The Pembroke Lady Dragons Varsity Softball Team dropped its home opener to the visiting Alexander Trojans 6-2 on Monday night.

Leading scorers for Alexander were Hannah Paolucci and Lindsay Czechowski, with two runs each. 

Photos provided by Destin Danser Photography. To view complete album and purchase prints, click here. 

Press release:

The students at St. Joe’s Catholic School look forward to Career Day every year. This year the students had the opportunity to choose three professionals to visit with from more than 20 different professionals that came into their school.

Local businesses as well as many St. Joe’s parents took time out of their busy day to come in to discuss and help the students become more familiar with their career. From seeing what it’s like to be a part of Mercy Flight to learning the ins-and-outs of being a veterinarian, the students had a wide variety of careers to check out.  

Steven David Fox, 35, of Bater Road, Stafford, is charged with menacing, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Fox allegedly threw a hammer at a person and tackled that person to the ground during an argument reported at 7 p.m. on March 29.

Richard Michael Corke, 52, of Old Beaham Road, Rochester, is charged with disobeying a court order. Corke allegedly sent unwanted text messages in violation of an order of protection. 

A 17-year-old resident of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with disorderly conduct. The youth was arrested following a report of an incident at Le Roy High School at 9:30 a.m., March 29.

Le Roy PD is asked to respond to a location in the village in response to a complaint from a resident who is concerned that a neighbor has already out put his recycling and there's a windstorm coming.

The caller is concerned the recyling will blow all over the neighborhood and would like an officer to speak to the neighbor.

Press release:

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District will hold its Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast on Friday, April 21st
from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (registration at 8 a.m.). At City Church Generation Center, 15 Center St., Batavia.

Overview of this year’s goals, announcement of newly elected board members, and presentation of “Spirit of Downtown” Awards. It costs $10 to attend. All BID members are invited.

RSVP by Monday, April 17th to the Downtown Batavia BID office at 200 E. Main St., Suite 12, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information contact Beth Kemp at 585-344-0900 or bkemp@DowntownBataviaNY.com.

A storm with heavy rain, 30 mph winds and rumbles of thunder is rolling into Batavia, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm has already come up through Darien, the weather service reports.

Gusts up to 50 mph are possible.

There's also a flood watch in effect from Thursday morning through Saturday.

“This nearly 2,000 page budget extender serves as a microcosm of the dysfunction, secrecy and incompetence in Albany’s budget process," Hawley said. "We have been kept mostly in the dark for days and now are expected to vote on an almost 2,000 page budget extender that will keep the government in function until May 31 only minutes after it was printed.

"This is an absolutely unacceptable way to operate state government, and the state leaders and New York City politicians who are perpetuating this stalemate because they can’t agree after weeks of negotiations should be ashamed of themselves.

"Furthermore, they have cost taxpayers roughly $250,000 in per diem in travel expenses for legislators by keeping them here through the weekend while an agreement is being negotiated.”

A Rochester man has been arrested and accused of stealing a weight loss supplement, valued at $387.94, from the Walgreens store in Le Roy.

He's also a suspect in similar larcenies in three other counties.

Thomas H. Gilbert, 52, of Manor Parkway, Rochester, was taken into custody in Rochester by the Le Roy PD with assistance from Rochester PD following a two-month investigation into the thefts.

Gilbert is accused of stealing “Alli kit 60s” in Le Roy, but the investigation also identified him as a suspect in a theft of Prevagren, marketed as a memory aid, in Avon and in Rochester. He's also suspected of stealing Prevagen from a CVS in Farmington and headlamps from Advantage Auto in Geneva.

The first theft was reported Jan. 31.

Gilbert was charged with one count of petit larceny in Le Roy, arraigned and put in Genesee County Jail. He faces potential charges in Monroe, Livingston and Ontario counties.

It's time to batten down the hatches again. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Tuesday from noon until 11 p.m.

Winds from the west of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are predicted.

Winds of this magnitude can cause tree limbs and power lines to come down causing localized power outages. Travel will be difficult for high-profile vehicles.

Press release:

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league's philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award more than $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league's 14 markets.

Now in its ninth year, the 2017 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league's footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two- or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible.

Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages -- a local round and a league round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the league/final round. The 14 finalists will then be judged by league representatives. Three applicants will be selected to receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the ninth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, president of the New York-Penn League.

“This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2017 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league's official website, NewYork-PennLeague.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 5. Each club's winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in mid-July.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

Genesee Valley Farm & Crematory is dedicated to serving the needs of pet owners and their beloved pets. As a family-owned and operated Genesee county business for over 50 years, we pride ourselves in quality care and attention to detail that our clients have come to know and expect.

As pet owners ourselves, we understand that your pet was a vital part of your family and we try to help you deal with this loss. We would like to offer you peace of mind through a dignified farewell to a dear friend.

We are committed to exceptional service and pride ourselves in providing a friendly, personal touch for your pets final needs. Call us today 585-343-5878.

Press release:

Due to the recent expansion of gaming in Western New York and the lack of tax parity amongst gaming entities, WROTB/Batavia Downs Gaming could potentially lose in upwards of 100 jobs in Western New York. WROTB/Batavia Downs Gaming currently employs more than 500 hardworking Western New Yorkers throughout 15 counties and two cities.

A bill that would create ‘tax parity” appears to be logjammed in the budget process. If a concession is not made, there would be devastating effects to the local economy as WROTB has returned more than $226 million to local governments, purchased more than $480 million in local goods and services, and is one of the largest employers in Genesee County.

Having created new state casinos and a hypersensitive business environment without leveling the playing field, potentially means job cuts here and additional loss for horsemen through Central and Western New York.

“We have been working diligently with state officials to create a stable plan for tax parity and are very hopeful this can be accomplished in the state budget,” said Mike Nolan, chief operating officer at Batavia Downs Gaming. “Other facilities have fewer restrictions placed on them. With new gaming competitors entering the market, we are looking to be on a level playing field.

"We want to continue to make facility improvements, satisfy our patrons and continue to provide employment to hundreds of employees that rely on these jobs to provide for their families. We urge our representatives in the Assembly, Senate and in the Governor’s office to give our employees the peace of mind that tax parity will ensure the solvency of our corporation moving forward.”

From Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde:

Over the last two years the Town of Bethany has been trying to fill some vacant seats on the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals by running several ads with no success.

There are two vacant seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals and one vacant Planning Board seat and one vacant planning board secretary/alternate seat.

Vacant board seats count as NO votes.

Any Bethany resident who would like to fill a vacancy may contact the Town Clerk at 585-343-1399.

If these seats are not filled by the June 12^th Town Board meeting, the Town will move forward in adopting a local law changing the number of members on each board to five and five (respectively).

Press release:

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s induction class of the Oakfield-Alabama Alumni Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding OACS alumni who have achieved distinction in their lives and chosen field after high school through significant contributions to their career, community or through personal achievements. 

If you know a person who meets the following criteria, please consider nominating him/her for this prestigious honor:

1.  Nominees must be graduates of OACS or one of its predecessors, or have been active in school classes and activities during their senior year. (Nominees who left school while in good standing to perform military service are also eligible.  Deceased alumni are not eligible for induction until the fifth anniversary of the year of their death.)
2. Nominees must have graduated prior to 2002.
3. Selection is based on achievement after leaving OACS which includes a worthy record in more than one, and exemplary achievement in at least one of the following:

• Job-related achievements
• Professional honors and awards, professional affiliations, publications
• Civic or community involvement
• Personal achievements/accomplishments
• Positive impact on the communities in the Oakfield-Alabama School District

Anyone may submit a nomination for any person meeting the criteria stated above. Nominations must be made during the nomination period only (March 1 – April 30) by using the Online Nomination Form or the PDF Nomination Form (see links below). Electronically submitted nominations are strongly preferred over mailed-in, hardcopy nominations.

1. Online Nomination Form  http://www.oacsalumni.org/content/HallOfFame/NominationProcess/OnlineForm
2. PDF Nomination Form http://www.oacsalumni.org/content_files/HallOfFame/NominationProcess/form.pdf

An ATV rollover accident is reported in the area of 8963 Woodland Drive, Stafford.

It's believed to be with minor injuries.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A possible house fire is reported at 569 Scribner Road, Pembroke.

A fire responder reports heavy smoke.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire and City of Batavia Fast Team are dispatched.

City's second platoon requested to the hall.

Mercy EMS dispatched to stand by at scene.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: It was a dryer fire. Fire is out. Ventilating. The structure is described by a source as "a brand-new house."

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: All units back in service.  

Reader submitted photos.

At the Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew in Le Roy, the owners hosted an official launch party for Rogers Beer, a beer created by a Rochester brewer and acquired by the owners of the Eagle.

Al Rogers started Rogers Beer more than 12 years ago and achieved some regional success, including 58 Main in Brockport, the BBQ restaurant there owned by Jon and Marc Marcello.

When Rogers told Marc Marcello he was thinking of getting out of the beer business because of growing family commitments, Marc didn't want see that happen so the Marcello brothers and Smokin' Eagle co-owner Jay Beaumont met with Rogers and soon a deal was in place for them to acquire the beer brand and recipes, and as an added bonus, Al Rogers agrees to stay on as master brewer. 

Rogers Beer is now based in Le Roy, though the beer is currently brewed at a facility in Honeoye Falls. But Jon said the goal is to build up the business enough to open a brewery in Le Roy. (Click here for more of the Rogers Beer story.)

Cedar Street Sales and Rentals in Batavia, owned by Guy Clark, sponsored the launch party and the band Free Beer played for the party.

A chimney fire is reported at 6014 Albion Road, Oakfield. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Elba and Alabama; Town of Batavia is asked to fill in at Oakfield's fire hall.

UPDATE 10:08 p.m.: A first responder on scene says the fire appears to be out.

UPDATE 10:11 p.m.: Mutual aid companies can go back in service.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.: Oakfield assignment back in service. 

State lawmakers have been working through the weekend to try and come up with a budget deal and have so far failed to come up with one, according to the latest news reports.

Somebody in Le Roy is unhappy with something about the proposed budget and put up this sign along Route 5.