Members of the Kiwanis Club have been working hard for months to bring together the annual Bidding on a Brighter Future Gala and Auction, which is next Saturday, Sept. 13, at The Forum at Genesee Community College.

The fun starts at 5:30 p.m., which includes live and silent and basket auctions, appetizer, entree and dessert stations.  

The emcee for the evening is Hiram Kasten.

Tickets are $50 per person or $400 for a table of 10.

Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club's effort to purchase a new home for the Justice for Children Advocacy Center.

To purchase tickets or make donations, visit GLOWGala.org.

A sales rep with the Castilone car dealership came across this lost dachshund while on a test drive with a customer. The pup was corralled, brought back to the dealership and then turned over to BPD to be taken to the shelter. So if you're in the City of Batavia and missing a dachshund, that might be the place to find it.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Ellicott Street Road and Telephone Road. Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding.

A van rolled over into the median of the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 399.7. Unknown injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: A person on scene reports two people are trapped inside the vehicle.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: One person is unconscious. Mercy Flight is put on ground standby.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is going to the scene. East Pembroke fire is called in to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 4:39 p.m.: One helicopter has landed. Mercy Flight 9 out of Buffalo is also responding to the scene. One of the two victims is a 30-year-old male with "multiple trauma."

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: The NYS Thruway Authority has denied The Batavian's request for access to the scene. Anyone with pictures of the scene is requested to e-mail the jpeg images to howard@thebatavian.com

UPDATE 5:43 p.m.: According to Alecia Kaus of the Video News Service, State Police have confirmed that one person died at the scene and another was transported with serious injuries via Mercy Flight to ECMC.

UPDATE: State Police photo. The driver is identified as Jacqueline J. Hayes of Plover, Wis., who was declared dead at the scene. Passenger Richard R. Hayes was flown to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight. He is listed in critical condition.

Press release:

Genesee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Fall Garden Gala on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, house plants and locally grown Mums. Now is a good time to plant many perennials as the plant will have the fall months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a Chance Basket Auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from Master Gardeners.

Stop by for “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11a.m. Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by Master Gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. The Chance Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our new CCE Web site http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

A vehicle is on its side following a rollover accident at 107 North St., Le Roy. It's said to be in front of the cemetery.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Patient extricated.

Press release:

The Genesee County Animal Shelter in Batavia is currently full of some of the best cats in the county. Kitten season should be winding down but according to the number of available cats and kittens at the Shelter it is still in full swing.

All cages are full and there are many phone calls each day requesting space for more cats to come into the Shelter.

As a result, we are offering all felines at half price - $20. All of the cats and kittens have been tested for FIV/FeLV, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, dewormed, treated for fleas and most have been spayed/neutered. Those not yet spayed/neutered require a $35 deposit refundable upon proof of surgery.

We have adults and kittens in all colors, shapes, sizes and personalities. This back to school special will not last forever. It will only be available through Sunday, Sept. 14. Shelter hours are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 1-3 p.m.; Wednesday 7-9 p.m.; and Saturday 11-1 p.m.

All available felines have been photographed and are posted on the Volunteers For Animals Web site at:  http://www.vol4animals.org/

Please support your local animal shelter and come out and adopt a new friend today.

The 2014 Oakfield-Alabama Central School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the high school gymnasium.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6 with induction ceremony to follow.

Tickets: $15 each. Pre-purchase only by Sept. 12th.

Buy them at OACS High School (Sandy Maxwell 585-948-5211), at Warner's Flower Shop, Main Street in Oakfield, or by sending a ticket request along with a check to Liz Conway at 7140 Rogers Road, Pavilion, NY 14525.

The tickets requested through Liz Conway will be available "will-call" the night of the event. Checks should be made payable to Dollars for Scholars, with Hall of Fame written on the memo line.  

Inductees: Marc Johnson, June Ames Chamberlain, Alan Dennis, Dr. Stephen Pelton. Here's a link to the Hall of Fame Web site that contains their bios and photos.

http://www.oacsalumni.org/HallOfFame/2014

The OACS HoF exists to honor outstanding alumni for their achievements as adults. Equally important, it provides examples for current and future students, showing them the types of achievements that are possible if they apply the excellent educational foundation they acquire at OACS. It is the school's highest honor for its graduates.

Press release:

The 2^nd Annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Batavia High School Gym Saturday, Sept. 27^th with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament. John also teaches classes at Main Street Fitness in Le Roy.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each.

To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “September 2014 TMAA Tournament - Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information; minimum age -- 15 years old.

Tournament sponsors are:

• Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy
• Scofield Rolloff Service/ Stafford
• Ron and Sue Odessa/ Batavia
• Chapin Manufacturing/ Batavia
• LB Grand/ Le Roy
• Sport of Kings Restaurant/ Batavia
• Got To Go Electric/ Le Roy
• Don Cameron/ Le Roy
• Shepard Maxwell & Hale/ Batavia
• Radley’s Auto/ Corfu
• Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy
• Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia
• Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia

Kristine S. Baker, 27, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. Baker's cane corso (a mastiff-type breed) reportedly weighing more than 100 pounds, allegedly jumped the fence of her yard and attacked and injured another dog that was being walked along Clinton Street. Police report that this is the second time in a week Baker's dog allegedly attacked and injured another dog.

Gregory Seppe, 56, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with appearance in public under influence of narcotics or drugs other than alcohol and possession of a controlled substance not in original container. Seppe was reportedly observed repeatedly falling down on a Main Street sidewalk. He was allegedly incoherent and unable to stay awake for more than a few seconds at a time. He was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to Mercy EMS for treatment.

Keanon Sean Williams, 37, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and strangulation, 2nd. Williams allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck and applied pressure while in the presence of her children during a domestic dispute. Williams was jailed without bail.

Dale Eugene Stiles Jr., 45, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stiles allegedly removed funds from a banking account following a court order "not to have any further involvement."

A car and tractor-trailer have collided on Route 98 near Prospect Road.

A medic is requested to the scene for evaluation of one person.

Alexander fire dispatched.

Ithaca Journal: Tompkins County bans e-cigarettes

A two car accident is reported at Alleghany and Main, Village of Corfu.

Law enforcement on sign, reports minor injuries. A patient is complaining of neck pain.

Corfu fire dispatched.

Pembroke Head Coach Dick Dimincuco has been working hard all pre-season to get the Dragons ready to take the field in 2014 and what he sees two days before opening kickoff against Elba is a team that's still a work in progress.

But the emphasis is on the word "work."

"We have nice group of kids who work hard and come every day and try to get it done," Dimincuco said. "Obviously, that's a strength. We need to get a little better at what we do on the field, and they're going to do that because they work hard and listen."

The Dragons are coming off a 2-6 season and the program hasn't had a winning record since 2010 (5-3).

The team will rally around QB Mitch Lewter, a senior in the role of offensive field manager for the first time. He won't be without weapons. Senior Dakota Swimline returns to wide out and running back and senior Cal Neurohr will share backfield time as well as play linebacker.

The offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by 6-foot, 225-pound junior Jack Thomas.

"He's a big tackle and good football player," Dimincuco said. 

Press release:

Mark C. Schoell, CEO of United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, today announced that he plans to step down from his role as the organization’s highest administrator on Dec. 31. This is the expected completion date for the affiliation process between United Memorial and Rochester Regional Health System (RRHS). He has been with United Memorial for 10 years; serving as the president and CEO for the majority of his tenure.

Betty Lapp, chair of the United Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors said “Mark’s expertise in finance and extensive knowledge of the healthcare environment has led United Memorial to a position of strength.

“His strategic vision has allowed us to continue to provide quality, locally delivered healthcare for the residents of Genesee County. On behalf of the Board, I can say that we deeply appreciate and respect all that he has accomplished.”

Last December, Daniel P. Ireland assumed the role of president of United Memorial as part of a long-term succession planning initiative. He will continue as president and become the highest ranking administrator at United Memorial. The responsibilities of the CEO will be maintained by the Rochester Regional Health System following the merger with RRHS. Beginning in January, Schoell will continue to contribute to the long-term viability of United Memorial by assisting with system integration and strategic planning at the discretion of the Hospital president.

“Mark Schoell is a transformative leader and as a result of his vision and guidance, United Memorial will join the Rochester Regional Healthcare System from a position of strength, becoming what we see as the Western hub of our system.” said Mark Clement, CEO of RRHS. “I look forward to collaborating with him on system integration. And knowing the strong and capable team Mark has built, I am confident that the transition will be smooth and effective as we work together to expand access and build a continuum of the highest quality care throughout this entire region.”

Schoell is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA) and a graduate of Canisius College (Buffalo) with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting and earned his master of science degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University (Olean). He has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare administration and finance. He has been the chair of the Western New York Healthcare Association and Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors for Lake Plains Community Care Network, Healthcare Professionals Insurance Company, and Mercy Flight of Western New York. He is a member of Batavia Rotary and resides with his wife, Peg, in Orchard Park.

United Memorial’s accomplishments under Schoell’s leadership are innumerable. They began with the creation of a stable financial position where revenues have grown by more than 70 percent -- from $46 million in 2004 to approximately $80 million in 2013; and funds available for reinvestment into the organization after expenses have remained positive, allowing the investment of more than $75 million into local capital improvements.

Developing a master facilities plan in 2005, United Memorial made many advances in improving the physical plant. At the hospital, patient rooms were updated, both wings of the fourth floor Maternity Unit and the Pharmacy Department were completely renovated. Heating, electrical and air-handling systems were upgraded and to improve patient access; employee parking was moved off campus. From 2007-2009, the underutilized former St. Jerome Hospital campus was transformed into a vibrant outpatient healthcare center that includes affordable senior housing, occupational medicine, and urgent care services. One of the largest and most impactful projects included the 44,000-square-foot, $20 million surgical expansion project completed at the hospital in 2010. Unusual for a small community hospital, United Memorial has some of the most modern and up-to-date surgical suites in Western New York.

United Memorial’s strategic planning process guided the creation of several new services and recruitment of primary care providers and physician specialists to our region. New services include the Hospitalist program, Urgent Care, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, The Sleep and Wellness Center, Pain Management, Joint Replacement Center of Excellence, Community Pharmacy, Stroke Center and the Cancer and Infusion Center.  Women’s Care was extended into Orleans County and many new physician specialists have joined the Medical Staff; which has nearly doubled in the past ten years. In 2013, United Memorial became a teaching facility offering a Residency Program in Family Medicine and serves as a rural clinical rotation site for students completing their medical degrees.

As he was building, renovating and recruiting, Schoell kept a strong focus on improving quality of care through diligent quality measurement and patient outcomes by implementing best practices. United Memorial has been recognized for surgical care improvement measures, laboratory testing, communication with primary care physicians, our work with the Safe Haven program, and infant immunization, testing and breastfeeding. To maintain this momentum of quality improvement, Schoell fostered collaborative initiatives in stroke care, pathology, cardiology, urology, and oncology with larger recognized institutions. And, as national healthcare reform became a reality, he and the Board of Directors had the vision to investigate partnership opportunities with healthcare systems in order to protect local services.

United Memorial Medical Center has experienced a metamorphosis under the leadership of Mark Schoell, and “Quality care right at home,” has become our organization’s promise to the community.

A transformer exploded off the Darien Lake Theme Park employee road and Sumner Road. All the wires connected to it are down. Some of them are strewn across a semi-truck in the parking lot. The driver is not injured, nor are others. The trucker cannot exit the cab. National Grid says it will send in a repair crew right away. Darien fire is responding.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: National Grid estimates its crew will be there in "one zero." (10 minutes)

UPDATE 1:36 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

A motor vehicle accident is reported on the Thruway by the Batavia exit, mile marker 390.1. The car is on its roof. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: The mile marker is now said to be eastbound 385.5.

UPDATE 12:59: The driver is out; minor injuries. Mercy medics on scene and a Sheriff's deputy.

Press release:

Tickets go on sale this Friday for the the Annual Taste of Fall Wine Walk. It will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, with more than 15 stores and businesses participating.

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District presents this very popular event, which sold out last year within the first two weeks.

"Bring Your Feet Downtown For The Taste Of The Grape!"

Wine Walk tickets are $20/person and include tastings, a commemorative wine glass, and discounted items at some stores and snacks.

Registration (4 to 6 p.m.) is at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St..

Be safe. Bring along a designated driver: Cost $5/person, includes everything except wine.

New this year are V.I.P. Wine Walk tickets. Cost: $30/person and includes all of the regular ticket benefits plus early admittance at 3 p.m. and a special wine accessory gift.

Tickets go on sale Sept. 5th at these Downtown locations: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, 8 Center St.; T-Shirts Etc., 111 Main St.; Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St.; and The YNGodess Shop, 73 Main St.

Only a limited number of tickets are available. Must be 21 years old to participate.

http://www.DowntownBataviaNY.com (585-344-0900

Three men from Syracuse have been charged with third-degree burglary in Genesee County for allegedly breaking into a pair of local businesses.

The trio are also suspected of burglaries and thefts in Erie and Livingston counties.

They were picked up following a traffic stop in Wayne County last week and deputies spotted what they thought might be stolen material in the vehicle.

Upon questioning by investigators in Wayne County, the men admitted, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster, to heists in Genesee County.

Investigator Kris Kautz took a trip to Wayne County and questioned the men and gathered the evidence, working with Deputy Brad Mazur, to file local charges.

Charged are brothers William H. Kelly III, 44, and Robert P. Kelly, 43, and Michael J. Correia, 58.

Additional charges may be pending.

The three men are accused of breaking into a Kutter's Cheese building, and stealing items from a residential construction site on East Main Street, Batavia, some time during the early morning of Aug. 27.

They were allegedly found with more than $3,000 in material, including brass plumbing components and copper wire.

They are being held without bail.

Photos provided by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

We're pleased this morning to announce the launch of the Wyoming County Free Press, a new sister publication of The Batavian covering Wyoming County.

Just as The Batavian is all about Genesee County, the Wyoming County Free Press will be all about Wyoming County. The news will be Wyoming County news and the businesses who sponsor it will be locally or regionally owned with locations in Wyoming County.

The news will be free, just like it is on The Batavian, and we won't disrupt your news reading experience with pop-up ads, animated ads or require you to answer survey questions. (We'll also respect your privacy by not gathering personal data to distribute to multinational media conglomerates for so-called "targeted advertising.")

We will endeavor to provide wide-ranging coverage of Wyoming County so that people in Wyoming County both have a good idea of what's going on in their community, as well encourage greater community involvement and interest.

We're optimistic about this new venture. The feedback from the people in Wyoming County that we've spoken with so far has been fantastic (look at all of the local businesses that have already agreed to help support our effort).

The feedback has confirmed there is a need in Wyoming County for a news site that covers all of Wyoming County and just Wyoming County. There's no other news service meeting that need.

We're optimistic because we believe six years into The Batavian that our model of news and local business marketing is popular with readers and local business owners. The Batavian has become the most popular news source in the GLOW region and is supported now by more than 150 local businesses.

We're also heartened and encouraged to venture out by the success of Orleans Hub. Tom Rivers has done a terrific job of bringing community news to Orleans County and he and his publishing partner have been rewarded with strong support from the local business community. That helps prove there is a real hunger in all communities for online news that is timely and comprehensive.

Thank you to all the readers and sponsors in Genesee County who have supported us, making it possible to continue to grow as a business. If the Wyoming County Free Press works as well as we anticipate, it will help us do more to serve both communities better.

Please tell your friends about the Wyoming County Free Press and ask them to support our sponsors.

Meet our Wyoming County Editor - Julia Ferrini

Julia is a mother and resident of Eagle in Wyoming County. A native of Western New York, Julia has lived in the area for 16 years since returning from Delaware.

She has worked in a few other fields over the years, but says, "While I dabbled in other career choices, I kept coming back to the one that I just can’t escape, telling the stories of a community through photographs and writing."

Julia can be reached at julia@wyomingcountyfreepress.com.

Thanks to Lucie Ann Griffis for all of her hard work over the past six weeks lining up our initial sponsors for the Wyoming County Free Press. Lucie will continue to traverse Wyoming County, meeting with small business owners, as we work to build the necessary support for the Free Press to be an ongoing success. Lucie can be reached at lucie@thebatavian.com.

Of course, none of this would be possible with the always hardworking and dedicated Lisa Ace, our sales and marketing coordinator. Lisa can be reached at lisa@thebatavian.com.

Our office number is (585) 250-4118.

Visit: the Wyoming County Free Press.

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