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Paintings at Richmond capture artist's unforgettable trip to Alaska

By Howard B. Owens

When Marilynn Palotti, a retired art teacher, traveled to Alaska two years ago, she had no idea it would unleash a flurry of creativity when she returned, but it did. She's painted dozens of pictures capturing what she saw and experienced while on the trip.

Speaking even now about the trip, she's still filled with wonder.

"It’s such a unique place," Palotti said. "It’s so isolated in places. The people are so fiercely independent, yet are so willing to help each other. It’s very hard to describe to someone else what Alaska is, all its idiosyncrasy. It has only 12,000 miles of paved roads and it has millions upon millions of acres of national parks and refuges that are so isolated that you can’t get into them except by flying."

Palotti's show is on display now at the Richmond Memorial Library. The show runs through July and the opening is Thursday, July 7th from 6 to 9 p.m.

BHS 2016 grads challenged to enter life to do right and make a difference

By Howard B. Owens

A graduating class of 164 students received their diplomas from Batavia High School yesterday in a ceremony held at Genesee Community College.

Superintendent Chris Dailey said 74 percent of the class is pursuing higher education, including 41 going directly to four-year schools, 80 to community colleges and 31 students are entering the workforce already with jobs, plus seven students are going into the military.

"That is college and career ready," Dailey said.

Of the 164 graduates, 142 are receiving regents diplomas.

"For a small city school, that's outstanding," Dailey said. "We'll put that up against anywhere else in New York State."

Burton Howell, a science teacher at BHS for 28 years, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the tough love students got as they made their way through their educational  journey.  Starting on Sunday, they are no longer subject to the rules and discipline of school, but the rules and laws of society, subject to due process.  It's up to them, he said, to make the right decisions through the rest of their lives. He spoke about Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. You can know an object's position, or you can know it's velocity and direction. If you know an object's position, you don't know where it's going or how fast.  He told the students that we know where you are now, but we don't know where you're going.  That's up to each student to decide.

Valedictorian Alexis Vasciannie noted that the Class of 2016 was an accomplished class, with success in academics, the arts and athletics. She challenged students to enter life now and find their own paths to success.

Salutatorian Ross Chua closed his speech by singing an original song. Chua, named Mr. Batavia earlier in the year, also participated in the Genesee Symphony Orchestra's performance of his own composition; he plans to attend Syracuse University. His goal is write a symphony that will be performed by a major, world-renowned symphony, or write the scores for major motion pictures. These are big dreams, he confessed, but he would be equally happy if someday he owned a music store, because there he might sell a first instrument to a future top-40 recording artist or the shoes to a future prima ballerina. Those accomplishments would change the world. He reminded his fellow graduates that even the small things they do in life will have a big impact on the world. They should go out and try to make a difference. 

Chua received the Quincy Jones Award for his musical accomplishments at the school. Awards and scholarships were handed out to more than a dozen students.

Kayla Burns receives her diploma from Dailey.

Malachi Chenault is congratulated after receiving his diploma. 

Zach Lee celebrates graduation while waiting his turn to receive his diploma. 

To purchase prints, click here.

Photo: Scout leader earns his stripes at car wash

By Howard B. Owens

Doug Danizewski wears a zebra mask today while trying to drum up business on East Main Street for a car wash at Batavia's Original to benefit Boy Scout Troop 6069.

It was indeed hot in that mask, Danizewski said.

Photos: Fishing Derby at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

Bell Barone (pictured below) was among the dozens of kids who turned out today for the annual Fishing Derby at DeWitt Recreation Area sponsored by the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club.

Teen daughter of Le Roy firefighter saves boy from drowning in pool at Frost Ridge

By Howard B. Owens

When 16-year-old Sterling Green saw a little boy at the bottom of the pool at Frost Ridge Campground this afternoon, and she saw bubbles gurgling from his mouth, she thought to herself, "I think he's drowning."

The daughter of one of Le Roy's volunteer firefighters, Green did what came natural to her. She jumped in the water to rescue the child.

Her father, Michael Green, was at her side when they got the boy to the pool's edge. The boy's mother came running up, asking, "Is that my boy?" Somebody told her it was. 

The mother tried performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation her her six-year-old son, but Green told her, "let him try to breathe on his own."

They turned the boy on his side.

"He was really blue, then he starting coughing and crying after he vomited," Micheal Green said. "He started talking to us and the paramedics showed up and took care of him, and he seemed good when he was on his way to the hospital."

He was carried by his mother from the pool to the waiting Mercy EMS ambulance and transported to UMMC Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation.  

Sterling said she was sitting poolside and talking with her mother, her aunt and her sister when one of them spotted the boy at the bottom of the pool and pointed out that he didn't appear to be coming up. 

They don't know how long the boy was under water.

Green said he couldn't be prouder of his daughter.

"I’m a firefighter and she’s just following the footsteps," he said.

Possible drowning reported at pool on Conlon Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A possible drowning is reported in a pool on Conlon Road in Le Roy. Le Roy fire and ambulance service are responding.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Quick thinking and swift action by a 16-year-old daughter of a local firefighter saved the life a 6-year-old boy who was swimming in the pool at Frost Ridge Campground about 30 minutes ago. She said she noticed the boy in the pool was not coming to the surface, so she dove in, and pulled him out. He soon began breathing. He is being taken by ambulance to UMMC for evaluation. The campground is located at 8101 Conlon Road in the Town of Le Roy.

Mother and daughter feel blessed to move into new Habitat home

By Howard B. Owens

Today, Habitat for Humanity dedicated the new home on Oak Street of Sheila and Jada Rolle.

Sheila expressed her gratitude for the staff and volunteers who helped them with a beautiful home.

"There’s so much love and peace and the angels all around because everyone who took part in this project blessed us so much, and I thank all of you for the love that you’ve shown us and you have given us," Sheila said.

Previously:

Second annual 'Taste @ the Track' is Sunday at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming’s second annual “Taste @ the Track” will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th on the inner track at Batavia Downs Gaming and Racetrack. This outdoor food festival highlights local restaurants, breweries and wineries in Western New York.

“We had great success before the rains came last year,” said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing of Batavia Downs Gaming. “We had over 200 people in just two hours with everyone knowing rain was in the forecast. With beautiful weather expected on Sunday we’re looking forward to putting on our event again to showcase local eateries, wineries and breweries.”

Area restaurants include: 34 Rush, Big Pauly’s Pizza, Center Street Smokehouse, Indian Falls Log Cabin, 58 Main Smokin’ BBQ (of Brockport), Yancey’s Fancy Cheese, Batavia’s Original, Schwab Farm Market, and NY Chips will all have food. For those 21+, beer and wine while sampling will be offered, courtesy of Heron Hill Winery, Southern Wine, Casa Larga, Black Button Distillery and CH Wright. (Note: Most wineries accept cash only.)

Kids' activities include a bounce house (all day), face painting, cartoon/caricature drawings, balloon art and other family friendly activities. There will also be sno-cones, Jason the Juggler (11 to 1), Pringles the Clown (12 to 2), and Mr. Scribbles (2 to 4).

Admission and parking are free. There will also be live music throughout the afternoon from the Coupe De Villes (11 to 2) and Up2Somethin’ (2 to 5).

For more information go to: facebook.com/tasteatthetrack

Law and Order: Three people arrested after allegedly trespassing on private property on Lake Street Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Brendan Gregory Klish, 20, of Big Tree Street, Livonia, is charged with trespassing. He was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Nora Jane Barnhart, 18, of Rochester Road, Lakeville, is charged with trespassing. She was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

A 17-year-old of Rochester Road in Lakeville is charged with trespassing. The youth was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Zachary David Lloyd Duigan, 21, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia is charged with petit larceny. Following the investigation of a shoplifting complaint on June 20, Duigan was arrested for allegedly stealing a flat-screen TV from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was released with an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

James Michael Dixon, 25, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Following the investigation of a shoplifting complaint at 8:22 p.m. on June 22, Dixon was arrested for allegedly stealing from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was released with an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Progressive Jackpot of $ 110,387.32 won at Batavia Downs Gaming

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A player from Rochester is $ 110,387.32 richer after hitting the top jackpot on the Multi-Track Blazing 7’s Hot Shot progressive machine at Batavia Downs Gaming on Thursday night.

“We’ve very excited to have the jackpot hit at our place,” said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing. “It’s the largest jackpot hit at our facility since last July’s $172,000 win.”

The Hot Shots machines, located at all nine New York gaming facilities, are linked so that as customers play those specific machines, the jackpot climbs until it is won. This particular jackpot was hit within a bonus game.

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional OTB is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 27 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western OTB has generated over $225 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

Police hold hydraulic equipment believed lost from the truck transporting it

By Howard B. Owens

If you lost a large hydraulic piece of machinery within the past 24 hours, please call Batavia PD.

Such a piece of machinery was found on Liberty Street near School Street and is believed to have fallen off a truck.

The equipment is described as "newer." 

To stake your claim, call Officer Marc Lawrence at (585) 345-6350.

Jack, a Jack Russell terrier, is missing

By Howard B. Owens

This is Jack. Jack is a brown and white Jack Russell terrier. Jack is missing.

He recently had medical treatment for an injury on his neck. He has a staple in his neck, so he wasn't wearing his collar when he went missing Wednesday. He also has two staples in his paw.

Jack is missing from the area of Oak Street and Montclair Avenue in Batavia.

If you can help, call Nathan Stoll at (585) 749-8525 or (585) 356-2965.

Photos: Water rescue training at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

Information and photos submitted by Glenn Adams.

Yesterday morning, City fire along with a group of volunteers from other departments in the county, participated in water rescue training at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

The boat and motor and gear were purchased with a grant from Homeland Security.

The first two shots include Ryan Hendershott of the Bethany department and DJ Pollock.

CORRECTION: Only members of City fire participated. Hendershott is a city firefighter and a Bethany volunteer.

Mark Your Calendar: Annual Safe Summer Children's Carnival at Falleti Ice Arena is July 28

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County AmeriCorps Program, in collaboration with the Genesee County and Batavia Youth bureaus, is planning the annual Safe Summer Children’s Carnival.

It is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, July 28, from 10:15 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Falleti Ice Arena, 22 Evans St., in Batavia. One dollar buys a ticket to play 10 games, and children can win “funny money” to redeem for prizes.

Entertainment by “Charlie and Checkers” is scheduled from 10:15-11 a.m. and the games will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. Folks from the community should plan to bring a bagged lunch or plan to leave for lunch.

There will also be several community agency booths. There will be a grand prize which consists of two Darien Lake Theme Park Admission Tickets that can be won by visiting the booths.

For more information on the carnival please contact, Cara at the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960.

REVISED: Paving of South Main Street to begin Monday

By Billie Owens

REVISED press release from the City's Bureau of Maintenance:

Please be aware that all motorists using South Main Street within the City of Batavia from Oak Street Extension west to the City Line will experience road closures on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Roadwork involving the paving of the roadway will begin on the east end and progress west to River Street.

Roadwork involving the paving of the roadway will begin on the west end and progress east to Dewey Avenue. Upon completion of this segment, the portion of South Main Street between Dewey Avenue and the roundabout will follow.

Upon completion of this segment, the portion of South Main Street between River Street and west city line will follow. It is anticipated it will take two days to complete this work.

While work is being performed in these areas, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/ property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the day.

This is weather dependent work.  If work is postponed it shall progress next work day.

Please, plan accordingly and contact the Bureau of Maintenance with any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Law and Order: Man distracted by phone while driving crashes, driver arrested for allegedly possessing heroin, needles, pills

By Billie Owens

Brandon W. Benben, 26, of Basom, was arrested June 21 and charged with: two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh, a Class A misdemeanor; operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone; failing to use designated lane; and driving across hazard markings. An investigation revealed Benben lost control of his 2008 Pontiac Grand Am while he was looking down while operating his cellphone southbound on Alleghany Road. Benben exited the west shoulder of the roadway, struck a mailbox at the end of a driveway culvert, causing him to flip over onto the roof, coming to rest in the southbound lane of Alleghany Road. Benben sustained a minor non-life-threatening injury that required no EMS. While looking inside the vehicle, Troopers allegedly observed a hypodermic needle in plain view. Investigation allegedly revealed multiple open/empty heroin packets, hypodermic needles, three diazepam pills, and a bundle of 10 unopened packets of suspected heroin in individual plastic baggies. Benben was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Alabama Court on June 28. He was also issued uniform tickets returnable on July 12.

Douglas E. Love, 51, of Corfu, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. on June 23, after a distrubance on West Main Street in Corfu. Love is charged with two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing and two counts of second-degree harassment and put in Genesee County Jail. Love is scheduled to return to Corfu Village Court on July 11. Corfu Police Officer Michael Petritz handled the case and was assisted by Officer Richard Retzlaff.

Grand Jury: Man indicted for bail jumping for allegedly skipping 2012 court date on felony charge

By Billie Owens

Guadalupe Hernandez (AKA Guadalupe Hernandez II, AKA Guadalupe Hernandez III) is indicted for the crime of bail jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that Hernandez, having been released from custody or allowed to remain at liberty by order of the Genesee County Court, either upon bail or upon his own recognizance, on the condition that he was subsequently appear in connection with a felony charge against him, did not appear personally on the required date of Feb. 14, 2012, or voluntarily within 30 days thereafter.

Shentelle C. Gagnon is indicted for petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Gagnon is accused of stealing property from Walmart in Batavia on Jan. 23. In count two, she is accused of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a Class D felony. On Jan. 23, she allegedly knowlingly and unlawfully introduced dangerous contraband into a detention facility -- the Genesee County Jail. In count three, Gagnon is accused of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 24, she stole property witha value in excess of $1,000 from Walmart in Batavia. In count four, Gagnon is accused of another count of petit larceny. It is alleged that on April 25, she stole property from Walmart in Batavia. In count five, she is accused of a third count of petit larceny, for allegedly stealing property from Walmart in Batavia on April 30.

Donald R. Rock is indicted for driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On March 5, in the Town of Batavia, is is alleged that Rock drove a 2004 Chevrolet on Kelsey Road while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated per se, as a Class E felony, for having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time. In Special Informatiopn filed with the indictment by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Rock is accused of having been convicted of felony driving while intoxicated on Aug. 23, 2007, in Genesee County Court, which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Law and Order: Clifton Avenue woman arrested for allegedly having crack pipe in purse while at jail

By Billie Owens

Alissa Ashley Fodge, 26, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with first-degree introduction of dangerous contraband into prison, a Class D felony. At 3:20 p.m. on June 22, Fodge was arrested for allegedly promoting prison contraband. Correction Officer Jenna Barber allegedly found a crack pipe in Fodge's purse while Fodge was being processed into the jail. She was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and jailed on $2,500 bail. Fodge is due in Batavia City Court on June 29. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Laverne Denicco Brown, 43, of Albert Drive, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, unlicensed operator, driver's view obstructed and obstructed plate. At 11:08 a.m. on June 21, Brown was stopped on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke for vehicle and traffic violations. Her driver's license was found to be revoked and she had 22 scoffs/suspensions and 19 suspensions on 10 dates. She was arrested and released and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on July 12. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Jason Fredrick Cecchini, 41, of Fruit Avenue, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driver's view obstructed, and obstructed/covered plate. He was stopped at 1:17 p.m. on June 21 on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke for vehicle and traffic violations. Cecchini was subsequently allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. The defendant was issued a traffic summons and an appearance ticket for July 14 in Town of Pembroke Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Shelly Marie Dutton, 44, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 5:51 p.m. on June 22 following a shoplifting complaint alleging that she stole a tool from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. She was released with an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Zachary David Lloyd Duigan, 21, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 5:51 p.m. on June 22 following a shoplifting complaint alleging that he stole a tool from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. He was released with an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

BID opposes move by city impose new rules on its operations

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Batavia Improvement District were informed yesterday in a memo from Executive Director Laurie Oltramari, that the BID Board of Directors has voted to oppose a plan to change the rules for how the BID operates.

City Manager Jason Molino has proposed to City Council that the city adopt a district plan for the BID, which in the past has been drafted by the BID board and then approved by the council, and require that BID comply with the state's Freedom of Information Law and Open Meetings Law.

Oltramari said the BID has already turned in a budget for 2016 that is compliant with the state's General Municipal Law.  

The whole issue of the BID's budget is what precipitated the city's recent actions, but Oltramari told BID members that it was the responsibility of the city manager to ensure property owners in the Downtown tax district were charged the appropriate tax rate, not the BID's.

"The City wants to implement compliance of the debt limits within the General Municipal Law, something that has been known to the City Manager for several years," Oltramari said in her memo to members. "In addition, the City levied the 2016 assessment knowing that there was a compliance issue, collected the BID assessment, and is retained the funds without any authority to withhold funds that are due and owing to the BID."

BID members are people who either own property in the Downtown district or operate businesses in the district.

Oltramari invited BID members to visit her office at 200 E. Main St., Batavia, on Monday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to discuss these issues, or to make an appointment with her for a conversation.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the city's proposed changes at 7 p.m., Monday.

The proposal would also require the BID to comply with the state's open government law, but Oltramari said director's meetings are already transparent and open for its members.

"The BID board is opposed to the City of Batavia adopting a local law imposing such as it conflicts with state law and our meetings are already open to the BID membership," Oltramari said. "For the City to implement such is creating new law for the City of Batavia, setting new precedent within NY State and discriminating against a not-for-profit corporation."

Muckdogs off to rocky start, but at least it's a start

By Howard B. Owens

At least it was a beautiful night for baseball at Dwyer Stadium on Wednesday, even if the play on the field was a bit ugly.

The Batavia Muckdogs dropped their 2016 home opener 11-1 to State College, falling to an 0-6 start. But fans shouldn't be too discouraged. Today's roster of youngsters has yet to be supplemented by Miami Marlin draft picks. The season should get progressively better, as they usually do under Muckdog's manager Angel Espada.

On a night that could, maybe, be the last home opener for one of the New York Penn-League's founding franchises (but that's true every year these days), the team tapped its rich history and its ties to the community by having Jerry Maley, a lifelong Batavia resident who made his professional debut with the local team in 1948, throw out the first pitch.

The Muckdogs try again tonight at Dwyer Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. More good weather is expected.

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