WNY Gas & Steam Engine Association Schedule of Events:
Daily Demonstrations: Threshing, Working Blacksmith Shop, Saw Mill & Model Demonstrations, Pumpkin Cannon.

Thursday, September 8th - Gates Open at 9am
9:00am - Opening of Huge 170 Vendor Flea Market
3:00 - 6:30pm - Pasta Dinner
4:00pm - Consignment Auction - Auctioneer: Bontrager Real Estate
7:00pm - Truck Pull - Street Legal Stock 4x4

Friday - September 9th - Gates Open at 9am
9:00am - Flea Market
12:00pm - Old Time Tractor Stone Boat Pull
3:30pm - 6:30pm - Live Music - “Shopkeepers” Concert
4:00pm - 7:00pm - Live WCJW Broadcast
5:00pm - Steamed Sweet Corn
7:00pm Start - Tractor Pull, Steamer Pulls, Exhibition Team Pulls, Semi Trucks, Superstock, Modified and Superfarm
Tug-A-War - Steam Engine vs. Kids - during evening Tractor Pull Performance
7:30pm-10:30pm - Live Music - “Kelly’s Oldtimers” - Round & Square Dancing

Saturday - September 10th - Gates Open 9am
9:00am - Flea Market
10:00am - Tractor Pull - Antique -Semi-Antique - 1959 & older, EGTPA & Stock - Off the lawn garden tractor & team pulls - continuing through day & evening.
10am - Dick Davis Memorial Dedication
12pm - 50th Rally Parade - Followed by Carla Wright Memorial Dedication
2:00pm - Live Music - “Alexander Firemens Band” Concert
3:30pm - 6:30pm - Live Music - “Shopkeepers” Concert
4:00pm - Benefit Concert for Veterans - Multiple bands - Sponsored by Sacred Heart Productions, LLC
5:00pm - Steamed Sweet Corn
Tug-A-War - Steam Engine vs. Kids - during evening Tractor Pull Performance
7:30-10:30pm - Live Music - “Don Newcomb & Rawhide” - Round & Square Dancing

Sunday September 11th - Gates Open at 9am
9:00am - Flea Market
9:00am - Church Service
10:00am - Car Show
12:00pm - Tractor Pull - Farm Stock & Team Pulls
1:00pm - 3:00pm - Live Music "Niagara Frontier Fiddlers” Concert

For more information on the event, click here to visit us online.

A dated Sept. 2 letter was received today by many of Batavia's KeyBank customers informing them that the branch located at 219 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia is closing at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2.

The nearest branch for those customers will be located at 69 Main St. in Batavia. That location is currently a First Niagara branch that is scheduled to become a KeyBank branch on Oct. 11. Services for customers affected by the closure of 219 E. Main St. will be available at the 69 Main St. branch on Monday, Dec. 5.

The letter -- written by Kevin J. Sloan, executive vice president, Branch Network, KeyCorp -- says:

"As we bring First Niagara and KeyBank together, subject to regulatory approval, we've evaluated the branch networks of both banks to see how we can serve you most efficiently. As a result of the evaluation, your KeyBank branch (219 E. Main St., Batavia) is closing."

Those with questions are asked to stop by the Batavia branch of KeyBank before Dec. 2 or to call KeyBank customer service at 1-800-KEY2YOU (1-800-539-8336).

Press release:

"Great reads at great prices!"

The Corfu Free Library's popular Book Sale will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, starting at 10 a.m. at the Brick House Corners Fair on the corner of routes 5 and 77 in the Town of Pembroke. 

The Book Sale is perfect for avid readers who want to stock up on books covering a wide variety of topics and authors at amazing prices. This fall’s large selection of used books features titles for all ages of readers and a sizeable selection of DVDs of movie titles and some on informational/educational topics as well. 

The used books and DVDs being sold are items that were donated by residents for someone else to read and enjoy, along with a small number of outdated or discarded materials from the library’s shelves.

In addition to the Used Book Sale, the Brick House Corners Fair, which is sponsored by the Pembroke Historical Association, also features children’s games, a bake sale, pie judging contest, entertainment, historical exhibits and much more. 

The Used Book Sale at the Fair is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is held annually and is a great opportunity for readers to get some popular titles and authors at discounted prices. While residents are there, they can pick up a copy of the Library’s brochure so that they can learn more about the materials, electronic services and programs the library has to offer.

For more information about the Annual Book Sale, or any of the programs at the Corfu Free Library, please call 585-599-3321. 

The Corfu Free Library provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.CorfuFreeLibrary.org.

A deputy has been dispatched to the Mount Rest Cemetery in Bergen, Route 262 and Route 19, to investigate a complaint of damage to headstones.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department has been investigating the discovery of a deceased male in the sand wash at DeWitt park. The City of Batavia Police Department is issuing a clarification in the timeline of the originally reported events.

The timeline is as follows:

• 08:54HRS: Fisherman discovers deceased male, contacts Genesee County Dispatch Center 09:03HRS: Officers arrive on scene
• 10:30HRS: Genesee County Coroner Douglas pronounces time of death
• 11:13HRS: City of Batavia Fire Department and Batavia Police Department Detectives perform water recovery

Cause of death is still under investigation. The Batavia Police Department will not be releasing the identification of the deceased male until the next of kin has been notified. The Batavia Police Department will update the media with any new information as it becomes available. 

The city's animal control officer has been dispatched to an address on Union Street where a caller reports that a dog is tied up outside every day and barks all day.

"The caller has had enough," the dispatcher told the officer.

A second caller, who heard the dispatch, says he believes the dog is on Woodrow.

City Council is expected to vote tonight on a local law to amend the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) plan, a proposed action supported by a six-page report from City Manager Jason Molino and coming on the heels of last week's resignation of BID Executive Director Laurie Oltramari.

The Business session of tonight's City Council meeting at the Council Board Room at City Hall gets under way at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a Conference session.

The city and the BID have been at odds since May when Molino reported that the BID's 2016-17 assessment budget exceeded the General Municipal Law limits for district assessment charges used for operations. Molino also recommended requiring the BID to adhere to Open Meetings and Freedom of Information laws, and to post its bylaws and meeting notices and minutes on its website.

According to Molino's report, the BID -- which includes business property owners located in the downtown section as well as on Ellicott Street -- assessed a levy of $120,000 for 2016-17, an amount that exceeds the authorized amount allowed for operations and debt service payments under the General Municipal Law. As a result, the BID assessment that was levied May 1, 2016 was an additional $49,571 in confilict with the GML and the district plan with no authorized use of additional funds.

The city has made several budget amendments to correct the situation, including holding the additional levy of $49,571 in a trust account until the BID plan could be updated and approved by City Council to include a capital infrastructure project. Molino's report also calls for the BID's Management Association to forward its proposed budget to the City Manager no later than Jan. 15 of each year, subject to review by City Council.

Emails and calls to Oltramari for comment regarding her resignation have yet to be returned. BID President Victor Gautieri confirmed the resignation and said the board would meet in the coming week to decide what to do next. 

Also on tonight's Business agenda:

-- Resolutions to submit applications for a Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate homes owned by those with low- to low-moderate incomes who occupy the home and a Restore NY grant program that provides up to $50 million for redevelopment projects in urban areas;

-- A resolution to authorize a 2.75-percent hike in Molino's salary, which would increase his annual pay to $93,782.

An accident with injuries is reported at Lockport Road and Albion Road, Oakfield.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:10 a.m.: Oakfield Fire Police on location. Both lanes blocked.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Minor injuries.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Units back in service.

We came across this time-lapse video on YouTube of the construction of the new wing at Liberty Pumps.

A 16-year-old male, no address provided, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. on Sept. 3 following a reported burglary in progress on Ellicott Street in Batavia. The subject was located at the incident location and was subsequently involved in a foot chase with patrols. He was apprehended on Liberty Street, then transported to Batavia Police headquarters for processing. He is charged with third degree attempted burglary, third degree criminal mischief, and possession of burglar tools. He is scheduled to be in City Court today. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Lisa Marie Cordier, 32, of Castle Drive, Olean, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 5 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort, Cordier waas arrested for allegedly slapping and striking two people. The case was a handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

A 17-year-old who lives on Castle Drive in Olean, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 5 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort, the defendant was arrested for allegedly punching and pulling the hair of another person. The case was a handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

Steven Richard Holt, 40, of Castle Drive, Olean, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 5 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort, the defendant was arrested for allegedly slapping and pushing another person. The case was a handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

Carly Marie Fazio, 28, of Trowbridge Street, Buffalo, is charged with resisting arrest and obstructing government administration. At 11 a.m. on Sept. 4, Fazio was arrested for allegedly obstructing government administration during a domestic incident at Darien Lake Theme Park and resisting arrest. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Kevin Michael Jones, 31, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with: DWI; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or higher; first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; unlawful possession of marijuana; and driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone. At 1:39 a.m. on Sept. 4 on Route 5 in Pembroke, Jones was arrested following an investigation into an erratic driving complaint. In addition to the charges, he was ticketed for having inadequate exhaust and driving a vehicle with a broken windshield. He was issued an appearance ticket for Pembroke Town Court on Oct. 2. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer.

Michael Eugene Weichman, 21, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. At 2:40 p.m. on Aug. 31, while investigating a report of a domestic altercation, Weichman was allegedly found to be in possession of a switchblade knife, while having a prior conviction for a crime. He was arrested and jailed in lieu of $2,500 bail. He is due in Batavia Town Court on Sept. 19. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Graff, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Michael J. Antonucci, 33, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 7:24 a.m. on Aug. 24 on Bank Street in Batavia after he allegedly violated an order of protection by having contact with the protected party. He is due in City Court on Sept. 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Kiha S. McNear, 18, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested on Sept. 2 on two bench warrants out of City Court. McNear was located at a residence on Walnut Street and was held on bail in jail. McNear is due in City Court on Sept. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay. 

Ryan R. Hernandez, 19, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested on Sept. 3 on a bench warrant out of City Court. The warrant was issued after Hernandez failed to appear in court on a misdemeanor vehicle and traffic law charge. He was released on his own recognizance and in due in City Court on Sept. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Rummaging around in the radio station's transmitter site on Creek Road a couple of years ago, WBTA's owner Dan Fischer found the old stainless steel call letters that once adorned the second-floor exterior of 90 Main Street, the radio station's first home 75 years ago.

When the radio station moved to Cedar Place some years later, so did the letters, but whenever the station's studios moved again, the letters were shuffled off to storage at the transmitter building and forgotten until Fischer uncovered them.

As part of a remodeling project at the station's current location at Main and Center, Fischer had the letters polished up and Jeff Gillard designed and built a mounting system that off-set the letters two inches from the wall and back lit them with LED lights.

The long hallway like area at the front of the office has always been a hard area to decorate, Fischer said. It was just a long blank wall and a few small pictures really did not do the space justice. The call letters are a perfect fit.

"They’re obviously a showpiece, a conversation piece, they bring back the history of the station, they’re 75 years old, and when you think of that, and most those years, they were outside, I think they held up pretty well," Fischer said.

A porch fire is reported at 41 Maple St. in the city. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: Fire is out; checking for extensions.

To purchase prints, click here.

P.S.: I'm not adopting any of the dogs Volunteers for Animals brought to the parade today. Promise.

Register today for the 12th annual Genesee ARC Friends & Family 5K on Sept. 17! This event is a memorial to Mary Anne Graney -- parent, educator, advocate and friend of the ARC. Her dedication to the people with development disabilities and their families have enriched countless lives. The Graney family is pleased that funds raised in this event will help benefit education through the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship. For more information, visit us online at www.genenseearc.org. For questions, please contact Sandy Konfederath at 585-343-4203, ext. 223, or by email: skonfederath@geneseearc.org.

It likely will be days before we know how a man whose body was found partially submerged in the lake at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia died.

A fisherman first noticed the body some time after 6 a.m., which is when the Cedar Street park opened, and he notified a member of the park maintenance staff.

Batavia PD was notified at 8:54 a.m.

Officer Marc Lawrence, who briefed media earlier this afternoon at DeWitt, said he couldn't speculate on why there was a delay between the body being spotted and police being contacted.

Lawrence said there is no information available indicating the age or race of the deceased.

The body was found at the far end of the lake from the main entrance, in the northeast corner, on the other side of the land bridge that has been exposed by the drought.

As of early this afternoon, a scuba-diving team was still searching the lake for any potential evidence that might be connected to the incident.

At this time, the investigation is being handled as a criminal investigation, pending new information that might indicate otherwise.

There have been two recent missing person reports in the area, but there's no information at this time connecting those reports to this incident, Lawrence said.

A three-vehicle accident is reported at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 20, Pavilion.

Injuries are reported.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: Callers have not indicated extent of injuries. A chief in route has requested Mercy Flight on a ground standby.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Fire Police requested to the scene.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: A second ambulance requested to the scene, non-emergency.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 117 East Main St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: Fire Police requested for traffic control.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Patient extricated.

Batavia Jaycees held their 30^th annual 5K race this morning starting at MacArthur Park in Batavia. More than 50 people participated in the annual event. 

The winner was Eric Boyce pictured below with an unofficial time of 17:30. Kimberly Mills was the top female, who finished fourth in the field.

Top 10 finishers were:

1.  Eric Boyce

2. Zak Jantzi

3. Kevin Sheehan

4. Kimberly Mills

5. Mario Rosales

6. Jim Lane

7. John Bruggman

8. Frank Gioia

9. Thomas Ognibene

10. Paul Hackett

To view pictures and purchase prints click here.

(Submitted photo: "Winter Morning," painting by Don Grieger of The All Weather Gang, a group whose works are now on display at Elzay Gallery at Ohio Northern University's Wilson Fine Art Building through Oct. 5.)

Press release:

The All Weather Gang is a group of diverse individuals (think aerospace engineer and English teacher to graphic designer and owner of a construction company) from Western New York, including Batavia and Le Roy, who have met almost every Saturday for decades to go outdoors and paint in weather that at times would give even the U.S. Postal Service reason to reconsider.

They gather to paint the world around them and by doing so to draw attention to the scenes that "every one looks at, but no one sees." For the first time, the group's artwork is on display in Ohio.

The new exhibition, which opened Aug. 29 runs through Oct. 5, brings together paintings from summer, fall, winter and spring that are painted en plein air (outdoors) and on site.

The show is at the Elzay Gallery located at Ohio Northern University's Wilson Fine Art Building at 515 S. Gilbert St. in Ada. The gallery is open daily 1 to 4:30 pm. Sponsored by Ohio Northern University Art & Design Department and CASE (Committee on the Arts and Special Events).

City of Batavia police, with assistance from State Police, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies and City of Batavia Fire Rescue personnel, are investigating the discovery of a body found early this morning at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street.

"The body was found by a fisherman shortly after 6 a.m. in the sandwash -- actually in the water," said City Police Officer Marc Lawrence, who arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. and advised that the park would be closed to the public at 10:40 a.m.

"We do not know the sex or race of the individual or the situation that led up to it at this time."

Lawrence said that fire rescue workers will assist law enforcement with the retrieval of the body and removal to the medical examiner's office in Erie County. He added that he anticipates another press briefing will take place around noon.

Reports indicate that the body was found in the southeast portion of the park a short time after a park maintenance employee opened the gates at 6 a.m. 

The Batavian will publish more details as they are released by authorities.

Photo -- By Carlet Cleare, 13WHAM.