A truck fire is reported on Clay Street, Le Roy, in front of the Le Roy Fire Hall.

Le Roy Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:13 p.m.: It's a recycling truck and there is smoke showing. Engine requested from a mutual aid department in Livingston County.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: Clay Street closed in both directions.

Press release:

Diana Kastenbaum, the Democratic candidate for NY-27, received a major endorsement this week by New York State’s 2.5-million member AFL-CIO. The endorsement came at the State Federation’s 33rd Constitutional Convention in New York City.

Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, said, “The decisions made in Washington DC impact the lives and economic well-being of all working men and women which is why the Labor Movement will do everything within our power to elect candidates committed to putting the interests of working people first.”

Kastenbaum said, “I am deeply honored and grateful for the endorsement of New York State’s AFL-CIO. My husband and I have been proud members of two unions in the AFL-CIO family. American workers are the backbone of our country and I intend to fight for working families to see that we achieve our goals of growing our economy with more jobs, a livable wage, healthcare and education.”

From Chris Hayward, Le Roy chief of police:

The Le Roy Police Department is accepting resumes for two full-time police officer positions. Candidates must already have civil service status or be on the Genesee County list to be considered. Interested parties must submit a resume to the Le Roy Police Department at 3 W. Main St., Le Roy NY 14482. ATTN: Chief Christopher Hayward. Resumes will be accepted until the close of business Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

A man fell off a highway construction roller that was mounted on a truck or trailer and is "reported down, unresponsive," on the shoulder of Broadway Road in Darien. Mercy Flight #5 is on in-air standby with a five- to seven-minute ETA, if called. It's not certain if he is breathing. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:53 a.m.: Mercy Flight is canceled.

UPDATE 6:09 a.m.: The location is about a quarter mile west of Harlow Road.

UPDATE 6:13 a.m.: CPR is in progress and the patient is being transported by ambulance to an area hospital. It is not known at this point what caused the man to fall off the equipment -- whether it was a medical issue. The roller is a small one -- about the size of a skid loader -- that was on the back of a flatbed truck. The truck is on the westbound shoulder of Broadway Road pointed in the eastbound direction. The roller is overturned on the gravel north of the truck. 

The driver of a car that hit a porch at Sumner and Alleghany roads in Darien is reportedly unconscious.

Darien fire and Darien ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:02 p.m.: Appears to be non-serious injuries.

Maybe you've been wanting to pick up an American Buffalo hoodie or a women's spaghetti-strap shirt with the Made in America logo on it, but you haven't had a chance to drive to one of the MIA outlets in Erie County.

Well, you're in luck (no pun intended) as plans have been finalized to locate a Made in America store in the lobby of Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

"About three weeks ago, (Western Regional Off-Track Betting President) Henry (Wojtaszek), (Vice President of Operations) Scott (Kiedrowski) and I met with Mark Andol, owner of the Made in America franchise headquartered in Elma, and we signed an agreement to open a gift shop at Batavia Downs Gaming," said Michael Nolan, WROTB's chief operating officer.

"We feel that it's a good idea, especially being a public benefit corporation, that fits right in the bloodstream of our demographics."

Nolan said Batavia Downs will offer clothing apparel -- T-shirts, hoodies, etc. -- and other items, with some of the clothing to bear both the MIA and Batavia Downs Gaming insignias.

The announcement was made this morning at the WROTB Board of Directors meeting at Batavia Downs Gaming.

For more about the Made in America store, go to www.madeinamericastore.com.

In other developments, Nolan said:

-- He expects the Downs' partnership with FanDuel to offer fantasy sports competition at Batavia Downs Gaming at some of its OTB branches to "receive clearance" from the New York State Gaming Commission by next week -- "in time to be off and running for the 2016 NFL season." 

The gaming board approved FanDual's application to operate in New York State last week, action that came on the heels of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to legalize interactive fantasy sports in New York. Previously, WROTB signed a four-year contract with FanDual.

-- That an EZ Bet kiosk is being placed at Letchworth Pines in Portageville. This will be the third such kiosk in Wyoming County, with the other two located at BenGo’s Express Mart in Attica and the Arcade Hotel.

Letchworth Pines was purchased last year by Kevin Sass, who has been involved in the bowling business since the late 1990s and also was a competitor on the Professional Bowlers Association Regional Tour. 

A grand opening, featuring prize drawings and refreshments, is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at The Pines. It is located at 6985 Fillmore Road.

Photo and story via our news partner, WBTA.

R. Stephen Hawley, who was 94 years old, died early this morning in Arizona.

Before his retirement, he had been elected to 10 terms in the New York State Assembly, serving 20 years beginning in 1973.

Hawley, a World War II Veteran, was a 1939 graduate of Batavia High School and at the beginning of his political career owned a family farm in Batavia.

Since 2006, Hawley’s son Steven M. Hawley has taken up his mantle of local representation in the State Assembly.

Jacob M. Twardowski, 22, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree menacing. He was arrested at midnight on Aug. 24 following a domestic incident at his residence. He was transported to City Court, arraigned and released. He is due in City Court on Sept. 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Cassandra L. Brunea, 43, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 12:56 p.m. on State Street following a disturbance. It is alleged that during the incident Brunea subjected another person to unwanted physical contact by spitting on the person. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is due in City Court on Sept. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Michael S. Klotzbach, 29, of Boyce Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested at 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 after a physical altercation with an acquaintance. He was issued a computer-generated appearance ticket for City Court on Aug. 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

Press release:

The Richter Family Foundation runs a program that gives books to children under age 5 through The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It has been in operation since 2004 and the Oakfield-Alabama, Elba, Pavilion, and Pembroke school districts participate in the program. Recently, Byron-Bergen was added to the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a set of books beginning with the children’s classic "The Little Engine That Could." Each month a new, carefully selected age-appropriate book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. Best of all it is a FREE GIFT! There is no cost or obligation to your family.

To be eligible in the Byron-Bergen School District, the child must live in the Byron-Bergen School District and must be between the ages of birth and his/her 5th birthday.

A committee representing the Byron-Bergen School District, the Byron and Bergen Communities, and the Byron-Bergen Library is partnering with the Richter Family Foundation to bring the Imagination Library to the children.

If your zip code is 14020, 14021, 14058, 14143 or 14482, the only way to register is to fill out a registration form and mail it to the address indicated on the form. The forms can be found at the Byron Town Hall, the Bergen Town and Village Offices, the Byron-Bergen Library, and the Byron-Bergen Elementary Office.  

If your zip code is 14416, 14422, 14428, 14429 or 14470, you may fill out and send in a registration form or, you may register online at www.imaginationlibrary.com by clicking on the box “register my child” and following the directions.

The Byron-Bergen Imagination Library Committee consists of: Nancy Bailey, librarian, Bergen Public Library; Anna Marie Barclay, Village of Bergen mayor and retired teacher; Donna Gerrard, Byron resident and a mom and grandmother; and Brian Meister, Byron-Bergen Elementary School principal.

They know that you, the parents and your children, will love the Imagination Library and encourage you to sign up your children today. A family can register several children within the household as long as they are under age 5.

Submitted photo. David Little, left, president of the Rural Schools Association of New York State, presents the Appreciation Award to Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer during the 2016 RSA Conference in Cooperstown.

Press release:

Fifth-grade Student & Parent Orientation

Batavia Middle School, located at 96 Ross St. in the City of Batavia, will have a brief orientation program at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the Batavia Middle School Auditorium for fifth-grade students and parents.

Students will have the opportunity to purchase their locks. This will give fifth-graders an opportunity to practice, at home, before school starts. Please bring $4.50 for your child's lock. Exact change is always appreciated. If you choose to write a check, please make it payable to: Batavia City School District.

We will review the schedule for Connect Day (on Sept. 7th) and parents and students will receive some helpful materials.

It is not necessary to bring any school supplies with you at this time. Do, however, complete and bring with you the Emergency Go Home Plan, which will be mailed home with your child's teacher/homeroom assignment.

Come and get acquainted ~ We look forward to working with you as your child transitions to Middle School. If you have any questions, please call Julia Rogers, House Administrator at (585) 343-2480, ext. 3001, or at (585) 201-3389.

Transfer Student Orientation

All students in grades 6-8 who are transferring to Batavia Middle School are invited to attend an orientation program at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the Middle School Auditorium. The program will include an overview of our Middle School and will be followed by a building tour. School counselors will be available for students and parents.

The Batavia Blue Devils hosted the Batavia Bulldawgs (Minis, ages 8-9) at Van Detta Stadium on Wednesday night for the annual scrimmage between the two teams.

Jericka, lead singer for the local Christian band Salt of Earth, sings during the opening of Batavia's Great Tabernacle, a three-day event of music and worship at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

The event continues tonight with free performances by Jim Drew and Jason Upton, and with speakers each night, tonight is Pastor Kevin Traux.

Last night's guest speaker was Tim Bennett, and Robin Mark performed.

Rep. Chris Collins hosted members of his Agriculture Advisory Committee -- local farmers and people involved in the local ag industry -- at Genesee Community College yesterday for a briefing on issues at the federal level affecting agriculture.

Collins noted that while he's not on the Ag Committee in Congress, he is on a committee with key oversight of a number of issues that affect agriculture.

"I am on Energy and Commerce, a more powerful committee, with oversight over the EPA and FDA," Collins said. "It’s certainly a good place to be."

Collins also addressed the issue of immigration, an important issue to farmers who, in recent years, have struggled to fill their farm labor force.

The NY-27th's representative is one of the few members of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president and until this past week, Trump was calling for the deportation of 11 million immigrants who may have entered the country illegally. In the past week, Trump modified his position and is no longer promising to deport migrant workers living in the United States peacefully. 

Collins said the shift reflects Trump growing into the job of presidential candidate and one who is open to discussion.

"We will secure the borders and make sure the workforce that many of you have do have legal work papers and can figure out visas and other things that might ensure you’re not short of help," Collins said. "I think that’s a positive."

Mark Zittel, from Erie County, who brought samples of some of the produce he grows.

Collins staff member Jeff Freeland.

Joey Williams and Marcell Taylor, friends from Albion, started talking about opening a business together six years ago, when Williams was still in high school.

A few weeks ago, it all finally came together when they opened Clean Cut Barbershop at 466 Ellicott St., Batavia.

"The most ironic part is he's actually the one who got me into barbering," Williams said. "I used to do it as a hobby and he told me, 'dude, I think you can get pretty serious about this. Let's go check out a school.'

"Once you start cutting a couple of people in the neighborhood, the kids started talking and the word gets around," Williams added. "I didn’t really take it serious at first and then I graduated high school and that’s when he was like, let’s get a move on things."

Williams started barbering school and Taylor, who had completed his training in cosmetology at Continental School of Beauty in Batavia, honed his craft working in the basement of his mother's house.

After a couple of years, Taylor was ready to open a shop, but Williams wasn't quite there yet, so Taylor went ahead and opened up on his own in Albion. The process was on-the-job training for starting and running a business, so after Williams apprenticed in Brockport for a couple of years, he told Williams it was time to get going on their plans. 

It was up to Williams to find the location.

"I told him as long as you can do some quality cuts and get some good barbers in here, I can take care of the paperwork and everything," said Taylor, who describes himself as as "an entrepreneur by day and by night," and he's also a partner in Taylor and Taylor Consulting, an accounting firm.

They picked Batavia because it's a big enough city that is centrally located and they think there is open space for a barbershop that offers modern haircuts.

They also want to grow a business that has an impact on the local community. Their shop is more than a barbershop. They have a pool table and are planning to bring in TVs with video games where they can host Madden tournaments and perhaps erect a basketball hoop in the parking lot.

"It’s all just a way to bring kids together and kind of get away from all the negativity that is out there," Williams said. "We want to offer different activities that help kids stay out of trouble. We both come from a background where it was a struggle to find programs for youth and we see a need out there."

Taylor said they hope they can be a positive influence that shows kids they can accomplish things in life.

"We want to help the youth out there know that there is a future out there beyond what maybe they know right now," Taylor said.

Genesee County's unemployment rate last month was at its lowest level for July since 2006, hitting 4.0, lower by sixth-tenths of a percent from July of last year.

In 2006, the rate was 4.0 and the last time it was lower was in 2001, at 3.7 percent. The highest rate over the past decade was 7.5 percent in 2012.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is 5.1 percent and for New York State it is 5.0.

In June for Genesee County, the unemployment rate was 3.7 percent. June's rate locally is usually the same or lower than July.

The county's labor participation total -- the number of people working or actively looking for work is 30,800. A year ago it was 31,400. The highest level this century was 34,800 in 2008.

The unemployment rate for the GLOW region is 4.5 percent, down from 5.2 percent a year ago.

In the Rochester area, the unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. It's 4.9 percent in the Buffalo area.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Blink 182 concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday:

Jonathan W. Keough, 30, of La Mesa Lane, San Angelo, Texas, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told numerous times to leave the venue. Keough was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Brandon J. Robinson, 23, of Willow Ridge, Amherst, is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment, third-degree criminal trespass, and resisting arrest after allegedly jumping a fence inside the venue and then fighting with security guards. Robinson then allegedly resisted arrest. He was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Nicholas J. Pascucci, 26, of Parmalee Road, Le Roy, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly biting a Live Nation security guard. Pascucci was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Mark J. Cone, 22, of Anglewood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Jeremy J. Carr, 19, of Vinedale Avenue, Rochester, is charged with two counts of trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue twice after being ejected and told not to return.

Brandon J. Sarget, 28, of Douglas Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Michael J. Rawle, 22, of Appian Drive, Rochester, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly striking another person.

Allison J. Minnick, 23, of Maple Ridge Road, Medina, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass after allegedly jumping over the exterior fence into the venue after having been ejected earlier.

Rawson J. Duckett, 25, of Marlborough Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Philip J. Williamson, 19, of Seville Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

One person is injured following an accident at the intersection of Oatka Trail and Circular Hill roads. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

Deputies were able to follow a trail of breadcrumbs, or in this case, truck parts, and, along with the help of witnesses, find and identify a suspect in a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the late morning in Le Roy on Monday.

James J. Riechel, 39, of Britt Road, Le Roy, was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, following too closely, driving without a license and reckless driving.

According to reports, Riechel's 2002 Dodge pickup struck a Waste Management garbage truck that was in the midst of making its rounds. 

A witness said as the Waste Management driver called to report the accident, Riechel fled the scene.

The accident was reported at 11:40 a.m. in the area of 8550 North Road, Le Roy. 

There were no injuries reported.

The accident was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Reader submitted photo.