A two-car motor vehicle accident is reported in the area of 40 Sunrise Parkway, Oakfield, with injuries.

A victim is reportedly lying in the driveway of the Town Highway Department.

The accident may be a hit-and-run.

Witnesses reported seeing a black pickup truck flee the scene and head south on Route 63. The truck may have front-end damage.

May be unrelated, but there have been recent calls for apparent fighting at Sunrise Parkway, including today.

UPDATE 11:33 p.m.: Two patients, both are ambulatory. They just want to go in for evalutation, a chief reports.

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: A trooper on scene says the pickup most likely continued northwest from the village.

UPDATE 11:48 p.m.: Oakfield assignment back in service.

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A car versus bicyclist accident with minor injuries is reported in the Clor's Meat Market parking lot at Lewiston and West Main Street roads. Law enforcement is on scene along with Mercy medics and the Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

A 40-year-old truck driver from Batavia died today in an unusual accident in Rochester, according to State Police.

The victim has been identified as Shawn Wetmore.

According to WHAM-13, Wetmore was driving a box truck southbound on I-590 when a tanker truck on a westbound overpass of the I-490 rolled off the bridge and tumbled on the Wetmore's cab.

Wetmore was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tanker driver, Daniel Baker, 25, of Wyoming, was taken by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

The cause of the accident, which was reported at 1 p.m., has not yet been determined.

Baker was hauling liquid food waste and some 8,000 gallons spilled at the scene.

According to a coworker, Wetmore leaves behind a wife and infant daughter.

The interchange was closed for several hours and portions are expected to remain closed until at least 10 p.m.

The colorful and vibrant artwork of Esther von Kramer is on display this month at the Richmond Memorial Library.

The artist was born in Buffalo in 1893, but spent much of her adult life in Batavia and was an original member of the Batavia Society of Artists.

She died in 1981 at the age of 88 in East Aurora.

Her grandson, Eric von Kramer, helped organize the show, pulling together pieces of her work from family and friends.

Esther von Kramer's work in the show is comprised primarily of still lifes and a few landscapes, with work on canvas as well as household items such as serving trays, chairs and milk buckets.

Von Kramer had to move east to work during the war, but returned when it was over and opened a studio and shop in her home. She was an art instructor for adult education programs in Corfu and Le Roy. She also taught painting at the YMCA.

"Those years were some of the happiest of her life, filled with all the dear people who came as students and customers, and remained as lifelong friends,"  according to a family biography.  "She loved everyone!"

There will be a reception at the library tomorrow (Tuesday) from 7 to 9 p.m.

Students and teachers throughout Genesee County who are involved in environmental studies participated in an Earth Day-related event at the Buffalo Zoo in late June. The students created projects about climate change, natural habitats, invasive species, renewable energy, and recycling.

These were showcased in an Environmental Education Science Fair at the “Party for the Planet” -- sponsored by the Sierra Club/Niagara Group along with Daemen College Center for Sustainable Communities & Civic Engagement.

Alexander Central School submitted posters and projects highlighting its Outdoor Classroom. Alexander School is building the first certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom in WNY -- where nature will be connected to curricula.

This outdoor classroom provides experiences that encourage students to appreciate the environment. Students will be able to participate in such activities as building, balancing, adding, subtracting, sorting and classifying using materials from nature like pinecones, sticks, plants, etc. Various stations will facilitate nature observation and art, poetry, journaling, music, drama and physical activities.

Batavia School District entered three projects from Jackson Elementary School.

Students in Aimee Nelson and Heather Landers’ first-grade classes submitted projects on the Rainforest, which combined science and art. Each student prepared a research report focusing on a particular animal in the rainforest. They also submitted 3D projects depicting the four layers of the rainforest.

Jessica Torrey's class studied the temperate deciduous forests. Detailed artwork and individually written reports highlighted each student's understanding of the interconnectedness of life in the forest.

Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia submitted its Gardeners and Scientist project, which children's librarian Kelly March organized.

The submission is from "The Great Sunflower Project," which is one of the programs offered through the library’s “Dig into Reading” summer reading club. Activities for Great Sunflower Project include the study of pollination and pollinators, growing sunflowers, as well as taking part in the national “Backyard Bee Count” – the world’s largest citizen science project focused on pollinator conservation.

Each participant in the Environmental Education Science Fair in Buffalo will receive special legislative recognition for their work.

For more information on environmental education programs in Genesee County, contact Judy Spring at 343-2362 or 344-1122 or e-mail Judy.Spring@ny.nacdnet.net.

Press release:

Catholic Charities of Buffalo officials recently announced that the 2013 Appeal exceeded its $10.7 million goal, with cash and pledges received to date totaling $10,819,043.65.

Completing his first Appeal since being installed as Bishop of Buffalo last August, Bishop Richard J. Malone addressed donors and supporters of Catholic Charities at the organization’s headquarters regarding the final report of the 2013 campaign.

“As a result of the incredible generosity of the Western New York community, I have the great joy of announcing we have met, and surpassed, our goal again this year,” Bishop Malone said.

These are the totals raised by parishes in Genesee County:

St. Brigid -- $17,755.00
Resurrection -- $73,434.00
Ascension -- $34,112.02
Our Lady of Mercy, Le Roy -- $96,672.00
St. Padre Pio, Oakfield -- $40,595.45
St. Maximillian Kolbe, Corfu -- $23,931.31
Mary Immaculate, East Bethany -- $25,047.00

TOTAL -- $311,546.78

Joined by Catholic Charities’ leaders, staff, and the Appeal leadership team and volunteers, Bishop Malone thanked donors and supporters for their dedication and commitment toward achieving this year’s Appeal goal.

“After months of planning, we launched this year’s campaign on a cold but sunny morning in early January, with hopes of raising $10.7 million,” he said. “Much like a long-distance runner facing the last several miles of a marathon, our Appeal leadership team, our many volunteers throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, and of course our dedicated staff, simply refused to give up until the race was complete, raising more than $2.2 million since March 25.”

Bishop Malone recognized the hard work of everyone involved in the Appeal.

“On behalf of all those served by Catholic Charities and all those who have in any way contributed to this year’s Appeal, I thank you for your support,” said Bishop Malone. “Your continued efforts will allow us to protect, strengthen and empower those in need throughout our eight-county diocese.”

Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, Catholic Charities’ diocesan director, also highlighted the work and dedication of all the individuals involved in this year’s Appeal, specifically the community’s youngest and most faithful supporters.

“The compassion and help demonstrated by students this year show us that the future of the Appeal is in good hands!” she said.

Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives. In all situations, we deliver support to meet immediate needs and then assess for other needs to ensure long-term success. We are the most comprehensive human service provider serving more than 130,000 people in all eight counties of WNY with 70 programs and 61 locations. We receive highest ratings for quality of service from the Council on Accreditation and for financial health/accountability from Charity Navigator. For 89 years, Catholic Charities has been making a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity in WNY.

The patron of Appeal 2013 is Blessed Frederic Ozanam, a layman who co-founded the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

For more information on Appeal 2013 or to make a donation, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to www.ccwny.org. Check out Catholic Charities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccbuffalo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccbuffalo.

Press release:

One of the biggest events on the promotional calendar at Batavia Downs every season is the Wiener Dog Races and 2013 will be no exception as the dachshunds take to the track during this year's Family Fun Day at the races, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25.

Entry into the races begins today, July 8. To enter your dachshund, call event coordinator Arna Tygart at 585-343-3750, ext. 437.

There is an 80-dog limit and an also-eligible list will be started if needed. The first 70 dogs entered will receive a "Doggie Gift Bag" courtesy of the race sponsor -- Petco of Batavia.

The fleet-footed dachshund named Gordon, owned by Lindsay Ryan, of Lancaster, will be looking to three-peat in this year’s event. He dead-heated with another wiener dog legend, Jake Arnold, and then scored a very narrow victory last year.

A total of 10 heats will be contested this year with eight wiener dogs in each race.

The winners of each qualifying heat will receive $25 in free play at Batavia Downs Gaming. The winners of each heat will advance to the finals with the champion getting $100 of free play for the gaming machines.

The second- and third-place finishers will also receive free play. The wiener dog competition, a dash down the homestretch of Batavia Downs, will begin after the last live harness race, at approximately 4:20 p.m.

"This is one of our biggest days of the year and it definitely brings out one our largest crowds of the season," said Batavia Downs' General Manager of Live Racing Todd Haight. “We'll get dogs coming in from all around New York State. In fact, we have heard some are already in training."

Besides the wiener dog races, other highlights of the Family Fun Day will include free pony rides from 2 until 4 p.m. sponsored by Castilone Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep of Batavia.

The day will also see appearances by the ever popular Pringles the Clown and Mr. Scribbles. There will be $1 Salhen’s hot dogs and $1 sodas available from noon until 4.

A 12-race card of afternoon harness racing is scheduled on Family Fun Day with first post slated for 1:15 p.m. Admission and parking is free.

Batavia Downs, the oldest lighted harness track, will kick off its 67th season on Monday, July 22.

A dog is reportedly locked inside a 2012 Chevy Malibu with the windows rolled up in the parking lot of Tops Market in Batavia. A Sheriff's deputy is responding.

A few summers ago, Dan Kennedy, a journalism professor at Northeastern, visited Batavia while researching a book on the future of journalism, focusing on digital efforts to provide communities with news.

In May, his book, "The Wired City," was released by the University of Massachusetts Press.

While the majority of pages in The Wired City are devoted to the New Haven Independent, a nonprofit community Web site in Connecticut, there is a section in the book about for-profit sites, including The Batavian.

For the book, Kennedy interviewed me, of course, and Tom Turnbull  and Mark Graczyk at the Batavia Daily News, Dan Fischer at WBTA, City Manager Jason Molino, Chamber of Commerce President Lynn Freeman, and Patrick Weissand, then HLOM director, among others.

In the book, you can find out a little more about the background of The Batavian, a little insider information and what some people -- Turnbull, say -- were saying about The Batavian when we were barely a year old.

Kennedy remains fascinated by an off-hand remark I made while we were driving past the Stafford Country Club during his visit -- that if I were ever a member, he'd know I was doing well with The Batavian. He mentions it his book and in a column today updating readers on the progress of The Batavian on Nieman Journalism Lab (spoiler alert: I'm not a member, not even a social member, even though I recently found out membership is a heck of a lot less expensive than I thought back during Kennedy's visit to Batavia.)

This Saturday, Kennedy will be at Present Tense Books on Washington Avenue to talk about the book and sign copies.

Fischer will interview Kennedy and me for Friday morning's Main and Center on WBTA, so tune in. I anticipate a lively discussion about local journalism, past, present and future.

Press release:

Starting this Thursday, July 11, and thereafter on the second Thursday of the month for August and September, there will be a "Feet on the Street Sidewalk Sale," sponsored by the Downtown Business Improvement District's Promotional Committee.

It goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature goods and services from the following participating businesses:

• Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles
• Alberty Drugs
• Amy's Fluffy Friends
• Artemis Day Spa
• Blue Pearl Yoga
• Charles Men's Shop
• The Enchanted Florist
• Gamzilla
• GO ART!
• Karen's Yarn, Paper, Scissors
• Marchese Computer Products
• T-Shirts Etc.
• Valle Jewelers

For more information, call 344-0900 or visit   downtownbataviany.com

Le Roy Police are responding to Tops Market for a larceny suspect in custody. She is alleged to have "put roast beef in her purse."

Barry Sheldon, who was drafted by New York Mets in the seventh round after his senior year at Batavia High School in 1967, was inducted into the Section V Hall of Fame on Sunday during a ceremony at Frontier Field in Rochester.

Sheldon was a standout shortstop and pitcher for Batavia during all four seasons at the school.

Rather than sign with the Mets, Sheldon went to Genesee Community College for a year. That year, he was a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in the January draft and by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round of the June draft.

Sheldon transferred to New Mexico Highlands University where he was 15-0 with a 2.30 ERA over two seasons.

In 1972, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played one season of minor league baseball, going 2-1 with a 3.68 in 16 appearances with the rookie league team in Bluefield, W. Va.

Charles Wayne O'Shea, 35, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. O'Shea was arrested twice for alleged drunken driving within a four-hour period. The second arrest came after a traffic stop at 8:36 p.m. Saturday on Route 19, Le Roy, by Deputy Chad Minuto. Minuto said he observed O'Shea driving and knew from being involved with a prior arrest of O'Shea that O'Shea allegedly did not have a valid driver's license, so he initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, Minuto concluded O'Shea was allegedly driving while intoxicated. Four hours earlier, according to Minuto's report, Minuto assisted Deputy James Diehl while Diehl arrested O'Shea for allegedly driving drunk.

Selime Bela, 49, of Crimson Drive, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Bela is accused of shoplifting $67.49 in merchandise from Kmart.

Brandon Marshall Weig, 25, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd (physical contact). The alleged incident was reported at 1:02 a.m., Friday. No further details released. Weig was also arrested on a bench warrant for alleged criminal contempt, 2nd, and disobeying a mandate.

Michael T. Dibble, 21, of Corfu, is charged with DWI. Dibble was arrested by State Police at Erie County Medical Center for allegedly driving drunk in the Town of Pembroke at 4:19 p.m., Wednesday. No further details released.

Jeremy M. Sheehan, 30, of Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sheehan was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident reported at 1:49 a.m. Thursday in the Town of Le Roy. No further details were released.

A passenger riding in the back of a pickup truck on Fox Trail Road in Darien at 1:04 a.m. suffered a head injury and was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC while the 17-year-old driver of the truck was charged with DWI.

The Sheriff's Office did not release the name of the accident victim.

Taken into custody was Norman Peter Locher, of East Center Road, West Seneca. He was also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, no seat belt for the driver, operating out of class and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Darien fire assisted at the scene and transported the patient to UMMC.

The investigation was conducted by Deputy Jason Saile.

A caller reports two apparently abandoned horses at 746 Broadway Road in Darien Center. The caller was going to approach the horses and try to give them some food.

There's a barn and house on the property, and they appear abandoned as well.

"I am familiar with that address," an animal control officer tells dispatch.

A Sheriff's deputy is also responding.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: The horses are gone, therefore the animal control officer is not responding. Their owner was looking for a place to relocate them, according to the animal control officer, and was apparently successful. The horse owners had been renting the property and no longer live there. The landlord allegedly told people that the horses would probably be removed today. The deputy is adding narrative to his report and will be clearing the scene.

A fire alarm sounded at the Clarion Hotel about 20 minutes ago and the Town of Batavia Fire Department responded. There was no conflagration, but firefighters checked the floors of the facility to determine why the alarm went off.

The strong odor of cigarette smoke was coming from one room, but no alarms tripped on that floor. Higher up in the hotel, they found the problem spot -- "Hairspray in the Executive Suite" was the likely culprit said the captain.

This communication was received by a dispatcher and reinterated: Cause for the alarm was "executive hairspray."

A Corfu resident found this dog wandering in Corfu on Route 33. It's been turned over to the Sheriff's Office and is at the animal shelter.

The Sheriff's Office announced the following arrests Saturday during the Vans Warp Tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Charles W. O’Shea, 35, of 6972 W. Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, after allegedly being found operating in an intoxicated condition in the campground area. 

Shalanda L. Darden, 24, of North Hampton Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jed T. Jastrzemski, 18, of Rumbold Avenue, North Tonawanda, was the only person cited for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

I took a break from the Ramble this afternoon to go out to Ted and Patricia Hawley's barley field in Byron to get some pictures of the harvest.

The Hawleys are opening a malt house -- the first in New York in about 100 years -- and this barley will be used to create malt that can be used by microbreweries throughout the state.

All the rain we've had in the past week have made the harvest a challenge. The grain has to reach a search moisture level -- not too moist -- to be harvested. But in waiting for it to dry out there's a chance the grain could pre-germinate on the stock, which would affect the malting process.

This grain will need to be dried a bit before being stored in a bin because it's a just a bit too moist.

Above is barley grain that has been separated by the combine from the straw. The cut straw is left on the field and will be collected later. It can be used for a feed supplement, for mulch or -- according to Hawley -- dropped in ponds to purify the water. Hawley said it is very effective at cleaning pond water and the Hawleys may eventually try selling some of it for such a use.

Kevin Scroger gave me my first ride in the cab of a combine. Scroger has been operating combines since he was 14 years old. Back then, cabs weren't air conditioned. There weren't even cabs and Scroger said the combines were smaller and harvested fewer acres per hour. Not only are today's cabs air conditioned, they can be driven over a pre-defined route by a GPS system.