A two-vehicle accident with injuries, abd blocking traffic, is reported at the intersection of Galloway and Kelsey roads. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Command reports that shovels and brooms will be needed to clean up the debris. No fluids are leaking.

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Katherine (Kate) Trombley as the new director of the Adult Education Opportunity Center (AEOC).

Trombley joins GCC with a wealth of experience and is excited to work with and support adults in Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties as they begin, resume or continue their educational objectives, goals and dreams.

"I am extremely passionate about education and learning," Trombley said. "Through this position, I will be able to assist adults who would like to attend college, obtain vocational training or change careers through the support of the services that AEOC offers to the region.

"I am very excited to share the resources and opportunities with potential students from Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Allegheny and Livingston counties."

The AEOC at GCC strives to assist adult students in connection with the appropriate resources that will help them to meet their individual goals.

With locations in Batavia, Arcade, Albion, Geneseo, Warsaw, Belmont and Basom, adults receive assistance with the admissions and financial aid forms and processing, as well exploring academic and career options, scholarships, and sorting through different academic scheduling that can include evening, weekend and online learning opportunities.

Trombley's prior position was with Western New York Independent Living in Buffalo where she served as director of outreach and community engagement and as the director of the Medicaid Application Assistance Program since 2012. At Western New York Independent Living, she was responsible for community engagement, education and outreach efforts.

These included community presentations, training about Medicaid, and community events to broaden the general understanding about programs and services which assist individuals with disabilities to achieve goals surrounding education, employment, housing, or other personal and professional growth through the Independent Living Center.

Trombley also taught Business Technology as an adjunct instructor at Bryant and Stratton College from 2012 – 2015, and was an adult educator of Strategic Planning/Business/Marketing at ITT Technical Institute in 2010.

She earned a master's degree in Executive Leadership and Change from Daemen College, a master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education and a bachelor's degree in Public Communications from the University at Buffalo. She is a resident of Lockport.

For further information on the AEOC, including available resources, locations, and contact information, visit the Center's website at http://www.genesee.edu/home/resources/adult-educational-opportunity-center/ or contact Kate Trombley directly by calling 585-345-6836 or emailing kbtrombley@genesee.edu.

There's a two-vehicle collision reported at Wortendyke Road and Route 5, Batavia. One person is complaining of shoulder pain. One vehicle is in a ditch. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:39 a.m.: A trooper said a car was turning onto Wortendyke, and so was another car behind it when a white pickup struck the second vehicle; the truck driver told the trooper he did not see the second car.

Notre Dame High School conferred diplomas on 41 students yesterday in a ceremony at Genesee Community College. 

Tyler Reese (above) was valedictorian and received several senior awards, including Man of the Year.

For the first time since 1983, the award for Woman of the Year went to two students, Hannah Bowen and Lyndsey Rowland (photo below).

Batavia Downs was the luckiest place in town today. Against all odds and predictions, the weather was great for tonight’s  opening of a six-concert series “Rockin’ the Downs."

Four acts took the stage in a festival atmosphere in the center of the Batavia Downs track. The track estimated that more than 3,000 were in attendance. Food and beverage vendors lined the viewing area for those who came to see tonight's headliner, Lonestar.  

The band met with Batavia Downs VIP players backstage before the show and signed a guitar that was auctioned off after the concert. The proceeds of the guitar auction raised more than $600 for the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Former Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas, below, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, made an appearance at the concert to speak to the crowd. Afterward, he hung around to see Lonestar and take pictures with some of his fans. 

Next up, on Friday, June 23rd, is Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx.

City police are responding to the VA Medical Center at 222 Richmond Ave. after the security police on site called about a raccoon that is "acting strange" near the ambulance entrance.

"Apparently it charged three people," says a dispatcher.

Submitted photo and press release:

A Memorial Day Parade is a proud tradition of the Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576 in Le Roy. Families typically gather along with other Legion families at the Post for their annual cookout. A special Brick Dedication, new to this year’s activities, also took place at the Post's Veterans Memorial after the ceremonial parade.

The Veterans Memorial Brick Program is a great way to honor a special veteran in your life by engraving a brick with their name.

This practice of pride provides a place of honor and reflection for veterans, their family and friends, and those who desire to show their respects to those service men and women who have and continue to boldly serve our county.

A 4-inch-by-8-inch engraved brick costs $50 (with wording space for 40 characters); an 8-ich-by-8-inch engraved brick costs $100 (with wording space for 60 characters).

Ladies Auxiliary Member Barb Schlonski, in photo on far left, is holding a brick in honor of her father’s Army military service, World War II TEC 4, Charles E. Birge. When returning home, the American Legion was of special significance to Charles and Helen Birge, where they enjoyed a lifetime of social and community events.

Mary Birge, second from left, also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, is holding a brick in observance of their mother, Helen M. Birge, for her years of Auxiliary Services.

Barbara Howard, third from left, and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Public Relations Representative Jeanice Howard, proudly share a brick in admiration of their father, Henry, who stood on “Red Alert” during the Cuban Missile Crisis. PFC Howard served in the Army from 1961 to 1963. The sisters have also dedicated a brick to deceased uncle Michael T. Howard, who courageously served in Vietnam.

Le Roy's American Legion Post has been host to numerous events through the years, such as card games, bingo, breakfasts, holiday celebrations, bowling and the site is available to the community for wedding parties and local churches in time of need.

To visit Le Roy's Post 576 online, click here:

To view a copy of the order form to buy a Veterans Memorial Brick from the Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576, click here.

You can print it out, fill in the blanks, then mail it with your check to the Legion in Le Roy. Checks should be made payable to American Legion Post 576. All the details, including the address, are on the form.

Pictured in uniform representing Servicemen's Club of the Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post #576 in Le Roy are, from left: Past Commander Don Schafer, Vice Commander Jerry Diskin and present Post CommanderJohn "Chip" Graney. Pictured standing below them are members of the Post's Ladies Auxiliary, from left, Barb Schlonski, Mary Birge, Barbara Howard and Jeanice Howard.

This little black and white cutie was found wandering on Jackson Street in the city this afternoon and is now en route to the county animal shelter.

He doesn't have tags. We don't know if he's a French bulldog or a pug.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation’s Outstanding Italian American awards and scholarship event for Spring 2017 will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14^th at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

This honor is awarded to a man and/or woman who has given exemplary service to their community.

This year the awards are being presented to Rick Mancuso and Peppina (Peppi) Palmer. These honorees have left a special mark on their communities. Youth groups, veterans, seniors and those lonely, ill and nearing the end of their lives have experienced their love and thoughtfulness.

The Foundation is proud of these Italian American heroes for their representation of the Italian American community.

Tickets for the dinner are available from any board member, at Giambroni Appliance and the VJ Gautieri offices on Liberty Street.

About Rick Mancuso

Rick Mancuso was born in Batavia to Benjamin Jr. and Mercedes Mahoney Mancuso. He is graduate of Notre Dame High School and Niagara University.

Rick’s Nana and Nanu Mancuso immigrated to the United States from Vallelunga, Sicily, and Rick was raised living and working the “American Dream” alongside his grandfather. Upon graduation from Niagara University with a BS in Management, Rick returned to work full time at Batavia Plumbing Supply. Following the sale of that company he began at Mancuso Real Estate & Mancuso Restaurant.

In 1995, he opened T.F. Brown’s Restaurant along with continuing the Mancuso Bowling Center and he remains there as president/owner today, as well as the president/broker of Main and Ellicott Properties (Mancuso Real Estate). He has exemplified the morals and values of hard work, family first and supporting his community for all his adult years in the Batavia area.

Rick has served many community organizations over the years, including leadership roles in the Batavia Area Jaycees, Batavia Rotary Club, The Batavia Club, Children’s Home Association, Genesee County United Way, Batavia Improvement District, Batavia Area YMCA, and the Genesee County Planning Board. He has also held positions on the Advisory Board for Genesee County Stop DWI and as a Coalition Member for Drug Free Communities.

Through his strong faith, he is committed to his church and Catholic education. Rick was President of the Lady of Loretto Society for several years through St. Anthony’s Church (an Italian heritage organization), and was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for Notre Dame High School. Rick is a member of Resurrection Parish and is often found at daily mass.

Locally and regionally, Rick has been well known as a coach of youth sports since his return to Batavia following college. Perhaps most noteworthy, for 20-plus years as a football coach at Notre Dame High School. Under his leadership as the ND Girls Varsity Softball coach, his teams­­­ also attended state playoffs for several years with Rick being honored as both the Section V Coach of the Year and the New York State Coach of the Year for Girls Softball.

Rick has been coaching the youth of Genesee County for over 36 years! He has coached a wide variety of sports including Batavia Minor & Little League Baseball, Batavia Youth Football (also serving on the board and as board president) Genesee Amateur Soccer and YMCA Youth Basketball.

Perhaps one of the most notable contributions Rick has made as a community volunteer is his continued support of the T.F. Brown’s Community Christmas Dinner. Along with the Lion’s Club, Rick and his family have hosted this event on Christmas Day for the past 25 years! His support can also be seen regularly throughout the community as Rick and T.F. Brown’s are frequent sponsors of sporting teams, and just about ANYTHING youth oriented.

Naturally, Rick Mancuso has been honored by several local organizations for his accomplishments. However, when asked, Rick shares enthusiastically that his greatest accomplishment is found in the five children he shares with his wife of 34 years, Julie:

Morgan (Doug) Sicheri, Alexandra (Don) DiLaura, Rick Jr., Patrick, Madelyn and his dearest pride and joy – grandsons Vincent and Benjamin DiLaura.

Rick is a proud Italian American who states that “I never really considered the affects of growing up in a family strongly rooted in Italian traditions. Knowing no differently, I just thought everyone went to mass on Sunday and then to Nana’s house, and holidays and specials occasions always involved too much amazing food, tons of family time and great memories. All of which I intend to continue for generations to come.”

About Peppina (Peppi) Palmer

Peppina (Peppi) Palmer will be honored this year with the Paolo Busti Award for positive achievements and contributions to her community.

Born on Dec. 16, 1949, she was named Peppina in honor of her recently deceased paternal grandmother, Giuseppina Palmer. Her name was not Americanized to be Josephine. She was and always will be Peppi, someone who has demonstrated in her life, in her work and in her faith all that it means to be an outstanding Italian American.

Her parents, John Palmer and Anna Tresco Palmer, were born and raised in Batavia, first generation Italian Americans. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Tresco, like many Italian immigrants, worked for the New York Central Railroad. Her paternal grandfather founded and was the proprietor of a successful Italian restaurant located on Ellicott Street in the heart of the Southside, mainly Italian district, of Batavia.

Peppi attended St. Mary’s School through eighth grade and then attended Batavia High School.

During her high school years Peppi became interested in nursing. She decided to enroll in the BHS BOCES course in nursing assistance. Upon graduating from BHS in 1968, she secured a nursing assistance position at the Veterans Hospital.

Devotion to her family was matched only by her devotion to “her” vets. “It’s not a job,” she would say. “It is a privilege to be in the company of heroes every day.” In addition to providing nursing assistance, she enjoyed socializing with the vets. She prepared the food, hosted and served an annual spaghetti supper for them. On Sundays she could be found transporting patients back and forth to the chapel so they could attend Mass. It was a much-anticipated event at the hospital when Peppi would bring in her therapy shih tzus, "Lottie," "Jelly Bean" and "Tinkie." The patients greatly enjoyed holding and petting the sweet, tiny dogs. Even after her retirement in 2014 she spent time at the hospital visiting patients and volunteering in the physical therapy department.

In 2006, she was recognized for her service to patients. Planetree, the nonprofit patient-centered care organization, honored her with a Designation Award. The award is given annually to those persons within the healthcare system who demonstrate the highest level of patient/person centered care based on evidence and standards.

Her volunteer work did not end at the NYS Veterans Hospital. She has volunteered for almost 20 years at Crossroads House; for 10 years with the Michael Napoleon Foundation; for the Ricky Palermo Golf Tournament and with the Batavia Peace Garden. For the past seven years she has been active in Our Lady of Mercy parish in Le Roy. She is a Eucharistic Minister, participates in the Parish Outreach program and leads the efforts of the parish to provide Mercy Meals for bereaved families.

Her life will always be centered on the three Fs of Italian heritage – Faith, Family and Food.

Peppi wants it to be known, in accepting this award with deepest gratitude and humility, that none of her accomplishments, whether personal or professional, would be possible without the love and encouragement she receives from her daughters, Andrea Schoenberger Casey and Sarah Schoenberger; daughter-in-law, Colleen Schoenberger; son-in-law, Ryan Casey; grandsons Luke, Caleb and Brooks Casey; and her many friends.

Peppi will forever be indebted to her mother, Anna, who was the best role model for what it means to be an outstanding Italian American.

The East Bethany Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary this weekend with a service of celebration at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, a catered dinner and memory hour.

On Sunday, past and present pastors led a 200th anniversary workshop service at 10:30 a.m. with a lunch and social hour. 

Two centuries of history was displayed on tables and wall, showing news articles about the church, records of members and multiple pictures. 

Norma Bower, a 75-year-member of the church, cut the cake for the 200th anniversary. 

Rev. Bob Kaiser, the interm pastor from 2008 until 2009, visited to join the weekend festivities. 

Members enjoyed a catered dinner after the Service of Celebration. 

Members of the church spoke of the wonderful memories they had at Sunday School, church events and various services. 

A video was put together filled with pictures of the church and its members, reflecting on how the church has changed. 

Bower shares her memories of the church over the last 75 years. 

Richard Oderkirk is still growing sunflowers this year, and vegetables and other flowers, but that big old barn that was once the backdrop for a scenic view along Route 33 in Stafford won't be there anymore to provide a touch of history to the six-generation family farm.

The barn was heavily damaged in a storm a couple of winters ago and this morning Stafford fire, with help from Bethany and South Byron, managed a controlled burn on what was left of the structure.

Oderkirk, along with his daughter, who currently lives in the old farmhouse on the property, was there to watch what was left of the century-old barn go up in flames.

Like a lot of old barns that have been lost over the years, this one long ago needed a new roof and it didn't get it, and that's the main reason it fell apart, Oderkirk said. The other barns on the property have been re-roofed.

The roof on this barn was added in 1922, Oderkirk said, because his grandmother for some reason wanted a gable roof on it. Oderkirk said he didn't know why she decided to make the change, but the barn was also enlarged at the time.

"My dad had mentioned the roofers kept the nails in the house so they were warm, so they worked all winter, or part of winter, putting the cedar shingles on," Oderkirk said.

The timber in the beams was still green when they were nailed into place, Oderkirk said, and when the hardwood dried around those nails the wood became hard as rock, he said.

"I can't even pull those nails out now," he said.

Previously: Sunflower farm adds beauty, but grower wants to sell produce

A head-on collision with entrapment is reported in Corfu on Alleghany Road in front of the Dollar General store.

Three ambulances requested.

Corfu fire, Mercy EMS dispatched.

Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 10 p.m.: Four injuries. An officer on scene says, "it doesn't look like anybody is super serious." Darien ambulance responding.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Pembroke fire requested to shut down traffic at Route 5 and Route 77.

UPDATE 10:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia has been dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.: Patient extricated.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: Route 77 reopened.

UPDATE: added a reader-submitted photo.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at Ellicott Street and Jackson Street, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE: No injuries. Both City fire and Mercy EMS are back in service.

Genesee Cancer Assistance held its annual Festival of Hope today at Batavia Downs, which included a crossing-training competition as well as basket raffles, music, a live broadcast by WBTA, and other events.

Volunteers from Volunteers for Animals were at the Animal Shelter today collecting donated scrap metal as a fundraiser for the shelter and the support provided by Volunteers for Animals.

A couple dozen young anglers turned out this morning for the 26th annual Youth Fishing Derby at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Among the young fishermen were Henry and Darel Matthies, of Newstead, with father Ken.

Harry Gugino, of Buffalo.

Members of the Batavia City Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, were on Ellicott Street and Main Street in Batavia today for their annual Fill the Boot campaign to benefit MDA.

UPDATE: The firefighters raised $10,651.52.

Photos by Frank Capuano.

Dan Clor, a military veteran, and frontman for Los Angeles-based Weapon-X, took the stage this afternoon with D-ZL, the band he started his career with in 1997 when it played its first show at the Eagle Hotel in Le Roy. 

Clor and Weapon-X have been holding an annual music festival in Southern California for five years and this year, Clor brought it home, to Le Roy, and The Ridge Campground.

The American Warrior Concert, with more than 60 musical acts taking the stage, opened today and continues tomorrow (for tickets, click here).

The music starts at noon tomorrow, on two stages, with Weapon-X scheduled to play at 8:15 p.m.

The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford is sponsoring the weekend of music.

Proceeds benefit the Warrior House, which supports wounded veterans.

The third- and fourth-grade students at St. Joe's got to make butter today.

Then they got to eat the butter they made on graham crackers.

Anne Marie Starowitz, representing the Holland Land Office Museum, visited the classroom today, bringing an 1800-era butter churn as well as other artifacts from the museum and talked with the students about what life was like in early Genesee County. 

She then filed two canning jars with heavy cream and had the students pass them around the room, with each student giving the canning jars 10 hard shakes before passing it to the next student. 

Before long, they had butter.

Next week the students will tour the historic Batavia Cemetery.

One of the most memorable days of sixth grade at Batavia Middle School is the day students recreate the Silk Road, says Social Studies teacher Stephanie D’Alba.

Many of the children dress in costumes of the nations along the world's first stable trading route that connected China with Rome and started the process of global trade.

The Silk Road recreation gives students a chance to learn about history, geography, climate, culture, civilization and, of course, trade. The Silk Road put the world on the path of global trade.  

"Today kids just get on the Internet and they think it’s so easy," D'Alba said. "This shows them the very first way that things traveled from one side of the world to the other."

The name for the trade route comes from China's chief export, silk, which wasn't available in Europe before Genghis Khan established law and order and safe passage for travelers and traders along the routes the comprised the Silk Road. China managed to keep the production method secret for centuries and Rome, with only gold to trade, found its reserves becoming depleted. The Silk Road also introduced Europe to new foods and spices (though, contrary to myth, Marco Polo did not bring back pasta to Italy).

The BMS "Silk Road" covers two floors in the school, with selected classrooms acting as countries along the trade route and the hallways marked with posters and pictures simulating deserts, seas, water stops, and areas that might be filled with bandits.

"It kind of shows you how to make a bargain and see what other people have to trade in their land and see their creativity," said Aidan Anders.

"It's pretty fun," said Cody Harloff. "It's fun trading to get other stuff and we get to see how the conditions were."