A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue.
City fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 9:20 a.m.: No injuries. Police believe the driver of the sedan, heading west on Richmond, ran a red light.
A male in his 40s is injured following an ATV accident at 3725 Maltby Road in Oakfield, well off the main roadway. He reportedly has a head injury, was briefly unconscious, and is bleeding due to a "severe laceration of his right ear." Mercy Flight is on ground standby. Oakfield fire and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Weatherwax and Fisher roads.
The Alexander Trojans beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a Saturday night game played in Warsaw (because of renovations to Alexander's field) 45-15.
The Trojans scored all of their points in the first half and the Irish scored theirs in the second.
P.J. Brennan was 10 of 16 passing for 198 yards and three TDs and zero interceptions for Alexander. Derrick Busch caught three balls for 75 yards and two TDs. Dane Heberlein rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries and scored twice. Job Smith had 12 yards on three carries and scored. He also had two receptions for 26 yards and scored on a nine-yard TD pass. Chris McClinic caught two passes for 54 yards.
On defense, Eric Scharlau had three sacks and Zach Jasen had a sack and two tackles.
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City police are responding to Union Street for a complaint of "large kids playing football in the street."
The day in the life of a police officer isn't always just about seeing bad people do bad things, they also see good people doing good things. And the folks at Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe on Jackson Street wanted to provide a way for Batavia PD officers to reward the people they come across who do the little things to help make the community better. They made up "Random Act of Cupcake" cards for police officers to hand out to people they come across doing good things.
The cards read, "You've been caught doing good! Enjoy a free cupcake or cookie."
Pictured Lyndsey, from Sweet Pea's, and Officer Mitchell Cowen, who helped coordinate the effort with Batavia PD.
The man who shot and killed an Alexander High School graduate last year entered a guilty plea and will serve at least 45 years in prison.
Zachary Ludwig was sentenced in West Chester, Pa., on Friday.
Ludwig admitted to buying an unregistered shotgun, cutting its barrel down to 12 inches and then luring Nichols Mruczek out of his apartment and firing the gun at point-blank range.
Ludwig was angry because Mruczek was in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.
Reporter Michael P. Rellahan was in court Friday for the hearing and published a detailed account of the proceedings for the Phoenix Reporter.
Mruczek's parents and brother spoke in court about the devastating loss their family suffered.
“He was one in a million,” said his mother, Dawn Werner, who had traveled from New York to attend the hearing, as had the others. “He had a smile that would light up a room, and he learned at a young age that if he flashed that smile he could melt your heart."
The prosecution consulted the family prior to the plea deal and Nick's brother Justin acknowledged that it would be impossible to fashion a deal that would bring his brother back.
“I wish I could honestly say and think that justice has been served but there is no amount of jail time that can bring back such a beautiful, fun-loving life like my brother’s," Justin said.
Nick's father, Pat Mruczek, recalled how he spoke to his son daily and his mobile phone has become a difficult reminder of what he's lost.
“My cell phone only reminds me of the death of my son," Pat Mruczek said. "How I hate my phone. If it was not for all the pictures (of Mruczek) I have on it I would have thrown it away long ago.
“A big part of my life is gone and I will never get that back,” he added.
Ludwig said he deeply regrets his crime.
“Every day I wish I could bring Mruczek back," Ludwig said. "I can never forgive myself for what I’ve done. I cannot apologize enough.
“I understand if you think I am a monster,” Ludwig added. “I’d have to agree with you.”
Ludwig, who could have received a life prison sentence if convicted by a jury, admitted to third-degree murder, which carried a maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison. However, he was given a 45-90 year sentence because he also entered guilty pleas to attempted burglary, terroristic threats, prohibited offensive weapons, recklessly endangering another person and possession of instruments of a crime.
The 23-year-old Ludwig was offered the plea deal, and the chance to some day get out of prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei, because of his contrition, lack of prior criminal record and relatively young age.
Laurie Oltramari, executive director of the Batavia Improvement District, turned in her letter of resignation this week.
BID president Victor Gautieri confirmed the resignation and said the board would meet in the coming week to decide what to do next.
Oltramari led the organization for a year.
Gautieri declined further comment.
Le Roy fell 60-32 to Bath in its season opener in Bath.
Photos by David Boyce. For more photos from the game, click here.
The Batavia Blue Devils, 2016 edition, quietly took apart Greece Olympia/Odyssey on Woodward Field on Friday night to the point that the Spartans seems to have lost their fight by the third quarter.
It's as if the team that has won two consecutive Section V titles hasn't missed a beat. In fact, the win was the 20th straight for the program against a Section V opponent.
The final score was 39-0.
"I'm very pleased because going into the game I wasn't sure what we had," said Head Coach Brennan Briggs. "I wasn't sure how we would respond to things and how we were going to go when we got hit in the mouth. But these guys came out and proved that they bought in and they’re a tough group of kids and we’ve got some playmakers out there. I’m very excited for what they can do from here."
This edition slots Jerry Reinhart and QB1 and, Ray Leach and Codie Dioguardi in the backfield, Chandler Baker, Andrew Mruczek and Eric Davis at wideouts and a defense that includes Baker, Mruczek, Taiyo Iburi-Bethel, Anthony Ray and Jzon Richardson.
Those are not names that popped up in many headlines over the past two championship seasons, but they're all players poised to make an impact, if one game is any indication, in 2016.
Reinhart certainly has a lot of confidence in his teammates.
"Everybody asked me, they all asked me, 'how are you guys going to be this year?' and I was like, 'come to the first game and find out,' " Reinhart said. "I was very positive about our team. In the off-season, I thought we were going do great."
Briggs is impressed with the quiet leadership Reinhart has brought to the team, replacing Andrew Mruczek's older brother, Greg, at quarterback.
"Greg was more rah-rah and everything and great about it," Briggs said. "Jerry is more reserved, but he goes out there and gets the job done. He's a leader. He's a great leader. You saw, he made some big plays. He's not afraid to tuck it and run and he kept us together. I'm proud of him. He did a great job."
Friday was also a chance for Andrew to move out from under the shadow of his older brother, and in a big way, and significantly with a key interception in the first quarter.
"I think the biggest turning point in that game was Andrew Mruczek's interception," Briggs said. "They had a drive going, I think 10-plus plays, and we always say a nine-plus play drive is devastating for a defense and we were starting to feel it and all the sudden, number 21 comes in and makes a huge play for us. I’m happy for him because he’s been a trooper and he’s been working his butt off and he’s just silently been doing it."
Mruczek exemplifies the quiet confidence that characterizes the team.
"I think people are going to realize, Batavia football is here to stay and we're going to keep working hard every day," Mruczek said.
The offense was good, the defense was good, but special teams really stepped it up Friday night.
Richardson, a linebacker on defense, handles kickoffs, extra points and field goals. On kickoffs Friday, he consistently put the ball past the 10-yard line, and with defenders hustling down the field, the Spartans were routinely starting drives with their backs to the wall.
"That is so big for our team," Briggs said. "From the standpoint of having just great energy and momentum, they did a fantastic job for us and special teams cannot be overlooked because field position is huge in football games."
Briggs praised the work of special teams coach Ben Buchholz in motivating the players and getting each to do their part to plug holes and cut lanes, and John Garlock has been applying those lessons well, Briggs said.
"Johnny Garlock has been doing it for us for three years and he goes down like a missile," Briggs said. "He’s long snapper on punts and the first guy down there and on kickoff coverage, he makes the plays."
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Attica Blue Devils came out strong the first few minutes of the first quarter, leading 20-0 on a couple touchdowns by senior running back Hunter McCulloch, who added 117 yards on 11 carries.
Pembroke failed to convert turning the ball over on an interception and fumbles early in the first half. Attica led the half 20-0.
In the second half, Attica continued to move through Pembroke's defense led by senior quarterback Kyle Casey, who added points in the air and ground to seniors Cody D'Arconte and tight end Dawson Nelson, winning the game 40-0.
Attica moves to 1-0 and their next game is home Friday night vs. Alexander at 7 p.m.
Pembroke drops to 0-1 and plays next Saturday 7 p.m. vs. Oakfield / Elba in Oakfield.
For more photos and to purchase go to: Steve Ognibene Photography
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A residential structure fire is reported downstairs at 136 Pearl St. in Batavia. A person is reportedly burned. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Fire command on scene confirms a fire at a two and a half story building. A child has second-degree burns on the left shoulder area.
UPDATE 11:09 p.m.: The fire was small in nature -- in a stairwell -- and is reported to be out. Streets are closed at Pearl and Roosevelt and Pearl and Brooklyn. A second ambulance is called for a subject suffering from smoke inhalation.
UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: Fire Capt. Bob Fix said the fire appears to be accidental in nature and was out when firefighters arrived. A boy about 6 or 7 years old has a shoulder burn and is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. A police investigator will interview people about the fire. "It was a little spot fire right inside the door, in the stairwell, about three steps up."
Peter S. Hawkins, 49, of A Street, Cayuga Village, Niagara Falls, is charged with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. He was arrested at 12:05 a.m. on Sept. 1 after he allegedly got into a physical altercation with a male nurse and then barricaded himself in an exam room inside the Emergency Room at UMMC. He subsequently allegedly attempted to fight Batavia police officers who responded to the scene. He was issued two appearance tickets and released. He is due in City Court at 1 p.m. on Sept. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Darryle Streeter, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.
Faith L. Finnin, 22, of State Street Road, Batavia, is charged with tattooing a child less than 18 years of age. Finnin was arrested at noon on Aug. 23 following an investigation into an allegation that a child less than 18 was tattooed by Finnin on Raymond Avenue in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.
Santiago J. Qumane, 18, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 11:21 a.m. on Sept. 2 following a home visit from Genesee County Probation during which he was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in City Court on Sept. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.
(Above photo of Foiled Again, who has won more than $7.4 million and is the richest standardbred ever of either gait, courtesy of Ken Weingartner.)
Foiled Again, who has won more than $7.4 million and is the richest standardbred ever of either gait, will be at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 3) to compete in the weekly featured $10,000 Open Handicap pace.
Batavia Downs has hosted the elite of the sport over the 70 years it has been in existence including Proximity, Good Time, Bret Hanover, Albatross and Niatross. Foiled Again is in the same league as all those legends but has also surpassed every trotter or pacer that has ever competed in the sport for earnings.
Foiled Again has won countless stakes and has been race-timed in 1:47.1. He has 88 wins, 61 seconds and 40 thirds in 263 lifetime starts and has earned $7,407,758 in purses. The United States Harness Writers Association named him Pacer of the Year in 2011, best older male pacer in three consecutive seasons (2011-2013) and he also was a two-time O'Brien Award winner as top older pacing horse in Canada (2011 and 2013).
Foiled Again has competed at Batavia Downs twice before in his career, both times in the tracks signature race, the Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace. And Foiled Again won both times: in 2009 timed in 1:52.3 with Matt Kakaley driving and in 2013 timed in 1:52 with Brett Miller aboard.
The all-time track record at Batavia Downs is 1:51.1 and that was set by Aracache Hanover in 2011. Given the great weather forecast and how the new racing surface has been setting up, there is a legitimate chance that standard could be in jeopardy.
Saturday night’s card also features two divisions of the $111,000 New York Sires Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings that will feature the best freshman male pacers in the state.
Post time for the first race is 6:15 p.m.
(Inset photo of Foiled Again courtesy of Batavia Downs.)
Paul William Tuttle, 45, of Sautell Road, Bergen, is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. At 2:26 this morning (Sept. 2), Tuttle allegedly entered someone's apartment on Byron Holley Road in Byron while being highly intoxicated. Tuttle allegedly urinated in the residence and helped himself to an ice cream cone from the resident's freezer. The resident allegedly located Tuttle enjoying the frozen treat on the couch. Because the Sheriff's Office could not reach a Byron judge, Tuttle was arraigned in the Town of Bergen Court and then released on his own recognizance. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, assisted by Sgt. John Baiocco.
Michael Norbert Jagodzinski, 56, of Fisher Drive, Rochester, is charged with driving with a BAC of more than .08 percent, and DWI -- first offense. Jagodzinski was found at 11:31 p.m. on Aug. 31 parked along Clinton Street Road in the Town of Bergen. He was allegedly found to be intoxicated at the time. He was issued tickets for Oct. 5 in Town of Bergen Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Sgt. Eric Seppala.
Ann Marie Schlegel, 39, of Porter Road, Medina, is charged with failure to pay a fine for petit larceny. She was arrested by the Medina Police Department on an unrelated matter and then transferred to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a bench warrant for failing to pay a fine levied because of a petit larceny incident on May 19 on West Main Street in Batavia. She was arraigned and then jailed on $435 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Sgt. John Baiocco.
A 17-year-old resident of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The subject was arrested at 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 on East Shelby Road in Oakfield for allegedly stealing an iPad Touch (valued at $150) from a female's residence. The subject was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Oakfield Court on Sept. 16 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.
A 31-year-old Oakfield resident has been accused of smuggling suboxone and heroin into the Genesee County Jail and delivering them to her husband, who is an inmate.
Serena L. Snyder is accused of bringing the narcotics to Cody E. Snyder, 25.
Serena Snyder was allegedly found possession of heroin while at the jail on a visitation to her husband.
The Local Drug Task Force handled the investigation. Agents concluded Serena Snyder had allegedly delivered drugs to her husband on two prior occasions.
Task Force members, along with Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro searched Serena Snyder's car and allegedly found heroin and crack cocaine.
Serena Snyder was charged with attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, conspiracy, 4th, promoting prison contraband, 1st, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.
Cody Snyder was charged with conspiracy, 4th.
Serena Snyder was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
Here's a collection of all our pre-season, training camp, football pictures.
To purchase prints of preseason football pictures, click here.
Here's our pre-season previews:
The season opens tonight.
Tonight's games:
Tomorrow's games:
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There are 7 white sheep wandering around lost in the Bethany area after escaping through an open gate. Last sighted on a trail cam near Cackner Rd. and Bethany Center Rd. Please contact Barbara Hollands 585-734-2236 if you see them. They are a bit shy of people but like grain and will come to someone shaking a bucket of grain.
UPDATE Friday, 10:23 a.m.: Thanks to the help of neighbor Pat Pietrzykowski, all seven sheep have been located, rounded up and returned home, where they are safe and sound.
This cat is named Ferdy. Ferdy is missing. He is visiting relatives on Brookville Road in Alexander, in the Old Creek Road area, while his mommy is in the hospital.
As you can see, he is a very large, long-haired orange and white male. Would you believe at times, as depicted here, he is not particularly motivated?
But, then again, freedom can be a powerful motivator.
Perhaps we'll never know if he had been hatching plans to leave captivity and for how long.
What it known is that, according to his temporary nanny Elizabeth Crittenden, "he popped the screen out of the window and escaped," in the predawn hours -- between 2 and 6 a.m. -- Wednesday.
Stealthily, in the dead of night, when all were sleeping soundly. This one is clever. Either that, or Ferdy clumsily fell to earth while lolling around on the window sill. He left, but since this is not his regular stomping grounds, he may not be familiar with the lay of the land and how to return, says a worried Crittenden.
The timing is suspect; the feline may have festive plans afoot for Labor Day Weekend. (An anonymous source told The Batavian he has a reputation as a bit of a bon vivant.)
Crittenden and her kin are hoping you'll report him without hestitation if you should spot him in your environs. This would foil Ferdy's fun, but he and his family and caretakers will be the better for it.
Crittenden's number is 585-590-2657.
UPDATE Sept. 2: At about 10:30 last night, Crittenden says "He just showed up on the back deck as casual as ever!" No fanfare, no "Burning Man" blowout for Labor Day, no tearjerker rescue story. Just chillin' in Alexander and wondering why all the fuss...
It's a lot of work moving thousands of collectible toys along with 40,000 comic books, but that's what Bill Hume, along with his wife, Joy, staff member Wayne Stahler along with helpers and friends have been doing for the past few days.
Hume opened Foxprowl at its new location at Main and Jackson, downtown Batavia today, even though not everything is unboxed or on the shelves yet.
We've covered Foxprowl from its opening on Ellicott Street over the years and watched the business grow. The store expanded, added inventory and Hume hosted a convention in Batavia last year (it will return this year; details to be announced).
Several other small businesses have come and gone in Batavia in that time, but Hume has persisted and succeeded. He said lasting and growing has had a lot to do with his passion for the business, his passion for collectibles and his willingness and enjoyment to work the long hours necessary.
A reader submitted this photo of a tractor-trailer that went off the around 4:20 p.m. on Bergen Road. No injuries reported.
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