We are told that Rotary Annie is typically delivered to the unsuspecting victim in stealth, but Ray Shirtz and Ed Leising were caught in the act -- dropping off the sacred cow at Seymour Place/GO ART! early this evening.

Our highly confidential source informs us that since GO ART! is host to Rotary meetings, it's unlikely anybody in the building is facing a fine for having the cow on display.

Typically, the fine for a Rotary member who gets the cow is $60, though it's possible to purchase insurance for $30.

There should probably be some fine for getting your picture on The Batavian moving the cow.

Shot late this afternoon.

Press release:

Batavia Downs announced today that the gaming floor portion of its highly anticipated expansion project will open on Friday, Oct. 4.

"We are very excited to open this first phase of our expansion,” said Michael D. Kane, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “As a public benefit corporation, the expansion of the gaming floor and the addition of three new restaurants will allow us to generate more revenue for local municipalities.”

As a public benefit corporation, all profits from Western OTB and Batavia Downs Gaming net expenses are contributed back to the 15 counties and two cities of Western New York.

Pictures and videos from the expansion as well as updates can be found on Batavia Downs’ Web site (www.bataviadownsgaming.com), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bataviadowns) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/bataviadowns). A grand opening celebration with a ribbon cutting and other events will occur in a few weeks.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has developed a new statewide paranormal trail that includes hauntings and ghostly events in Genesee County, along with 12 additional counties across the state. 

From Rolling Hills Asylum in Genesee County, to Wing’s Castle in the Hudson Valley, follow the legends, hauntings, and spooky heritage of the Empire State's most historic sites.

“Paranormal tourism has become quite popular over the last few years, and our Chamber needed a platform to promote our haunted asset (Rolling Hills) to that niche audience. This summer, we did an outreach to statewide tourism agencies to see who might be interested in a collaborative program. We were pleasantly surprised that 12 other counties wanted to be a part of our new program, and we expect more to join in 2014,” said Kelly Rapone, tourism marketing director for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.”  

Enter to Win a "Night of Fright" in the Finger Lakes, discover the ghostly happenings, stay in haunted hotels, and watch the night sky for a UFO. Explore by region or by experience. Forge your own path or join in eerie events and ghoulish guided tours going on now throughout the state. Explore the hauntings at www.HauntedHistoryTrail.com.

From the macabre to the mysterious -- join us this fall on the Haunted History Trail of New York State and check out the full line-up of events for spooky fun!

Press release:

GO ART! presents its 13th annual Genesee-Orleans Community Arts Awards Gala Dinner & Auction at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton Street Road (Route 33), Batavia. Each year, GO ART! recognizes the extraordinary contributions in art and culture made by individuals and organizations in the Genesee-Orleans region at this unique event. This year’s honorees are:

Community Arts Awards:

• Business -- Laura Gardner, “a lily & a sparrow” in Medina
• Business -- Howard Owens, The Batavian
• Cultural Organization -- Barb Toal & Friends of Batavia Peace Garden
• Artist -- “The Humans” – John Dumrese, Richard Doolan, Gar Trusselle, William Kuhns, Martin Busch and the late Danny Long
• Artist -- Carol “Kay” McMahon, musician from Genesee County

GO ART! Board of Directors Special Recognition: Mary Pat Hancock, chair of the Genesee County Legislature

Linda L. Blanchet Award: To be announced

Tickets are $27/non-members, $25/members, and advance reservations are required. Enjoy a delectable dinner and desserts while local band “The Old Hippies” featuring Bill McDonald provides musical entertainment. Dress is business casual.

A silent auction featuring quality work by local artists, artisans and cultural organizations will be held throughout the evening, and the annual Gala Raffle will be held as well. The Grand Prize this year is 14K white gold pendant necklace with black and white diamonds .50ptw, compliments of Valle Jewelers; Value $1,250.

The Raffle tickets have a requested donation of $5 each or five for $20, and are available at GO ART! and at the event. Winners will be selected in a random drawing at the GO ART! Gala on Oct. 26; you do not need to be present to win.

For more information, call 585.343.9313, e-mail info@GOart.org, or visit www.GOart.org.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District Promotion Committee announces that the 4^th Annual “Taste of Fall Wine Walk,” Saturday, Oct. 5 is completely sold out.

For those that have tickets it will be a super evening with wine tastings, foods and special fall discounts at 21 different stores and businesses. This has been a sell out for the fourth year with 600 tickets being sold.

The starting point for the event will be at GoArt!, 201 E. Main St. Registration is from 5 to 6 p.m. Ticket holders will receive their bracelets, commemorative wine glasses and a goodie bag. Please bring proper ID.

Enjoy the Taste of Fall Wine Walk and be safe and responsible drivers. There are still Designated Driver Tickets available at $5 per person.

Remember, visit our Downtown restaurants following this event. You will find them listed on our Web site directory.

This event is brought by the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District, Inc. Visit www.downtownbataviany.com or Facebook: Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District, for more information about this and other events.

(FYI -- Due to a processing error, ticket numbers 451-700 were never printed, creating a gap in sequence, but this has no effect on tickets sold.)

For information contact: BID at 585-344-0900.

Press release:

This year's Fabulous Females Committee has decided that there are too many good women and young ladies in Genesee County to ignore. So the 2013 event will include an award each for females ages 12 to 17; 18 to 30; an overall 2013 recipient and someone chosen out of the pool of prior recipients for continuing her contributions to the community.

The awards lunch is set for noon Saturday, Nov. 16, at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road. Deadline for nominations is Oct. 8.

All of the awards fit into this year's theme that is based on Chinese folklore about red thread. Invisible threads connect a newborn child's spirit to all of the people who will be important in the child's life. So it is with this community, and how each award recipient serves to pull all of the pieces together.
Hosted by YWCA of Genesee County, this event is to include a light-hearted afternoon of lunch, entertainment and awards. Based on the beauty of nature, awards range from the Seedling to Bouquet to capture each stage of development.

Recipients for all but one of the awards will be announced before the event. The Bouquet Award will be kept secret for a surprise unveiling that day.

"This event has evolved over the years, and we really hope to create a memorable day for not only the award recipients but those family, friends and colleagues in attendance," YW Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. "Much in the way a flower develops from a seedling into a full-blown blossom, these recipients have demonstrated their own unique beauty. And the legacy winner will be the celebration of a bouquet of accomplishments!"

Before any awards can be handed out, though, people need to submit their chosen candidates by Oct. 8. Here is the criteria for each category:

• The 2013 Fabulous Female Seedling Award will go to a young lady between 12 and 17 who has demonstrated perseverance and gumption through adversity and a willingness to help out the community. Her growth is evident despite her age. The ideal candidate is not your typical all-star athlete or honor society member, but someone who shines behind the scenes.The 2013 Fabulous Female Petal Award is for a woman from 18 to 30 who has shown her spirit through volunteer, professional and personal efforts to improve the community in some way.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Blossom Award is for that special woman who has become an integral member of society in the way she works, serves, speaks and behaves.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Bouquet Award is a nod to the legacy to be left by a former Fabulous Female for her continuing efforts and contributions to the community.

Nomination forms may be obtained online at www.ywcagenesee.org or at YWCA, 301 North St., in the City of Batavia.

Tickets for the event are $25 each and may be purchased at YWCA or Bank of Castile. There are also opportunities to sponsor a table with special promotional perks. For more information, call (585) 343-5808.

WHAT:  2013 Fabulous Females Award Lunch
WHEN:  Noon Saturday, Nov. 16
WHERE: The Forum, Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia
CALL: (585) 343-5808

A 42-year-old Attica woman is being accused of stealing more than $21,000 from a company she worked for in Stafford.

Judy S. King, of Genesee Street, Attica, is charged with forgery, 2nd, grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

King was arrested following a lengthy investigation by Deputy John Duyssen and Investigator Timothy Weis into missing funds at RJN Electrical Services.

During the years of 2012 and 2013, King, working as an office manager, allegedly used her access to bank accounts to forge at least 88 checks.

She's also accused of stealing two credit cards from the company and making personal purchases.

Following arraignment in Town of Stafford Court, King was released under supervision of Wyoming County Probation.

Thomas Richard Ellis, 46, of Kings Lane, Rochester, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, speed not reasonable and prudent, unapproved/no face shield on motorcycle and driving without corrective lenses. Ellis was charged following a motorcycle accident at 8:06 p.m., Friday, in the area of 4491 Old Ford Road, Elba. (initial report)

Ronald Jason Scroger, 33, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. On Friday, Scroger allegedly went to Walmart and removed merchandise from its packaging, damaging the item's package. He then allegedly left the store with $170.82 in stolen merchandise. He then allegedly returned with a stolen item and exchanged it for a gift card with a value of $34.97.

Kelly James Rhim, 35, of Eller Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and DWI. Rhim was stopped at 2:15 a.m., Saturday, on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Jeffrey Scott Vandusen, 24, of Chapel Avenue, Cheektowaga, is charged with resisting arrest. Vandusen is accused of fleeing from law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop at 8:05 p.m., Sept. 18, on Phelps Road, Pembroke, for alleged traffic violations.

Kory James Towne, 23, of Phelps Road, Corfu, is charged with resisting arrest, speeding and failure to yield. Towne is accused of fleeing from law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop at 8:05 p.m., Sept. 18, on Phelps Road, Pembroke, for alleged traffic violations.

Samuel J. Singletary, 50, of Alphonse Street, Rochester, was arrested on warrants for alleged aggravated unlicensed operation and speeding. Singletary was arrested upon his arrest from the Monroe County Jail on unrelated matters and arraigned in Town of Elba Court. Bail was set at $500.

Kevin Albert Roberts, 22, of Perry Road, North Java, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Roberts is accused of conspiring with another person to shoplift at Walmart.

Mathew Lee Klein, 19, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with trespass. Klein was allegedly seen atop the roof of the bus garage at Alexander Central School at 1:48 a.m., Sept. 21.

Jerell J.T. Jones, 25, and Nathaniel R. Davis, 18, both of 20 N. Spruce St., Batavia, are each charged with two counts of petit larceny. Jones and Davis are accused of shoplifting from YNGodess on two separate occasions. Jones and Davis were jailed on $1,000 bail each.

The following individuals were cited for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21 following a Batavia PD investigation into a complaint of a loud party at 25 Trumbull Parkway at 12:23 a.m., Friday: Eric J. Soto, 19, Ian J. Legares, 18, Emmanuel Garcia, 20, Jessie C. D'Paula, 20, Stephanie E. Griffin, 20, Carlton RV Lampe, 18, Michael A. Archer, 19, Leofal Soto, 19, Jared R. Wansart, 19, Troy R. Pakusch, 19, Jah-Neel A. Warner, 17, Adam T. Pratt, 19, Lasania S. Hyatt, 19, Jared J. Midwick, 18, Carrie M. Curry, 19, Randy O. Mutt, 19, Andrea F. Parravano, 19, Shanique Y. Headley, 18, Ashley R. Makowski, 18.

Dennis A. Edson, 49, of 17 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with trespass. Edson is accused of entering a neighbor's property without permission.

Dajuandrick C. Gardner, 36, of 22 East Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Gardner was allegedly found in possession of a crack pipe.

Andrew DeMara Hewitt, 29, of North Street, Churchville, was arrested on a warrant related to a petit larceny charge. Hewitt allegedly did not appear on a petit larceny charged in Town of Byron Court. He was jailed on $150 bail.

Jeremy L. Jones, 20, of Hammonsport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Jones was arrested by State Police in the Town of Pavilion. No further details released.

The Guardian: US government on verge of shutdown as House votes to delay health law

A house fire is reported at 218 Exchange St., Attica. 

Responding from Genesee County are Alexander, Bethany, Darien and the City of Batavia Fast Team.

UPDATE 8 a.m.: Genesee County units returning in service.

About 30 people are, or were, reportedly fighting on State Street in the vicinity of Lewis Place. Police are on scene.

The Rotary Club of Batavia hosted its annual brewfest again this year, but with Batavia Downs being remodeled, the club set up tents along Alva Place instead and served brews to hundreds of attendees.

The Elba Lancers cheer squad unveiled a new routine during half-time of the Elba/Byron-Bergen vs. Notre Dame game Saturday.

The routine features more acrobatics than I've seen from a high school cheer squad before.

Cheer Coach Kate Engle said her cousin Jackie Borrelli, now a cheer captain at Niagara University who cheered for Northeast Elite, conducted a two-day cheer camp for the Elba team and taught the girls the new routine.

Saturday was the first time they performed it in public.

Rachel Wannike is Elba's captain this year and she's featured in the flyer toss. Tabitha Fuller, a seventh-grader, is featured in a series flips during a pyramid (unfortunately, my camera slipped out of focus during this part of the routine). 

Engle said the squad is pretty young, with only one senior member and five juniors, three sophomores, seven freshman and a seventh-grader.

The girls will use the routine Oct. 13 at the Brockport Spiritfest and, of course, during sectionals competition later in October at RIT.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Notre Dame ended its three-game losing streak to Elba/Byron-Bergen with a dominating 40 to 7 victory.

For the second consecutive week, Tim McCulley scored five touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, this time all through the air as Notre Dame controlled the game from start to finish.

The Irish opened the scoring as McCulley hooked up with Josh Johnson for a 13-yard TD strike in the first quarter to go up 6-0.

McCulley would later find Jason Hart on a one-yard toss to give the Irish a 13-0 lead. In total, McCulley would throw four touchdown passes in the first half, two more to Johnson on plays of two and 51 yards respectively.

The senior quarterback went 18-for-27 passing for 335 yards and also picked up another 61 on the ground.

The Lancers would get on the board just before the end of the half on a three-yard pass from Garrett Chapell to Chad Kowalik.

Charlie Herbert was on the receiving end of the fifth and final touchdown pass from McCulley late in the third quarter. Herbert racked up 134 yards on six grabs, while Johnson had 161 on seven catches.

The Fighting Irish defense was stout all game, holding Chapell to just 13-of-33 passing for 127 yards and intercepting him four times, once by Johnson.

“Our skilled guys had a good game today, although we did have a couple of lapses,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Rick Mancuso. “I’m really proud of the overall effort, of the great effort that got us to this point, but we have a lot to work on and we are going to get back at it on Monday.”

Brandon Naylor had a strong game for Elba/Byron-Bergen (2-2), carrying the ball 16 times for 100 yards. The Lancers will next travel to Oakfield-Alabama next Friday night.

Notre Dame (4-0) is the only remaining unbeaten team in the Genesee Region League, and they will take on Pembroke next Saturday.

Also Saturday, Batavia lost to Canandaigua Academy 49-12.

Photos by Howard Owens.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Hundreds of runners were asked this morning to navigate a 5K course filled with zombies at Darien Lake Theme Park.

The rUNDEAD race was held to benefit Special Olympics and organized and supported by volunteers from throughout WNY, including a collection of zombies near the finish line who a part of the same group in Tonawanda.

Each runner was issued three flags. Those who managed to make it through the course with at least one flag was eligible for a prize. The zombies, rather than seeking the brains of runners, were hungry for flags.

Speed seemed essential when a runner needed to sprint through a gauntlet of zombies.

Say "Cheese" -- Arlowe Price, Fattie King and Sam Pecoraro. Price is the owner of Savage Buffalo Carnival whose family has been performing in carnivals and freak shows for five generations. He said he performs frequently in the Buffalo area, but has never been invited to perform anywhere in Genesee County. Here's his Facebook page.

Mike and Cindy Baskin, from Naples. They skipped today's Grape Festival to be zombies in Darien.

Brenda Fox, a proud member of The Batavian Club, and her daughter Indigo at the start line of the race.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

The first of four planned "Coffee Talk" events sponsored by Vibrant Batavia was held this morning at City Hall. The events are designed to collect feedback on what residents think needs to be done to improve life in Batavia and identify potential neighborhood leaders. Today's event was focused on residents from the Northside.

Above, Vibrant Batavia Director Leanna Di Risio.

William Gregory, of State Street, pictured below, said he came out to the event this morning because he's concerned about his commmunity.

"I think it would be nice to know more of my neighbors and hopefully we can solve some of the issues we have," Gregory said.

The next Coffee Talk is from 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 5, at Williams Park.

For more on the event and the schedule, click here.

The Child Advocacy Center sponsored a 5K run/walk in Downtown Batavia this morning. The event was held in conjunction with a dozen other 5Ks sponsored by CACs in cities around the state.

We've not received race results yet, but we do know that Todd Masters won and all of the top four finishers are all members of the Kiwanis Club's 5K team.

Todd Masters

Batavia PD is investigating reports of shots fired on State Street last night, Chief Shawn Heubush confirmed today.

The reports came in some time after 11 p.m. and officers searched the area, according to radio traffic, for a couple of different vehicles in order to question subjects.

Heubusch did not confirm whether any interviews took place.

There is no report of any injuries at this time nor confirmation that a gun or guns were fired.

A man on Mill Pond Road in Bryon was reportedly shooting from the window of his red pickup truck into a pond. He's now headed eastbound on Route 262 and allegedly continuing shoot from the window of his truck. A Sheriff's deputy is in route to try and intercept him.

UPDATE 10:19: Deputies located the truck and its driver and will be speaking with him.

UPDATE 10:25 a.m.: A deputy says "It's a blank gun."