Stories from

A year ago, teacher and volunteer firefighter Jim Burkhardt, a lifelong distance runner, decided to do a community fundraiser.  His plan: run around the track at Alexander Central School for 24 hours.  Between rain and injuries, he didn't quite make it, but the effort is starting to evolve into an annual event.

This year, the community came together to raise money for Dollars for Scholars and the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

Instead of just Burkhardt running, the whole community was invited to the track from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to run or walk was much as each they wanted.

Thirty-seven walkers and runners joined the event this year, from age 2 to age 84.

The event included music, food and door prizes.

Organizers say they're already starting to plan for next year. They might cut down from an all-day event to a half-day event, so more participants will be at the track at the same time.

The Notre Dame girls softball team got a homecoming befitting state champions Saturday night with a police and fire escort from the Thruway, down Oak Street, east, then west on Main Street and finally down Woodward to the parking lot of their school.

The girls swept two games in Queensbury Saturday to become the state's Class D champions.

It's the third straight year the softball team had a chance at a title and it turned out truly to be a case of the third time's the charm.

"It took a lot of heart and dedication, waking up super early, getting to practice before games, hitting, throwing, the whole thing," Kaylin Young said. "It was definitely worth it."

In the semi-final game, the Fighting Irish beat Hamilton 9-2, but the championship game was much tighter with Notre Dame (19-7) taking a 1-0 victory over Deposit.

"We were the visiting team so I was the lead-off hitter and I got two early strikes," Laurie Call said. "I'm thinking, 'oh, my gosh,' and then I got a single. Then I just remember each time something bad happened, I just had to tell my adrenaline to go back down and make sure I'm focused on the game and not to worry about the state title. It's just another game."

It's the first state title in softball for Notre Dame.

"It means an awful lot to the Notre Dame community and the family that is Notre Dame," Coach Rick Mancuso said. "We're very proud of the girls and we would like to thank the community for coming out tonight, welcoming us as the newest state champions."

The newest state champions were greeted at the Thruway exit by Engine 12 and Ladder 15 of the Batavia Fire Department and three Batavia patrol cars. With lights and sirens, the caravan of players, parents and fans paraded through the city with dozens and dozens of people turning out along Main Street to cheer for the team.

Laurie said the city's greeting was really overwhelming.

"It’s really, finally like all that weightlifting you've been doing, all those pitches you’ve taken in the legs, like everything finally means something and you just kind of want to stop and cry," Laurie said.

This year's St. Joe's Lawn Fete looked just as popular as ever Friday, with hundreds of people turning out for rides, games, food and live music.

The carnival continues today.

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In 1812, the good people who set up shops, homes and farms in a picturesque corner of the State of New York, by proclamation of the State Legislature, separated from the Town of Caledonia and established the Town of Bellona.

The first order of business, raise alms for the poor, then deal with pesky wild and domesticated animals, such as boars, rams and foxes.

The first meeting of the Town of Bellona was reenacted on the same spot in Trigon Park and outside the Memorial Auditorium on Friday.

Less than a year later, Bellona would be known as Le Roy (named after a wealthy New York City businessman whose son settled in the area and built what is now known as the Le Roy House).

Just as 200 years ago, the meeting closed with 13 toasts by the dignitaries in attendance, including Kathy Hochul, Steve Hawley, Mike Ranzenhofer and Stephen Barbeau -- the current town supervisor who presided over the meeting dressed as the town's first supervisor, Dr. William Sheldon, might have been attired.

The chorale performance by students of Holy Family School was an emotional one for parents, who learned just a few days ago that the school would be closing.

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The Sheriff's Office announced the following arrests in connection with the Drake concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday.

(redacted upon proof of charges being dismissed), 21, of Buffalo, is charged with resisting arrest, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly pushing a female to the ground and then physically refusing to be taken into custody. (Redacted) was arraigned  and jailed on $500 bail.

David Rivera, 22, of Bank Street, Bradford, Pa., is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave Darien Lake after being told to several times to leave. Rivera was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Matthew R. Gordon, 23, of Alcott Road, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly screaming obscenities that instigated two fights in the parking lot. Gordon was arraigned and jailed on $300 bail.

Wadsworth K. Sykes, 19, of Hopkins Road, Canandaigua, is charged with public lewdness, trespass and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly urinating in front of other patrons and refusing to leave the venue. Sykes was also found to be intoxicated. He was arraigned and jailed on $500 bail.

Darrin J. Lichy, 22, of Center Road, Salamanca, is charged with trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue. Lichy was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Chad J. Temperato, 20, of Karen Drive, Rochester, is charged with trespass and possession, of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly attempting to enter the concert venue after being told to leave and being intoxicated. Temperato was arraigned and jailed on $300 bail.

Jeffrey M. Civiletti, 24, of Beverly Heights, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly refusing to leave the inside of the concert venue. Civiletti was arraigned  and jailed on $350 bail.

Victor S. Bamberry, 17, of Cayuga Road, Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert venue without a ticket. Victor was released on $80 bail.

Derick C. Whitlow, 24, of Fifth Line Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert venue without a ticket. Whitlow was released on $80 bail.

Alesia N. Abramson, 26, of Hickory Drive, Ft. Meyers, Fla., is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly striking another female in the face while in the concert parking lot after the concert ended. Abramsom was released on $100 bail

Jenney E. Mulrain, 24, of West State Street, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly grabbing another person by the hair and striking them numerous times in the face.

Patrick M. Kelly, 17, of North Beaver Street, Jordan, is charged with petit larceny after allegedly shoplifting from a gift shop inside the amusement park.

Chad A. Kenyon, 23, of Northgate Manor Rochester, is charged with false personation after allegedly giving false information about his identity.

Emily A. Argen, 20, of Villa Marie Road, West Seneca, is charged with false personation and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly providing false information about her identity and possessing alcohol.

Alexander S. Jakson, 16, of Beresford Court, Clarence, is charged with false personation and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly providing false information about his identity and possessing alcohol under age 21.

Patrick H. Maher, 20, of South Grafton Avenue, Blasdell, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly smoking marijuana in public and possessing alcohol being under age 21.

Caitlin Q. Bettinger, 19, of Winterway Lane, Hamburg, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly smoking marijuana in public and possessing alcohol under age 21.

Danielle J. Sequerth, 19, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert area after being told to leave several times.

Roland P. Parson, 21, of Bradley Street, Buffalo, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance while at the concert venue.

Alexsys J. Grishaber, 18, of Johnson Road, Greece, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Ryan J. Brennan, 20, of East West Road, West Seneca, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Ryan F. Nieuwesteeg, 18, of Mount Olive Crescent, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly fighting with security while being ejected from the venue.

Edward J. Vargas, 23, of Glen Oaks Drive, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly scratching a security guard while being ejected from the venue.

Matthew A. Anderson, 22, of Shelter Street, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly kicking another person while at the concert venue.

The following citations were issued for alleged underage drinking:

(name redacted upon request), 19, of Tracey Lane, Grand Island
Monique Wright, 19, of Park Lane, Grand Island
Rachel M. V. Watt, 18, of Forest Creek Lane, Grand Island
Wesley R. Haynie, 18, of Bedell Road, Grand Island
Cody J. Smith, 16, of Fix Road, Grand Island
Alec J. Metro, 17, of Greenway Road, Grand Island
Paul J. Mistretta, 18, of Tonawanda Creek Road, East Amherst
Ryan J. Winkler, 17, of Deer Ridge, Getzville
David M. Powers, 18, of Autumn Creek Court, East Amherst
Nicholas J. Perna, 18, of Rosewood Drive, Williamsville
Marissa T. J. Schaedel, 18, of Muir Field Lane, Lancaster
Robyn E. Babbitt, 18, of Tiburon Lane, East Amherst
Matthew D. Rygg, 19, of Misty Lane, Amherst
Alyssa J. Plummer, 19, of Stellane Drive, Angola
Kyleigh A. Kaczor, 16, of Old Lake Shore, Irving
Bradley T. Owens, 16, of Milestrip Road, Irving
Imre A. Ulici, 19, of Beaver Creek Drive, Webster
Eric W. Abrey Jr. , 16, of South Estate Drive, Webster
Paul A. Whittaker, 17, of Huntsman Way, Webster
Austin P. (?), 18, of Dysinger Road, Lockport
Mitchell A. Mix, 18, of Ashford Avenue, Tonawanda
Jeffrey T. Dumas, 20, of Princeton Lane, Buffalo
Matthew G. Battles, 20, of Durstein Street, Buffalo
Alysia M. Pirro, 18, of Marbeth Court, Buffalo
Virginia P. Morris, 19, of Seneca Street, Buffalo
Samantha L. Hendell, 17, of Hopkins Road, Getzville
Mollie A. Sadler, 18, of Birchwood Court, Williamsville
Javonte L. King, 19, of Everwild Lane, Greece
Meghan E. Crowley, 19, of Longbush Lane, Webster
Rachel C. Lemoine, 19, of Middlebury Road, Webster
Morgan E. Henry, 19, of Concord Drive, Webster
Andrew J. Belding, 18, of Grimble Road, Canandaigua
Lauren E. Bornheimer, 19, of Spruce Run, Palmyra (issued two tickets)
Kaylee A. Jerome, 19, of Andrews Road, Canandaigua
Daniel G. Medvin, 20, of Lynbrook Avenue, Tonawanda
Nicholas A. Balesteri, 20, of Springfield Avenue, Tonawanda
Abby L. Sitterley, 18, of County Road, Livonia
Zachary M. Lamacchia, 18, of Cary Road, Alden
Marsha A. Digregrio, 17, of Lafayette Road, Rochester
Natalie M. Persechino, 17, of Old Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda
Jacob M. L. Lopez, 19, of Abel Road, Hamburg
Jillian L. Piccirilli, 20, of Glenwillow Drive, Hamburg
Emily C. Kavanaugh, 20, of Hi-View Terrace, West Seneca
Carrie S. Fisher, 20, of Berg Road, Orchard Park
Jacob T. Coster, 19, of Downing Street, Buffalo
Stephanie Lebib, 20, of Hill Road, Rochester
Trevor W. Vanderbush, 20, of Lewis Road, Holland
Samantha A. Trabucco, 16, of Herr Road, Clarence Center
Mitchell S. Szabo, 17, of Clarence Center Road, Clarence Center
Kristen K. Skoney, 18, of Broadmoor Drive, Tonawanda
Daniel R. Keem, 18, of Greentree Road, Tonawanda
Zachary J. Misiak, 16, of Jamaica Square, North Tonawanda
Chelsie L. Ridd, 19, of Victor Lane, Hamlin
Aaron W. Polanski, 20, of South Creek Drive, Cheektowaga
Dominic M. Dicioccio, 19, of Parkpoint Drive, Rochester
Olivia M. Michaels, 20, of Perry Court, Lewiston
Mary K. Swanson, 20, of Oxbow Lane, Lewiston
Dallas P. Ross, 19, of Victor Lanem, Hamlin
(name redacted upon request), 18, of Boies Road, East Aurora
Alexandra L. Alessi, 18, of Girard Avenue, East Aurora
Anthony V. Iacono, 18, of Oak Dale Lane, Williamsville
Kevin Dagher, 19, of Via Marina, Williamsville
Connor J. Niel, 18, of Greiner Road, Williamsville
Daniel T. Wischerath, 16, of Winding Woods, Hamburg
Gabrielle R. Porto, 17, of Elm Street, Youngstown
Hailey M. Hibbard, 17, of Lake Road, Youngstown
Matthew X. Ferris, 20, of Shortsville Road, Shortsville
Brooke L. Toelsin, 18, of Lakeview Avenue, Orchard Park
Matthew J. Collins, 16, of Baraga Street, Buffalo
Christopher P. Schirching, 19, of Maple Ridge Road, Alden

A road rage incident and fight is reported in the Darien Lake parking lot, P2, north of the silos.

A deputy reports, "we have a large one." He requests for units to the scene.

At one point, he said, "they're going to roll it."

There was a concert at Darien Lake tonight and scanner traffic from Darien Lake has been heavy all evening.

There's an accident on Route 77 with minor injuries and Sumner Road is gridlocked.

UPDATE 12:46 a.m.: Dispatch is trying to get patrols to a report of a fight in the parking lot. An individual was having a fight with his girlfriend, allegedly breaking things in the car, and now he's reportedly out of the vehicle, yelling at other people and getting beer bottles thrown at him.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Traffic is backed up on Route 77 all the way to Brick House corners.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: A deputy reports, here's part of the problem: There's only one toll taker at the Thruway entrance. BTW: The band concert tonight, Drake.

UPDATE 1:09 a.m.: A woman has reported that she was assaulted by four other females. She is in her car now and is reporting being surrounded by her assailants. A deputy is heading to her location.

Several people are reportedly involved in a fight at the Travelodge on Park Road, Batavia.

Deputies responding.

UPDATE 11:36 p.m.: The involved subjects have reportedly scattered. An injured person who was assaulted is in a car in a nearby parking lot. Mercy EMS being dispatched.

A caller on the Thruway reports seeing large flames in the area north of Pratt Road near Powers Road.

East Pembroke is being dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE: All equipment being held in quarters. The chief has received a call reporting a controlled burn.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: East Pembroke back in service.

A unknown type fire is reported at North and Vine, Batavia.

Flames are reportedly 10 feet in the air.

It could be a garbage fire.

City Fire is responding.

UPDATE: 12:06 a.m.: We didn't hear any further updates on this call.

Three-year-old Sam Stisser of Le Roy, enjoys a juicy, fresh strawberry just off the stem at Duyssen Family Farm in Le Roy. Sam was there to pick strawberries with his mother, Kari, who said she brings her three kids out to the farm a few times during the week during strawberry season.

Below, Carissa Graham, 4, was also out at the farm picking strawberries with her mother.

A dump truck has reportedly struck a utility pole and knocked down power lines at Route 33 and Ellinwood Road, Corfu.

The lines are blocking the road.

Corfu Fire Department is being dispatched.

No injuries are reported.

UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: The accident location is apparently further east than originally reported and may be in East Pembroke's district. A Corfu chief is continuing and will advise dispatch.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: East Pembroke being dispatched.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The road is completely blocked. Route 33 is being shut down at Angling Road by Corfu. Street address is 2308 Route 33. National Grid has been notified.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: East Pembroke fire police will shut the road down at Route 33 and Reed Road. National Grid has a 20 minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: The road is open.

UPDATE 2:55 p.m.: All units are back in service.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by a reader.

During my Friday morning drive, I took a turn down Oakta Trail Road and spotted somebody in the creek tying a fly to a leader. I introduced myself to Bill Westfall of Cheektowaga, who said, "Sure, go ahead and take some pictures." In the 15 minutes I hung around, his every cast hit his spot and he did land one small trout. 

I set out early this morning with the idea of taking a particular picture. That picture didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I did drive around a bit. Here are three pictures from that drive.

Above a tree in a field off Nilesville Road, Stafford (and, yes, it's the same tree as sunset picture from yesterday).

The bottom two photos are take from under the Munson Street bridge in Le Roy.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes United Memorial’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s advanced standards.

United Memorial underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in late January 2012. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated UMMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

"Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, demonstrates United Memorial’s commitment to the highest level of care for our patients," said Mark C. Schoell, CEO of United Memorial. "With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

The Joint Commission’s hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of hospitals. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.

United Memorial has received accreditation for three years, from January 28, 2012 to January 27, 2015.

This picture was taken from Nilesville Road, Stafford, looking west.

A Corfu police officer stopped a truck late this afternoon for having an obstructed license plate and found two alleged illegal immigrants inside.

The truck was impounded pending proof of ownership and the U.S. Border Patrol took the two suspected illegal immigrants into custody.

Officer Gene Nati said the truck's plate looked like it had been intentionally obstructed with black tar or a similar substance.

When Nati approached the truck immediately after he stopped it at 4:50 p.m., he found three male occupants. Two couldn't speak English and had foreign documents he didn't recognize, so he requested the Border Patrol to the scene for assistance.

The truck was hauling a storage shed purchased from a Batavia business by a Corfu resident, but the delivery originated with a company in North Carolina, Nati said.

"That company (from North Carolina) employed the illegal immigrants," Nati said.

The third man was in the country on a visa. He was taken to the Flying J and released.

The shed was also impounded and Nati said once the local company and the local resident who made the purchase produce proper documentation for the purchase, he will release the shed.

A head-on collision has been reported on Route 77 in front of the Pembroke Town Park, but the injuries are reportedly minor.

One person has elbow pain and the other person is refusing EMS.

A Corfu fire chief was on scene immediately and a Corfu unit is dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.:  The initial report to dispatch was wrong. This was not  a head-on accident. It is a rear-end accident.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: One patient taken to UMMC with complaint of back pain.

UPDATE 7:37 p.m.: Corfu back in service. Road reopened.

Last week, Rep. Kathy Hochul marked her first year in office, and it's been a busy year for the freshman Democrat who won a special election over Republican Jane Corwin.

Genesee County political observers estimate that Hochul has spent more time locally than her predecessors, Tom Reynolds and Chris Lee, combined.

"That's where the people are," Hochul said, explaining why she makes so many public appearances in the district. "That's where I can listen, find out their concerns. My title is U.S. Representative and the best way I can execute my duties is to listen to people.

"Every time I’m out out in the community I learn something new and I find another way I can serve my district," she added.

Upon taking office, Hochul said she found a backlog of constituent issues and immediately hired staff that would focus on constituent issues.

So far, she said, her staff has helped constituents garner $800,000 in benefits owed to them by the federal government for one reason or another but had been held up by red tape.

Listening to constituents, she said, is why she continues to oppose the Ryan budget plan and its cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Genesee County, already with a heavy Medicaid burden, would see it increase under the Ryan plan, Hochul said.

"The Ryan budget plan would convert Medicaid into a block grant program, and that's one of the many reasons I'm against it," Hochul said. "It would make for higher costs for county taxpayers and taxpayers across Western New York. It would limit how much counties get and the localities would have to pick up the cost."

But listening to constituents, she said, is also why she was one of only 24 Democrats, and the only one from New York, to support the balanced budget amendment.

Democrats in Washington, she said, haven't put pressure on her to conform with their agenda.

"My title is representative and I represent a Republican, conservative-leaning district," Hochul said. "I am free to look at every issue that comes before me and vote in the best way to represent my district."

In Washington, Hochul said, Republicans have shown a willingness to work with her. On the Homeland Security Committee, she was the only Democrat during the session to get unanimous bipartisan support for her amendments to bills. That included an amendment to ensure Transportation Security Administration uniforms are made in the United States and that unclaimed clothing from airport screenings are donated to homeless veterans.

Representing the people of WNY in Congress is an amazing honor, Hochul said.

"I come back to the district often because what occurs here is very much more meaningful and where the decisions we make effect lives directly," Hochul said.

Top Photo: File photo, Hochul at the parade in Bergen on Memorial Day this year.

The U.S. flag flying outside of St. Joe's School had gotten so tattered that teacher Marianne Clattenburg thought it needed replacing. She mentioned it to Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Hawley offered to deliver a new flag to the school.

Today, Hawley was joined by a group of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to raise the flag for the first time.

After talking with students a bit about the importance of the flag and sharing a little bit about state government, Hawley and the students hoisted the new flag high upon the pole.

When the students found out their picture was going to be on The Batavian, they were thrilled and some wanted to be sure their names were included, so here they are: Shawn, 3rd; Rachel, 3rd; Tegan, 4th; Jocelyn, 4th; Andres, 4th; Bella, 5th; Garrett, 4th; Gabby, 4th; Vincent, 5th; Marlea, 5th; Faith, 5th; Jace, 3rd; Benjamin, 3rd; Spencer, 5th; Tori, 5th; Megan, 4th. Their teacher today was Karen Green.