A car has reportedly rear-ended a semi-truck on Ellicott Street at Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.
Unknown injuries.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: No injuries. The truck driver said he stopped at the intersection for a red light.
The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a heat advisory for noon Friday, July 19, through 6 p.m. Saturday, July 20. for portions of Western and North Central New York.
A few brief rounds of thunderstorms are also expected Friday through Sunday night. A few of these storms may be severe, with isolated damaging winds and torrential downpours.
Heat index values of up to 100 degrees are expected during the day Friday and Saturday. Overnight low temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s with continued muggy conditions Friday night.
Prolonged exposure or any strenuous activity may lead to heat related illnesses that require immediate medical attention.
A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Drink plenty of fluids; stay in an air-conditioned room; stay out of the sun; and check in on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Important Notice:
The Ricky Palermo spinal injury golf tournament SOCCER CLINIC scheduled for tomorrow Friday, July 19, has been postponed until next Friday, July 26.
Same time – 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Same place – Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road, Batavia.
We have been notified to postpone our event tomorrow because of the dangerous high heat index (110°) that will be dangerous for the kids to be exposed to.
Any questions call Roger Hume at 585-345-1701 or Ricky Palermo at 585-739-8522
Press release from the Genesee County Economic Development Center:
Several projects designed to create play spaces for thousands of kids will receiving funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation's "Built to Play" initiative, in conjunction with the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!
One of the projects includes space along an existing art trail in Batavia that will feature interactive musical instruments, and a musical-themed mural. The project from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, or GO ART!, is called "Play Me a Tune Garden," and should be completed by the end of August.
“I know as a kid, my parents could send me outside and I could go play,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART! “And now it takes a little extra work to do that because you have to be out there with your kids. So I'm excited they're making it possible for parents to go out with their kids and have fun with them at the same time.”
Hallock says GO ART! received $70,000 from the “Play Everywhere Challenge” for the project, which will be part of a larger cultural garden along East Main Street in Batavia.
“Eleven drums going out there, there's chimes, xylophones, there's 18 instruments in all that are going to be taking up this entire space," he said. "They're meant for little kids, all the way up to teenagers, and I'm pretty sure adults will be playing with them as well."
Hallock says the “Built to Play” initiative is about making play happen in everyday places.
The City of Batavia has completely renovated the landscaping in front of City Hall.
A supervisor yesterday explained that the old landscaping was more than 15 years old and had become difficult to maintain and control weeds.
The topsoil was replaced (see bottom photo) and new shrubs and flowers were planted today.
Important notice from the City of Batavia Youth Bureau:
Due to the extreme temperatures forecasted for tomorrow Friday, July 19, the City of Batavia Summer Recreation Program will be closed.
But the Youth Center at 12 MacArthur Drive will remain open from 1-6 p.m. for children ages 10-18.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but this decision has been made for the safety of everybody concerned.
The Summer Recreation Program will resume as scheduled on Monday July 22nd.
Please feel free to contact the City of Batavia Youth Bureau with any questions or concerns (345-6422). Please stay safe and cool!
Lydia Schauf, program coordinator
City of Batavia Youth Bureau
Phone: (585)345-6422
Email: lschauf@batavianewyork.com
A teenage resident of Alabama who just 18 months ago was sentenced to prison for making a terroristic threat against a police officer was arrested again Tuesday night for allegedly threatening another person with a baseball bat.
Isaac Abrams, 19, of Sky Road, is charged with menacing, 2nd.
At 11:26 p.m., Tuesday, Abrams allegedly threatened to injure another person using a metal baseball bat.
He was arrested by deputies Austin Heberlein and Travis DeMuth.
In February 2018, Judge Charles Zambito sentenced Abrams to one-and-one-third to four years in prison following his earlier guilty plea to the Class D felony of making a terroristic threat.
Zambito also granted Abrams youthful offender status (his juvenile record would be sealed) if he could stay out of trouble.
In September 2017, Abrams threatened to shoot deputies during an incident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Two days before that, Abrams was accused of trying to seriously hurt or kill a person with a motor vehicle at a fast-food restaurant in Batavia.
A two-car accident with serious injuries is reported on Route 20 at Harlow Road, Darien, is reported.
One person may be lying in the roadway.
A third ambulance is requested to the scene.
Darien fire and ambulance were dispatched.
UPDATE 10:52 p.m.: Entrapment reported.
UPDATE 11 p.m.: Mercy Flight dispatched.
UPDATE 11:50 p.m. (via Alecia Kaus/Video News Service, at the scene): A vehicle with four young women (ages 18 to 20) from Pennsylvania was southbound on Harlow Road when the driver allegedly ran a stop sign and crossed into Route 20 where it was struck by a westbound Jeep. The male driver and three female occupants of the Jeep are from Jamestown. The driver of the southbound car was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. The front passenger was taken by ground ambulance to ECMC, as were the four occupants of the Jeep. The backseat passengers of the southbound car were wearing seatbelts and were uninjured. Trooper Parucki said neither drinking nor drugs were a factor in the accident. (Photos by Alecia Kaus.)
Press release:
For the last five years, the Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Program (Tobacco Free-GLOW), has worked with community leaders and youth champions to help reduce tobacco use in all four counties.
Due to a contract realignment placing Livingston County under the direction of SHAC -- the Smoking & Health Action Coalition of Monroe County, the organization has launched its next five-year contract with a new name: Tobacco-Free GOW.
The contract from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control is one of two contracts awarded to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and will be administered under the direction of Anthony Billoni.
The Roswell Park tobacco-free programs support efforts to locally educate community stakeholders and youth in changing norms that lead to ending tobacco use among adults and children. Tobacco Free-GOW will continue to be operated by Community Engagement coordinator Julie Calvert and Reality Check Youth Engagement coordinator Brittany Bozzer.
“With their extensive contacts and experience in tobacco control, Julie and Brittany will be local leaders as we strive to create healthier communities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties,” said Program Director Billoni.
“I’m excited to continue my work in tobacco control for another five years andlook forward to engaging local community leaders and the public to strengthen tobacco-related policies that prevent and reduce tobacco use,” Calvert said.“We know that our state partner, SHAC, will serve the people of Livingston County with the same passion and commitment that we extended.”
Bozzer added, “I have been so privileged to be involved with the many successes that the tobacco control program has had over the last few years. My role in youth engagement helps me focus on creating a tobacco-free generation, a goal that will help save lives.”
The Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Program also will be administered by Roswell Park through five-year contracts from NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control. The Southern Tier program is under the operation of Community Engagement coordinator Ken Dahlgren and Reality Check Youth Engagement coordinator Jonathan Chaffee.
Andrew Hyland, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, added, “Roswell Park has a long history of leading national and regional tobacco control efforts. These contracts provide an opportunity to continue those efforts in an efficient way that employs local leaders as they strive to prevent youth smoking and create tobacco-free communities throughout Western New York.”
The primary goals of the tobacco control programs are to:
All counties in New York State now have the resources of a community engagement program and a Reality Check youth action program through the Bureau of Tobacco Control. These contracts build on previous tobacco control funded work which supports the region’s public health efforts and provides more comprehensive programing across the state.
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds Tobacco-Free GOW to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The program is administered by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Press release:
The Walk of Hope (formerly Relay for Life) is a 12-hour walk to raise money for Genesee Cancer Assistance in Batavia.
The event is held at the Le Roy High School track. Participants form teams of any size and come out for the day to walk the track.
One member from the team should be walking at all times. Teams set up tents along side the track where they can relax in between walking.
Each team should have a simple event day fundraiser ( water sale, cookie sale, jewelry sale, etc.).
There will be music, food and games all day and night.
Themed games and laps will happen every hour.
Set up a tent for your team -- ask your friends, family or co-workers to help us raise money for cancer patients. All money raised stays local and will help residents of Genesee County.
Call the GCA office for more information (585) 345-0417.
The Batavia Town Planning Board tonight set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Aug. 20 on an application by Borrego Solar Systems LLC, of Lowell, Mass., to install an 8.99 megawatt ground-mounted solar farm on Batavia Elba Townline Road, just west of Batavia Stafford Townline Road.
Emilie Flanagan, project developer for Borrego, and Marc Kenward, engineer for Erdman Anthony of Rochester, presented the plan for the 20.45-acre solar system to be built on land owned by Dan Underhill, a Batavia Town Board deputy supervisor.
Kenward said the project would consist of 43,355 solar panels placed in a fenced-in area of 19.94 acres with an additional half an acre to be used for an access driveway.
He said four utility poles will be needed – one more than usual since power will be supplied from across the road, which actually is in the Town of Stafford.
Flanagan emphasized that the panels will go on farm land that is in a valley and will be hidden by nearly 200 trees and landscaping to “have the least amount of impact as possible on neighboring homes.”
Kenward said engineers have made sure that the project meets or exceeds all Town of Batavia zoning codes and have received approval from the Genesee County Planning Board, which recommended that the 20-foot access driveway be eliminated or significantly reduced due to its impact upon the soil.
“We’re doing whatever the Town says we need to do,” Kenward noted. “It’s environmentally friendly; there needs to be little tree and stump removal and it will be enclosed by a 7-foot-high chain-link fence.”
He said glare studies showed that there will be no effect upon the (Genesee County) airport or on the ground.
The board also voted to seek lead agency status for a state environmental quality review.
Kenward said he hopes the permit process will be completed by September, setting the stage for construction over the winter.
In recent weeks, Borrego received approvals for two other solar farms, both on West Main Street Road.
Flanagan, responding to a question about whether the community benefits from projects such as these, said Borrego’s systems are part of the Community Solar program.
“Two weeks ago, the governor (Andrew Cuomo) came out and said that the state has to achieve 70 percent renewable energy by 2030,” she said. “What we build are mid-scale power plants that push electricity back to the local grid. Residents can subscribe to the grid (through their power company) to get discounts.”
She also said benefits come to the Town through building permits and to the county through property taxes.
Owners of the property receive payments from solar companies such as Borrego over a 25-year period, while solar leasing companies profit from selling electricity usually at a lower rate than charged by a utility company and from municipal tax credits.
In other action, the planning board:
-- Approved a site plan review for six to 10 temporary vendor areas on the property of Batavia Starter at 3282 W. Main Street Road, just west of Wortendyke Road.
Owner Phil Hinrich told planners that he hopes to attract vendors – sellers of fruit and vegetables, crafts, antiques, etc. – to set up shop in front of his business on the weekends in hope of increasing his bottom line.
“I have space to put four vendors on one side and six on the other, with lots of room behind the building for parking,” he said. “My goal is to generate some extra money to cover taxes.”
His plan has been approved by the Genesee County Planning Board, pending Hinrich’s acquisition of a driveway permit through the state Department of Transportation. Hinrich said he already has the permit and plans to put up temporary “enter” and “exit” signs to ensure proper traffic flow.
Hinrich said he would like to open the vendor area to the public in the summer months until around Labor Day, but may not be able to get the venture off the ground until next year. Planners asked him to report back to them in the spring for an update on the project.
-- Set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Aug. 6 in connection with a special use permit by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to develop an indoor recreation facility for recovering addicts at the former Bohn’s Restaurant site at 5258 Clinton Street Road.
Town Building Inspector Daniel Lang reported that the agency’s planned use for the building does fit into the town code since it is in a commercial zone.
He brought up the possibility of a reverse PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) to the Town as a result of the property coming off the tax rolls.
GCASA was unsuccessful in finding a place in the City of Batavia as it was hit with opposition from residents and council members.
“Maybe we, too, will have some opposition,” said Planning Board Chairperson Kathy Jasinski. “We’ll find out.”
Both the solar farm and GCASA public hearings will take place at the Batavia Town Hall on West Main Street Road.
-- Approved the placement of three signs at Fresenius Kidney Care at 4189 Veterans Memorial Drive (near Home Depot).
Edward “Jay” Hurzy of Sign and Lighting Services Co. of Ontario (N.Y.) said three signs will be erected – one on the pole, one on the building and one (with a brick base) by the road.
Press release:
Due to the weather on Wednesday, July 17th, the Genesee County Fair is moving Kids Day to Thursday this week. Midway ride wristbands will cost $10 each and will be good to ride all of the rides here at the Fair from noon – 10 p.m. James E. Strates Shows is providing the midway this year and have brought rides for fairgoers of all ages. Be sure to take advantage of this great offer!
Once again this year, admission to the fair is only $5 per carload. For a complete listing of events and special day deals during fair week, visit gcfair.com. Keep up to date on the latest happenings at the Fair on our Facebook page facebook.com/thegeneseecountyfair/
This here's "Punkin" -- a young beagle rescue brought up from the Volunteer State -- Tennessee -- and quickly adopted, no doubt due to her winsome ways, a dash of raz-ma-taz and limpid brown lamps that could charm the staunchest malcontent.
Then the unthinkable happened -- right outta the blue!
Her new family took her home and the next day she was having severe pain and could not walk.
Punkin was taken to a local vet but they thought her problem was more serious so they suggested she go to Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center.
She had extensive testing and needed urgent surgery. Punkin had surgery to clean up at least three bulging disks, decompress the spinal cord and relieve the mobility issue.
She is currently do well and is able to stand following surgery.
Those indefatigible souls at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, the posse known as The Volunteers For Animals, seek your help and ask for a donation to defray the medical bills.
Punkin's medical care is more than $6,000 at this time and so far they've only been able to raise small percentage of that, or $410 (and counting).
Click here, to donate now. Easy-peasy. Win-win.
Members of the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office say they need the county’s help to hire more employees due to recent changes to discovery demand rules in criminal cases.
Lawrence Friedman, district attorney, and Melissa Cianfrini, first assistant district attorney, gave a department review to the Public Service Committee on Monday. They say they hope to hire another assistant district attorney and a paralegal.
These new positions stem from recent New York State reform that increases defense counsel’s access to information about the state’s case. Prosecutors will be required to turn over evidence much earlier, which means a greater workload for district attorneys and more strain on county resources to prosecute criminals.
“We weren’t having to do trial-ready work for every single case,” Cianfrini said. “That’s really putting the cart before the horse in terms of how much this is changing how we’re practicing law in the criminal law sector.”
Cianfrini said the rules shorten the timeline to file a discovery demand from 30–90 days after arraignment down to 15 days. Now, a defendant cannot enter a plea until the discovery information is provided, so they can understand all of the evidence being brought against them.
The proposed assistant district attorney and paralegal positions would take on the 38-percent increase in the number of cases handled by the DA Office. Caseload is expected to jump from 354 cases to 407 cases annually for each assistant district attorney.
The role of the prospective paralegal is to review documents and enter information into a database called the Digital Evidence Management System, an electronic service for information storage and sharing. The paralegal would further reduce preparation time for attorneys.
“With these new requirements, our feeling is we have to spend a lot more time on a case than the other side does,” Friedman said.
DA Office staff members are concerned about the strict deadlines and punishments for not complying with the new rules. They face the risk of having criminal cases dismissed if they are not ready for trial in time.
Legislators Gordon Dibble and Marianne Clattenburg were in favor of hiring more DA Office staff before Jan. 1, when the rules go into effect. Committee members sought more information about how much funding the county would need to offer for these new employees.
“For a county our size, is there a trend analysis that says ‘this is how many cases an ADA should handle’ so that we could have a benchmark to help educate us?” Shelly Stein asked. “I think that’s probably the biggest step here.”
Press release:
As many of you may know, the family, loved ones, and allies of the GOW Opioid Task Force are hard at work planning the first-ever Overdose Awareness Day for the GOW community from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday Aug. 28th at Austin Park, Batavia.
This event will be a special time for the community to come together to raise awareness, share information, and support each other as a community. We will be having local area speakers, live music, FREE Narcan training, a kid’s zone, and food, and much more!
If you are interested in having a table at the event please complete the Vendor Table Registration Form and send it to Sue Gagne -- Family, Loved Ones, and Allies Work Group co-chair -- by 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug.17. Email it to her at: sgagne@gcasa.org
For more information, be sure to visit the website at: www.gowopioidtaskforce.org
We look forward to seeing our communities come together to continue to bring awareness to those in our families and community struggling with substance use disorder.
A magnesium fire is reported outside the building at 3817 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, which is Hodgins Engraving Co.
Town of Batavia fire dispatched.
UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Town of Batavia Engine 24 continuing non-emergency.
Press release:
Anyone looking to further their education this fall has the perfect opportunity to complete the entire enrollment process with one visit to any of Genesee Community College's seven campus locations.
A series of Instant Admit Days will be held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting this week through Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at GCC's campus locations in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw.
In just one day a student can apply, be accepted, take the Placement Test (if needed), have assistance completing the FAFSA and be able to register for classes.
It is not necessary to preregister to attend, but an official copy of a high school transcript or equivalency is required. The official Instant Admit Days are July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, and Aug. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15.
"Whether you just graduated from high school or haven't been to school in a decade; whether you want to study part-time or full-time; whether it's planning for a total career change or career advancement; or perhaps it's personal enrichment for a recent retiree -- our Instant Admit Days are the perfect time and place to enroll in GCC for the fall semester," said Lindsay Gerhardt, assistant dean of Admissions. "We are here to help new students no matter what part of their life's journey they are on."
Preregistration for an Instant Admit Day is not required. Call or stop by the Batavia Campus Center or any campus location nearest you:
See for yourself why Genesee Community College is the #1 value in WNY and students from all over the world are choosing GCC.
Press release:
Veterans can get checks to buy farm fresh produce at the Downtown Batavia Public Market this Friday, July 19.
Victor Roberts, Veterans Benefits advisor, NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs, will be at the market at Bank Street and Alva Place from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. to distribute NYS FreshConnect Checks to local veterans.
FreshConnect Veterans Checks are a component of Governor Cuomo's "New York FreshConnect Farmers' Markets" (FreshConnect) program. The program is designed to assist New York farmers by increasing the sale of locally grown food in communities.
FreshConnect checks will be issued as a one-time annual benefit: 10 -- $2 checks ($20 total yearly benefit); one packet per household, per season.
Checks will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 80 veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, current members of the Armed Forces, members of their immediate families, or un-remarried surviving spouses.
"Recipients will not require ID," says Roberts, "but they will need to sign a form accepting the program's rules and regulations."
"The checks can be used to purchase fresh produce from participating vendors at the Market," says Market Manager Mike Bakos. "The Market is excited to, once again, be a distribution point for FreshConnect Veterans Checks and we thank all veterans for their service."
The Downtown Batavia Public Market is held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. mid-June thru October.
P.O. Box 303, Gasport, NY 14067
(716) 560-0853
A 25-year-old Bergen resident is accused of injuring another bar patron in a fight early Saturday morning, leading to a felony charge.
Louis Christopher Restivo is charged with assault in the second degree for allegedly using a weapon or dangerous instrument.
Restivo is accused of hitting another man in the head with a beer bottle, causing an injury.
The incident was reported at 1:58 a.m. at a location on North Lake Avenue in Bergen.
He was arraigned in Town of Bergen Court and released. An order of protection was issued.
The incident was investigated by Deputy David Moore and Sgt. John Baiocco.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins introduced The Red Light Act, his new legislation that withholds federal highway funds from any state that grants driver licenses or identification cards to illegal aliens present in the United States.
Congressman Collins' legislation comes on the heels of Governor Andrew Cuomo recent signing of the Green Light Bill into law last month. This new state law grants driver's license privileges to illegal immigrants.
“Once again, Governor Cuomo has put his socialist agenda ahead of the safety of American citizens,” said Congressman Collins. “Governor Cuomo should be enforcing laws that protect Americans instead of supporting those who break our laws. Citizens should feel safe behind the wheel, but now in New York, there will be a strong likelihood that illegals could be driving uninsured and unregistered vehicles wreaking havoc on our roads.”
"Cuomo has threatened the lives of New Yorkers who are legal U.S. citizens with this legislation,” added Collins. "If he wants to help illegal immigrants avoid the law while threatening highway safety, he can pay for it.”
If enacted, the Collins’ legislation would withhold funds beginning in the fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter. Any funds withheld from noncompliant states will be appropriated to states that do not allow illegal immigrants to have a driver's license or identification cards.
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