair.
In Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, Catholic Charities provides these services through its Batavia, Albion, Warsaw and Arcade offices: Domestic Violence Offenders Program, Home Visitation Program, Interfaith Caregivers of Eastern Wyoming County, Our Kids: Parent Education Groups and Preventive Services.
The Batavia office is located at 25 Liberty St., Suite 7; the Albion office at 243 South Main St.; the Warsaw office at 4 West Buffalo St., and the Arcade office is at 417 West Main St.
The Home Visitation Program is a recent addition to the Department of Clinical and Aging Services, offering weekly visits to homebound Genesee County seniors 60 years of age and older to provide socialization, companionship and assistance. There is no fee for the service, which can include non-medical assistance, light housekeeping, errands and crafts. For more information about the Home Visitation Program, call the Batavia office at 585-343-0614.
Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.
The 2011 Appeal is under the patronage of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. For more information on the 2011 Appeal or to make a donation, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to www.ccwny.org.
City Fire is being dispatched to investigate a possible electrical fire in the wall of a residence at 8 Trumbull Parkway.
If you're a landowner with at least 200 acres in the Batavia area, here's your chance to sell it.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is trying to secure a plot of land that is central to Buffalo and Rochester for a new veteran's cemetery, according to a report in the Buffalo News.
When it was pointed out that most of the land east, west, north and south of Batavia is wide open, he said, “Apparently no one wants to sell.”
At present, the closest VA cemetery for those who have served in the armed forces is more than 100 miles away in Bath.
The parcel being sought by the VA needs to be within seven miles north or south of the Thruway and no farther than 20 miles east of the Thruway and Route 77 or 18 miles west of that rural crossing.
Prospective sellers -- even a mile outside the boundaries -- should call Gary Rothfeld, a VA real estate official at (202) 495-5534.
The deadline for proposals is Feb. 16.
A pair of Batavia hotels are getting some tax relief through the Genesee County Economic Development Center because they are installing new energy-efficient doors and windows.
A GCEDC news release says the project will mean 21 retained jobs.
The Days Inn and Super 8 at 200 Oak St., Batavia, are expected to spend more than $220,000 on the project.
The owners will save about $9,000 in sales tax on materials under terms of the GCEDC arrangement.
There are three primary reasons Cedar Street needs an extreme makeover according to consultant Marc D. Kenward.
First is the poor drainage that causes cracks and potholes; second, the low clearance of the bridge at the south end of Cedar (you know, the one the trucks hit a few times a year); third, a need for improved pedestrian mobility (sidewalks).
The reconstruction of Cedar has been a goal of the city for years, but the project is now in the pipeline because 80 percent of the $3.7 million price tag will be covered by the federal government and state grants will pay the rest.
An informational meeting at City Hall this evening, which about a dozen people attended, was an introduction of the plan and an opportunity for community members to provide feedback.
There will likely be one more such meeting as the planning progresses, Kenward said.
A three-car accident has been reported at East Main and Cedar streets.
It is believed to be property-damage only at this point.
A driver who was pulling out of the Arby's drive-thru exit on West Main Street apparently had her van roll in front of a westbound tractor-trailer.
The truck spun the van around, onto the sidewalk and into the front of an office building.
It's unknown at this point if the driver was unable to stop on ice or if she failed to yield the right-of-way.
The trucker drove on to the Tops Market parking lot where he reportedly felt it was safer to stop than on West Main Street.
Batavia Police and Fire responded along with Mercy EMS.
UPDATE: The driver of the van was Patricia A. Tomaszewski, 74, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander. Sgt. John Peck said Tomaszewski allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way and was issued a citation. He said her van struck the right rear axle of the trailer. The truck driver was John L. Kinnaird, 58, of Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. Kinnaird was cited for allegedly driving on a suspended license.
It's an annual complaint from downtown merchants -- piles of snow that mound up between roadside parking and the sidewalk on Main Street. The snow, merchants say, discourages foot traffic into their stores.
This morning, one merchant made an effort to open a little walk way through the snow after a loader closed it with a pile of ice. The merchant said he couldn't even budge the ice block that fell onto the sidewalk.
City Manager Jason Molino said it's cost prohibitive to remove the mounds after every snowstorm, but the city does schedule a time for removal as resources permit.
Molino said there was a full city crew on last night plowing and salting, so the city is down to about half staff for today.
"Everything will be removed," Molino said, "but it depends on when we have the manpower."
Because of the heavy traffic on Main Street and the equipment needed for the removal, it can only be done at night, Molino said.
Vic Marchese, owner of Main St. Pizza Company, was excited to get an e-mail today of a Sri Lanka resident wearing one of his T-shirts in the country once known as Ceylon. He said a friend sent the Sri Lankan the T-shirt and arranged for the picture.
Jorge Alberto Rojas Cazares, 16, of Gully Road, Le Roy, is charged with illegal entry. Cazares came to the attention of the Sheriff's Office while Deputy Joseph Graff investigated the complaint of a person receiving unwanted text messages. The youth was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
Mark H. Poole, 44, of 104 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Poole is accused of being in a physical altercation with a person under 17 years old. Poole was jailed on $750 bail.
Somebody has built a large snow fort on Ellicott Street, in the city, in front of St. Joe's Cemetery. It looks like the developer used one of the city's blue recycling buckets to pack snow in and then piled the blocks on top of each other.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
