Genesee County sheriff's deputies reported the arrest of a Batavian man on a felony count of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana today. Randy L. Leach, 22, of 612 Ellicott St., was apprehended by deputies at the intersection of West Main Street and Vernon Avenue in the city. Leach was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped around 2:30am this morning. Deputies allegedly found him in possession of 22 ounces of marijuana.

The driver of the vehicle, Thomas J. Mitchell, 19, of 29 Walnut St., was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and third-degree unlicensed operator. Deputies allege that Mitchell does not have a New York driver's license. He was also ticketed with unawlful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operator, unlawful tint and improper left turn.

"The images range from a wind-whipped tree leaning over a snowy field to a close up of a soft sheep snout." So it's said of the upcoming exhibit from photographer Darrick Coleman at Genesee Community College.

DETAILS: An Intimate Look at Western New York opens August 18 in the Lobby Arts Gallery in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. A reception will be held August 28 from 1:00 to 2:00pm.

Darrick Coleman, 31, now a resident of Le Roy, NY grew up in Albion, NY and his photographs reflect both the continuities and the differences found throughout Western New York. Though some of the shots were taken at well-known local attractions such as Letchworth State Park and Genesee Country Village, they reflect the lesser known aspects of these locations.

For example, there are no shots of the popular waterfalls at Letchworth. Instead, there are photographs showing the intricate details of the ironwork on the train trestle, or the individual beauty of a single tree. Other photographs were taken during walks through the fields and woods around his home, in his grandfather’s aging barn, or in his own backyard.

“I almost always have my camera with me, and I just shoot what I see,” Darrick said. “I like looking closely at things, the way they work, the way they fit together. I guess that tends to come out in my photography too.”

DETAILS runs through September 26.

From Community Action of Orleans and Genesee:

Community Action Angels of Genesee County will be collecting school supplies as well as shoes and sneakers every Thursday in August at K-Mart from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for area needy school-age children. 

The requests for school supplies in past years have been overwhelming.  As gas and food costs continue to rise, children’s need for school supplies and sneakers or shoes can not be a priority for struggling families.  Families in need are more concerned (and rightly so) with enough food and money to pay household expenses as well as obtaining gasoline for their vehicle.  Rod Bellengee of The Salvation Army Incorporated (Empire State Division) generously donated backpacks.

You too can be an Angel and assist us in out efforts!  Community Action Angels will be at K-Mart (on Lewiston Rd) every Thursday in August from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. collecting school supplies, sneakers, shoes and socks for our needy school-age children.  (Gently used sneakers and shoes are graciously accepted).  Our own Head Start School Bus will be on hand to collect the donations.  A receipt for tax purposes is available for all donors.  Everything collected will be distributed to needy families to help their child(ren) start their year off on the right foot.

Can’t make it K-Mart on Thursdays?  You can drop off your donation at our office located at 5073 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.  For more information on Community Action Angels, donations or other programs please call 585-343-7798.

If you're looking to learn more about washing zucchini or cutting lettuce, today's Daily News will not disappoint. In the latest installment of his farm labor series, Tom Rivers takes us through the vegetable fields of an organic farm in Elba — the "area's biggest," we're told.

We learn that zucchini should be picked when it's between six to eight inches and lettuce should be cut from the ground very deep on the stalk to keep the leaves from unfurling. Fans of the series — such as myself — will be pleased to find the usual dose of Rivers' wit and self-deprecating sincerity. Like when he writes:

I admit an odd thrill using the knife, as if I had graduated from the minor leagues of picking berries a few weeks ago to working with the knife-wielding pros.

Or, when he watches Katie "the Cornell grad" haul a heavy tote of veggies and gets a little showed up in his moment of machismo:

I figure I'll grab the next one and I grab a tote. It must weigh 75 pounds, and I adjust my grip about five times, take a few deep breaths and stumble over a sink... I tell Katie to enter an arm wrestling tournament.

Tom Rivers' tales of the farm aren't the only agriculturally-minded articles in today's paper.

Cornell Cooperative Extension wants 70 low-income residents of Genesee County to enroll in its eight-week nutrition education course. Extension Direction Bev Mancuso told Paul Mrozek that

it's important that people with limited incomes or those on food stamps shop wisely and not just buy "the cheapest food possible without even considering whether it's good for you."

Call (585) 343-3040, ext. 134 for more information or to register for the course.

Meanwhile, LeRoy will be holding a public information meeting at 7:30pm tonight at Town Hall, 48 Main St., to discuss protecting and preserving farmland in the town.

In other news:

• Union Street will be closed Wednesday from Richmond Avenue to Union Square from 7:30am to 3:00pm for sewer repairs.

You can pick up your own copy of the Daily News wherever the paper is sold. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

All of the following calls were reported by the City of Batavia Police Department. Listed offenses do not imply that charges were filed. Calls may result in no official action.

• 9:02am, 587 E. Main St., criminal mischief
• 11:08am, West Main Street, accident
• 11:47am, Main Street, accident
• 1:26pm, 301 W. Main St., larceny
• 1:40pm, 59 Main St., accident
• 3:03pm, West Main Street, accident
• 3:09pm, State Street, accident
• 4:03pm, 29 Cedar St., accident
• 4:29pm, 229 W. Main St., accident
• 5:12pm, 3 Maple St., harassment
• 5:36pm, 125 Pearl St., identity theft
• 6:52pm, 565 E. Main St., harassment

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

Genesee County's Summer Youth Theater Program will present Jesus Christ, Superstar at Batavia High School August 14, 15 and 16. A cast of 70 actors from all over western New York have come together for this production originally produced by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice.

The story is based on the days following up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is told from the perspective of the Apostles and followers of Christ including Judas Iscariot. There is rarely any spoken word in this musical. The entire story is told in song.

Director Patrick Burk:

“This musical rock opera is full of phenomenal singing and choreography. We have been very fortunate over the past 12 years to be able to mount productions that include top quality music and dance.”

Jesus Christ, Superstar tickets are available during rehearsals at Batavia High School, at Roxy’s Music Store on 228 West Main Street in Batavia or at GO ART! at 201 East Main Street, Batavia. There is both reserved seating and general admission. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Students and Senior Citizens. For further information please call 585-343-9721.

Check back with The Batavian later this week for an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the cast in rehearsal.

Check out WBTA for this and other stories:

• A water main break on Walnut Street in Batavia this morning has kept residents there without water since around 3:00am. Repairs are underway.

 Batavia (27-18) could only score one run to Williamsport's (24-21) ten for their second straight loss.  George Brown (0-2) started on the mound and got the loss.  He threw five innings with three hits, two runs, and four strikeouts.  Tyler Cloyd (3-1) earned the win in his seven innings with seven hits, one run, one walk and six strikeouts.

The Muckdogs scored first in the 2nd when Charley Cutler singled and Edwin Gomez doubled to send in their only run on the night.  The Crosssutters answered in the 4th when Cody Overbeck reached on a force out and Steve Susdorf followed him with a single.  Troy Hanzawa then singled to plate both runners.

They added three insurance runs in the 6th on a Susdorf single, Jim Murphy double, Hanzawa walk and single by Brandon Haislet.  The Crosscutter's other big inning came in the 7th when they added three more on a Susdorf homerun, Murphy walk, Hanzawa double then a Bryan Frew RBI single.

The best bat on the Muckdogs side came by Gomez.  He went 2-for-3 with a triple and one RBI.  Batavia is off tomorrow before facing Auburn at home for a doubleheader on Wednesday.  The first game starts at 5:05.

Going into tonight's game versus Williamsport, here is where we stand:

• we are two games behind Jamestown and still hold the second best record in the NYPL at 27-17
• Jermaine Curtis is 10th in the league in batting average (.308)
• Arquimedes Neito is 2nd in the league in pitching (4-0, 1.73 ERA)
• Adam Reifer leads the league in saves and games (12; 19)
• Jose Garcia is tied for 3rd in the league in stolen bases (15)
• Jon Edwards is 2nd in on-base percentage and 4th in slugging percentage (.425; .561)
• Shane Peterson is 4th in on-base percentage (.409)
• Colt Sedbrook is tied for second in triples (5)
• overall, the team is 2nd in batting (.266) and 6th in pitching (3.36 ERA)

Congratulations are in order — again — for everybody's favorite Irish dancers: the young ladies and gentlemen of the McMahon School of Irish Dance.

On July 12, dancers from the McMahon School of Irish Dance competed at this year’s Rochester Feis (pronounced fesh), along with 1200 others from schools in the United States and Canada.  Long hours of practice paid off for the McMahon dancers, who brought home 60 medals, including 17 first place awards.

Binghamton will host the Southern Tier Feis in a couple weeks on August 16. In the meantime, The Batavian hopes to get over to the McMahon dance studio here in Batavia to capture some of the action on video, so be sure to check back with us for that.

Visit the McMahon School's Web site for more information about enrolling in classes or learning more about the art and sport of Irish dance.

All of the following calls were reported by the City of Batavia Police Department. Listed offenses do not imply that charges were filed. Calls may result in no official action.

Friday:

• 12:36am, 345 W. Main St., trespass
• 1:08am, 104 Jackson St., harassment
• 2:27am, 5 Thomas Ave. (Apt: 2), harassment
• 12:05pm, 10 W. Main St., larceny
• 1:40pm, 21 Columbia Ave., menacing
• 2:33pm, Main Street, accident
• 3:38pm, 8 Walnut St., criminal contempt
• 3:52pm, 428 Ellicott St., larceny
• 4:07pm, 427 E. Main St., harassment
• 5:56pm, 7 Prune St., harassment
• 6:21pm, 563 E. Main St., fraud
• 7:25pm, 412 E. Main St., larceny

Saturday:

• 1:23am, (no address listed), assault
• 2:03am, Pearl Street, burglary
• 2:50am, 23 Harvester Ave., harassment
• 3:05am, 419 W. Main St., criminal mischief
• 9:44am, 155 Jackson St., larceny
• 10:22am, 542 E. Main St., accident
• 1:53pm, 220 E. Main St., accident
• 6:52pm, 73 Union St., trespass
• 11:30pm, 345 W. Main St., larceny

Sunday:

• 12:24am, Hutchins Place, menacing
• 3:31pm, 522 E. Main St., harassment
• 8:40pm, 119 State St., menacing

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

There was no lack of entertainment in Genesee County this past weekend. And it seems that Daily News reporter Roger Muehlig got a little taste of it all. Muehlig was in Attica Sunday for the 51st annual Attica Rodeo that drew more than 7,000 spectators over the weekend. Says Waterport resident Carl Miller of the rodeo: "We like it."

Muehlig was also at the Elba Onion Festival Saturday for the crowning of the Onion Queen. Seventeen-year-old Nicole Heffle received the honor. "It's always (been) like my dream to be Onion Queen," she said.

As if those two grand events weren't enough for one tireless reporter, Muehlig got over to the Toys for Kids chicken barbecue fundraiser Saturday outside T-Shirts Inc.'s new location at 438 East Main St. All proceeds from the barbecue will benefit Don Carroll's Toys for Kids campaign for Christmas.

I hope Muehlig is home taking a day off today.

The one place Muehlig wasn't to be found this weekend was at the town of Murray's bicentennial celebration. No matter, Tom Rivers was on hand to cover the festivities that culminated in a bocce tournament Sunday.

For more on these and other stories, pick up a copy of the Daily News. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Charles J. Wride, 21, of Bergen, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment Friday relating to an incident on July 19 in the village, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Wride is accused of backing out of a driveway while someone was standing in the way of the car door.

David M. Hinkson, 53, of 5163 Sunset Terrace, Batavia, was charged with driving while intoxicated Saturday afternoon, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Hinkson was stopped on Route 33 near the intersection with Route 5. He was also ticketed with failure to stop for stop sign and depositing refuse upon the highway.

Joseph Beszczynski IV, 22, of Darien, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana early this morning, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Beszczynski was stopped on South Main Street in Batavia for driving without front or rear license plates. His vehicle was subsequently searched, and police allegedly found marijuana and a smoking pipe.

All of the above arrests were reported in published releases from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

LeRoy police have arrested two men in relation to the string of burglaries there early last week, according to WBTA's Wayne Fuller. Chad Bagg, 29, of LeRoy, was charged with five counts of burglary, three counts of petit larceny and two counts of attempted larceny. Bagg is accused of burglarizing four businesses in LeRoy — including the Eagle Hotel, which he allegedly robbed twice. Bragg has been sent to jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Jonathan Blasdell, 18, of LeRoy, was charged with one count of burglary. Blasdell allegedly broke into the Mill Street Liquor Store. He was sent to jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Batavia's Charter Review Commission will meet tonight at 6:30pm at City Hall. That meeting is open to the public.

The Muckdogs (27-17) looked like they were going to add a game to their win streak, but a Williamsport (23-21) three-run 9^th inning was enough for the Crosscutters to win 6-5.  Scott Gorgen (2-1) suffered the loss for Batavia, pitching three innings with three hits, three runs, two walks and three strikeouts.  The winning pitcher was Brain Rosenberg (2-1), who threw two innings with one hit, one run, two walks and three strikeouts.

 Williamsport struck first in the 3^rd inning, scoring two runs when Bryan Frew reached on a fielder’s choice and Brandon Haislet singled to put two on.  D’Arby Myers then singled to send both home.  They added one more in the 5^th on a Frew single and Travis D’Arnaud double.

 Batavia got on the board in the 5^th after Colt Sedbrook singled and eventually scored when Domnit Bolivar grounded out.  They went on to take the lead in the 6^th.  Frederick Parejo walked and Edwin Gomez singled before advanced a base on a Beau Riportella sacrifice bunt.  An error later in the inning got Jose Garcia on base and scored Parejo and Gomez.  Sedbrook then singled to score Garcia.

 The Muckdogs added one more in the 8^th when Parejo walked, stole second and scored on a Riportella single.  However, the Crosscutters came on in the 9^th to score three runs that the Muckdogs could not answer.  Troy Hanzawa singled and Tim Binkoski, Frew and Haislet walked to start the rally.  Myers and D’Arnaud both reached on a fielder’s choice to score the last two.

 Riportella was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and stolen base.  Sedbrook had the only other multi-hit night for the Muckdogs, going 2-for-4.  The two teams face each other again Monday night. 

My wife and I are going to see one of the hottest teams in professional baseball at 4 p.m. -- the Batavia Muckdogs.

If you attend and want to say hello, I imagine I'll be the only fellow there wearing an old-school San Diego Padres ball cap (brown, with mission gold "SD").

Thanks again to Steve Ognibene for getting us some great photos of a local event. This time, Steve was at the opening night parade for the Elba Onion Festival. Seen in the first picture (below) is Steven Bezon with his two children, Leah and Ashton.

Centre Daily Times, which covers the State College Spikes, has an article this morning about "brutally competitive" Pinckney Division of the NY-Penn league.

The six-team Pinckney Division, the largest in size and smallest in markets of the New York-Penn League’s three divisions, has turned brutally competitive.

Consistent Jamestown entered Saturday holding a tenuous lead.

Talented Batavia, which includes four players selected in the first five rounds of this year’s draft and five teenagers, trailed the Jammers by a game.

Two games behind Batavia rested Auburn which has won the division every year since 2002.

Two games behind Auburn stood Williamsport.

The Jammers (27-15), Muckdogs (26-16) and Doubledays (24-18) entered this weekend with the league’s best records.

It should be a great race to the wire.  Jamestown, Batavia and Auburn all won yesterday.

Today's game is at 4:05 p.m. against Williamsport. Tickets are only $5 per person for general admiission. 

UPDATE: Here's an article from the Auburn perspective.

Via Rochester Turning, we learn that the Powers campaign posted a video two days ago (it appears to be a professionally produced commercial, so might it show up on TV and not just YouTube?) accusing Jack Davis of bribery.